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Authors: Cheris Hodges

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BOOK: Too Hot for TV
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“Look!” a male voice yelled out. “The diamond.” As much as they would've loved to stay lost in their kiss, Imani and Raymond pulled themselves apart, grabbed the diamond, and took off toward the finish line.
“This is not fun,” Imani said as she ran.
“Just think,” Raymond said, “you can kiss me again when we cross the finish line.”
“You can kiss me,” she teased.
And just what are you going to do when he wants to do more than kiss?
her conscience nagged. Imani sighed and forced herself to remember why she was on this show anyway. But all she could focus on as they crossed the finish line was how good his ass looked in that wet suit.
 
 
Tres couldn't have scripted a better ending to the first day of taping. Imani and Raymond were moving from sizzling to just burning up every time they were on the screen. And those kisses. Hot. They'd have to be edited, of course. “Elliot,” she said to her overworked and bewildered assistant, “do you see why I need a camera on them at all times? Do you see that?”
“Yes, I see it,” he said. “But what if America doesn't like them together? Did you hear how she whined about her parents? All she wants to do is be famous, and I don't think the viewers are going to connect with that.”
“I don't give a damn about the viewers,” Tres said as she leapt from her seat. “I just want to see these two drive up my ratings with all of that sex appeal and those kisses. They are almost too hot for TV, but Raymond and Imani are the key to my future.”
Elliot rolled his eyes as Tres headed outside to smoke a cigarette.
Chapter 12
Since Imani and Raymond had found the largest diamond on the beach, they were treated to a spa treatment and private—yet filmed for the show—dinner on the beach. When he saw Imani walking toward him as the chef set their salads on the table, Raymond's body had never been more aware and thankful to be a man. She was dressed in a strapless pink dress that kissed her curves and skimmed her knees. In the flickering light of the candles, she looked like an angel. He rose from his seat, mouthing, “Wow,” as he crossed over to her. He wished they were simply having a real date in Hawaii without the cameras and without America watching at home.
Come on now,
he thought,
You're here to win money for the clinic and she's here to get discovered.
But the moment she smiled at him, those thoughts disappeared from his mind.
“You look amazing,” he said, his eyes devouring her body.
Imani brushed her hand across his soft cotton shirt. “You don't look bad yourself,” she replied. “I'm guessing this is going to be an interesting dinner. If my knowledge of reality shows is right.”
“Dinner got interesting when you showed up in that dress,” he said as he took her hand in his.
“This old thing,” she joked.
Raymond couldn't tear his eyes from Imani, though he wondered if she was falling into a character or if they would have another real conversation like they had when they'd been searching for the diamond on the beach. Raymond reluctantly let go of her hand as they took their seats.
“So,” she said as the wait staff began mulling around, “any idea what we're about to eat?”
Raymond paused, looked at her with a slight smile on his lips, then he licked them. “I know what I'm craving isn't on the menu.” Even underneath the blanket of darkness that covered the beach, he saw the blush on her cheeks.
“See,” she said, her quiet voice masking the burning of desire, anger, and need in the pit of her stomach. “I thought you were different.”
“What?”
“You've got one thing on your mind. And if you think I'm just going to rip my clothes off and let you have your way with me, guess again.”
“Have I ever made it a secret that I want you, Imani? You come out here looking sexier than the law should allow. Did you expect me not to notice?”
