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When she’d come to his room, she’d mentioned regrets. What regrets was he going to have tomorrow afternoon when their time together would possible end with the arrival of the real princess? Two weeks from now? Two months?
Since the night she’d taken the initiative, he could have been with her, spending time with her. Could have opened that connecting door on the night they’d gone to the lake and she’d have welcomed him. Instead, he’d done the professional thing and stayed away, in half-hearted hopes she’d fall for another man.
He’d watched the footage of her and Kensington. She liked him. A lot. She’d even kissed him a couple of times that had been more than the pert smack she’d given during their drawing game. Damn it all to hell. He’d had to vent his violent emotions after each real kiss by punishing his body in the exercise room. He’d barely been able to walk the next morning after his last grueling workout.
He’d ached in more ways than physical. And those aches were the ones that plagued him. Jill had gotten under his skin. More than Mandy. Which was saying a lot, because at one time, he’d have hung the moon for his ex-wife.
What if Kensington chose to go on the trip with Jill and she fell for him during their “honeymoon”? So what if she’d had the hots for Rob first? She might marry Kensington and then where would he be?
Because even before JP had suggested it, he’d known he would look Jill up after the show’s media attention had settled. He wanted to explore a relationship with her outside of this dreamy setting that was more like a nightmare.
If she fell for Kensington, he’d never have the opportunity to hold her, never be able to kiss her lips or taste her honeyed sweetness again. Could he live with the knowledge that he’d willingly shoved her into another man’s arms and allowed that to happen?
And just how was she going to react when the real princess was thrown into the whole twisted equation?
Reality television. He hated it with a passion.
When Isabella made her appearance, who knew what Jill would do? Certainly, forgiveness wouldn’t come easily.
Tonight could truly be his last opportunity to hold Jill, to breath in her rose-scented fragrance, to feel her heartbeat next to his.
Rob stood, raked his fingers through his already tousled hair, flicked off his lamp, and strode soundlessly toward the connecting door.
The cold floor of his suite sent chills down his spine, or maybe it was anticipation of what prize lay behind door number one that had goose bumps covering his skin.
His heartbeat bounded. Lub-dub. Lub-dub. Harder. Faster. Until he felt like he featured in a thriller movie and a slasher was going to jump out at any moment.
Was he a fool?
Probably, but he couldn’t stay away. The cameras were still in her room, but it would be dark. He’d toss a shirt over the video equipment. If they were quiet, no one would ever know he’d been in her room.
If she didn’t throw him out, which was probably what he deserved. He’d known when she slipped into her room on the night they’d gone to the lake that she’d wanted him to join her via the connecting door. And he’d not gone to her. Because he’d been afraid.
When had he turned into such a coward?
With trembling fingers, he twisted the skeleton key to unlock his side of the door. Heaven waited on just the other side.
Chapter Fifteen
Lying in her made-for-a-princess bed, Jill reached over and picked up her watch off the antique nightstand. She shifted the jewel-encrusted loaner until the moonlight hit the face.
Four o’clock.
Breakfast with the bachelors was at eight. And she had to make her decision at noon. Today.
When all was said and done, she’d be on a plane back to California. Possibly tonight.
Alone.
She didn’t want to be alone.
Oh, she’d have Jessie--if she didn’t kill her sister for getting her into this physical and emotional mess.
She sighed. No, she wouldn’t threaten her sister. Instead, she’d hug her. Without this trip, she wouldn’t have realized what a rut she was in. She had needed to quit hanging onto the idea of her and Dan getting back together. She hadn’t even realized that’s what she’d been doing. No wonder Dan’s girlfriend hadn’t trusted her.
She should have gotten out, dated, and looked for Mr. Right.
Rob’s image plastered itself in her mind.
