Page 98 of Recipe for Temptation

“Maybe.” He kissed his way back up to her mouth, his tongue sliding inside to stroke hers. “In case it wasn’t obvious, Mama Wolf loves you. Is there anyone who can resist your charms?”

She smiled against his lips. “I hope not.”

Especially not you.

Chapter Thirty-One

Unbeknownst to Michael or her family, Reese had begun making calls and submitting her curriculum vitae to several local hospitals.

Though she and Michael had yet to say I love you to each other, she sensed that it was only a matter of time before he’d be ready to take the next step. Every time their bodies were joined, or they shared a secret glance across a crowded room, she was convinced that the look of tender ferocity in his eyes had to be love. But for some reason he was holding back, and she was enough of a self-preservationist to wait for him to be the first to utter the magic words.

It turned out to be the wisest decision she’d ever made.

On the Friday before the last taping of the apprentice series, she arrived at the studio after running errands to go over some final preparations with Michael and Drew Corbett. She also had some important news to share with Michael. Layla had just called from Somalia to tell Reese that the funding for her photography assignment had been cut, so she’d be returning home next week. Which meant that once Reese completed her final episode of Howlin’ Good, she’d have no reason to remain in Atlanta.

Unless she and Michael had a future together.

That afternoon, as she neared the open doorway to Drew’s office, she overheard him speaking excitedly to Michael.

“…network execs are buzzing about keeping her on as a regular on the show. You know I’m totally on board, but what about you? Or do I even have to ask?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, I think it’s pretty obvious to everyone that you’re crazy about her.”

Reese’s pulse quickened. She found herself awaiting Michael’s response with bated breath.

He chuckled wryly. “She’s a ratings magnet. How could I not be crazy about her?”

Reese’s heart plummeted.

As reality came crashing down on her, she realized that everything she and Michael had shared over the past nine days had been a joke.

And the joke was on her.

Somehow she made it through the meeting without betraying her emotions. She laughed at Drew’s corny jokes, and interacted with Michael as if he hadn’t just plunged a dagger through her heart.

When the meeting was over, she told him she had more errands to run and she’d call him once she was finished.

Four hours later, she was on a plane home to Houston.

She knew her decision to skip town had been impulsive, but she had to get away and collect herself, if only for a few days. She was contractually obligated to return to Atlanta for Wednesday night’s final taping. After that, she’d be free to leave for good—which she intended to do.

Given what she’d overheard that afternoon, what other choice did she have? Michael had all but admitted that she meant nothing more to him beyond what she could do for his show’s popularity. And since he’d never had any problem with ratings, that meant he really didn’t need her.

It was devastating to realize she’d been living in a fantasy world. But it was better that she’d come to her senses now, before she rearranged her entire life for a man who’d never intended to commit to her.

As for the man she’d dated for the past year, hoping to convince herself that they were right for each other, it was time to close that door once and for all.

The morning after she arrived home, she drove to the hospital where she and Victor worked and had him paged. She knew he’d been avoiding her phone calls for more than a week. It was time for both of them to face the music.

When he came on the line, she said without preamble, “Victor, this is Reese. I’m sitting outside in a rental car. I don’t want to come inside and get sidetracked by my coworkers. I know you don’t have any surgeries scheduled this morning. Will you meet me outside so we can talk?”

There was a heavy pause.

“There’s not much to talk about, Reese,” he said flatly.

“What do you mean?”

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