Falling for You (4 page)

Her laughter filled the small room. The sound of it made him want to start laughing, too. “What’s your idea of the perfect man?”

Interesting question.

“The perfect man? Hmm, that’s a really hard question. I guess it’s someone who treats me well, someone who’s fun and easy-going, and someone who’s sure of who they are and what they want in life.”

“I don’t think that’s quite what they were getting at.” Evan studied the questions for a moment to make sure he understood what they were asking. “It says here ‘characteristics’ in parentheses. I think they want physical stuff … like, blue eyes — just as an example.”

“Hmm, well I don’t usually base my future with a man on looks. But if I had to pick a few things, I guess maybe lighter colored hair, strong build, but not like a body builder, and blue eyes are — ” she paused, her gaze finding his through the camera as though it was invisible, “ — nice. Certainly, I would be, um, okay with that.”

Sounds a lot like me …

“Are you currently dating anyone?” he asked, reading the next question.

“No, of course not. Why would I be here if I had a boyfriend?”

“How long ago was your last relationship?”

“About six months ago.”

“Why didn’t it work out?”

Cassidy looked down and shrugged. “Not all relationships are meant to be. Everyone has priorities in life. For some people, a relationship isn’t one of them.” Cassidy raised her chin and squared her shoulders as though she were challenging him to ask her more about her previous relationship.

Relax. I’m just happy that dude’s out of the picture.

“If you could only use one word to describe yourself, what would it be?” he asked, getting back on track.

“In one word, I guess — average.” Cassidy sighed, looking dissatisfied with her answer.

Average? No way. “Explain that, please.”

“I’m not like the other girls here. I’m not an up-and-coming singer, or a beauty pageant winner, or even a runner-up for that matter. I’m a girl from New York who organizes parties. I have a small, sixth floor walk-up apartment, not a stately plantation home in the South. That doesn’t mean I think I’m boring or anything. I love my life. But it’s not the kind of life people usually find memorable or exciting.”

Sounds okay to me.
“What’s your best physical trait?”

“I don’t know.” She rolled her shoulders and adjusted herself on the couch. “I guess my best physical trait would have to be maybe my legs? They’re not the longest legs in the world, but they get me where I need to go.”

“What’s your best personality trait?”

“I hate these kinds of questions. Personality trait? I don’t know. My sense of humor maybe? But, I guess that depends who you ask. I think I’m funny, but I’m not sure if anyone else does.”

“Lastly, as a lead-in to the first challenge, if there was one food you couldn’t live without, what would it be?”

“Finally, an easy question. Pizza. New York-style, thin crust pizza. It’s definitely the one thing I’d wish for on a deserted island.”

Huh, a greasy pizza kind of girl. Refreshing.

He was more of a steak and potatoes kind of guy, but he’d happily share a pizza with a girl like Cassidy. He’d share a lot more than pizza.

“Okay, that’s all of them.” Evan clicked the camera off again. “I need a few minutes in here, but you’re free to leave if you want. I can meet you out in the great room with the others as soon as I’m done.”

“Did I do okay?”

“You did great.” He smiled reassuringly. “You’re a natural on camera.”

“Thanks. You, um, made it easy to talk to the camera and not be nervous.”

Evan was silent as she slipped out the door. What could he say to that? Was she simply complimenting his professionalism, or was there something more?

Cassidy was supposed to wait for Evan in the great room with the other women while he finished logging the footage in the interview room. Everywhere she looked, cameramen followed contestants. They probably figured nine other cameramen would be able to cover her if she started doing anything worth filming, which she wasn’t planning on doing.

Cassidy was glad to have the remainder of the day free to relax before the competition got started the next day. She planned to go for a walk later to see the grounds and gardens behind the house.

She scanned the room for Evan again, but still didn’t see him anywhere.

Where is he? How long am I supposed to wait?

What she did see was a room full of beautiful women who the bachelor and America were sure to fall in love with.
How did I end up in the same mix as these girls? America is totally going to vote me out in the first round.

Cassidy sighed, feeling the need to clear her head after that uncomfortable interview. She would go for a quick walk. They wouldn’t care if they got that on film or not. How interesting could it be?

