All in the Game

by Barbara Boswell

  “Sort of. You sounded more like you were questioning my sanity than admiring my ethics, though,” she teased.

  He shook his head. “No, I was awestruck. I truly admire your sense of fair play and your willpower, too, Shannen. Keep in mind that I come from a family that’s severely deficient in both those qualities.”

  “But those qualities aren’t deficient in you, Ty,” Shannen said softly. “Every family has somebody who’s deficient in something. It doesn’t mean the whole gene pool is tainted. You have to give yourself a break. You’re different from…the others,” she summarized, because to individually cite his father, brother, sister, cousin and uncle seemed rather excessive.

  Ty said nothing.

  “I can tell by your expression that you don’t think I understand what you’ve faced, but I do, Ty. I have. In a less public way, of course.” Shannen finished her sandwich and sipped her iced tea. “When you called me white trash—”

  “Shannen, please believe me when I tell you that I didn’t mean it. They were just words I used to drive you away from me because I had to make sure you’d go.” Ty was emphatic.

  “They were words that hit home because there was truth in them,” Shannen continued calmly. “My mother was a wild teen herself and had my older brother, Evan, when she was just sixteen. His father was ten years older than she was, and they’d kept their relationship a secret. When you said what you did, it made me face that I was on the verge of repeating her mistakes. My grandmother had tried so hard to keep my sisters and me from turning out like Mom, and there I was, headed down the same road, anyway.”

  “I didn’t know, Shannen. If I had—

  “You would’ve found some other words to drive me away?” she suggested with a ghost of a smile. “They probably wouldn’t have been as effective. I’d seen how my mother had messed up her life—she’s still doing it—and what you said was exactly what I needed to knock some sense into me, as Gramma would say.”

  “Your grandmother has a lot to say,” said Ty, covering her hand with his.

  “She raised our sister, Jordan, and Lauren and me. My mother married our father—he was her age and in the army—and had Jordan when they were both just twenty-one. Thirteen months later Lauren and I were born. Obviously, she wasn’t thrilled to have twins at that time. Or at any time, really.”

  Ty winced. “It’s too bad she kept telling you so. How did you end up being raised by your grandmother?”

  “When Lauren and I were three, our dad was killed in a military training accident and Mom brought us back to West Falls to live with Gramma. Our brother bounced between us and his father. Mom came and went as she pleased.”

  Shannen paused, thinking back on that less-than-idyllic time. “Poor Gramma! She’d worked hard her whole life running the diner and raising a family, and then we descended on her and stayed till we were all grown up. How someone like Mom and someone like Gramma can be mother and daughter is a mystery, but then I wonder how Mom and my sisters and I can be…” Her voice trailed off.

  “Seems like your mother is the ‘mystery.’ There are a number of those in the Howe family, too.” Ty laced his fingers with hers.

  “Mom’s been married three times and has had so many boyfriends not even she can remember them all. She goes to bars and gets drunk and into fights. She’s written bad checks and shoplifted and has been in and out of jail. Evan is exactly like her. Gramma ended up using the money saved for improvements to the diner to bail Mom and Evan out of jail.”

  “So that’s why you and Lauren decided to try out for Victorious? For the prize money?” He appraised her thoughtfully. “I never did believe your cast bio claiming you tried out for the show as a lark.”

  “I don’t do anything for a lark,” Shannen said flatly. “I didn’t even use those words—the show’s publicist came up with them. She said it sounded ‘more fun’ than admitting we were in the game strictly to win money.”

  “The truth is rarely fun for media spinners.”

  “But needing money is the only reason why we tried to win once we were in the game. If we hadn’t thought it was our best shot at staying on the island, we never would’ve forged an alliance with Jed and Keri and Lucy, who we didn’t like from the beginning. Or with Konrad, who made us kind of uneasy.”

  “I think you can drop the ‘we’ and use ‘I,’ Shannen. Lauren’s feelings toward Jed, at least, are different from yours,” Ty reminded her.

