A wind whipped around them, heavy with moisture. The sunny sky had all but disappeared, the clouds moving in faster as darkness descended. The set lights went from dim to bright, the spotlights around the gazebo a diffused green and blue. “Is your sister younger or older?”
“She’s five years younger than me.” He used the pad of his thumb to continually caress her hand. The smooth timbre of his voice was soothing and she relaxed even more in her chair.
“My half-brother is six years younger than me. We didn’t grow up in the same house.” Why had she admitted that? Chances were, he’d ask her why. “We have the same father.”
“My sister and I have the same mother. She remarried.”
A drop of rain hit the light and it sizzled on impact. “I think our nice weather is going away.”
“It looks that way. Do you want to go inside?” he asked.
“I think we’re pretty safe from getting wet. What do you think?” She enjoyed being outside and while she’d never admit it to him, the gazebo dates were some of her favorite. They’d rented this same house in Season 4.
“I’m okay if you are. Do you want something to drink? Wine, beer, water?” he asked, standing and moving to the small bar that was situated on the side of the gazebo. He was gorgeous in the romantic lighting, the pale green shirt accenting the breadth of his shoulders. What would he look like without his shirt on?
“Wine would be great, red if you have it.” Mind out of the gutter. No matter how intimate it seemed, there were people all around. She wasn’t usually much of a drinker and she’d seen what alcohol had done for the contestants on this show. It wasn’t a pretty picture. How would they edit this segment to make it more interesting? So far, they’d spoken about mundane history, nothing too spicy. Except for the comment about his hands. She’d been thinking the obvious inference. Luckily, he hadn’t picked up on it or he chose to give her an out by not commenting on it. What would it feel like to have his hands all over her body, exploring every erotic spot from her head to her toes?
“Of course, I do. Nothing but the best for you, babe,” he said, giving her an exaggerated wink.
Grinning, she rolled her eyes at his teasing. “Do you have something in your eye, babe?”
“Not in my eye, but in my sites.” He poured two glasses of red and brought them over; the big glasses looking small in his large palm.
He handed one to her and resumed his seat. The jeans pulled at his thighs. Powerful thighs that she’d bet her salary were solid with muscle.
“Like a target?” she sipped at the wine, the cabernet smooth on her tongue. Dinner had been a rushed salad and she fought a wave of hunger. She had no idea how long they’d been sitting there. The wind was up, a cool breeze blowing off the water of the lake. In hindsight, she should have insisted they go inside.
“Bullseye.” He lifted his glass and inspected the ruby liquid. “What do you think of the wine?”
“It’s good. What do you think?” she asked.
“I think it would be even better with a pizza.”
“That’s all I seem to do around y…” she snapped the sentence in half. “Do lately is eat on the run. My job is demanding.” She’d almost given them away. Not once on the show had they shared food. Just in private. “Pizza does sound good.”
“Come on,” he stood and held out his hand. She accepted it. His hand was warm under hers. They began to walk hand in hand up the trail to the main house.
“And cut,” the director said.
Erik dropped her hand, stepped back, the wine glass still held in his fist.
“Good job you two,” Darius said, jogging up to them. He fell into step beside Erik. “The crew is getting the kitchen cameras on track. The chef stuck a pizza in, should be ready in twenty minutes, tops.”
A series of raindrops hit the top of her head, followed by a brisk wind. “It’s getting ready to pour.”
“We need some umbrellas, pronto,” Darius said and Tim appeared with two. He handed them over before he took the wine glasses from Erik and Belle.
Erik opened the umbrella and slipped his arm around her shoulder. “Let’s go back to the house.”
“Sounds good.” Darius trailed them, barking orders as he went. How had she ever thought he might be the one? Yes, he was gorgeous and looked good on TV, but he was narcissistic and self-absorbed.
The man holding her close was hard to resist. He smelled good, like soap and a hint of spice. The way he held her made her feel delicate and girly. She was used to being in charge and it was nice to let someone steer the wheel for a change. It had grown much cooler and the heat of his body warmed her. “I didn’t realize I was hungry until you mentioned pizza. I’m sorry I almost screwed up and made a comment about us eating. You have to admit, you seem destined to feed me.”
Chapter Twenty
“I’m making it my mission in life to see you’re properly fed. Do you think we can get them to stock the bar with Pioneer beer?” Erik handed her the umbrella handle and indicated she take the wooden staircase to the main floor. The entire back side of the house was glass, the warm lights of the kitchen spilling out into the wet night.
“As added incentive for them to cast you?” she asked, glancing at him over her shoulder. The slacks she wore hugged her butt, the heels clicking on the wood as she walked.
