Page 16 of Heat & Hard Candies

More discomfort ensued.

When Ev sprawled out on one side of the bed, I padded over to the large couch on the other side of the room and got cozy.

His huff of frustration was impossible to miss.

He grudgingly offered me the bed, saying he would take the couch, but I politely told him I was happier where I was. He grumbled a little more, but eventually, started snoring.

It took me a while to fall asleep, but I managed.

The next morningconsisted of more awkwardness.

They gave us facials.

Head massages.

Foot treatments of some kind.

It was more pampering than I’d ever had, and I was highly uncomfortable with all of it. But, I gritted my teeth and made it through.

When we finally got on the speedboat and headed back to the island, I was so relieved I could’ve cried.

I wanted to feel Kyle’s arms around me, like I had during our reward, but it wasn’t an option.

So, I just held tightly to the handrail beside my seat and gritted my teeth.

Only twenty days left.

I would survive it.

The ride wasn’t too long, and soon enough, we were back on the Survival beach. Ed, the only fire fae currently in the game, had been voted out. He was a decent guy, but I wouldn’t miss him.

Kyle caught my gaze as some of the other men started walking off, and there was a bit of a question in it. He seemed like he was asking if I was okay.

I gave him a small smile and a nod before I headed back to my usual spot on the beach.

Only twenty more days.

It would be fine.

Three more days passed slowly.

Another puzzle challenge, too.

And another reward with someone other than Kyle. That time, it was with Oz, the game’s only air fae. I could tell Ev didn’t try to win the challenge. He was smart enough not to want to go on another reward with me.

Oz seemed much more comfortable with silence than Ev, and didn’t push me to talk too much. That made it a lot less awkward.

We spent a day and a half on a yacht, exploring a few different gorgeous locations. There was tons of food, snorkeling, and swimming, and our room was comfortable.

I really just wanted a good book to curl up with, but I tried to enjoy the experiences anyway. I didn’t know if I’d ever do anything like that again after Survival ended.

On the way back to the island, Oz asked me about books.

I admitted I loved them, and tried to end the conversation—but then he asked if I’d read a certain fantasy romance book.

One of myfavoritefantasy romance books.

I couldn’t help but lean toward him, asking if he’d read it.

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