  “That’s only crew gossip,” she reminded him.

  “Oh, yeah? Then what do you call his arrival at what he thought was Lauren’s door tonight? And him calling her baby and—”

  “That was all Jed’s gargantuan ego.” Shannen shuddered. “What would Lauren—or Lucy or Keri for that matter—see in a jerk like Jed?”

  “Aside from his boyish good looks? And what about his brawny biceps and polished pecs and the rest of his manly physique? Don’t forget his adventure-guide résumé, either. Just quoting from the Internet discussion boards, Shannen,” Ty added, laughing at her expression of disgust.

  “Oh, ugh! As if he isn’t already vain enough!”

  “He’s also already rich enough not to need the million-dollar prize money,” Ty remarked, watching her. “Remember him mentioning his family’s winter and summer vacation homes, his beloved silver Lexus and all the other things? You asked what a woman would see in Jed—well, at the very least, there is his money. Wealth can make even a toad appealing.”

  “You know, you’re actually lucky you lost all your money, Ty,” Shannen said bluntly. “Because having it made you doubt your own appeal.”

  “It’s not uncommon to wonder if you’re valued for yourself or your fortune, Shannen.”

  “Jed obviously doesn’t have such doubts,” retorted Shannen. “And now that you’re desperate for money like most of us in the world, you’re free to feel valued for yourself. Lucky man!”

  “Are you so very desperate for money, Shannen?” he probed.

  “Not sell-an-organ desperate, but our family definitely can use some extra cash. The bank wouldn’t give Gramma as big a loan as she needs for the diner, and her house needs work, too. Major structural stuff. Plus our sister, Jordan, is married to Josh, and they have two little kids. Josh is a really nice guy who’s been trying to start his own landscaping business but can’t get enough money together to buy the necessary equipment. The bank won’t give them a loan, either. Jordan buys powerball lottery tickets, but you know the odds of winning that.”

  “About the same as being chosen as a contestant on a show like Victorious,” Ty said wryly. “But you tried out for it, anyway.”

  Shannen rolled her eyes. “Lauren was the one who wanted to try out. She’s been bored in West Falls lately and said she just had to do something different for a change. She begged me to come with her. I went along mainly because I thought we didn’t have a chance.”

  “You were just humoring her, hmm?”

  “I never dreamed we’d be chosen,” Shannen said with feeling.

  “Sweetie, you underestimate your appeal.”

  “We were only picked because we’re twins. I didn’t think the producers would go for that gimmick, although Gramma said she wasn’t surprised.”

  “It seems that Gramma is savvy in the ways of network shows. Beautiful identical twin sisters are—”

  “No more quotes from the Internet discussion boards!” Shannen ordered with mock severity. “Wouldn’t the rumormongers have a field day if word ever got out about us? They’d claim it was a fix. Who would ever believe it was strictly coincidence that I came to the island, and there you were behind the camera?”

  “What were those odds?” murmured Ty.

  “Sometimes the odds are incredibly odd. I’ll be sure to tell Jordan to keep buying those powerball tickets.” Shannen drew back, suddenly aware of how long she’d been talking, of how much she’d revealed.

  She gave a self-conscious laugh. “Now, why was I boring you with the history of the Cullens?
Oh yes, so you wouldn’t feel like the only one out here on this balcony whose family wasn’t filled with paragons.”

  “You’re incapable of boring me, Shannen. You were being kind to me, wage slave though I may be.” His voice held a challenging note that Shannen immediately mistook for something else.

  “I like you better without all your money issues, Ty.” She slipped from her chair onto his lap. “That fortune-hunter paranoia of yours was beginning to rub off on me. For a while today I thought you were pretending to be interested in me because I had a chance to win the million-dollar prize.”

  “What?” His arms clamped around her. “Is that the nonsense you were spouting when I first arrived here? I vaguely remember you saying something about the game and the money. Where did you come up with such a hare-brained idea?”

  Beneath her, she could feel the flexing of his muscles as he held her. The warmth of his body heat began to penetrate her.

