He surfaced and waved at me. Then he swam over and came up to the edge, crossing his arms on the side of the pool. Which obscured my view of his perfect chest.
As Pepé Le Pew would say, le sigh.
I felt hyperaware of every detail—how his muscles flexed in his forearms, how the water droplets clung to his dark hair, how his smile seemed brighter and more blinding than the sun.
And I was hyperaware of how much I liked it.
“Come in. The water feels nice.” I could actually feel nineteen sets of eyes boring into me.
“I’m good. Thanks, though.”
“Your loss,” he said, flinging some water at me. I refused to be goaded into responding.
Genesis started to say something to me, but we were interrupted by Harris’s voice. “Good afternoon, ladies. I hope you all got a good night’s rest, because this afternoon Dante would like to take everyone out on a group date. You’ll be going horseback riding. Cars will be out front waiting for you in one hour.”
Everyone practically sprinted back in the house, nearly trampling Harris in the process. I wondered if an hour would be long enough for them to get ready. “You’re not going in?” Dante asked.
“You’ve seen me without my makeup. I don’t need to impress you.”
“You don’t,” he agreed.
But Genesis was gathering up her things, so I decided to go inside after all. I didn’t want to be left alone with Dante when we had such little clothing on. Bad things might happen.
And I wanted to kick the part of me that got excited at that prospect.
Chapter 7
Those gorgeous eyes, that amazing body, that incredible brain, that earth-shattering smile . . . but enough about me. How have you been?
“When did he see you without your makeup?”
“What?” I was just delaying for a second until I could think of something. “Oh, last night. After the Heart Celebration. It wasn’t a big deal.”
Technically he had seen me last night without my makeup on because I had cried it all off. But if I told her that, then I’d have to explain everything, and I didn’t know if she could keep a secret and I couldn’t risk my career.
I was still lying to her though, and I did not enjoy it. Another girl might have seen right through me, but Genesis just accepted what I said.
Fortunately, I had my red cowgirl boots with me, and some comfortable black leggings. I put on a soft T-shirt, one I wouldn’t mind the horses chewing on if they got affectionate. I hadn’t packed a hat, not knowing there’d be a need for one. The show had given us bathing suits; maybe they’d give us some hats so we didn’t burn.
Genesis put on a similar outfit, including well-worn boots. That surprised me. “Where are you from?” I asked her.
“Iowa,” she said. “Farm girl.” Which explained it.
There were indeed hats downstairs by the front door, and we picked up a couple.
We were also the first ones down. There were two twelve-passenger vans waiting. We climbed into the first one, where I asked Genesis more about where she grew up.
Just as it was time for us to leave, the other women arrived en masse. And most of them were wearing Daisy Dukes, tank tops, and high heels. They all had cowgirl hats on as well, and a couple had even tied bandannas around their throats. Like they were doing their own slutty interpretation of what a real cowgirl would dress like.
They were going to be sorry later when the inside of their legs had been rubbed raw from saddle burn. The high heels were the stupidest part though. They would be sinking into the ground left and right, and they would slip in the stirrups.
It wasn’t my job to babysit them though. Just to find out which one was the least vain and the least stupid and point Dante in her direction.
When we got to the ranch, Dante was already there, and everyone spilled out of the vans, racing toward him. And, as I’d predicted, they very nearly broke their ankles on the way. One of the ranchers called everyone over and asked who knew how to ride a horse. Genesis and I were the only ones who raised our hands. He told us a couple of basic commands that they used, and then sent us over to the stables to choose a steed while he taught the other girls how to control their horses.
A ranch hand showed me the horses, and I saw a beautiful caramel-colored palomino in one stall that made me homesick. I saw the name “Butterscotch” on the door. “Hello, Butterscotch.” I petted her on the nose, and she whinnied at me. I let myself in and saddled her, cinching it tight, making sure I left two fingers between the girth and her side. I adjusted the stirrups to the right length.
As I led her out, Dante came up behind me with a large black stallion. “Who’s this handsome fellow?” I asked.
“Dante.” He winked.
And, against my better inclination, I laughed. “I meant the horse.”
“This is Prince, believe it or not.”
“So why did you choose horseback riding?” I had wondered if he chose it because of me. I had told him once how much I loved my horse Honey back home.
“Genesis grew upon a farm and is studying to be a veterinarian. We thought she would like it. The show originally wanted to have you all mud wrestling in order to win a date. I vetoed it.”
Why did that make my heart sink faster than a lead balloon?
“That’s nice,” I said. The lady in question came out of the stables with a white mare, and she mounted her horse quickly and easily. I went to Butterscotch’s left side and did the same. Dante followed suit.
We rode the horses over to the rest of the group, where they were passing out riding helmets. I heard several of the women complain about how it would ruin their hair. I thought of telling them that if they fell on their head, ruining their brain would be worse, but in some cases that probably wouldn’t be true.
Several mounting blocks were brought out to help them get on top of their horses. The head rancher went down a path and told everyone to follow. There were multiple handlers who stayed off camera. They were necessary because it was like herding cats. Apparently nobody had listened to their instructions, and now the horses were meandering off in different directions.
