Page 77 of Bargain with the Bachelor
As the lighting guy made some last-minute adjustments and the cameraman focused his shot, Kristal spoke to me in a low voice.
“I hope youdon’tsee me as a damsel-in-distress. I never wanted anything from you. I never expected you to take care of me.”
I lowered my own voice, speaking close to her ear in a soothing tone. “I know that. You’ve never done anything to make me think you wanted or needed me.”
Pausing, I wondered if I had enough courage to say the next words screaming in my brain.
“Although… I wouldn’t have minded if you had,” I whispered.
“Oh nice,” Hap said. “We’re definitely keeping that line.”
“You were rolling?” I yelped. “No—you are definitelynotusing that line—or anything she just said. Cut it, Hap—I’m serious.” I pointed to the cameraman. “Roll it back and record over it.”
“Fine.” Hap blew out an exaggerated breath. “You two are touchier than a pair of Pomeranians today.”
He turned to the camera operator. “Okay, roll it back and let’s record.”
To Kristal and me he said, “We’re about to film, so don’t anybody whisper any sweet nothings they don’t want the world to hear.”
The warning was full of sarcasm. Then he raised his voice, addressing the whole crew. “Okay… speed… and rolling.”
Getting into character, I smiled down at Kristal’s somber face.
“So… Jack’s having a little dinner party at his place today, and his wife Bonnie wants to meet you. They’ve been hearing good things.”
Kristal’s wide green eyes stayed serious, but she faked a small smile in response. “Oh really? And where would they have heard these things?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” I said. “I might have mentioned you a few hundred times. But who’s counting? So… will you go with me?”
“I’m not sure I should,” she hemmed. “Would it be just the two of them and us?”
“Nah, it’s a family thing. Her sister Rachel will be there too. Come on, it’ll be fun. And I want to show off my girl.”
If only shewasmy girl, I’d love to show her off. I’d brag to anyone and everyone who’d listen. I’d put her on a float and drive her around town with a bullhorn blasting the news while I threw beads and candy to the onlookers.
Tears filled Kristal’s eyes.Wow.She was quite an actress.
Either that, or my invitation had made her sad. I was shocked by the vulnerability in her expression, but I wasn’t sure what was behind it.
When she finally answered, it was in a whisper. “Okay, I’ll go.”
“Good, now kiss her,” coached Hap.
Behind my back I flipped him off, then I turned my focus exclusively back to Kristal.
Dropping my head so our noses were only an inch apart, I took her face between my palms and brought my lips to hers.
I wanted to remind her of our first kiss, when she’d let go and melted in my arms, when I’d thought there might be the barest hope of a chance for us.
But asthiskiss went on, I forgot about my agenda entirely, forgot about the people watching, and lost myself in the moment, in her.
My senses were assaulted by the sweet taste of her lips, the soft scent of her shampoo, the sound of her rapid breaths.
Moving us both so her back was pressed against the pantry’s back wall, I yanked her tighter, deepened the kiss.
More.I wanted more. I would never get enough of this woman.
And she seemed to be feeling the same way. Kristal’s hands found their way into my hair, and she hummed a little, a happy, hungry sound that sent my heart soaring and my cock priming the rockets as well—because it meant she was just as into this as I was.
