Page 24 of Tactically Tied

Jami swallowed again, pressing her lips together. She was clearly affected. The cameras, the crew, Rick—all of it disappeared. All Jed saw in her dark eyes was his own reflection. It was just the two of them, a thousand unspoken words hanging in the air between them.

Now it was Jami’s turn. He took the blindfold and slipped behind her, carefully positioning it over her eyes. His fingers lingered on the back of her neck. His thumb traced the softness of her skin. The backs of his fingers caught the quickening pulse beneath his touch. He bent down, his lips brushing her forehead.

“Is it too tight?” he whispered.

Jami shook her head, her breath hitching, and he couldn’t resist. He tilted her chin up and captured her mouth in a soft, lingering kiss. She tasted like honey and spice, sweet and warm.

“Ready?” he asked softly.

She nodded, and he moved to sit across from her, his gaze never leaving her face. She was vulnerable like this, blindfolded, relying on him. Jed carefully placed a morsel of meat against her lips. Her mouth opened slowly. He took his time, letting the food slide past her lips, letting his fingers linger just a moment too long against her lower lip. He wiped away a smudge of sauce with his thumb and, without thinking, brought his thumb to his mouth, taking in the remnants of her taste.

Jami sat there, processing the flavors, her lips parting as she let the taste fill her senses. “Beef stew.”

The bell rang, confirming her correct guess. Jed reached forward and slowly removed the blindfold, revealing her wide eyes. Her pupils were dilated with something that made his chest tighten.

They grinned at each other, a moment of silent understanding passing between them. Then, unable to help himself, Jed leaned in and kissed her again. This time, it wasn’t for the cameras. It wasn’t for the show. It was for them.

Behind them, Rick’s voice called out, but not with the usual “cut.” Instead, he directed the crew, “Keep rolling.”

Jed knew they were being watched, that every moment was being captured on film. He didn’t care. Let the world see how he felt about this woman, his wife. Let them know that she was his, and he was taken. In that kiss, there was nothing but the two of them, lost in the taste, the sensation, the realization that this was definitely more than a game.

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

Jami crossed her arms, eyes blazing as she glared at Jed across the counter. They were alone, the cameras gone. It was a good thing because the tension between them crackled like bacon burning in a too hot pan. The remnants of their last practice dish were scattered around them—ingredients half-used, utensils strewn about in their heated debate.

“I’m telling you,” Jed insisted, his voice tight, “we need to go traditional. Midwest comfort food, the stuff these judges know and love. It’s safe, and it’s what they expect from us.”

Jami scoffed, shaking her head. “Safe? That’s the last thing I want to be in the kitchen. We can’t just give them what they expect. We need to surprise them, show them something different. That’s why we should go with the fusion dish. It’s unique, it’s bold, it's?—”

“It’s risky. It’s too different. They won’t get it.”

“Or maybe they’ll love it,” she shot back. “Not everyone wants to eat the same things they’ve eaten a thousand times before. Food should be an adventure.”

“This isn’t about adventure. This is about winning. It’s about getting our names out there.”

Jami felt her heart twist at his words. “Your name, you mean. This is about you expanding your business, getting more recognition.”

Jed paused, the tension dropping from his face. “Yes, it is about expanding. Winning this could do wonders for your career. It could get you the recognition you deserve.”

She stared at him, her rapid pulse slowing down. “I don’t care about recognition. I don’t care if my name is out there. I want to travel. I want to learn from the nameless cooks who create the best flavors in the world without caring about fame.”

Something dark passed over Jed's face, a shadow that made her stomach flip. He took a step back, his expression hardening. “You’re still planning to leave?”

Jami's gaze pingponged from Jed, to the pan, to the spices. “Yes. Of course. That was the plan.”

Jed turned away, running a hand through his hair, his body coiled with tension. She felt a pang of regret but pushed it down, reminding herself that this was the deal. He would get his notoriety from the show, and she would get her inheritance so she'd have money to travel. To leave, to explore, to live the life she’d always dreamed of.

That's what she wanted.

Right?

Right.

“I’m not going anywhere until the competition’s over,” she added, trying to sound conciliatory. It was a new emotion she was having toward him. She'd spent so long thinking they were enemies. She was still getting used to working together. “I gave you my word. You kept your end of the bargain. I have my inheritance now. I can travel for years.”

Jed spun back to face her, his eyes blazing with something she couldn’t quite place—anger, hurt, something else entirely. When he spoke, his voice was raw. “What about our marriage? What about us?”

Jami opened her mouth, but no words came out. What was there to say? This had all been an act... right? “We can get it annulled. As soon as you want.”

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