Page 65 of Knot Her Reality

“Oh, I’m perfect.” Grinning, I turn to face him and the suitors. “I’ve been dealing with men and women who think like him my entire life.”

“That doesn’t make it any better,” Reginald says wryly.

I shrug. “It is what it is. Now, if I’m not mistaken, we still have two more suitors, don’t we?”

“Yes, we do. Why don’t we call them both to the stage? Koda Cox and Tessa Hanson, will the two of you join us?”

While I assured Reginald I’m okay, and I am, I’m ready for this damn ceremony to be over with. Before they can join us on the stage, I grab two roses and turn back to watch the two of them walk over.

“Koda, we had chemistry from moment one, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Tessa, I’m not going to lie. After the first season of Heated, when they did the article on you and Bree, I had a crush on you. Meeting you in person has only made that crush grow. Because of that, I want to invite both of you to join me for one of the group dates this week.”

Tessa smiles, reaching forward to take the rose from me. “Nothing would make me happier.”

Koda, meanwhile, bypasses the rose and picks me up as his lips meet mine. Even knowing this is a terrible idea, my arms go around him of their own accord as I deepen the kiss. The real question is, will our perfumes fill the room as they did the day we met?

Someone clears their throat, but we both ignore the sound.

“Evangeline. Koda. Seriously?” Reginald hisses.

Jerking back, I giggle as I lower my arms and Koda takes a step back. He bites his bottom lip, the right side of his mouth curling up and making him look even sexier. Right now, he looks like a sexy bad boy, and I want to climb him like a tree.

“I apologize,” Koda says, nodding to Reginald, but he looks completely unapologetic. “I was just very happy and couldn’t help myself.”

Reginald makes a face, barely managing to not roll his eyes. “Yeah, I’m sure. Tessa, Koda, why don’t the two of you make your way back to the other suitors.”

He waits until they’ve left the stage before turning back to the cameras. “Nothing is ever boring on Heated, is it? This season has already started off with a bang. It’ll be interesting to see how things go from here. Until next time, this is Reginald Williams signing off.”

I stand silently beside him for a few moments until they signal that the cameras have cut, and he spins to face me. “Really, Evangeline?”

“I don’t know why you’re looking at me. He’s the one who kissed me.” I lift my chin, daring him to say anything else.

He just shakes his head with a laugh. “Yeah, okay. But you’re the one that gets to explain it to Bree.” He gestures toward the side of the stage where Bree is waiting for me.

Well, fuck.

Chapter Nineteen

Evangeline

Sunday morning, I decide to sleep in and skip breakfast. I know today will be about spending time with the suitors while we get to know each other, but that doesn’t mean I can’t sleep in. Since we’ll be just hanging out around the house, I’ll be able to snack until lunchtime.

Crawling out of bed, I head straight for the shower, wishing I had a coffee maker in my room. It would be nice to have coffee waiting when I got out of the shower. Oh, well. I’ll just have to head to the kitchen as soon as I’m ready.

We agreed to meet out by the pool so when I step out of the shower, I pull on one of the many bikinis I brought. I had them made in any color I could want so I had choices. Today, I pull on a bright pink one, which looks amazing against my skin.

I’m just pulling on a cover-up when my suite’s phone rings.

Frowning, I hurry over, wondering who could be calling. “Hello?”

“Evangeline, it’s Finn. I’m setting up a session for us after dinner tonight, and before you try to argue about it, this is a requirement. We haven’t had a session since before the suitors arrived—which was two weeks ago. You’re meant to meet with me at least once a week, even if you don’t feel like you have to. You’re allowed to request meetings more frequently, but the once-a-week meeting is mandatory.”

I make a face, knowing he’s right, but that doesn’t mean I want to do it. “Fine. I’ll come to your office after dinner.”

“That was actually easier than I thought it would be,” he says with a laugh, and I roll my eyes.

“As much as I’d love to argue with you, you’re right. Bree laid it out for me before I signed the contract to join the show. Mandatory therapy sessions are a requirement. I won’t be happy about it, but I’ll be there.”

He laughs again. “That sounds more like the Evangeline I know.”

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