Cassidy wandered out into the backyard. The glare of the bright sunlight made her squint as she glanced up at the dozens of tiny cotton ball clouds in the sky. The grass was a lush, vibrant green, squishing softly under her feet. She wished she could take off her heels and run barefoot, but she didn’t want to appear on TV running like a schoolgirl across the yard.

She still couldn’t believe a cameraman followed her around at all times now. Well, not
now
exactly. Not since she’d been rebellious and impatient and ditched her cameraman.

She hadn’t expected to be so uncomfortable during filming. Although, she never envisioned she’d have such a good-looking cameraman to deal with, either. Part of her nervousness in front of the camera was because Evan stood behind it.

She really needed to stop thinking about the hotness of Cameraman McCutie. Instead, she should focus on tomorrow’s challenge if she wanted any hope of completing it. Whatever
it
was.

But he’s hot.
Cassidy shook her head.
No, I need more than looks this time.

“You
will
stop thinking about him,” she said out loud, then remembered her mic pack was recording every word.
Damn it
, she cursed inside her head. Hopefully the sound people would think the “him” she’d referred to was the bachelor.

I need to focus on why I’m here,
she thought, careful not to speak out loud again. Play the game. Enjoy the experience. Hang by the pool. I will not get caught up with the super hunky cameraman. I’ll enjoy window shopping, but I will not swipe my credit card.

She walked to the edge of a grassy area near the pond. Ducks squawked to each other as they nibbled the grass. “I can’t believe I said my legs are my best physical feature. Seriously? Legs? I couldn’t have said my eyes, or my lips, or even my hair?”

Her legs weren’t even long. She considered herself far from being tall at only five and a half feet. Her legs were only good for getting her from point A to point B.

Cassidy startled at the sound of a loud snap behind her. She cried out in surprise and lost her balance. Her left ankle rolled to the side and a sharp pain shot up her calf. Before she could catch herself, she was on the ground, her leg bent under her with pain raging inside her ankle.

“Ouch! Crap.” Cassidy grabbed her ankle. “Stupid, impractical heels.” Tears filled her eyes as she rubbed her ankle. It was already starting to swell. She needed to get back to the house and see the production medic.

“Are you okay?” Evan appeared in front of her like her personal superhero — just missing the tights. And thank goodness for small miracles. Tights aren’t sexy on guys. Any guys. Ever.

She eyed Evan, confused. “Where did you come from? I thought you were still in the interview room.”

“I finished up with the interview stuff, but then I couldn’t find you. I poked my head out the backdoor and saw you out here.”

“Oh good, you have that on film.” Cassidy’s cheeks burned. “That’s great. Peachy. Now all of America gets to see firsthand what a total klutz I am.”

“Not a klutz so much as easily startled. Besides, you don’t know what they’ll decide to use and what they won’t, so don’t worry about it.”

Evan gave Cassidy a little wink, set down his camera, and scooped her into his arms before she could protest. She hesitated before slipping her arms around his neck. The desire to protest disappeared instantly.

I could get used to this.

“Let’s get you up to your room and I’ll find some ice for your ankle.” Evan readjusted her in his arms.

Oh crap. I weigh a ton.
“I’m too heavy for you. Put me down.” She wiggled to get out of his arms before they gave out and she dropped to the ground.

“You’re not.” He adjusted her again. “Stop wiggling.”

“Look, your muscles are straining. I’m too heavy. It’s okay. I know I’m not like some of the other waifs here. I’ll walk.”

“You’re not heavy. My muscles are not straining, but thank you very much for that vote of confidence.”

“That’s not what I meant. Your muscles are obviously strong — I, oh brother, never mind. Just put me down so I can walk with dignity.” She pressed her hand to Evan’s chest, trying to free herself from his grip, but it was no use. His hold on her was strong and solid — oh boy, was it solid. There was no way those pectorals would let her fall.

Under her palm, Cassidy felt the contours of Evan’s muscles and his steady heartbeat beneath them. Her hand lingered a moment longer than needed, but she couldn’t force herself to move it. If anything, she wanted to trace the lines to see where they led.

