Reluctantly Married (13 page)

Adam laughed. “Great. We did all that for nothing.”

“And my arms are starting to go numb.”

“Wait, I have an idea. You hold one handle, and I’ll take the other. We’ll point the scissors up, and see if we can cut through together.”

His plan worked, and soon they had one arm free. Adam took the scissors and cut through the other rope, his fingers warm on her skin.

Megan smiled. “We did it!” She hugged him.

Doctor Lemon opened the door and shuffled into the room. “Well done. You passed your first exercise.”

Adam cleared his throat. “What’s the next one?”

Doctor Lemon smiled. “You get to meet your competition.”

15

M
egan smoothed her black dress
and nervously shuffled her feet as she walked down the dim hallway. When she entered the foyer, Doctor Lemon rushed over to her. “There you are. We’re about to start. Come along, the men are waiting.”

Her mouth went dry at the mention of ‘the men.’ When she signed up to do the show, she hadn’t known she’d have to date other guys. And she wasn’t sure what the deal was anyway. She’d signed a contract to marry Adam at the end. Why throw other men into the mix? It all seemed rather stupid to her.

But the producer was adamant. She was to flirt with these men and pretend she liked all of them. The audience couldn’t know she was going to pick Adam at the end.

The sun had already set, leaving the backyard dark. The sliding glass door led to a large deck lit up with candles and tons of camera lighting. When she stepped out, all the air left her lungs. Three men who could easily be models stood leaning against the railing. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all. They were dressed in expensive suits and ties.

The first one had jet black hair and stunning blue eyes. He smiled at her and raised his glass of champagne. The second wore a cowboy hat, his broad shoulders and muscular physique displaying the hours he must work outdoors. The third held a rose and had longer hair, mussed up in a perfectly sexy kind of way. And then she noticed Adam. He was standing apart from the others, his eyes almost caressing her with his gaze. He smiled, his dimples causing her stomach to erupt in butterflies.

Doctor Lemon stepped forward and addressed the cameras. “This morning, Adam confessed his love for Megan.”

The words sent a jolt of electricity through Megan. He did? She hadn’t been allowed to watch Adam’s interview. What had he said?

“Let’s watch.” Doctor Lemon motioned to a television mounted on the side of the mansion. Megan turned around and stared as Adam’s face filled the screen. It was obvious the poor guy was nervous, and as the doctor pried him for personal information, he struggled to answer.

As the tape played, and Adam admitted he would risk his own life to save her, emotion swelled within her. She wanted to believe him. He looked like he was speaking from his heart. But he was also getting paid a hundred thousand dollars. She couldn’t allow herself to be fooled. She steeled herself against the warmth surging through her.

Adam didn’t love her. It was all an act.

After the clip with Adam, Doctor Lemon spoke. “As you can see, Adam feels deeply for Megan. Let’s see if these feelings are returned.”

A new tape played. This one was of Megan talking about how they were just friends. And then it skipped to her shouting that she’d never marry Adam, even if she were dying and he were the only cure.

Heat crept up her cheeks. That wasn’t meant to be filmed. A couple of the guys chuckled, and Adam looked down at his feet.

She wanted to interrupt…to stop the obvious humiliation to Adam, but she couldn’t. There was nothing she could say that would make it better. So she let it play out.

Doctor Lemon turned the television off and approached Megan. “Over the next few weeks, we will be doing some exercises to see if Megan is compatible with Adam.” She looked around the deck. “Or if she might be better suited with another man.” The cowboy tipped his hat to her, champagne dude lifted his glass, and the man with the mussed hair winked.

Megan gazed up into the night sky, hoping a stray boulder would fall on her. Or maybe the tail off an airplane.

With her hand on her hip, Doctor Lemon motioned for Megan to follow her off the deck. A stone bench sat between two large trees in the beautifully landscaped yard. “Here. Sit. It’s time to meet the bachelors.”

