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Ugh. She’d forgotten he was filming. And she shouldn’t give a flying flip what Rob thought about the way she looked. She had twelve men to choose from. Surely, one of them would float her boat and make her quit pining after the producer.
She turned and smiled at the camera like a good little pretend princess should. “Wish me luck.”
# # #
Rob mingled with the newly arrived bachelors, as did JP, in the magnificent foyer at the bottom of the curved staircase. For centuries the large room had been used to host grand parties and introduce debutantes. Tonight was no exception. The air sizzled with excitement.
Along with lots of hidden video equipment, cameramen were everywhere, although most remained discreetly in the background. The entire evening would be recorded from every angle. All to catch the bachelors’ first sighting of Jane. How would they react to meeting her?
Tonight’s the night all the lunacy began. He let out a still-not-too-crazy-over-the-idea sigh.
He scanned the room. Which lucky man would Jane choose to spend a week long secluded island paradise with? Unease festered as he inspected each of the twelve tuxedo-clad men. All healthy, good-looking specimens he supposed. She had a variety to choose from. Average height to tall. Blond to coal black. Super intelligent to super jock.
None of them deserved her. Sure, they seemed like nice enough guys on the surface, but the thought of a single one touching her, kissing her, sickened him. Which was all wrong.
A bachelor would claim her heart and woo her to the tune of twenty million viewers. At least until he and JP played the cards they held up their sleeves for the show’s finale.
He’d make sure Jane and one of these men hooked up. JP’s career, his reputation, and Gambler’s future rode on doing so.
The music changed to an eighteenth century waltz, the melody chosen to cue Jane. The men paused in their conversations and drinking to line up at the bottom of the splendid staircase and stare at where Jane would appear.
Rob’s breath caught as she stepped into sight. He fought the urge to rush to the line and claim her as his own.
What was the matter with him? Was it because she was forbidden he couldn’t think of anything but her? Or maybe her beauty was what held him captive?
Gregory had certainly outdone himself. Of course, he’d had a lot to work with. Jane was a stunning woman. Her long streaked chestnut hair had been puffed and piled on her head into a mass of curls. Stray wisps begging to curl around a man’s fingers framed her face. Her lips had been glossed and shined full and ripe, like the plumpest strawberries. Her skin glowed flawless, and her high cheekbones had been powdered in an effect that gave her an almost exotic look. Like Aphrodite or Venus.
The strapless blue designer gown straight from a Paris showroom outlined her body to perfection. Her shoulders and upper body glistened. Had Gregory sprayed her with some special type of spray? A sapphire and diamond necklace and matching earrings on insured loan from Tiffany’s adorned her neck.
By far, Jane was the most breathtaking vision he’d ever seen. And that was saying a lot as he’d been around more than his share of beautiful women. But then he’d found Jane gorgeous yesterday when she’d been wearing jeans and a t-shirt. He’d even found her beautiful during their run when she was hot and sweaty. Al
l he’d been able to think was that he wished he’d been the reason for her breathlessness, her sweat.
He should look at the bachelors to gauge their reactions, but he couldn’t. His gaze remained glued to the goddess gracing the staircase with her beauty. With each step she took, his heartbeat drummed louder in his ears, like a seductive jungle beat calling to his primal instincts.
Large green eyes made up to dramatic perfection touched each man with an individual acknowledgement. Pure kryptonite. A soft smile played on her full lips, yet she didn’t completely hide her nervousness. After she’d nodded at bachelor number twelve, her gaze searched the foyer until she spotted him. Her eyes flashed, and his heart stopped. It had been a helluva long time since a woman had looked at him without ulterior motives. Jane’s eyes shone with excitement and desire. Desire for him as a man. Not as a ticket to fame.
But he was her ticket to fame. Just as she was his ticket to fulfill the dream his ex-wife had stolen from him. He’d never again risk letting another woman jeopardize his career. Not even one that attracted him as much as Jane did.
With all his heart he wished he’d met her under different circumstances, wished he had the right to act on the chemistry burning between them. But he hadn’t, didn’t, and too much rode on JANE MILLIONAIRE’s success for him to give any encouragement.
With regret, he motioned toward the bachelors.
Indecision, then sorrow, flared in her brilliant eyes, but she only paused on the bottom step long enough to allow the first bachelor to take her hand, and bring it to his lips. Rob couldn’t hear what the man said, but Jane’s laughter rang out like music on a soft sultry night. Enchanting. Seductive.
Damn. He walked over to a waiter holding a tray full of champagne and picked up a glass to down the contents.
Tonight was going to be a long night.
# # #
Jill’s face hurt from smiling, but she kept her lips turned upward as she shielded her nose from Bachelor #9. Bachelor #7 had wandering hands. Bachelor #8 had stomped her toes at least twenty times and Bachelor #9, well, his morning breath had decided to stick around for the evening’s excitement and smelled like something straight from San Padres’ sewers.
Relieved the song finally ended, she excused herself as Bachelor #10 made his presence known. She bit back a sigh and forced her smile to stay put as yet another hunky man took her in his arms.
“You look tired,” he commented as he gracefully led her through a waltz.
At least, he wasn’t stomping her already sore toes.
