Jane Millionaire

“Thirty-one. Not that it’s any of your business.”

Had she asked that out loud? Yikes. She needed to be more careful, or she’d be begging him to kiss her--possibly more.

“Don’t you want to know how old I am?” Now why had she asked that?

“You’re twenty-five.” He recited Jessie’s age reminding Jill she was living a farce in more ways than one.

“You know, it really isn’t fair that you know everything about me, and I know next to nothing about you.” His hands stopped massaging. “Don’t quit. That felt great.”

He frowned, eyeing her skeptically. “Did you have a Charlie horse?”

She flexed her toes upward. No pain. Had she had a real cramp, or had her body given her an excuse to get his attention? A reason knowledge of the camera wouldn’t cancel out? Her leg had hurt, but her pain was gone.

“Maybe you’re so good my pain went away?” Okay, so she was feeble minded, and her excuse was even worse. His hands on her body had been worth it.

“Maybe.” He conceded, his eyes briefly meeting hers. She wished she could read his thoughts, but those whiskey eyes revealed nothing. He stood and turned back to where he’d left his weights.

“Wait.” She grabbed his arm, the one she’d been fantasizing of running her fingertips over. His biceps flexed, solid and hard, against her palm. The ever-present zings of their skin contact pulsated through her.

He slowly pivoted. “What?”

She leaned close, whispered the words in his ears to prevent them from being picked up by the recording equipment. “I know I’m not supposed to be, but I’m attracted to you.”

She held her breath as she waited for him to react to her foolish admission.

“Don’t be.” He pulled back, his body tense, his hot masculine scent tempting her nostrils.

“I’m not very good at the games men and women play. Maybe it’s the cop in me, but I don’t like to evade the issue.” Her heart raced, and if not for the desire she saw in his gaze she would probably chicken out, but her every instinct told her he wanted her as much as she wanted him. She’d learned to trust her instincts long ago and doing so had saved her live on more than one occasion. Of course, in Rob’s case, her instincts sent out conflicting messages. Stay away. Kiss him.

She reached up, closer, almost close enough to press her lips to his ear. Heat, his heat, emanated, seduced her to go ahead, to taste his salty flesh. “I’d really like you to kiss me.”

His muscles contracted beneath her grasp. “Don’t say that.”

“Why not?” She breathed in deep, his musky scent adding to the longings building within her. The man oozed pheromones.

“I’m not one of the bachelors.”

She could barely hear his strained words. Had that been a Spanish curse under his breath? Whatever, it sure hadn’t sounded like an endearment.

“So? Can’t I spend this evening with you? Somewhere away from the cameras? At least until it’s time for me to show at the pool? Or afterwards? No one has to know.” Part of her was embarrassed by her boldness. Part of her warned she was skirting with danger. Another reveled in her initiative. Jill Davidson was hitting on a man--and, for once, not with her fists. Cool.

“Not a good idea.” He pulled his arm free but didn’t step away.

“I’ve seen how you look at me.” The same way he looked at her this very moment. As if a genie granted him one wish, he’d choose her as his prize without hesitation.

“That’s why we don’t need to spend any more time together than is absolutely necessary. I made a mistake by spending so much time with you before the bachelors arrived. I knew better, but,” he paused and ran his hand through his dark hair. Looking frustrated, he shot a glance at the camera, then leaned forward and whispered into her ear. “If we do, I won’t be able to help myself; I’ll have to have you.”

And that was a bad thing?

“What if that’s what I want?” She told him with her gaze that was exactly what she wanted.

“You can’t.”

A bead of sweat trickled down his neck and she was pretty sure it had nothing to do with his workout. Her gaze followed its path until his sleeveless t-shirt absorbed the drop. Tension visibly coiled through his body. He wanted her. She wanted him. Forget all the reasons why she shouldn’t be with this man.

“But I do. So very much.” Her lips parted in excited anticipation.

His head moved closer, his eyes locked on her mouth. Abruptly, he jerked away. He stepped back, determination on his face.