Page 12 of Taking the Heat

And then, he auditions himself! So clearly, his insult was simply a tactic to drive me away, so he would have less competition. He nearly cost me the chance to save my sister. I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive him for that.

No matter how good he looks without a shirt on.

Chapter 5

Transcript of Tara M’s video diary: Day 2

Lordy, what a day! This is going to be an epic three weeks.

Okay, so this morning I woke up late to the sound of the phone beside my bed ringing.

‘What?’ I growled into the receiver, my head throbbing.

‘Good morning, Miss Tara!’ An assistant chirped merrily down the line at me. ‘It’s ten-thirty and this is your wake-up call. The first challenge begins in ninety minutes on the beach, and I’m sure you’d like to eat breakfast first!’

‘You are way too perky for this time in the morning,’ I said, rolling over and slamming the phone down. Stretching under the soft cotton sheets, I enjoyed the feeling of just being horizontal for one more minute. From my bed, I could see the glowing blue ocean, and birds called melodically to each other in the trees around me.

A knock at the door disturbed my morning for the second time. ‘Makeup!’ someone called, the way people normally say, ‘Housekeeping!’

Unenthusiastically, I planted my feet on the cool bamboo floor and padded over to let the team in.

Half an hour later, wardrobe had me kitted out in a silver one-piece, with barely enough material to cover half my butt cheeks. A white kaftan threaded with silver gave me a little more coverage, but since it was see-through, my nipples were clearly visible through both layers of fabric.

The hair lady sprayed my high ponytail one last time, and twisted the blonde ends to make them curl prettily. ‘Beautiful,’ someone sighed.

‘Thanks, guys.’ I tried to be gracious—it was their job to make me look do-able. And really, what girl doesn’t like new clothes and having someone else deal with their hair?

I stepped out into the tropical morning and breathed deeply. The palms high above my head waved happily at me, the dappled light falling on my fair skin. As I started out for the bungalow, I finally allowed myself to process what I’d learned the night before.

The rules state I have to sleep with someone before I leave. I need the million bucks, ergo, I will have to do it. I think. I don’t know. But I don’t have to decide now—I’ll make up my mind later. I’ll meet everyone first and see if there’s anyone I definitely wouldn’t want to sleep with. Besides, I can’t get into my fantasy cabin anyway unless I win a key.

I hadn’t actually planned on participating fiercely in any of the challenges. But if I needed a key to even have the choice about going through with things, I had to give it my all.Game on, then.

The bungalow appeared around the bend, transformed from the party den it had been last night to its more laid-back state. A single camera crew filmed a couple of contestants chatting and eating at the long tables, but I had eyes only for the breakfast buffet. My stomach leaped; I hadn’t eaten much yesterday and breakfast is my favourite meal of the day.

Rushing straight for the plates, I loaded up with bacon, hash browns, English muffins and grilled tomatoes. I stuck a raspberry Danish in my mouth so it didn’t absorb any savoury flavours and turned to find a seat.

‘Travelling light this morning, are we?’ Chris, looking effortlessly hot in a fitted sleeveless shirt and black board shorts, stared down at my laden plate. He completely blocked my way, and with my mouth full of pastry I couldn’t even respond with an insult of my own.

I settled for rolling my eyes and pushing past him, careful not to touch him. If I did use up one of my strikes, it wouldn’t be because of breakfast. Breakfast is the most amazing meal of the day and shouldn’t be responsible for anything bad. Except maybe making my pants tighter.

Chris breathed in my ear as I passed. ‘You know, there’s this weird thing that happens to your skin whenever you get near me.’ He indicated the goose bumps on my arm I hadn’t even noticed had sprung up. ‘You should get that checked out.’

Giving up, I spat my Danish onto my plate. ‘Unlike your wardrobe department, mine seem to think that swimsuits are appropriate for every occasion, and it’s cool today, so don’t flatter yourself, please.’

‘I don’t even have to touch you to make your body react,’ he went on, ignoring my comment completely. His pupils grew larger, the black circles a contrast to the icy blue of his irises. ‘Imagine what will happen when I put my hands all over you.’

Lucky my fingers were gripping the plate tightly, because they started trembling almost immediately.Dammit body! Get yourself together!The thought of Chris’ wide, tanned hands on me sent shockwaves rippling all over my skin.

Pretending that my body wasn’t calling to his like a needy fan-girl, I tossed my hair. ‘Bring it on, sunshine. You don’t scare me.’

He laughed loudly as I stomped off on trembly legs. He moved over to the drinks station, and I tried to put him out of my mind.That man will not spoil my brekky, dammit!

Sinking gratefully into a seat across from two other contestants, I tried to put Douche-face out of my mind as I said, ‘Hi, guys. I’m Tara.’

Turning to me with bright smiles, the two identical faces introduced themselves in glorious Swiss accents.

‘Halloo! I’m Lars!’

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