The first to be ushered over was champagne dude. “Heeeey,” he said, stretching it out into two syllables. He ran his fingers through his perfectly styled hair. “I’m Anthony.”

She felt like she should shake his hand or something, but he didn’t offer it, so she just smiled and stuck her hands in her lap. “Hey.”

He glanced around to find the camera. “So, I guess I’m, like, supposed to tell you about myself.” He grinned, and his clear blue eyes made her stomach a little fluttery. “I’m a singer. Trying to make it, ya know. Be discovered. I tried out for The Voice, but that didn’t work out, so I thought I’d get my foot in the door with something like this.” He flashed her a smile, then she realized he was looking just over her left shoulder…at the camera.

She rolled her eyes and pushed down the urge to say, “I’m over here, moron.” Instead, she said, “What do you like to do in your spare time?”

“Play my guitar. Heeeey, maybe I can serenade you or something, huh? Show off my talent. Maybe woo you a little.” He grinned like it was a brilliant idea.

Megan forced a polite smile. “Uh, huh.”

The guy with the rose walked up. “Excuse me,” he said in a thick French accent. “I think it is time to switch, no?”

Anthony frowned. “Already?”

“Oui.”

With a groan, Anthony stood. “Okay, then. Have at her.” He sauntered away.

The man sat on the bench and handed her the rose. “For you.” His gaze traveled over her, and she suddenly felt shy.

“Thank you.”

He took her hand and placed his other on top, enveloping it in warmth. “I’m Luc. And you are more beautiful than I imagined.”

She cringed, wondering what he’d imagined. An image of an ogre with one eye popped into her head and she stifled a giggle. “Thanks.”

“I am honored to meet you. Tell me about yourself.”

She thought the men were supposed to do the talking, but she went with it. “I’m Megan. I co-host a morning show with Adam. I enjoy biking and running.” She tried to come up with something else, but couldn’t.

“Ah, you are athletic. I, too, do some running.” He grinned and squeezed her hand. “Maybe we can go together sometime, no?”

His touch was sending little sparks through her, and she had trouble thinking. “Sure.”

“And now a little about me. I was born in France, but came to America as a young man. I own a clothing store in upstate New York.”

“Well, that’s interesting.” What else could she say about a clothing store? She searched her brain, but nothing came up, so she plastered on a weak smile.

“My days are full, but my nights are lonely.” He picked up her hand again and kissed it, and the sweet moment turned uncomfortable.

“Well, Luc, that’s very forward of you. We just met.” She wiggled her hand from his grasp. “Probably not a good time to start talking about your lonely nights.”

“Forgive me, madam.” He was about to speak when someone cleared their throat behind him. The cowboy shoved his hands in his suit pockets.

Luc smiled. “It is time for us to part.” He took her hand, kissed it once more, and then stood. “I shall see you later.”

The cowboy watched as Luc walked off into the yard. “Well, isn’t he smoother than a boar’s behind?” He sat on the bench and stuck out his hand. “The name’s Kyle.”

Megan held back a laugh. “Nice to meet you.”

He adjusted his hat. “I don’t like to mess with pretenses, so here it is. I’d like to settle down and start a family. I’ve got a ranch out in Texas, worth a pretty penny. I’m just looking for someone to build a home with.” He turned his dark chocolate eyes on her.

“I appreciate your honesty, Kyle.” It was refreshing to find someone who said what they wanted, without any games.

“I’d like to get to know you, to find out if you’re that someone.”

She could already tell him the answer, but she kept that to herself and smiled instead. “Sounds like a plan.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “You ever been on a ranch, Miss Megan?”

“It’s just Megan. And no, I haven’t. What kind of ranch is it?”

“A horse ranch, ma’am.”

“Oh.” She knew about as much about horses as she did about rock climbing. Well, maybe even less since her date with Adam.

“Maybe we can go visit during one of our dates.”

Was that possible? Would they fly her to Texas for a date? Even as she thought it, she knew they wouldn’t bat an eye at spending the money to do something like that. She contemplated what it would be like to run off to Texas with Kyle.

