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Uh-oh. Jill ducked her head to avoid his oncoming lips. Once had been more than enough. A little thunderstorm to put an end to this garden stroll would be welcome--should she risk that lightning bolt after all? She glanced up at the clear azure sky.
“Maybe next time,” she whispered.
But not if she could help it.
# # #
Jill’s stomach grumbled. Maybe no one would notice she’d snuck out of her room and into the elaborate, well-stocked kitchen, which was just like the rest of the castle--an exotic blend of the past with all the conveniences of modern technology and an ever-present camera mounted in a corner.
Wondering if her late night pigging out would be aired, Jill rummaged through the industrial-sized refrigerator’s contents. Ham. Turkey. Chicken. Cheeses of more varieties than she could name. She placed her hand over her rumbling stomach and sighed in appreciation of the stash she’d uncovered. Heaven.
She pulled out the packets of meat and cheese, a jar of mayonnaise, and popped a plump grape into her mouth, savoring the tart sweetness. Now, where would bread be hidden in this castle kitchen fit for a king? She smiled at her pun and eyed the gleaming wooden cabinets lining the room.
“Try the third one to the right.”
Jill almost choked on the grape as she spun at Rob’s voice. What was it about him that shot her survival instincts to hell? She hadn’t known he was there. How could she not have heard him entering the room? Something about him short-circuited her wiring.
“Thanks.” She pulled fresh bread from the cabinet he indicated and used the time to regain her equilibrium, which he always managed to knock off balance.
“Want one?” She nodded toward her pilfered deli supplies.
Laughter danced in his eyes. “Aren’t we feeding you well enough?”
Heat infused her cheeks as she looked at how much food she’d dragged out. “I know you told me to watch my weight, but I’ve lost a few pounds since I’ve been here. One late night snack shouldn’t hurt.”
His smile faded as he raked his gaze over her sweats and t-shirt with more than a little interest. His Adam’s apple bobbed. “There’s nothing wrong with your weight.”
Hot flushes dampened her skin at the velvety darkness of his eyes. Her stomach grumbled again, and Jill wasn’t sure if it was from hunger or the 747s that had returned with his stare of male appreciation. She dropped the bread onto the counter top and ignored that he lounged against the doorframe watching her. How dare he insist she kiss another man then look at her like the Chief salivating over a jelly doughnut?
Building irritation at the whole situation tangled with her ever-increasing sexual frustration. Rummaging through a drawer, she found a knife and sliced two pieces of bread. Seething with annoyance, she piled her sandwich full, sliced it in half, and wrapped it inside a paper towel. She returned the meats and cheese and grabbed a couple of sodas from the fridge. She tossed one of the plastic bottles to Rob.
“Come on. I don’t like eating alone. Besides, we need to talk.”
He opened his mouth, and she read the denial in his eyes.
“Oh, get over it. You’ve told me you’re not interested and totally hammered the nail home by insisting I kiss Jeff.” She picked up the over-sized sandwich. “Fine. I can deal with that. It’s not like you’re the only fish in the sea. But we have to work together for the next few weeks. You can’t avoid me.”
“You know there are cameras.” He glanced at the mounted video equipment in the far corner of the room. “We can’t talk in here.”
“Fine.” She handed him half the sandwich. “Take me somewhere we can have some privacy.”
Unable to ignore her stomach’s demands, she took a bite. The meat had a smoky flavor to it and the cheese a sharp edge. Perfect. She closed her eyes and chewed the heavenly morsel.
“Oh, that’s good,” she admitted as she ran the back of her hand across her mouth. The cold drink she held brushed across her lower lip and sent a chill across her flesh.
When her gaze met Rob’s, feminine intuition told her she stared at a tortured man. Or maybe his anguished look of lust and longing told her. Either way, she didn’t have to be a detective to see his angst.
Darn him for making her kiss another man when she wanted him and he so obviously wanted her. Even if she understood and agreed with his reasons for pushing her away.
He opened his soda and took a long swig. “Maybe it would be safer if we stayed in here. I’ll edit the tape later.”
Safer? She hid her smile and set her drink and sandwich on the countertop a few feet from where he lounged. She hopped onto the counter to use it as a seat.
“Okay.”
He watched her but didn’t comment on her very un-princess-like behavior. He took another drink and jealous pangs at the plastic touching his lips racked Jill.
“So, what did you think of your prize?”
