“All of me?” she asked, realizing he was talking about her denim shorts. “And maybe help me put on some sunscreen?”
He laughed. “I’m obvious, aren’t I?”
“A little.”
“It’s true I relish the thought of running my hands over your curvy body. You need to relax. I’ve never seen anyone more tense than you are with each passing day.”
“I’m struggling to find some balance. And it’s hard to always be on your guard around all the contestants.”
“Do you miss your roommate?” he asked.
Recently, Vivian had been the eighth chef to be sent home. “I do. She was funny and I could count on her to lighten the mood. I’m not looking forward to being alone in my room.”
“If this afternoon goes well, perhaps I’ll ask to be your new roommate.”
“You will do no such thing. I don’t want to be gossiped about.”
“Why does gossip bother you so much?” he asked. “That’s the second time you’ve mentioned it.”
“It bothers everyone. No one wants to hear their name whispered behind their backs.”
“We aren’t doing anything wrong,” he said.
“I know. But I’d rather keep it private,” she said. “Between us.” She couldn’t help but admit that if for some reason her track record with men held true and Remy ended up breaking her heart and leaving her, she didn’t want the cast ofPremier Chefto know she’d been burned by love. Again.
Chapter Nine
REMYNEEDEDABREAKFROM the intense competition but he also needed time alone with Staci. He’d been cooking at the top of his game, although that was due more to the fact that she made him happy. She made him want to be a better man and a better chef. He cherished the moments they had spent together.
Like on a Quick Cook when they had brushed hands while reaching for the same bunch of basil. Or when he’d met her gaze as she’d turned to put a pot on the stove. Or a million little instances that had been not enough for him. He wanted to see if it were simply the fact that he couldn’t have her that was making everything about her seem so enchanting.
And this day was for them. He’d had to use his credit card to book the yacht and though he didn’t like leaving a trail for his parents to follow and perhaps find him, he’d needed to do it for himself and for Staci. He wanted to show that he was more than an out-of-work cook and this type of a day was something he could offer her.
Staci stretched out on one of theloungers to tan and he stood next to her his hands actually tingling as he anticipated touching her back. She handed him the sunscreen but all he could do is stare down at her. The black bikini bottoms hugging the curve of her butt beckoned him. He sat down next to her on the bench, stroking his hand down her left leg. She lifted herself on her elbows and glanced over her shoulder at him.
“I don’t feel any lotion,” she said.
“Are my hands too rough? I know I have calluses and scars. You should be touched by something as soft as you are,” he said.
“Your hands are fine. I was teasing you. Touch me if you want. But I will burn so I have to put lotion on.”
“I’ll make sure you’re covered. I never burn,” he said.
“Thanks to your olive skin. I wish I had it. I’m so pale. I could stand in the sun for hours and never get any color other than red.”
He smiled at her. He wouldn’t change anything about her body. The soft pale skin was part of Staci. He poured lotion onto his hand and warmed it by rubbing his hands together and then stroked his hand down her left leg. He started at the curve of her butt and then worked his way slowly down the back of her thigh. She giggled when he reached the back of her knee.
“Ticklish?”
“Not normally. I think I’m nervous to have you touching me while I just lie here.”
“Surely you must have some fantasy of being massaged by a man who has to put only your pleasure first,” he said. He was having a few fantasies of being just such a man for her.
“Well, yes, but is that what you’re doing?”
“Yes. I am. I told you the sex we had was nice but it left me craving more. I still don’t know your body or you.” He keptmoving his hand in tiny circles on the back of her knee. She shifted a little to turn and face him.
“I don’t know you either,” she said.
