She licked her lips while she thought of something witty to reply, suddenly wishing she had some readily available cherry lip balm to apply. Sadly, she’d left it in the truck. Probably for the better since she didn’t want to encourage him. She wanted to stay mad at him, not kiss him.
Which would totally be easier if she could walk. His strong arms wrapped around her made her feel protected and safe. The muscles of his chest flexing as he carried her made her all hot and bothered. His labored breathing made her wish he was breathing heavy because of another activity that involved a lot less wilderness and a lot fewer clothes.
Until she thought about the things she’d noticed about him. Like how he seemed all too happy to talk with Eve whenever he thought Paige wasn’t around. Or like how he’d chosen Ben instead of her at the cache.
The familiar anger overrode the desire in her body. “And what about Eve? Do you know how she likes her coffee? How about what she eats for breakfast? Or maybe even the type of underwear she wears?”
He stopped walking and set her down so she stood on a rock. “What are you talking about?”
As if he didn’t know. “You and Eve. Don’t think I didn’t notice things too. Like you talking to her every chance you got. Cuddling on the couch late at night when you thought no one else was around. Don’t think I didn’t notice how quickly you moved on once you couldn’t get in my pants anymore.”
He shook his head, frowning at her. “I can’t believe you think I’d be with Eve. Especially after I’d been with you.”
“I can’t believe you think I’m stupid enough not to see what was so clearly going on between the two of you.”
“What went on was her trying to help me figure out a way to win you back.” He rubbed his hands across his face, then leveled his gaze on hers again. “Sure, at the beginning of the show, she’d hinted pretty strongly about having feelings for me. But once you and I were together, I told her it was never going to happen. And then she became just a friend, and nothing more.”
Oh.
“I didn’t … I thought … ”
He cupped his hands along her jaw, tilting her head up toward him. “You thought wrong. But that’s okay because I happen to think you’re pretty damn cute when you’re wrong. And when you’re right. And when you’re tucked into my bed.”
“What about Ben?” she asked. She had to know before she could give in to her desire to kiss him. To forgive him.
“I’m not interested in Ben either,” he said, inching closer, a smile playing on his lips. “I didn’t realize you were jealous of him too.”
“That’s not what I meant.” She fought to control her thoughts, which were quickly becoming more and more clouded every moment, pushing her hands against his chest to force a little more space between them. “You chose him over me at the cache. That doesn’t make me feel very good about where we stand.”
“I didn’t choose him over you. I came on this show to help Ben get his life back. When he wanted to prove to me that he could climb that rock wall, I couldn’t say no. And I would have happily gone climbing with you too if I’d managed to get rid of your silly shoes sooner. I wanted you there with us, but I couldn’t keep you safe while climbing in those shoes, not when I also had to keep Zoe and Ben out of trouble too.”
“You don’t have to keep everyone safe. We’re not all your responsibility.”
“I know that now. Trust me. Ben ripped me a new one after you guys left. I’d been short-changing him and treating him with kid gloves for too long. He’s so much stronger than I gave him credit for.” He ran his thumb along her cheek. “You’re a lot stronger than I thought too.”
“I am?”
“You are. The way you tackled every cache and tried things like rappelling today, without fear, is inspiring. I didn’t realize how confident and amazing you really are until I thought I’d lost you for good.”
“Honestly, I didn’t realize how confident I could be either.” She glanced down to her bare feet, embarrassed about her action. “I thought I had to wear those unbearable and uncomfortable shoes and this silly push-up bra to feel confident and for you to see me that way. I couldn’t be more embarrassed. Well, until I have to watch it all play on TV again and then I’ll surely feel worse.”
“You are one of the most amazing women I’ve ever met. I don’t think you need anything extra to make you more incredible than you already are.”
“Not even the push-up bra?” She smiled. “You gonna throw it in the lake next?”
He smirked and cocked an eyebrow at her. “The bra can stay.” His gaze flickered down to her chest, her nipples beading in response. “At least until I get you back to the lodge.”
His lips were on hers in a heartbeat at which point her brain leaked out her ears, leaving behind a mess of swirly lights and a cloud of fog. She shivered as his mouth pressed against the pulse point in her neck. He kissed her on the mouth again, harder this time, filled with need that matched what she felt coursing through her own body, pooling low in her belly. She clung to his chest, pulling him closer.
“Maybe until I get you to the truck,” he said against her lips then pulled back to look at her.
“What about the rest of the day? There’s still a chance one of our teams could win if we find a few more caches today before the show ends.”
He tangled his hand in her hair. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve already won. I love you, Paige. I think maybe I have since that very first day of taping when I saw you standing alone waiting for your partner to show up. I’ve never been so drawn to anyone before.”