  “After I gave the immunity totem to Lauren and it was clear I was going to be kicked out of the game, you stopped filming me. For the first time since we arrived on the island,” she added softly.

  “You thought my plans of helping myself to your prize money were finished, so I could stop pretending to be interested in you?” Ty was incredulous. He throbbed hard and insistent against her, and he took her hand and placed it against himself. “Does that feel like pretense to you, Shannen?”

  “No.” Shannen gazed into his eyes.

  The sound of his low voice was as intoxicating as his masculine strength. Her breasts were crushed against his chest, and the sensual pressure felt so good.

  “Are you still wondering why I turned my camera on the others?” He brushed his lips against hers.

  When his tongue flicked to trace the fullness of her lower lip, she quivered. Her head was spinning too much to wonder about anything except the wonder of this moment they shared.

  “You were disappointed with your sister and trying hard not to show it.” He nibbled at her lips, between words. “It wasn’t obvious, but I knew. I hated seeing you in pain, Shannen. I sure as hell didn’t want to film it.”

  “A cameraman giving me some privacy from the camera,” whispered Shannen. She kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Ty.”

  He glided his hands along the length of her spine until he reached her bottom. Provocatively, he traced the line of her panties beneath the silky material of her dress, then kneaded the rounded softness with his strong fingers.

  “I want you again, Shannen.”

  “Yes, Ty.” A fast-flowing torrent of desire swept her. The heat of it made her go weak and soft. She couldn’t do anything but cling to Ty, to meet and match his demands, kiss for kiss, caress for caress.

  He gave a low growl as he slid his hand under her skirt. Her breath caught on a moan as sensual currents eddied through her. His body was taut under her hands, and their mingled murmurs and sighs of passion joined the night sounds in the air.

  A burgeoning ache radiated from the tips of her breasts to the liquid heat pooling between her thighs.

  “Right here. Right now, Shannen,” he demanded huskily.

  In one of those sudden moves he executed so well, he scooped her up and carried her to the chaise longue a few feet away.

  He came down on top of her, his legs between hers, opening her thighs wider as he settled himself against her. The weight of his body pressed her deeper into the soft cushion of the chaise. Acute pleasure shot through her, and instinctively she thrust her hips in counterpoint.

  “That’s it, baby!” he groaned. He shifted a little to push up her skirt.

  All at once, Shannen felt as if she’d been catapulted out of a sensuous dream. She tried to sit up but only managed to raise herself a little, using her arms as leverage. “Ty, stop.”

  He froze. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

  “You called me ‘baby.’” Shannen stared up at him.

  Ty groaned. “Did you hate it?”

  She raised her brows. “I haven’t decided. I’ll let you know. Meanwhile we have to go inside.”

  “To bed.” Ty sounded hopeful. He slowly eased himself off her and rose to stand. He extended his hand, and she placed hers in his. “You’re right, of course.” He pulled her to her feet. “The bed is much more comfortable than being out here.”

  “Out here was fine,” she assured him dryly. “It’s just that all of a sudden I felt like I’d been shot in the head.”

  He draped an arm around her and walked her inside the room. “Remind me never to call you baby again.”

  “It was a good thing you did, because it conjured up—well, a baby. A cute little consequence I don’t think either of us is ready for at this point.” Shannen handed him a foil packet. “We didn’t have this with us out there.”

  A visibly startled Ty gaped at the sight of the condom she’d placed in his hand. “I can’t believe I forgot.”

  “No harm done.” Her voice became soft and sultry. “Shall we carry on?”

  “I completely forgot.” Ty was astounded. “That’s never happened before. Not ever, Shannen! You go to my head like a double shot of old Granddaddy’s 110 proof whiskey.”

  “Thank you.” Shannen felt pleased with herself. It was thrilling to know that Ty had wanted her so much she’d affected his thought processes. He’d certainly obliterated hers! “Maybe you aren’t as vigilant without your fortune to guard,” she added thoughtfully.

