Page 19 of Hot SEAL, Under Pressure

Jonas looked less impressed with her choice but said, “Okay. If that’s what you want.”

“Yes. That’s exactly what I want,” she said definitively.

What was the difference between running the obstacle course in six minutes or seven minutes or whatever to the viewing public?

Besides, only an insane person would willingly choose to work with—enter into a contract with—the man who refused to even sign a simple consent form.

From that first moment she’d laid eyes on the hard-headed, hard-bodied man she knew he was trouble. That was proven when he’d muscled his way onto that obstacle course. When he’d demanded he go first even though they had permission to film there and were clearly set up to begin.

Karma was real. Because of all his faults, his behavior, his actions, that obnoxious SEAL had just lost himself an amazing opportunity.

The privilege, and the money that came with being onUnder Pressure, would now pass to his teammate. A teammate who was slower than he had been.

That would probably drive him crazy. Good. With a smile Shelly turned back to her computer screen. She had work to do.

Going through pictures and profiles of hot women to find one more for the show’s team was probably a task Jonas would have enjoyed. And she would have gladly given it to him, but it seemed he knew more about military protocol than she did.

He was clearly more valuable dealing with that aspect. She’d just whip through these applicants. It wouldn’t be hard. Today she was going to make one woman who’d been devastated at the thought she’d been passed over for the show very happy.

Shelly couldn’t understand that desperation to be on camera herself. To be internet famous. To have your life play out in public.

Even after all her research for the show and knowing the horrors of SEAL training, she’d still rather go through BUD/S Hell Week than be in front of the camera for one of the reality shows produced by the company she’d hung her career on—dedicated her life to—but that was just her.

Thankfully, there were plenty of people lining up for a spot.

She was currently scrolling through those people when Jonas rushed over.

“Joanne wants you.” His breathlessly gasped message had her swiveling her desk chair to face him.

“Okay…” She frowned, concerned. His tightly pressed lips and lifted brows didn’t bode well. “What’s wrong?”

“You’d just better come and talk to her yourself.” Jonas’s grim countenance was scaring her.

Was the footage they’d been counting on editing into the first show that bad that Joanne decided they couldn’t use it? Or, worse, was it missing completely? Deleted by accident or something equally horrifying.

Anguished at the possibilities, she bolted from the chair.

Pushing past Jonas, she rushed out of her door and then realized she wasn’t sure where Joanne was. Only that she wasn’t here.

She spun to look back at Jonas, only to find him hot on her heels.

“Where is she?” she asked, as she started walking again toward the other side of the office.

“Editing,” he supplied, keeping pace with her.

With a destination, she strode faster, making a beeline to the closed door of the room where the editors worked. Busting through the doorway, she swept the room with her gaze.

The editor was seated as Joanne stood over her shoulder. Both were focused on the screen until Joanne pivoted to glance back.

Her smile as she looked at Shelly didn’t make sense. It wasn’t a friendly, welcoming smile. Or even a forced, fake smile.

It was the self-satisfied smile of someone who had solidified a scheme. The smile of the Joker as he birthed a plot to beat Batman. The Grinch as he envisioned his evil plan against Whoville.

And Joanne was aiming that smile at Shelly. A straight shot. She felt the direct hit.

“You asked for me?” she managed to ask, her heart thundering so hard it made her light-headed.

“Yes, I did.” The smile spread, making Joanne look even more menacing than before.

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