She wrapped her arms around him, her body melting into his. “I love you too, Miles.” She kissed him again, softly, sweetly. This was the only man she could ever imagine being with. The only man who’d ever seen her for who she really was, even when she didn’t see it herself.
Epilogue
Zoe stood beside Paige while they waited for the finale to wrap up. They’d already filmed all the lead up stuff, and all the filler, and all the flashbacks from the season. If they didn’t get on with announcing the winner soon, she might actually start hurting people.
She already knew her team hadn’t won. She and Paige had compared notes with the other teams and even if their caches had a ton of points each, they still wouldn’t have enough points to win. Their cache number had simply fallen too short.
The same went for Ben and Miles.
As much as she’d hoped to see them win, she just couldn’t see how that would happen with the amount of caches they had, which ended up being only a handful more than her team. Nope. Some other team would win. Most likely Team Frat Boy since Team Firefighter was out. Too bad. She’d rather have seen the firefighters win it instead of two spoiled rich boys who really needed to grow up and graduate from college.
Paige giggled while cuddling into Miles’s side. The giggling could stop anytime. Their lovey-dovey bullshit was enough to make cupid feel like hurling.
“So does this mean you two are together now?” Zoe asked.
Paige nodded. “Looks that way.”
“Yep, better get used to the idea, sis. I don’t plan on letting her go anytime soon.”
“Oh, goody. It wasn’t bad enough that I was stuck with Paige on the show, now I’m going to be stuck with her in real life too. Thank God we only see each other for major holidays, weddings, and funerals.”
“I’m looking forward to spending time with you too, Zoe.” Paige smiled.
Spencer walked back to his spot in front of them before Zoe could say anything else. There would be plenty of chances to say something later if Paige really was going to be a part of her brother’s life.
“Now for the part we’ve all been waiting for,” Spencer began, speaking directly to the camera. Since there wasn’t a live audience for this finale, Spencer spent most of his time tal
king to the camera instead of the contestants.
Zoe couldn’t care less who he looked at as long as he hurried up and got the filming finished. They’d been at it for two hours already because of retakes, which was way longer than necessary in her opinion.
“Time to find out which team is our big winner,” Spencer said with so much enthusiasm even she couldn’t help but cheer with everyone else. “But first, I have one last surprise.”
Zoe’s stomach dropped. She glanced over to where Chip stood watching the final production, a huge grin on his face. After participating in three shows for Chip she knew surprises from him were never good.
“We have a little secret that we didn’t tell you at the start of the show.” Spencer paused as if for dramatic effect and arched his eyebrows. “We aren’t just naming one team the winners tonight, we’re naming three!”
Everyone in the room appeared shocked. Even Zoe. She hadn’t guessed this was coming at all and she was usually pretty good at predicting the twists in the game.
She glanced past Miles and Paige to where Ben stood. He’d been smiling the entire two hours already, apparently enjoying every moment of his last television experience. But now his grin was huge.
Zoe and Ben spoke briefly before they’d started filming tonight. Ben had been happy to feel like himself again, no longer needing to win the whole game to be successful. He’d rediscovered his love for climbing and being outdoors, just as Miles hoped he would. And all without winning the actual game. She took a little bit of pride in being part of the reason he felt that way. Their long talks during the show had really made a difference to how he saw his physical challenges.
They’d made a difference in how she’d seen her own too.
She blinked away the sting of her tears and focused on Spencer again.
“I know you’re all excited, so let’s get on with it, shall we?” he asked, not really pausing long enough for a response. “Our third place team is, Team Everest. Come on up here for a minute, guys.”
The teams clapped as Ben and Miles walked to Spencer’s side, the disbelief clearly evident on their faces.
Zoe couldn’t help but smile and laugh with Paige as they watched the two boys jokingly fist pump the air. She was thrilled for Ben to receive some token of recognition for his achievement. And she was happy for Miles too. He’d come a long way during the filming. Realizing he couldn’t control every situation in life and that it wasn’t his responsibility to protect everyone was huge. Maybe now he’d finally feel free and less weighed down by his own expectations for himself.
“As our third place team, we’d like to award you with fifty thousand dollars.”
What? Holy shit.
Spencer sent the boys back to their spots. They were too shocked to say anything for the cameras anyway.
“Our second place team is … ”
Zoe held her breath. She hadn’t expected to win, but now that she knew there was money involved for the other place prizes, she hoped they would.
“Team Father Daughter.” Spencer clapped and waved them to his side where he awarded them a one hundred thousand dollar prize.
Damn. She really could have used that money.
“Finally,” Spencer said, “our first place winners are … Team Frat Boy.”