Imani fingered her hair and glowered at him. “Whatever.”
“You know that you're beautiful and I'm going to notice it. What are you afraid of?”
“Nothing,” she said coolly. “Certainly not you. And if you think we're getting into bed together for the world to see, you're as wrong as two left shoes.”
“Sounds like we're married already,” he quipped. “Imani, I told you that if that day ever comes, it will be your choice. I know you want me and you are afraid to give in to what you want. I'm just trying to make it easier for you.”
“I'm not giving in to you,” she said as she crossed her legs. “Sex complicates everything.”
As if you have a clue?
“I've spent my career trying to be more than a set of tits and an ass.”
“That's admirable,” he said genuinely.
“That's one reason why I don't work. Talent means nothing in the Kardashian era. But I don't want to be that actress who just gets by on her looks and figure. I have real talent.”
“What does that have to do with you finding real love?” Raymond asked. “I'm not trying to lure you on the casting couch. I want to get to know you, every part of you. I want to be sitting on the front row when you star in your first Broadway play. I want you to be mine and not just on this show.”
Imani sucked her bottom lip in. His words sounded so sincere; he had no reason to put on an act. “Are you serious?” she asked quietly.
He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. “Yes,” he said, then kissed her hand. “When I see the real you, I like what I see.”
She closed her eyes and wished that she could just tell him everything, that she was afraid of real emotions, afraid to give herself to a man because she was a virgin and maybe she couldn't please him. “That's a nice thing to say, but you make it seem as if I have multiple personalities or something,” she said.
“Isn't that what makes a good actress?” he teased. “One day, when we're away from the cameras, you can continue to show me the real Imani.”
“What if you find out that you don't like the real Imani?” she asked.
“Why wouldn't I?”
Imani propped her elbows up on the table and stared into Raymond's eyes. Even in the lighting, they were brilliant. In her mind, she wasn't on a movie set acting, she was with a man that she could fall in love with, sharing dinner and about to make love for the first time.
But you're on a reality show and the last thing you want to do is let the world know you've never been touched that way by a man. Who's going to buy you in a sexy role then? What is the purpose of all of those hours in the gym to keep your body ready?
she thought.
“Imani?” he probed.
“There are a lot of things I wish I could say to you, but we have too many prying eyes around right now. But I can say this, and I'm not acting. I really do want to see where this thing could go and how we could be together. But I'm still scared.”
“I wish you would tell me why.”
Before Imani could say another word, the chef came over with a camera crew.
“Good evening, lucky couple,” he said. His eyes shifted to the table, where Imani's and Raymond's salads and appetizers were untouched. He pursed his lips and stamped his foot like a petulant child. “Are you two too good to eat my food?”
Raymond looked up at the man and shook his head. “No disrespect to your food, but have you taken a look at my dinner companion?”
The chef snorted and stomped off as the cameramen laughed uncontrollably.
Imani blushed and turned away from Raymond as she chuckled herself. Inside, she wanted nothing more than to go back to her room with Raymond and give every part of herself to him. Never had she been around a man who understood and appreciated her dreams. He was more supportive in the short time that she'd known him than her family had ever been. Could he be the one she'd been saving herself for? Was Raymond the one? “Oh my God,” she whispered.
“What?” Raymond asked. “Is something wrong?”
“I—I can't . . . I'm not hungry and I'm really tired. I have to go.” She leapt to her feet and ran toward the hotel.
 
