I smile at him. “You’re truly talented.”
“Thank you.” There’s a faint tinge of color to his cheeks. The hint of vulnerability in such a strong man goes right to my heart. I won’t let on to the producers, but I can admit to myself that I’m falling for him.
“Were your parents musical? You have a beautiful voice.”
“My mother was. She used to sing me to sleep at night.” His face softens with the memory; his obvious affection for her makes me like him even more.
“Where did you grow up?” he says. “You’re from a small town too, right?”
“Yes, a little island. But it’s a vacation spot, so it gets crowded with tourists every summer.”
He nods thoughtfully. “Do you think I’d fit in there?”
For a moment, I’m too surprised to answer. “You’d consider that? I wouldn’t have thought you’d want to leave your ranch.”
“I love the ranch, but my brother works it with me. It’s not that I have plans to leave – but I would, for the right woman.”
My cheeks warm. “You think I might be the right woman?”
“I think it’s very possible.” He’s still holding my hand, but it’s the look in his eyes that’s making me melt right now. “How do you feel about me?”
I have to smile. “Let’s just say that my feelings about you are very positive.”
We’re seated across from each other. Caleb leans toward me; I mirror his action, and we start to kiss. Before long, Caleb gets up and moves around the table, kneeling next to me.
My heart beats faster. Not many men can get me this excited just by being near me. He cradles my face and kisses me again, one hand curled around the back of my neck, the other on my leg.
It’s sweet, sexy, and tender all at once. I feel completely safe with him, but incredibly turned on at the same time. I’ve never experienced both those things with the same man before. My hands explore his chest and shoulders, and I wish I could take his shirt off and touch his bare skin.
Caleb draws back. “I apologize,” he says in a husky voice. “I got carried away.”
“You’re fine.” I touch his cheek, hoping my eyes convey everything I want them to. “More than fine, but I love what a gentleman you are.”
A producer appears a few feet away, seeming to materialize out of nowhere. “Come on outside, you two.” We walk hand in hand through a side door to a courtyard.
“Well, look at that,” Caleb says at the sight of a group of musicians. “Honeysuckle Nights is one of my favorite groups.”
I recognize them now, a top country band. One of them salutes us with the bow of her fiddle, and then they start to play a ballad. I stand with Caleb, his arms wrapped around me, and lean back against him as we listen.
When the band starts a faster song, he twirls me into a dance that leaves me breathless and laughing. Then they segue back into another slow number, and he kisses me, slowly and thoroughly. I sink into his embrace, kissing him back with equal intensity.
It’s time to go, so we thank the band and go our separate ways, him to the mansion and me to my house. My thoughts are full, and busy, as the car wends its way along the streets.
There’s no doubt I’m falling for Caleb. I also, unquestionably, have strong feelings for some of the other men. Choosing just one feels more impossible than ever.
I have to hope that, as I spend more time with them, things will sort themselves out and my feelings will become clear.
19
Tempted
The producers have scheduled my one-on-one with Johnny at a bakery, probably thinking that the combination of our chemistry and sweet treats will be a hit with viewers. It’s a smart move, but they don’t know what’s coming.
I wish I could tell Johnny off as soon as I see him, but I don’t want the producers too mad at me. This date will be part of what they broadcast this week; Natalie’s already told me how much viewers are looking forward to it.
The baker offers us both aprons to wear. I put mine on, but Johnny refuses. He’s in a mood, cracking jokes and generally being a jerk while the baker tries to guide us through the process of making cupcakes from scratch. The set is decorated with some already-made cupcakes, and at one point Johnny grabs two of them and holds them up to his chest, twirling them suggestively.
What did I ever see in him?
When our cupcakes are finished and the baker leaves us alone to decorate them, it’s finally time for me to let him know how I really feel. I don’t mince words. “You lied to me.”
He looks baffled, but I can see the hint of calculation behind his seemingly-genuine expression. “What are you talking about, babe?”