The thought made her uncomfortable. What was she doing? She didn’t even know these guys.

Movement behind him caught her eye, and Adam stepped out of the shadows. “I believe I get a turn now.”

Relief flooded through her—and she had to admit, a little excitement. Kyle stood and shook Adam’s hand, then departed with a wave. Adam slid onto the stone bench.

He glanced over his shoulder at the guys now milling about the yard. “They seem nice.”

She remembered what the producer had said. “Sure,” she said, trying to insert an air of noncommittal.

He grinned, his smile turning her insides into mush. “That good, huh?”

Megan hid a smile. Adam knew. “They’re handsome.” She raised an eyebrow, challenging him.

“Yeah, but can they do this?” He pulled her close, his lips probing hers with a kiss. Tingles shot over her skin, and her heart sped up. She closed her eyes and reveled in the feeling of Adam’s kiss. It was stupid. She knew he was just playing it up for the camera. But she allowed herself to enjoy it anyway. When he pulled back, his gaze held something she couldn’t quite decipher.

She smirked and lifted her chin. “We shall see.”

Doctor Lemon emerged. “We’re done for the night. We have a full day tomorrow, so get lots of sleep.”

16

D
octor Lemon tied a scratchy
wool blindfold on Megan’s head. “Can you see?”

“No.”

“Good. Come with me.” The woman tugged on her arm and led her through the house until Megan was turned around and had no idea where they were. The doctor suddenly stopped and placed her hands on Megan’s arms. “Stay here. I’ll send Adam in. He has the instructions. Your job is to trust him and do what he says.” Her heels clomped on the hardwood floor, the sound fading as she walked away.

Megan stood listening to the distant churning of the air conditioner. Nothing happened for several minutes. She grew uneasy. “Hello?”

The door clicked and locked. Footsteps crossed the room. Megan smelled Adam’s cologne right before he took her hands in his. Her sensations seemed heightened with the blindfold, and butterflies danced in her middle.

“Hey,” he whispered.

She could barely breathe. “Hi.”

His lips grazed hers, gently. Just a whisper of a kiss. Then he stepped back and let go of her hands. “You ready to get started?”

The kiss wasn’t part of his instructions? Confused, she simply nodded.

“Walk forward three steps. You’ll find a whiteboard. There are markers on the tray. Pick one up.”

She did as she was told, holding out her hands until her fingertips touched the smooth surface of the board. She found a marker and uncapped it. “Okay.”

“Draw a cat.”

“Blindfolded? I can’t even do that when I can see.”

He chuckled. “Hey, I didn’t make up the rules.”

She blew out a frustrated breath of air. “Fine.” She pressed the marker on the board and moved it around in what she hoped was the shape of a cat.

“Hmm.”

“What? You going to make fun of my cat?”

“Looks more like an amoeba.”

A giggle escaped. “Well, what do you expect?”

He came up behind her, his warm chest pressing against her back. “Let me help.”

“Isn’t that against the rules?”

“Nope.” He put his hands on her hips and moved her over one step. Then he raised her arm. “Draw the number eight.”

She complied, and he moved her hand to another spot on the board.

“Now draw a letter S.” He continued to tell her simple letters and shapes to draw, moving her hand in place for the next one. His close proximity, along with the blindfold, was making it difficult to concentrate. Her knees were all wobbly.

“There.” His breath was warm on her cheek, and it smelled of mint. “All done.”

He lifted her blindfold so she could see her drawing. A smile crept across her face. “Hey, that’s not bad. It actually kind of looks like a cat.”

Adam grinned, his dimples making her pulse race. “You’re a regular Picasso.”

She realized his hands were on her hips, his thumbs lightly stroking her. Why did his touch send her heart into overdrive? She knew he was just acting. Why did she let it get to her?

Doctor Lemon opened the door, a smirk on her face. “This trust exercise is done. You have passed with flying colors. Now it’s time for Megan to have lunch with one of her suitors.” She left.

