Lights, Camera, Lies

I gestured to the open glass cabinet above it. “You could put all of your fancy tea cups there. And one of those super fast kettles.”

Alice’s warm smile made me tighten my arm around her, totally forgetting Karen was even there.

“Watching you have your tea every morning, all sleepy-eyed with your hair messed up, is one of my very favorite things,” I murmured, kissing her forehead. She giggled sweetly, then we went upstairs to check out the bedrooms.

“You mentioned children,” Karen said brightly. “The two smaller bedrooms have a washroom between them, and have lots of natural light for kids to play.”

She led us into the massive master bedroom. “A much larger room for the parents, of course,” she smiled. “Walk-in closet, ensuite bathroom, with an old-fashioned claw foot tub and a rainfall shower.”

Alice looked incredibly impressed as she walked around. I couldn’t wait to see what she thought of my place.

“Oh my God,” she gasped as she stepped into the closet. “Who has this many clothes?”

Standing directly behind her, I wound my arms around to place my hands across her stomach. “The fact that you would say such a thing makes me worry that I’m not spoiling you enough, sugar,” I purred into her ear. “After we’re done here, maybe I need to take you on another shopping spree, buy you some new clothes.”

She swiveled her head to look up at me. “Don’t be silly, I have plenty.”

“You’re going to need a lot more if we’re going to fill up this whole closet,” I said.

Holding her against me felt so right, as her shoulders and back pressed against my chest. Reluctantly I released her, so that we could walk into the washroom.

Stroking Alice’s hair, I whispered, “I’m seeing you taking a bubble bath, reading those cozy mysteries you love.”

She turned to place her hand on my chest. “I’m picturing you in that giant shower after your workouts.”

There was something in her eyes that made me know that I hadn’t been imagining it. Alice had real feelings for me. There was no way to tell if they were just physical, or if she was falling for me as hard as I was falling for her, but for the moment, I didn’t even care.

“Karen, can we have a moment to chat?” I asked, giving her a pointed glance.

“Of course. I’ll be down in the dining room.”

When she was barely half a step out the door, I kissed Alice so roughly that she moaned loudly.

Lifting her onto the marble counter, I stood between her thighs, holding her pressed against me. Just as I leaned in to feast on those soft lips again, her palm tapped my chest. I stopped.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, shaking my head. “I wanted her to hear us kissing, but got carried away.”

Alice locked those magical hazel eyes on mine, then pulled my ear down to her lips. “I’m sorry. I can’t...um, you know. In front of the cameras.”

As my heart began to pound, it also started to melt. My shy, sweet girl wanted me all to herself.

5

_____

Alice

I didn’t want Taylor to stop kissing me, and always touching me. Yet I was nervous about something so intimate being splashed around online.

He was always so attentive and thoughtful every moment we were together. I couldn’t help but feel incredibly close to him. Every time he pulled me against that huge, hard body, all I could think about was being alone with him.

But even though we’d gone over many tiny details for the sake of the show, I hadn’t been brave enough to ask him whether there was a chance of a real relationship.

It was a ridiculous thought. Taylor was an older, obviously wealthy man. Possibly set in his ways. He was also unusually rugged and tough. What

would he want with a boring art student?

On the other hand, even if things didn’t last forever, a girl could do a lot worse for her first real boyfriend. I felt terrible pushing him away, when I wanted nothing more than to wrap my legs around his waist and pull him completely against me. I was just a little shy about the cameras.