Six
Heather ducked as a missile flew through the air. A loud crash resounded, followed by silence. She glanced over to where the microwave oven door had blown off, thanks to a shiny metal object someone had put inside the now smoking appliance. From its melted shape, the item’s identity was no longer discernible. No matter. What concerned her more was the likelihood that this incident represented another case of sabotage.
“Someone waited until we were in the kitchen,” Rex said, narrowing his eyes. “One of us could’ve been killed. Maybe it’s the producers. They could be watching us on camera and activated the thing by remote control.”
“Or Sarah set the timer. She was the last one in here.”
“Why? To knock one of us from the competition?”
“Presumably. Or to scare us off the show. Or maybe she’s working for the producers to stall our progress. You mentioned the possibility of a plant, remember?”
“This was no incident meant to frighten us or hinder our work. It could’ve caused bodily harm. Don’t forget what happened to Gary.”
Voices clamored as the others rushed to see what had caused the noise. Sarah’s dismay seemed genuine when she saw the sooty residue on the kitchen counter.
“Cripes,” she said, “I just cleaned up in here. Who could be so stupid to put metal in the microwave?”
“Maybe you did it, honey bunny,” said Dave, crossing his arms. “It’s an odd way to call attention to yourself, but the kitchen is your domain.”
“You should talk, pool boy,” Sarah retorted. “If you spent as much time on the computer as you did showing off your buff bod, our phone would be ringing with reservations.”
Dave’s bedroom eyes livened. “Oh, I get it. You’re jealous of the time I spent out there with Kim. Well, don’t worry, babe, she’s gone, so now I’m all yours.”
“Dave worked hard today,” Heather said to smooth over their differences. “We all did well under the circumstances. Tomorrow we’ll have plenty of time to get the place in shape, and Monday we can take care of business details. We should be proud of our accomplishments.”
“I’ve made more lists of what has to get done,” Michelle offered, her curly black locks spilling down her back.
“That’s great,” Rex answered. “What about newspaper delivery? Did you order it to start in the morning? I’m curious to see what the entertainment reporter says about our TV show.”
“Tanya said no news until next weekend.” Michelle grimaced. “She doesn’t want us to be influenced by outside opinions.”
Heather couldn’t suppress her curiosity, however, so she corralled the lady producer on Sunday afternoon. Tanya had just finished interviews with the guys and had signaled for Sarah, Michelle, and Heather to come over. They’d set up cameras outside for a view of the lake in the background.
“Our ratings are great,” Tanya responded to Heather’s query. In the bright sunlight, her pancake makeup highlighted every crease in her face. “We have viewers calling in asking about the murder investigation. I knew that would score a hit. So tell me,” she said when the sound tech signaled he’d begun taping, “how do you feel you’re doing? Do you think you could handle running this place alone?”
Heather launched into her prepared spiel about her advertising plans and the themed home design accessories she’d add if the house were her own. “I’ll make it succeed,” she finished. “But getting things ready, I have everyone else to thank. The others are pulling their weight, too.”
Voters seemed to like her answers when the contestants gathered that evening at eight for their next live segment. This time, Heather secured a place next to Rex. His solid presence offered reassurance, and when she shifted nervously, he patted her hand. She noticed he wasn’t completely free from anxiety, though. He tapped his black dress shoe on the carpet while the show’s credits rolled. What challenge would Logan have in store for them tonight?
“I’d like to introduce a surprise guest,” Logan said, giving viewers his Colgate smile. “Let’s welcome business expert, Mr. Steve Marcus.”
With a dramatic flourish, Tanya flung open the front door. A tall, suited fellow strode inside wearing a tight grin and a comb-over to hide his shiny pate.
“Steve is author of the books, Starting Your Own Business, and How To Succeed Without Crying,” Logan boomed. “He runs a multi-million-dollar trucking company and other enterprises in the transportation industry. We’ve asked for his critique on our contestants.”
“Oh, no,” Michelle groaned in the back row.
Marcus stripped each of them of their illusions concerning their capability.
“Heather, you’re too nice to your teammates,” he said, fixing his steely gaze on her while she shriveled in her seat. “You try to get along with everyone and end up making excuses for their inadequate behavior. You have to do what’s best for the business. If you’re always concerned about your colleagues liking you, or if you gloss over their deficiencies, you’ll never exhibit true leadership. It takes guts to fire an incompetent employee. Similarly, you can’t operate a machine with a defective part. You have to replace the weak link instead of repeatedly trying to fix it.
“Take Rex for your model.” Marcus nodded at him, sitting stiffly at Heather’s side. “He knows how to get the job done. He’s able to pinpoint each person’s best potential, and he’ll tell you if you’re not up to speed. His problem, as I see it, may be that he’s too goal-oriented and discounts the value of personal relationships to company morale.”
Marcus continued in this vein for the rest of them until the moment they had all been waiting for arrived.
Logan took his usual stance. “So, America, what have you decided tonight? Who’s going to stay, and who will go?” He took a printed sheet from Tanya’s outstretched hand. “Aw, heck, Michelle. Looks like it’s your turn. Our voters say you spend too much time planning and making lists, while others bear the burden of the work. Take my advice: learn to narrow your focus and follow your own tasks through to the end. So sorry.”
