Page 37 of Hero's Prize

She looked over at him and felt even worse. He looked great—Colton always looked great—but also, he looked…off. “Are you okay?”

He tensed just slightly, but she saw it. “What do you mean?”

Hewasn’tokay. She wasn’t sure how she knew that, but she did. But his being off could have to do with a number of things, including general awkwardness, given their personal situation. So she didn’t want to read too much into it.

“I guess I mean, why are you in a test kitchen at midnight? That seems out of the norm for you, so are you okay?”

That wasn’t what she’d meant, but it at least made sense.

“I’m staying over at one of the cabins and saw the lights on here and thought I’d better check it out.”

“Oh.” That made sense, although she hadn’t thought this building could be seen from any of the cabins.

“What areyoudoing here at this hour?” he continued.

“I’m teaching a few classes for the kids’ camp and wanted to make sure everything was ready.”

“At midnight?”

She shrugged. “It was the only time I had today. And I know Bear has his hands full with everything else, so I assured him I’d take care of all this myself so he didn’t have to worry about it.”

“I don’t think Bear would want you to be working at midnight.”

“I don’t mind.” She poured a set amount of baking powder into each of the bowls. “And everyone’s been working long hours, but it’s for a good cause.”

“Yes, it is.”

He was closer. Just like at the hotel, he’d moved without her hearing him and was now right behind her. She kept her focus on the containers in front of her, measuring and then remeasuring when she forgot how much she’d already put in one bowl.

“I know Bear is glad to have you here. I haven’t made it to that side of the property yet, but I heard about the obstacle course.”

“We finished it tonight.”

Why was he soclose? “That’s good. Just in the nick of time.”

“Why, Butterscotch?”

She had to dump out her measured baking powder for the third time. There was no way she could do anything when he was this close.

“Why what?” Her voice was a squeak.

“Why did you sneak off that night while I was sleeping?”

She spun and found him as close as she’d known he’d be. She’d thought facing him would be easier.

It wasn’t.

Even worse was that he actually looked a little hurt. As if what had happened between them had been something real.

She shook her head. “Why did I leave? I think the real question is, why did you invite me to your room to begin with?”

One dark eyebrow rose. “I thought we both wanted something to happen between us. What I didn’t think was that you were a trophy hunter.”

“Awhat?”

He shrugged. “I’m somewhat famous. I know there are women who get off on spending the night with any sort of celebrity. I just didn’t think you were one of them.”

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “What?”

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