Megan laughed and turned to Adam. “Suitors? Who says that anymore?”

He grinned. “The fifteenth century called. They want their word back.”

She snorted, then covered her mouth with her hand, hoping the cameras hadn’t picked it up. Adam just laughed at her and squeezed her hand. “Come on, you’d better go. Don’t want to be late for your suitor.”

It felt good to share a joke with him. With all the pretending going on, she enjoyed having something real between them.

Megan took a bite of her sandwich and smoothed the picnic blanket. Luc leaned toward her. “You are so beautiful.”

His French accent was sexy, but it was the fifth time he’d told her that, and she wasn’t even to dessert yet. “Thank you.” Maybe a change of subject would help. “Tell me, how long have you lived in New York?”

“Only four years. Before that, I studied business in Connecticut.”

She stared at his high cheekbones and slightly mussed up hair. Quite sexy. Unfortunately, his talk of business bored her to death, and she had never been to the east coast. They had about as much in common as a walrus and a wiener dog. “Sounds interesting,” she lied.

“Ah, not as interesting as you are beautiful.”

Okay. That was getting uncomfortable. “Yeah, I think you said that before.” She stuffed the rest of her sandwich into her mouth, hoping to hurry the date along. And maybe she’d look a little less beautiful with her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. Bonus.

He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “So many women are afraid to eat. I like that you’re different.”

She chomped on her food and tried to smile with her mouth closed.

“You’re not afraid to be yourself,” he continued. “You intrigue me.” As he spoke, he leaned forward. She didn’t realize his intent until his lips were on hers. His kiss was slobbery, and being as she hadn’t swallowed all of her sandwich yet, she jerked back.

“I am sorry. Your beauty bewitched me.”

Megan held up her hand while she forced the food down. She wanted to sock him one, but knew the producers would have a fit, so she smiled instead. “It’s okay, Luc. I just wasn’t ready.”

His lips curled up in a devilish smile. “Maybe you are ready now, yes?”

She squelched the urge to make up an excuse. This was part of the game. She glanced at the camera. “Yes.”

He came at her again. His kiss was more tongue than lip, and entirely too much saliva. She tried not to twist up her face in disgust. When he pulled back, she gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Mmm.” What she wanted to do was wipe her mouth with the back of her hand.

He appeared to be pleased with her reaction. “I have been smitten with you, Megan.”

“I
am
smitten with you,” she said, correcting his grammar.

“You are?” He smiled.

“No. I mean…” How could she explain that one? She patted him on the hand. “Never mind.”

After lunch with Luc, Kyle showed up for his date. He wore blue jeans and a plaid button-down shirt. When he saw her, he tipped his cowboy hat and smiled.

“I thought we could go riding.” He stuck his thumbs in his pockets and rocked back on his heels.

“Riding…?” Megan wasn’t sure what he meant. She didn’t see any bicycles around.

Kyle grinned. “Horses, of course.” He led her around the mansion and down a path to the stables.

“I didn’t know this was here.” She peeked into a stall, and a beautiful chocolate brown horse with a white star on his head stared back at her.

“I’ve spent the morning riding around the grounds and getting to know the animals. They are gentle and perfect for first-timers.”

Megan turned to him. “Oh, I’m not a first-timer.”

“You know how to ride?” His smile widened.

“Sure. I rode a pony when I was five years old at the county fair. Did a great job, if I do say so myself.” A pained look crossed his face, and Megan laughed. “Kidding. I’ve ridden a few horses in my time, but it’s been a while, so you’ll have to remind me.”

Kyle showed her how to get the animals ready for riding, putting on the saddles and making sure they were cinched up. Megan pulled on the leather strap, nervous the saddle would slide if it wasn’t tight enough. He came up behind her. “Now, you don’t want to cut the poor girl in half.”

She spun around. “Did I hurt her?”