With a muffled sob, Michelle embraced the others. Heather gave her a tearful hug.
“I’ll miss you,” she said. “In my opinion, you’ve worked as hard as anyone else.”
While Michelle ran upstairs to pack, Logan solicited their reactions. “Okay, people, what do you think about this decision?”
“It stinks,” Jon pitched in, forking a hand through his spiked blond hair. “Dave should be the one to go. He wastes time hanging out at the pool.”
“Hey, I get my assignments done,” Dave retorted. “And I don’t cheat, unlike somebody else here. That person should get the boot.”
“Oh, do tell us,” Tanya called. “Who is it?”
“Sorry, my lips are sealed.” Dave smirked. “For now.”
After the interminable talks ended, the remaining five crashed in the kitchen, sharing beers and life stories. Time stretched past midnight. Jon, Dave, and Sarah eventually went upstairs, leaving Heather and Rex behind. Heather couldn’t face the isolation of her room just yet.
“I hate the live sessions,” she told Rex, seated across the kitchen table. “Bringing that businessman in tonight to judge us was unfair. You can’t compare running a B&B to a large company.”
“I agree. It’s tough on all of us. But you know what? Even if I lose, I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet you.”
Although he’d been clean-shaven earlier, dark stubble now shadowed his chin and gave him a rakish look. Combined with his tousled hair and disarming grin, he presented an irresistible package. Desire flared inside her. She wanted to get closer to him, but awareness of the hidden cameras inhibited her.
“I suppose we should retire,” she said somewhat reluctantly.
His eyes twinkled playfully. “Yeah, we should go to bed.”
Heather gathered from his tone that going to sleep wasn’t what he had in mind, and her pulse rate soared. They had only a few days together. Why not make the best of them? Rising, she considered how they could be discreet.
Passing through the hallway, she glanced at the empty bookshelf standing against the side of the staircase. From her real estate agent’s viewpoint, it seemed to be bizarrely out of place.
“That looks terrible there,” she said. “We should move it into the family room, at least until we fill the shelves.”
“Now?” he replied when she started over.
“Why not?” She shoved the bookcase away from the wall. “Hey, get this. There’s a door back here. Would you believe it?” Its oiled hinges opened easily, making her wonder if the producers intended for them to find this closet under the stairwell. Her fingers fumbled along the inside wall for a light switch. A single bulb flashed on, illuminating the interior where stacks of cartons met her eyes. When she read the labels, her mouth dropped open.
“Oh, my gosh, these are cases of wine.”
“No way.” Rex investigated by tearing open a box and peering inside. “Unbelievable. We should tell the others.”
“Later. Let’s get some glasses and a corkscrew. We should at least see if the stuff is okay. You know, unspoiled.”
“You’re right.” He left briefly and returned carrying the requested items. Rex made short work of removing one cork and filling a couple of inexpensive goblets from a bar set Sarah had bought.
The astringent taste of dry red wine slid down her throat. Closing her eyes, Heather took another gulp and savored the fruity flavor. She probably shouldn’t drink any more after downing a couple of beers, but this evening’s session had unnerved her, and stress relief suddenly became an urgent goal. Following several swallows that emptied her glass, she sank to the floor, feeling light-headed.
Rex sat beside her. He refilled their glasses, then put the bottle down. Glancing at the partially open door, he kicked it shut. “Now we’ve got this cozy little place all to ourselves.”
And I have you all to myself. Twisting sideways, Heather reached out, brought his head down, and clamped her mouth to his. No time like the present, she thought giddily. His body stiffened in surprise; then he drew her into his arms so that they stitched together. She deepened the kiss, and his firm lips responded with fervor. Recognizing that his need matched her own, Heather pressed herself against his length until she thought her bones would melt. She wanted to obliterate Logan’s questions and the business expert’s opinions, to escape from momentary pain and experience pleasure so elemental so she could forget everything else. Rex was someone she could rely on, even though they both aimed toward the same prize that only one of them could take home. She let her gratitude expand and encompass him, showing how she felt by abandoning all reason.
Not all of her senses fled, however.
“We should go upstairs,” she murmured, when they pulled back for air. “Logan might have put a camera in here, knowing one of us would find this makeshift wine cellar.”
“That’s true.” His eyes glimmered as he regarded her. “Here, take our glasses and the opener. I’ll bring another bottle.”
“Your room or mine?” she whispered after they’d repositioned the bookshelf.
“Doesn’t matter. Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” she answered, glad he cared enough to ask.
She’d just shut the door to her bedroom when he moved in like a vulture sniffing prey. Putting the wine goblets and corkscrew on her nightstand, she turned and sought his embrace. Her lips parted, and she snuggled against him. His gaze fired before his mouth descended on hers. She responded readily as he grazed her lips with hungry abandon. Her nostrils picked up his cologne, its scent sending tendrils of desire along her nerves. Warmth coiled through her groin, fueling her passion.