  “Believe me, you can take full credit for blowing my mind. Baby.”

  They both laughed, a bit uncertainly.

  Shannen watched as he tore open the packet and sheathed himself.

  His mouth took hers with breathtaking impact, and their interrupted passion instantly flared to flashpoint. Neither could wait. They fell to the bed, her body pliant and supple beneath him. She loved being filled by him and sighed her pleasure.

  As they joined together, her body moved with him and for him, exerting sensual demands of her own. Abruptly a tidal wave of ecstasy carried them both to the heights of rapture that went on and on until they both lay sated and spent in each other’s arms.

  Time seemed to stop. Neither felt the need to move or speak or even think. They lay together, languorous and drowsy, their bodies still joined.

  Ty was the first to break the idyllic silence. “I’m falling asleep,” he murmured.

  “That’s okay.” She stroked him lovingly, her eyes closed. “So am I.”

  “Good.” He carefully withdrew himself from her and reached down to pull the top sheet over her.

  Shannen turned to snuggle close to him again, but he wasn’t there. Her eyes flew open.

  He had gotten out of bed and was standing beside it. “I have to go.”

  She watched him hastily pull on his clothes. It occurred to her that this was the second time she’d seen him get dressed tonight, and he was donning his clothes this time as speedily as he had when Jed was caterwauling outside the door. She frowned, not liking the similarity.

  Now fully dressed, Ty looked down at her. She looked away, holding the sheet to her chin, suddenly grateful for its protection against his gaze.

  Ty heaved a sigh. “Shannen, as much as I want to stay with you, I have to round up the PAs and get back to the island. Filming starts at dawn, as usual.” His lips curved into a smile. “I’ll miss not seeing you stagger out of the tent first thing in the morning.”

  Shannen wished he would say that he’d miss her. Period. But she didn’t tell him so. She’d already done too much talking tonight. Now he was ready to leave…because he’d gotten what he came for?

  If it was her total capitulation and surrender to him, the answer was yes, she mocked herself. And now he was leaving her. She steeled herself against the hurt tearing through her. She was being unreasonable, and she knew it. Of course he had to go back to the island.

  Anyway, what had she expected from him, a pledge of true love?

  “Good night, Shannen.”

  Their eyes met and hel
d, and she could do nothing but gaze at him as his mouth lowered to hers. His lips touched hers, and her lips parted reflexively in response. The doubt and anxiety that gripped her for the past few moments dissolved as he kissed her deeply.

  She responded passionately, feeling the hard heat of him, physical proof that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. At least there could be no anxious doubts about that.

  Then Ty lifted his lips and cupped her face with his big hands, staring down at her flushed cheeks and kiss-swollen lips. “If I don’t leave now…”

  He shook his head and straightened.

  Shannen watched him walk toward the door and vowed not to ask that Dreadfully Desperate Question: When will I see you again?

  “Don’t forget your condoms,” she called after him, clutching the sheet even tighter. She’d meant to sound playful, and surprised herself with her baiting tone.

  Ty stopped in his tracks.

  Shannen was mortified. How unsubtle could she be! She may as well have gone ahead and asked him the Dreadfully Desperate Question itself. She didn’t dare look at Ty.

  “I thought I’d leave them here.”

  She didn’t have to look at him—the droll note in his voice gave her a clear enough picture.

  So he found her insecurities amusing? Shannen glowered. “Don’t bother. I won’t be needing them.”

  “Yes, you will. Tomorrow night when I come over,” he added, quietly closing the door behind him as he left the room.

  Eight

  It’s like one big spring break around here. Miles, the show’s production assistant stationed at the hotel, had jovially proclaimed last night.

  His words rang in Shannen’s head as she stood beside the lagoon-like pool, watching the Victorious losers swimming and sunning themselves and consuming tray after tray of brilliant-colored exotic drinks.

  During her four years at West Falls University, she had never experienced the fun-in-the-sun revelry of spring break. There hadn’t been enough money. Time off from class meant extra time to work for pay.