Page 19 of Taking the Heat

From behind Callum, I spotted the other redhead in the group. She stared at us with sad, brown eyes. ‘Hey,’ I said, indicating her with a nod. ‘She’s from Ireland too, right? Didn’t I see you both making out last night?’

‘Jaysus. Yes, we did, but it wasn’t supposed to mean we were getting hitched or anything, you know? I didn’t come thousands of miles only to shift with the one lass.’

I think I caught his drift. ‘Well, sorry again. I better keep moving.’

The gong clanged and Miles’ booming voice stopped us all. ‘Boys, boys, boys! What a woeful display of self-control! Only two players left in the hot seats: Martial arts expert Toshi, and Beau, our very own bull-riding cowboy! Ladies—who will step up for the final round?’

Still buzzing from my easy wins over Callum and Chris, I felt like I had one more in me. Beau sprawled motionless in his chair, and I’ve always had a thing for a man in a cowboy hat. Before I could get to him, one of the French girls stepped giggling between his thighs.

I turned to Toshi instead. The information about his martial arts background made sense—he exuded strength and precision. He stared straight ahead, his eyes vacant and his inner concentration evident.This would be a tough one.

The gong rang and the other girls and eliminated guys began to cheer us on. I decided to try something a little different with Toshi. I knew I couldn’t get him to look at me for another pseudo-striptease, and I figured the other ladies had already tried the usual tactic of feeling him up.

I pulled my ponytail around from where it hung down my back and armed myself with its feathery tip.You can ignore touches, but what about tickles?

Sitting sideways on his lap, I danced my silky hair over his collarbone, and watched the flesh respond in goose bumps. Seeing that, I knew my plan would work. I ran the hair everywhere there was exposed skin, along his arm, up his neck, but I hit pay dirt when the strands touched his lips.

‘Eeee!’ He cracked, slapping his hands to his lips and rubbing them hard. Still in his lap, I shot my hands up in victory and the crowd exploded around us.

‘Tara has broken Toshi! The Aussie sheila is having an amazing start to the competition!’ Miles made it sound like I’d won an Olympic event, but I still felt ridiculously pleased.

‘Fuckingbitch!’ someone screamed. A furious Clara pushed her way through the others. ‘Get the fuck off my boyfriend!’

Lunging at me, the fiery Japanese girl wrenched me onto the ground. Stunned, I sat there as Toshi’s face split into a rare smile. ‘You are jealous. You love me still.’

Clara realised her mistake. ‘Fuck no. I just don’t think it’s fucking right what she did to you.’

‘You do love me.’

‘No, I fucking don’t!’

‘Contestants! Please, settle down! Plenty of time to argue over love at the beach party this evening. Please, everyone, gather around for the key presentation!’

Eyes livid, Clara stormed away as everyone else cleared the stage. I stayed standing next to Miles, while Cowboy Beau moved to the other side.

‘It is my honour to present the two of you with your fantasy cabin keys. Use them wisely!’ Miles handed me a large, brass key, ornate and old-school. Attached to the key was a small, heart-shaped locket. I rolled it in my fingers curiously.

‘Inside the locket, you’ll find the number of your cabin. Who you choose to reveal your cabin number too is entirely up to you. But bear in mind, anyone who knows who you are partnered with could betray you for a price—five hundred thousand dollars!

‘Well, surely that’s quite enough excitement for the one day,’ said Miles, fanning himself dramatically. ‘The beach party will commence here on the sand at 7pm sharp. See you there!’

‘Cut!Great job, Miles,’ called one of the AD’s from behind a camera. ‘We need to do a few pickups of your lines. Can we clear the beach, please contestants?’

Everyone dissipated quickly, scattering back to our rooms. I looked for Chris, but he had vanished.

Where did you go?I needed to talk to him—that kiss was crazy. I still wasn’t sure if I could trust Chris, and although I had no idea what he’d do to win the game, I’d made up my mind to embrace this hopeless feeling of passion.And then he disappears! Grrr …

Grumbling to myself all the way back along the walkway to my room, I almost ran into someone waiting for me, hidden in the plants outside my door.

‘Tara … can we talk?’

Chapter 8

What new madness is this? All I want is a shower and a nap …Sucking it up, I asked my visitor, ‘It’s Meghan, right?’

The slender Irish girl bobbed her head. ‘Yes.’ Her brown eyes could have come straight from a picture of Bambi’s mum, and just like a doe, she appeared twitchy and cautious.

‘What can I do for you?’ I said, as soothingly as I could.

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