Page 28 of Heat & Hard Candies

We slept through the massages we were supposed to receive, and didn’t actually get out of bed until Jordan told us it was time to go.

“Only three days, Beautiful,” Kyle murmured, kissing me lightly on the lips. “We’ve got this.”

“We’ve got this,” I agreed, though my stomach was still a little twisted.

What if something happened?

What if Kyle got voted out after the last challenge?

What if?—

He kissed me again, slower.

Hotter.

My toes curled, but Jordan knocked again.

“The next time we’re alone together, we’re going to be sealing that mate bond.” He kissed me again. “I love you, and I’m fucking glad you’re mine.”

My eyes stung. “What if something goes wrong?”

“Do you trust me?”

I nodded.

It hadn’t been long, andSurvivalwasn’t a great place to build trust, but I did trust him. He’d never given me a reason not to, and he always kept his word. I suppose seeing him do the same for multiple seasons helped with that.

“Then trust that I won’t let anything go wrong. If it does, I’ll figure out a way to come out on top despite it. I’ve got this. Okay?”

“Okay.”

He gave me one last kiss before tucking me against his side and leading me out of the room.

I couldn’t prevent my nerves, but his words had definitely eased them a little.

After we got backto the island, the final two days passed even slower than I thought they would. Ian was gone, but that didn’t really matter to me.

More sweating occurred.

More feeling like I was being cooked by the sun, too.

And more discomfort.

But eventually, itdidcome to an end, and it was time for the final challenge.

As usual, the guys took their places in front of Jordan. I sat down on the bench off to his side, eyeing the puzzle set-up.

It was definitely the game’s usual final puzzle.

A gigantic statue of me, divided into many, many pieces. I usually enjoyed puzzles, but that was one I had no desire to touch. The thing was intense.

Jordan rattled off the rules and reward (the reward was another twelve-hour sightseeing ride on the show’s yacht), then had the men take their stations.

They all traded nods.

And then, they began.

No one moved quickly when they did. It wasn’t a fast puzzle.

---