And even that wasn’t enough to keep them safe, because Genesis had to race off after a girl whose horse was trotting toward a small creek.
“Want to race?” Dante asked me, once it looked like the chaos had been contained.
“You’re on,” I said. Momma always said I was too competitive for my own good.
I kicked Butterscotch lightly with my heels and yelled “Yah!” and she was off. I heard Dante laugh behind me as Prince galloped to catch up. I leaned close to Butterscotch’s neck, crouching above the saddle to encourage her to go faster.
But it didn’t matter. Dante easily caught me and surpassed me, winning the race. I admired him as he left me in the dust. There was something unbelievably appealing about a man who knew how to handle a horse. I called out “Whoa,” and Butterscotch instantly and obediently slowed down, coming to a complete stop. I led her over to where Dante waited for us.
“About time you got here,” he said.
“I don’t think that was very chivalrous of you.” I actually liked that he didn’t let me win. That he made me fight hard to get what I wanted. Because if I ever beat him at something, I would know that I had earned the win.
He took me seriously. Very few people did that.
“You wound me to the quick, my lady! I am always the master of chivalry. I actually wanted to be a knight-errant when I was younger.”
He led Prince over to the creek to let him drink. I urged Butterscotch to do the same. It was so beautiful where we were. Flowing water, wild, high grass, and bright green trees surrounding us.
“Poor you. Born a prince instead of a knight. It must have been a terrible burden to bear.”
Dante laughed, patting Prince on the side of his neck. “I got in big trouble when I was eight and I stole a set of armor from the great hall. And then it didn’t even fit and I could bare
ly move or see. But my mother read us fairy tales from countries all around the world, and I loved the idea of finishing quests and tasks like the knights-errant.”
He had that intense look in his eyes again. “A true knight-errant must always finish a series of tasks to prove his chivalry and love.”
I remembered the party the night before, when he’d accepted my “challenge” and said he wouldn’t drink. “Was that what you meant when you said you accepted my task?”
“Something like that.” I could hear the disappointment in his voice. A disappointment that I wanted to soothe and make better, but I couldn’t. I shouldn’t. I wouldn’t.
At some point I really would figure out how to be in control of my feelings and my reactions to him.
“I can’t believe you liked fairy tales.”
“You didn’t?”
“Not so much.” Now I was the one who sounded disappointed. “They’re totally unrealistic. I mean, except for that one time my best friend fell in love with an actual prince and is living a real Cinderella story. But other than that, no.”
His face looked like he was struggling with something, and then he gave me one of those smiles that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Have you had a chance to speak with any of the other women so far?”
“I like Genesis. She seems sweet. Sincere. Normal.”
“She does,” he agreed thoughtfully.
Jealous, stabby pangs.
Voices came up over the ridge behind us, and the high-pitched, excited sounds that followed when the girls caught sight of Dante caused a small frenzy among the horses. It was all the handlers could do to calm the animals down.
I was annoyed that we’d been interrupted.
“You could probably talk to them easier if you weren’t glowering at everyone.”
“I am not glowering. I do not glower.”
“You’re not going to be much of an inside woman if you keep ignoring everybody. If I didn’t know any better I’d say you were jealous.”
He very smartly rode off before I had the chance to smack him with my reins.
Before the party started, I would see if I could call Kat. And Sterling. And I would remember why I was here and what I needed to accomplish.
I hoped that getting back in touch with reality would put me in the right headspace.
But I wouldn’t have bet on it.
There would be a nightly cocktail party before each elimination, giving everyone another chance to talk to Dante and make an impression. It would also give everyone another opportunity to get embarrassingly drunk and make a fool of themselves on national television.
Win-win either way for the producers.
Just like I’d thought, several of the girls were complaining about saddle burn, and some medics were brought in to clean their wounds, leaving the women to walk around bowlegged.
It would have been really wrong for me to laugh, right?
But pain didn’t stop anyone from getting ready for the party, which reminded me of my beauty pageant days. There was boob tape, Vaseline, flat irons, makeup, and enough fake eyelashes to outfit a millipede with a whole set of prosthetic legs.
I had just finished putting on a knee-length, dark blue cocktail dress with matching beads that made me shimmer, and applying my dark red lipstick, when Genesis came back into our room.
I gasped.
She had on neon green eye shadow, coral lipstick, and a hot pink shade of blush. Not to mention bronzer that made her face and neck different colors, and mascara tinged with purple that was layered onto false lashes so long and so thick I wasn’t sure how she could see.
“Who did this to you, sugar?” I really, really hoped she hadn’t done it herself. She looked like a cross between a televangelist’s wife and an unskilled drag queen.
“Abigail.” That actress. “She said she knew who I was and wanted to make amends. I’m such a fan that I was flattered, you know?”
I did know, and apparently so did Abigail.
“I don’t really know anything about makeup, and she offered to help.” Yeah, Abigail was going to help Genesis the same way that a snake helped a mouse.
By swallowing it whole.
I wondered if Abigail had unhinged her jaw before she made this mess.
“Do you like it?” She sounded so hopeful.