 
“No, no, no!” Tres exploded as Imani ran away. “What is that chick doing? I thought they had a real connection and she just runs off like a little child.” She turned to Elliot. “Imani is hiding something and you need to find out what it is. You know what? Get Lucy down there. Let's create some more drama.”
“Why are you playing puppet master with these three people?” Elliot asked. “There are other couples on this show.”
“But this story arch has a sizzle and I'm going to exploit it for the ratings as long as I can. Do what I said, all right?”
Elliot picked up the phone and dialed Lucy's room. When she answered, he instructed her to go down to the beach for an uninterrupted chance to dine with Raymond.
“And that Imani clown isn't going to be there?”
“No,” Elliot sighed. “He's all alone with a candlelit dinner.” The next sound he heard was the dial tone in his ear.
 
 
Raymond downed his glass of wine, refusing to chase after Imani. Part of him wondered what she was running from or if this was just another emotion that she wanted to show to the movie directors she hoped were watching the show.
Cut your losses and move the hell on,
he thought as he poured himself another glass of wine.
“Is this a private celebration or is that second glass meant for me?” Lucy said from behind him. Turning around slowly, Raymond wondered why she was there, but as he downed his wine, it didn't matter. He was tired of trying to understand what was going on in Imani's mind. Sure, she made it clear what she was doing on the show, but she gave just as well as she took. She initiated plenty of kisses between the two of them. She never turned away when he pulled her into his arms and he could feel her body heat up like an oven every time he touched her.
Glancing at Lucy, he thought about simply burying his utter frustration and aggravation between her shapely thighs. But that wasn't fair to Lucy nor would it be fair to Imani or himself. Raymond knew what he wanted, but he still nodded for Lucy to sit down.
“Thanks for that glowing invite,” she quipped. “Where's your little ‘wife'?”
“I'm not married,” he replied as he filled her glass with wine before refilling his.
“You know who I'm talking about,” Lucy said as she took a dainty sip of wine. “I guess you've finally seen what the actress is all about, huh?”
Raymond sighed, suddenly feeling sober. “You know what,” he said, rising to his feet. “I need to find out everything about her. You enjoy the wine and dinner.”
Lucy hopped up and put her hand on Raymond's chest. “Come on, Raymond. That girl is not worth all of this energy.” She smoothed her hand across his chest. “Everything you could ever need is right here. I'm all the woman you can handle and Imani is just a flighty actress trying to make a name for herself.”
“You may be a lot more than I can handle,” he said. “But I know what I want.”
“Your loss, playboy,” she said. “This could be your last chance unless America has the good sense to put you and me together.”
Raymond patted her on the shoulder. “I've got to go.” He tore off toward that hotel and went immediately to Imani's room. Tonight the cat and mouse game would end. If she wanted to build something with him, then she was going to have to make a decision about it tonight.
As he approached her room door, he sighed. Was she worth it or was this going to be just another performance? He knocked on the door and waited. It seemed to take forever for Imani to open the door. But when she did, looking fresh faced and innocent with her hair pulled back in a ponytail and dressed in a terry cloth romper, Raymond didn't stop himself from pulling her into his arms and kissing her deeply.
Imani could barely gather her thoughts with Raymond's lips pressed against hers. She went with the kiss, telling herself that as soon as they stopped kissing, she was going to tell him why she was hot and cold. She would tell him that she was too afraid to open every part of herself to him or any man because she didn't want to get her heart broken. She dealt with too much rejection in her professional life and she couldn't take it in her personal life.
But did she want the audience of
Let's Get Married
to know that? Pulling back, she inhaled deeply. “Raymond,” she said breathlessly.
“Look, we need to talk—seriously.”
“I know,” she replied. “But, I just can't right now. Not with all of the cameras and—”
“To hell with the cameras and this show. Imani, I want something real with you,” he said, taking her face in his hands.
She closed her eyes, hoping to hold back the real tears stinging her eyes. “Everything we say and we do is being filmed right now,” she said. “I want to tell you . . . Let's go out on the beach.”
“I don't think you want to do that. Lucy's out there,” he said.
Imani rolled her eyes. “I really don't want to run into her. But we need to go somewhere we can be alone and as far away from the cameras as possible.”
 
 
Tres pointed to Elliot. “Make sure a camera crew is on these two at all times. Roll someone with a hand camera to Imani's room right now. If she reveals this secret, I want to make sure we find out what it is and I want it on screen moments after she utters the words.”
Elliot shook his head. “How do you know she has some juicy secret?”
Tres pulled out her package of clove cigarettes and took one out of the box. “She's probably a lesbian,” she said as she dangled the slim stick between her fingers. “That's why she runs away every time she kisses him. That will ruin this show. Please don't let that be her secret.”
“What if she has some fatal disease?” Elliot asked.
“That's ratings,” Tres said, slipping the cigarette between her lips. “If I don't find out what this secret is, you're fired.”
“This is really a new low for you, Tres. I know you've done some shows that hovered over the bottom of the barrel, but this is scraping it.”
“How so? They all knew what they were getting into when they signed up for this show. I don't feel bad for wanting to know her secret, especially since Imani hasn't hidden the fact that she's using this show to get noticed by movie directors. And you know what? I'm sure she's getting noticed. Call her agent in the morning and find out. His name is Funderburke or something. Make yourself useful and find out,” Tres said, waving him off as she headed outside to smoke—again.
BOOK: Too Hot for TV
8.53Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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