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His features hardened. “I don’t want to be a person someone settles for, Snow.”
“I’m not settling.” Her response sounded so sincere, she almost believed it.
Clayton pressed another kiss to her mouth. And then he stepped back, holding onto her hands long enough to let them slip. “I think it’s time I bowed out.”
“What? Why?”
“I think you’re being forced into something you don’t really want. You don’t want me.”
“I—” She didn’t know what to say. Part of her was grateful he was acting sensible, but she wasn’t sure what to do. He wasn’t supposed to tellherno.
“I know faking it is the nature of a show like this. We could fake date for a year and then split the money. I wouldn’t mind saying yes just to get my hands on that cash. But I think you should keep that apple tonight. Don’t give it to me. I don’t want to have the sight of you being rejected part of your season—because if you give it to me, I’m going to say no.”
She considered arguing with him, but what was the point? He read her well—better than she read herself. His abrupt change in behavior toward her was so confusing. Why was he bowing out? He didn’t want the money?
Then again, if he was behind the threats, maybe he thought he’d get access to the money regardless of what happened. Maybe he had just enough of a heart that he didn’t want to get too involved with her if he was going to be ripping hers from her body on live TV.
“Say yes,” she said. “At least get the winnings. Then we’ll have more time to try. I really do like you.”
“You’re not fooling anyone, Snow,” he said. “I heard you after your interview. I know how you feel about Hunter. He’s the one you should be choosing.”
Her cheeks caught on fire. How could he? She hadn’t realized any of the men were nearby when Eloise had pulled her aside. “He’s just—” She couldn’t finish. Hunter wasn’t only her bodyguard, and she couldn’t claim as much and continue lying to both Clayton and to herself.
“I see how you look at each other,” Clayton said. “Follow your heart, Snow. The others won’t mind—I don’t.”
This was why she’d liked him so much. Of all the men she’d come to know on Heartthrob’s Most Wanted, Clayton was the most genuine, easygoing of them all. He was sincere, upfront, unperturbed and composed. He was prudent and sounded so wise. She should have known she couldn’t pull the wool over his eyes.
“Thank you,” she said. “I didn’t plan for this to happen.”
“Circumstances,” he said kindly as if that one word explained it all. He jutted his chin toward the wall where Hunter waited. “Choose your bodyguard.”
Snow chewed her lip and turned. Hunter’s gaze was plastered to them. Could she? Would the others really be okay with the decision? Would Hunter? With the clock ticking down to showtime, she didn’t have long to decide.
21
Overcome with emotion, Snow darted from the gym. She didn’t need to look to know that Hunter and Hector had followed her out. Her blood whizzed in her veins, and she felt more alive than she had since the first episode of the show had premiered.
“Snow?” Hunter said from behind her. “Is everything okay?”
She rotated. “You were in there. How much did you hear between us?”
“I tried not to,” he said. “I tried giving you as much privacy under the circumstances as I could.”
“Did you watch me?”
“Of course.”
“Then you saw Clayton kiss me.”
Hunter lifted his chin. The slightest hint of irritation crossed over his face, but he said nothing. “He seemed upset, though. What happened?”
“He knows,” she said.
Hunter frowned. “Knows what?”
Snow couldn’t help her smile now. The moment it soared over her cheeks, she felt as though some of the weight she’d been carrying for the past several days had lifted. “It’s you. I’m choosing you.”
Hunter sighed in exasperation. “You can’t.”