“Let me just lighten it up a little. You have to remember that Abigail is an actress and they tend to put it on a little heavy for the cameras.” I took out a makeup remover cloth and scrubbed everything off. I started from scratch, putting a pale violet eye shadow on her lids to make her green eyes pop, and using a dark brown eyeliner to give her a soft cat eye. I removed most of the lashes, and put black mascara on those that stayed. After some light powder and a light pink lipstick, she looked gorgeous.
“Much better,” I said. She went over to the mirror. “That does look better! Thank you!” She gave me a giant hug, and I tamped down any residual jealousy and reminded myself that we were friends.
And that I needed to keep a closer eye on Back-Stabigail so that I could make sure Genesis was safe. She was like a newborn fawn being released into a lion’s den. I had thought that once I’d told Dante the truth about each girl I could leave. But now I’d have to stay as long as Genesis did so that I could protect her.
Darn my overdeveloped protective instincts.
We went downstairs together, and I looked for Abigail. I wanted to keep her far away from Genesis. I didn’t see her. I stepped outside to check the pool area, but she wasn’t there. I did find a dark-haired woman staring up at the full moon.
I should get started. “Hi, I’m Lemon.”
“I’m Tiffany.”
“Funny how something made out of a bunch of dusty rocks can be so pretty, don’t you think?”
She turned to look at me. “Are you talking about the moon?”
“Yes?” I didn’t mean for it to sound like a question. But what else would I be talking about?
“I’m pretty sure that’s made out of cheese. Like in those cartoons.”
She had to be kidding. “I’m pretty sure it’s made out of rocks.”
“I don’t think that’s right.” No one could be that stupid, could they?
“Seriously?”
“Is what serious?”
“What you just said about the moon being made out of cheese.”
She looked at me like I was stupid. “Yes.”
The beautiful babies that Dante was sure to produce could not be infected by this gene pool. I refused to allow him to have idiot children.
Things didn’t get much better from there. There was bubbly Michelle, who thought everything in life was So Awesome. And Ashley S., who said meanly, “You’re talking to me why, exactly?” I wanted to retort that it was my job to figure out what kind of person she really was. She had spent all day smiling and being sickly sweet to Dante, and that one sentence told me everything I needed to know about her.
Then there was Ashley M., who giggled at everything everyone said. And Lisa, who spent two hours complaining about her ex-boyfriend and how their relationship had gone so wrong and she didn’t know why. She never even took a breath so that I could excuse myself and leave. I started imagining forms of suicide that would be less painful than this conversation, and decided all of them would be, including dropping myself into the tiger enclosure in the zoo and being slowly eaten alive.
Jessica R. wasn’t drinking. I thought I had found a kindred spirit, but then I saw that she wasn’t getting drunker than a peach orchard boar only because “all the empty calories in alcohol.” She told me that she wanted to start a modeling career and hoped the show would launch it. When she asked, I told her that I wanted to get into PR, and she said the show could help me, as well. “You’re not the first person to say that to me,” I told her.
Abigail had already found herself two acolytes, women named Cece and Heather. They followed her everywhere, brought her drinks, and made sure not to “stand in her light.”
/> Genesis came up and stood next to me. “Abigail tried to sabotage me, didn’t she?”
“She did. Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. I can’t believe she already has minions.”
“I wonder if they get dental.”
“Only henchmen get dental. Minions are out of luck.”
“Yeah, they’re basically glorified interns.”
I so liked her. We were on the same wavelength. Dante would like her too, much as that thought made my stomach twist itself into knots.
She was tapping her fingers against her leg. “Nervous tic?” I asked.
“What?” She followed my gaze and looked down at her hand. “Oh, no. I think I’m going through withdrawal.”
Maybe I had to reevaluate her as the front-runner. “Withdrawal?”
She must have heard the alarm in my voice. “Not that kind of withdrawal. I don’t drink or do drugs or smoke or anything. That strict upbringing of mine has sort of stuck with me. I’m missing WoW.”
“Wow?”
“World of Warcraft.” I must have had a very confused expression, because she continued. “It’s a massively multiplayer online role-playing game?”
Still nothing.
“It’s a computer game.” That I understood. “I miss it, like in an it’s-my-crack kind of way.”
Too bad she didn’t know she was trying for the wrong twin. Rafe played video games the way other people drank water. He went to MIT and earned a software engineering degree and spent a lot of time in the MIT Game Lab in order to learn how to design video games. But I couldn’t tell her about Rafe because I wasn’t supposed to know Dante already.
More lying. I was becoming an evil person.
Taylor came over and asked to speak with me in private. When we were alone, she said, “Now would be a good time to make your phone calls. All of the other producers are focused on the party. Follow me.”
She took me into the downstairs bathroom and handed me my phone. She sat on top of the closed toilet seat, texting.
I called Kat first, needing the support. It was very early morning in Monterra, as they were nine hours ahead of us, and there was every possibility that she would sleep through the phone ringing. Thankfully, she picked up on the first ring. “Hey! Do you have any idea what time it is?” She mumbled the words groggily.
Royal Chase (The Royals of Monterra) Page 7