“You’re not walking. You don’t want to risk hurting it more, do you? So I’m going to carry you with my dignity … and my wee, weak muscles.” Evan smirked, his eyes getting a new twinkle in them.

“Oh, shut it. That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

“That was a pretty good fall you took.” Evan’s smile widened.

“Do
not
laugh at me.” Cassidy wiggled her finger at Evan’s face. “I wouldn’t have fallen in the first place if someone had been a little quieter while they snuck around following me.”

“I wasn’t sneaking around. You make it sound like I’m some pervert. I followed you because it’s my job. It would’ve been easier to do that job if you’d waited for me in the great room like you were supposed to. Instead, you decided to wander around alone in the backyard.”

“It’s not like I went into the jungle on my own — it’s a backyard.” Cassidy shook her head. “And for the record, I
did
wait for you. You just took your sweet-assed time getting your camera and finding me. It’s not my fault you took so long.”

Cassidy stuck out her chin, determined to be right. “Maybe next time you’ll hurry up and stay a little closer to the person you’re supposed to be working with instead of screwing around in the interview room doing God knows what wasting time.”

Cassidy watched as the corner of Evan’s lips pulled up into a smile. His eyes sparked.

“Sweet ass, huh?” He cocked one eyebrow at her.

“It’s a figure of speech not to be taken literally, of course,” she said, copying his very words from earlier.

Evan started walking toward the house. “Let me and my sweet ass get you back to your room. I don’t want that ankle to swell up more before it gets some ice.”

Cassidy cheeks flushed again for about the fourth time since meeting Evan.

• • •

“Just hang on and we’ll be inside in a minute.” He tightened his grip on her slightly, enjoying the feel of her body so close to his. Evan wanted to get Cassidy back to her room and have the medic check her ankle, if only she’d stop squirming and let him.

“Oh, this is so humiliating. Do we have to go through the great room? Isn’t there a secret back way or something?”

“We’re not staying in the bat cave, Cassidy. There are no secret entrances here. This is the most direct way to your room, so this is the way we’re going.”

Evan banged on the sliding glass door with his foot. Suddenly, everyone inside became a blur of motion, swirling around, trying to find out what happened to Cassidy.

“Everyone, she’s fine. She needs to get ice on her ankle and she’ll be as good as new.” Evan spotted Paige in the corner of the room.

“Paige, go get the medic and bring him up to Cassidy’s room, okay?”

“Of course,” Paige said. “I’ll go find him.”

“Jake, I left my camera out by the pond. Would you mind running out to get it for me? I’m sure Chip wouldn’t be too happy it’s out there with the ducks.” His friend simply nodded.

“Can we, um, go now, please?” Cassidy whispered against Evan’s chest. She’d turned her face against him as though she was trying to hide. Her warm breath penetrated through his shirt. He liked being able to protect her.

Don’t go there. You can’t protect her.

Evan pushed the thoughts from his head and walked through the crowd, easily maneuvering around anyone who was too busy staring to get out of the way. When they’d reached the stairs he peered down at her again. “Better now?”

“I’d be better if you’d let me walk up the stairs on my own so I can maintain at least a small shred of dignity.”

“What kind of gentleman would I be if I did that? Besides, my sweet ass needs the workout. Asses like mine don’t just happen on their own.”

Cassidy narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re not going to let that go, are you?”

“Not a chance.” Evan stopped in front of her bedroom door and waited as she fished the key out of her pocket. She fumbled with it before finally unlocking the door.

He crossed the room, placed her on the bed, and sat down by her feet. Slipping off her heels, he tossed them onto the floor near the nightstand then placed a pillow under her ankle, elevating it. “This should help with the swelling.”

In slow, small circles, he gently rubbed the tender, swollen skin around her ankle. “Does it hurt when I do that?”

“Maybe a little, but it — um — also feels good.”

Evan glanced up from her swollen ankle and found Cassidy staring at him. She appeared to be in much less pain, but still uncomfortable.

“Can I come in?” Paige called from the hallway.