The boys ran around the stage area acting like they were at a football game instead of filming a TV show. When they finally settled down enough to join Spencer, he named them the winners of the half a million dollar grand prize.
Confetti rained down from the ceiling covering everyone in flakes of silver and gold. Tacky.
“So close again,” Chip said coming up beside her. Spencer had already moved on to the makeup trailer now that filming was officially complete. “You want to come on another show and give it one last try to win?”
She took in Chip’s sharp features and completely put together look. Some girls might not like a guy so stylish, but she’d always thought there was something sexy about a guy who took care of himself.
“I don’t think so, Chip. I’m afraid I’ve hit my reality show limit at three losses.”
He smiled. He was cute when he smiled. “Maybe the fourth time’s a charm.”
“Or maybe the forth time’s another humiliating loss on national television and a wasted effort.”
Chip stroked his hand along her jaw. She flinched, not used to people touching her there. Ever. He pulled his hand back but stepped closer, dropping his voice. “Or maybe the world hasn’t gotten to see the real you. They haven’t seen what you’re really capable of yet. I can help you change that, Zoe. Say the word and I can make it happen for you. And I could guarantee a payday too. No more leaving empty handed.”
He didn’t wait for her to respond before walking away to congratulate the winners, which was good since she didn’t know what the hell to say to him anyway. What did he know about who she really was?
And what was with the sudden touchy-feely stuff?
Her fingers traced the patch of skin still blazing from the warmth of his touch. Along her jaw she felt the familiar ridge of raised skin — scars that had faded with time but were still so painful and carefully hidden beneath her makeup. She’d never told anyone about the car wreck that had nearly killed her and the years of painful recovery she’d suffered through.
She glanced over to where Ben celebrated. Now he had a way to finish paying off his medical bills.
Been there, done that. Still doing it, actually. But the bills were worth every penny … every sacrifice.
She’d convinced him his physical disability was actually a trophy, and yet she couldn’t say the same about her own scars. She couldn’t let them go. Couldn’t share the truth with anyone. She’d worked too hard to forget the past — to change her life, to protect her future — to share her secrets with anyone.
Chip was wrong. No one could ever see the real her. If they did, they’d think she was weak and that wasn’t something she could stomach. Not after everything she’d been through.
She’d spent the last ten years making sure no one would ever find out. She wasn’t about to throw that all away now.
But if he could offer her a “guaranteed payday” as he called it, could she afford to turn him down? The stack of overdue envelopes in her mail had probably doubled while she’d been on the show and all she had to go toward them was a shopping spree at Macy’s.
She needed the money and Chip made a compelling offer.
Maybe finding out the details couldn’t hurt …
About the Author
Heather Thurmeier was born and raised in the Canadian prairies, but now she lives in upstate New York with her own personal romance hero (aka her husband) and their two little princesses. When she’s not busy taking care of the kids and an adventurous puppy named Indy, Heather’s hard at work on her next romance novel. She loves to hear from her readers.
~ Heart, humor, and a happily ever after.
Website: http://heatherthurmeier.com
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/hthurmeier
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HeatherThurmeierAuthor
Lost Without You
Heather Thurmeier, author of Falling for You and Stuck on You
Avon, Massachusetts
This edition published by
Crimson Romance
an imprint of F+W Media, Inc.
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200
Blue Ash, Ohio 45242
www.crimsonromance.com
Copyright © 2013 by Heather Thurmeier
ISBN 10: 1-4405-5200-2
ISBN 13: 978-1-4405-5200-7
eISBN 10: 1-4405-5201-0
eISBN 13: 978-1-4405-5201-4
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, corporati
ons, institutions, organizations, events, or locales in this novel are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. The resemblance of any character to actual persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental.
Cover art © 123rf.com
To my girls,
Be strong. Be brave. Don’t ever give up. Know you are always loved and never alone.
Contents
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Epilogue
About the Author
Chapter One
Zoe Oliver stood with her back perfectly straight and her head held high. Half of her hair was combed back into a clip and the rest fell past her shoulders to mid-back in waves like a golden ocean. A slight fringe framed her face giving her that messy-yet-styled look.
She didn’t need to look in the mirror again to know her makeup was still evenly applied with a base of foundation and pressed powder, followed by a dusting of bronzer, her favorite light jade eye shadow that enhanced her blue eyes, her usual eyeliner and mascara, and a coat of raspberry shimmer lip-gloss. Once she finished with her makeup in the morning, she didn’t dare scratch her nose or rub her eyes until bedtime. Because of that, she rarely had to fix her makeup during the day.
Unscripted Love: The Complete Reality TV Romance Collection Page 46