Eager for more, she let her tongue dart out, starting a duel that brought them to a new level of intimacy. She explored the far reaches of his mouth, probing his teeth, tasting the remnants of red wine and pretzels. Feeling naughty, she closed her lips to suck on his tongue. He groaned and squeezed his arms around her so tight she could barely breathe. His hips ground against her, inducing in her belly an upward spiral of need.
She could easily lose herself in his virility. It didn’t matter what tomorrow would bring. Even if one of them got kicked off the show, they’d have memories of tonight to savor. She hadn’t met a man who could be so giving while pursuing his single-minded goal. The heady mixture inspired her so she could do anything, have anything ... or anyone. Instinct melded the two of them together, as though he were the only one for her.
She wrapped her arms around him, clutching his strong back. If only she could feel his bare skin, she’d run her hands over his powerful muscles. But his clothing was in the way.
Detaching her mouth from his suctionlike grip, she stepped back. “Take your shirt off, Rex.” Her husky tone didn’t sound like her own.
“Yes, ma’am.” His breathing quickened, but his movements were deliberately slow. Watching her reaction, he unfastened his shirt button by button, while her eyes feasted on his exposed chest. He tossed the shirt to the floor, followed by his belt. When his hands poised on his pants zipper, she sucked in a sharp breath. Then he stood before her naked, grinning as she gaped at the evidence of his arousal.
“Your turn,” he said with a devilish glint in his eyes. With a quick movement, he slipped her dress over her head. It joined his clothing on the carpet. Underneath, she’d worn her favorite black lace bra and panties, but he wasn’t in any hurry to remove them. Her face flushed under his lazy perusal.
“Beautiful,” he murmured in a thick voice, while impatience strained her limits.
Her blood surged, her body needing his touch. She closed the distance between them, thrusting her bosom against his bared flesh. But he wouldn’t give her satisfaction yet. Bending his head, he brushed her mouth, tracing her contours with his tongue.
Still he didn’t touch her.
Heather moaned in agony. Her breasts ached, her nipples swollen with need. Desire pooled in her core like bubbling lava seeking eruption through a sealed path.
When she was so weak-kneed she could barely stand, his hands found the upward slopes of her breasts. “Kill the lights,” she said, reduced to monosyllables. Although video in their bedrooms was supposed to be turned off by now, she felt self-conscious being exposed in the bright room.
“More wine?” he asked, handing her a filled glass without waiting for her reply. He twisted his arm around hers, offering her his goblet. Feeling immersed in his power, she sipped the fruity ambrosia until her legs felt rubbery and she craved more than wine on her lips.
He took her glass and put it on the nightstand next to his own; then he flicked off the light switch. The room fell into darkness except for faint moonlight filtering through the blinds. Feeling bold, she unsnapped her bra, tossed it away, and wriggled out of her panties. Rex gave her a long glance south before he accepted her offering. He covered her breasts, massaging gently. His kneading reduced her to putty, especially when he stroked his thumbs across her tips until they peaked. Sensations sizzled directly to the female apparatus below her belly.
“Down,” he commanded, pushing her gently onto the bed. Her eyes widened as he knelt at her feet. “By God, you’re lovely.” Slowly, he pushed apart her thighs to stare at her.
She felt streaks of lightning wherever he caressed her. When he tickled her inner leg, every nerve in her body quivered with excitement. He was determined to drive her to a frenzy. His fingers skirted her triangle, making her arch in response. When his hand returned, probing her folds and sticking a finger inside to assess her readiness, she thought she’d fly over the edge right then.
He wasn’t about to allow her that luxury. Not yet. He straightened his body over hers, hard muscled flesh against her softness as his weight settled atop her. His lips descended on her mouth. While a maelstrom of desire swept her into a seething vortex, his tongue thrust hotly into her deep recesses.
Suddenly, she felt air cool her skin. He’d leaped from the bed and leaned over to retrieve something from the floor. “I don’t want to forget this,” he said, joining her again. He held up a foil-wrapped object. “Would you like to do the honors?”
Although Heather was on the pill, she was grateful for his intervention. She rolled it on him while he gazed at her with lust-ridden eyes. Then they resumed their previous pose.
As he slanted his mouth over hers to plunder her swollen lips, his strong muscles forced her legs wider apart. Through a haze of lust, she felt him prod her most intimate place. When he ground his hips from side to side, she tottered on the brink of ecstasy. The pressure became unbearable.
When she thought she couldn’t hold on a single moment longer, he grunted, “Guide me inside you, sweetheart.”
Breathing short, shallow breaths, she complied. He plunged into her welcoming heat.
Slowly at first, then with an increasing tempo, he timed his thrusts to an ancient rhythm. Heather wrapped her legs around his torso and gyrated with him. Sweat formed on her brow as the sweet ache in her pelvis expanded until she raced toward a climax. When she reached her upheaval, shudders of pleasure wracked her body.
While she was lost in the throes of her last spasms, Rex responded with his own spurt of hot desire as they joined together in a dance of the ages.
A dance that was interrupted by a sudden howl of terror from the hallway.