He chuckled. “No, you just don’t want the cinch to be too tight. See, I can’t fit my fingers in between. Let’s loosen it a bit, but not so much that the saddle will spin.”

After they were done, Kyle helped Megan onto her horse, a black beauty named Darksilver. “She’s very tender. You shouldn’t have any trouble with her, but if you feel insecure, just give me a holler.”

Megan felt at ease with Kyle. He didn’t mince words. Told things like he saw them. He was probably the most real out of all the guys, even Adam.

They rode down a trail in comfortable silence, the camera man trailing after them. Kyle led, but he frequently checked on how she was doing. She got used to the sway of the animal, although she knew she’d be sore if she were to spend a lot of time riding.

Kyle stopped his horse and dismounted. He walked over to her and helped her down. She looked around. “Where are we?”

He took her hand. “Come on, I’ll show you.”

His skin was rough, but not unpleasant. The hands of a working man. He was strong, and that made her feel safe. But the electricity that she normally had with Adam wasn’t there.

He led her up a small hill to a precipice that overlooked the valley. She took in a sharp breath. “It’s gorgeous.”

“Would you like to sit for a while?” He indicated a large, gray rock jutting out from the earth.

“Sure.” She climbed up and scooted over for him. A light breeze carried his cologne, not too overpowering, yet masculine. Nice.

He put his arm around her. “Nature has a way of healing your wounds, ya know?”

She looked out over the expanse, the lush green trees and the tiny roads cutting their way through. Birds chirped nearby. She knew what Kyle meant. “Yeah.”

They chatted for a while about nothing important. Then Kyle rubbed the back of his neck and squirmed. “What made you do this show?”

Megan chewed her bottom lip. She couldn’t tell him the truth, not with the camera man filming everything she said. She cleared her throat. “I guess I wanted to see what it would be like.”

“How long have you known Adam?”

“Seven months. But we’ve only been dating for the past month.” She picked at a piece of lint on her shirt.

They sat in silence for a few minutes before he scrubbed his face and said, “I don’t really have a shot, do I?”

Megan stiffened. She wasn’t supposed to let on who she was leaning toward. Granted, the whole show was about getting her to fall for Adam, so it wasn’t going to be that big of a surprise, but she was supposed to go out with these guys and act like she could like any of them. Unsure of what to say, she just shrugged.

Kyle pulled his arm off her shoulders and hooked her chin with his finger so she had to meet his gaze. “I see the way you look at him. You love him, don’t you?”

The words caught her off guard. She didn’t love Adam. Did she? Thoughts of his smile invaded her mind. His touch made her insides turn to mush. She cared about him. Deeply.

Oh, dear heavens above. She was in love with Adam.

How did that happen? Adam didn’t love her. He was just acting. This whole thing was a ruse, brought about by Leon and his stupid ideas. How could she have let her feelings go this far?

Kyle stared at her, his gaze imploring. She couldn’t tell him. Instead, she stared down at her lap.

“I thought so,” he said, his voice quiet. Maybe the camera didn’t pick it up. He stood. “Let’s go back. It’s getting late, and you’ve got a dinner date with Anthony.”

It killed her to see the sadness in his eyes. Out of the three, Kyle was the one she liked the most. But there was no chemistry.

After they got back to the stable and Kyle had the horses back in the stalls, he turned to her. “Thanks for going out with me. I think this is where I get off the train.”

She jerked her head up in surprise. “You’re leaving?”

He shrugged. “I’m about as useful here as a screen door on a submarine. Besides, I’ve got to get back to my ranch.”

Megan wondered if Kyle quitting the show would make the producers mad. “Are you sure?”

A look of contemplation crossed his face, and he brushed his knuckles across her cheek. “No.” He tipped her chin up and leaned down, pressing his lips to hers. It was like kissing her brother. Definitely a Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker moment. He stepped back and smiled, although it didn’t reach his eyes. “Yes. I’m sure. Good-bye, Megan.”

He left her standing in the stable.