“I thought this would be more fun than it’s turning out to be.” And it would be if she could spend her time with Rob the way she had before the bachelors showed up. She missed having her meals with him and the rest of the crew, having Rob devote hours of his time to educating her on her role, supervising her photo shoots, of having him smile and laugh with her. She missed Rob. Period.
Oh yeah, if she could have spent the entire month in Rob’s company, she’d have been a happy camper. Instead, she’d barely seen him since the dirty dozen had taken up residence four days ago. Not seeing him should have been a welcome reprieve, rather than sending her in search of his company. Rob embodied the biggest threat to her being found out, yet she yearned to be with him.
Jill sighed, not bothering to hide her frustration.
A worried look settled onto JP’s face. “You aren’t thinking of breaching your contract, are you?”
She shook her head. Why would he think that? She’d gone this far to ensure her sister didn’t face legal repercussions. She wouldn’t quit now. Who knew what would happen to Jessie if the truth ever came out? Or to her? The prospect of losing her job and possibly going to jail for fraud wasn’t an appealing thought. Besides, to end this charade would be ensuring she’d never see Rob again.
“I’m seeing this to the end--whatever that may be.”
She spoke with JP a few minutes longer, nervously glancing around the foyer, in case one of the bachelors showed up. She didn’t want anyone following her to the exercise room.
“Well, I’m going to get a quick workout in before having to meet with the bachelors.” She smiled and gave a quick wave before heading down the long passageway that led to the fully equipped exercise room.
Jill stood in the doorway and watched Rob lift weights in controlled repetitions. His dark hair was damp, and his tan skin glistened. His sleeveless t-shirt outlined to-die-for abs and revealed biceps that bulged. She’d like nothing more than to cross the room and run her fingertips over his shoulders and arms.
She was used to working out around men. The police force gym was always full of half-dressed men, but none of them made her break out in a sweat before she’d made a single move. Watching Rob made her sweat. In a very naughty way.
He looked up and frowned when he saw her. “You need something?”
Yeah, she did. What would he say if she admitted she needed him to kiss her? Just so she’d know if his lips were as scorching as she imagined, if his lips zinged the way his fingertips did, if her knee would bend and her would insides melt at the mere touch of his mouth to hers.
“I want to work out.” Which was the truth. She did want to work up a sweat. Of course, the only special equipment she’d need was the man eyeing her with suspicion.
His brow rose, but he didn’t point out the obvious--that she’d had a more than decent workout playing the men earlier. Instead, he glanced around the exercise room. “There’s plenty of room. Help yourself.”
Why had things had to change? He’d smiled when she’d arrived in the gym prior to the constant cameras. He’d teased her and even sat on the bench just talking when he’d finished his workout halfway into hers. Now, except for the dance, he’d barely acknowledged she still existed. Of course, the only time she’d even seen him had been during filming. He’d remained in the background and she’d only been able to sneak quick peeks.
And she hated it.
Walking over to a bench, she dropped her fluffy navy and white striped towel. She pulled off her t-shirt, leaving only her black sports bra and matching shorts to cover her body. She stretched to and fro before hopping onto a ski machine. When she glanced up in the mirror lining the wall in front of her, her gaze collided with Rob’s.
He looked away and continued his own workout.
Jill smiled. Rob’s gaze had been full of sexual longing.
Bachelors or not, Rob wanted her.
Maybe, life wasn’t perfect, but regardless of having to spend time with the bachelors, this was going to be the best month ever. A month without bailing Jessie out of one crisis after another. A month of not having to deal with crooks, con men, an ex-lover partner who she’d always believed she’d eventually marry, and said ex-lover’s new girlfriend who brought new meaning to the word jealous.
Of course, maybe she’d had reason. Because Jill now admitted that until meeting Rob, she’d harbored hope Dan and she would get back together. After all, they made a great couple and wanted the same things from life.
Dan was built, but didn’t begin to compare to the man pumping iron across the room as he pretended to ignore her. Probably because of the camera in the corner recording every move they made. But it was more than his outward appearance that attracted her to Rob. She’d watched him over the past week. He was a natural born leader. Everyone on the crew, including JP, looked to Rob for answers. He never hesitated to make a decision. He was a man who invoked trust in those who knew him.
She wanted to know more. Wanted to move beyond her twenty-six years of being a good girl, and just live for the moment--even if it was only for one month.
But what she wanted more than anything was for Rob Lancaster to make love to her over and over until she couldn’t see straight. More caught up in her
thoughts than her workout, she lurched and stumbled awkwardly on the machine.
“Ouch.” She rubbed her hand over her calf as a muscle pinched into a spasm. She hadn’t had a cramp in years, but lusting after the man in the mirror rather than paying attention to what she was doing had apparently triggered all sorts of aches.
“You okay?” Rob dropped his weights onto the mat and crossed the room.
“Charlie horse.” She groaned in total misery.
He knelt next to her and ran his hands over her calf. Her spasm eased as he massaged her tight muscles. Magic. That’s what his fingers were. Pure zinging masculine magic. Jill stared at the top of his head, spotting a single strand of gray mixed in with his shiny dark hair. How old was he?