Her TV Bachelor Fake Fiancé: Christmas Romance Series

by Krey, Kimberly

  Lisa and Tina created a curtain of sorts, making it hard to see Cambria as she stepped out and moved down the hall toward her bedroom. He tipped his head to get a better view, chest aching as he watched her hurry into her room without the slightest glance back.

  Tina and Lisa were talking amongst themselves. Something about shooting Lisa in front of the tree. One they hadn’t even decorated yet. He watched as the two disappeared around the corner. He should go back into his room, grab a shower, and hit the sheets early, but he couldn’t.

  Stan. Was he still in the theater? Maybe he could give Canyon some sort of clue as to what could be going through Cambria’s mind. Already, his body was in action. Canyon started down the hallway, a dozen long strides and he was stepping through the propped doors.

  Stan hovered over a large utility bag, stuffing cords into it while whistling along with the Christmas carol playing through the cabin’s speakers.

  Canyon cleared his throat, and the whistling stopped.

  “What can I do for you, fine sir?” The man stroked his beard as he squinted up at him.

  “Why did Cambria say no?”

  The man’s eyes widened. He looked over his shoulder as if Marsha’s living ghost stood right behind him.

  “I know you can’t tell me what she said in her video diary,” Canyon said, not wanting to put him in a bad situation. “But you can tell me… I don’t know, why you think she said no to that tonight. Now that our date’s over and we only had fourteen days together to begin with.” He was revealing more cards than he had in his own Q & A sessions, but the words took even him by surprise. He hadn’t realized how strongly he felt until he was forced to give up more of his time with her.

  “I wish I could,” Stan said with the shake of his head. “Just hang in there, son. You’ve got the whole day tomorrow.”

  “Do I though?” He reminded himself to keep his voice low as he continued. “Because from where I stand, Lisa can just come and take that away whenever she feels like it. Heck, I’ll probably wake up and she’ll decide the whole thing’s a bust and send us home. Better yet, she’ll bring some other guy in here. Give Cambria her happily ever and send me back to my shallow life on the runway.”

  Wow, he was full of it tonight, wasn’t he? Sure, he’d been tempted to leave his modeling career in the past, but he didn’t despise it. He did, however, hate thoughts of the often-lonely life filling his Christmas futures. He wanted the beautiful image Cambria painted, and he wanted it with her. Trouble was, she may not be able to picture having that with him.

  Canyon’s shoulders fell once more, all the indignation he’d roused pouring out of him in one defeated breath. “Sorry,” he mumbled, unfastening his tie. “I know you’re just doing your job.”

  On the way back to his room, Canyon unfastened the top two buttons of his white, crisp shirt. But just as he freed the third button from its loop, a hand touched his shoulder.

  “Psst,” Stan came from behind. “She’s scared. That’s all I can tell you.” And with that, he was gone. Scurrying back to the theater as quietly as he’d come.

  Scared. Scared. First he’d been scared, and now Cambria was?

  Canyon paced in his room while he pondered it. “Scared of what?” he hissed. “If she watched mine, I’d get to watch hers. What’s to be scared of besides me discovering the truth?” Stop mumbling to yourself, Canyon. If there were hidden cameras in here, and he wouldn’t put it past Marsha, he’d look like a lunatic.

  The thing was, Stan had said it like… like it should offer Canyon some sort of hope. He paced some more, facing the fireplace one moment, then the massive window the next. Instead of the snowy, mountainous view, Canyon was stuck with his own reflection since it was dark out, and the outdoor lights hadn’t come on yet.

  Was she scared of what his would say?

  The idea struck him like a face-slap. “Yes,” he cheered. That was it. It had to be. Well, he could assure her that his feelings were real. In fact, he could do it right now, whether Lisa or Marsha liked it or not. And that’s just what he’d do.

  Chapter 12

  Cambria had pulled the stubborn zipper down as far as she could, but she still couldn’t squirm out of the dress. She stared into the mirror and sighed.

  Wimp.

  A smile threatened to pull one side of her lips, but it didn’t quite make it. She was a wimp. Afraid to find out if Canyon’s feelings were real or not. Why would she want to delay discovering the truth? So she could just tell herself he did and spend another day in ignorant bliss?

  She dropped her arms, tried going at the zipper from lower behind her back rather than from the top, when a gentle knock came to her door. Great. Maybe something had gone wrong with the recording and she’d have to shoot the whole thing over again. At least she still had her dress on, even if the straps had fallen off her shoulders in her effort to unzip the thing.

  Barefoot now, she shuffled over to the door, the bottom of the dress pooling at her feet. “Coming,” she called before twisting the lock. The doorknob was next, and soon Cambria was pulling the door open. She’d been so certain she’d see Lisa standing there in her heels and gown and all her glory, that it took her a moment to take in the very different—very welcome—view: Canyon.

  With his tux still mostly intact, Canyon ran a hand through his hair. Photographers would line up from clear across the globe to get a shot of him in that moment—his sculpted, masculine chest peeking through the open collar of his shirt while the black silk tie dangled loosely at either side. The jacket was gone, and he’d rolled his sleeves up a time or two. Holy gorgeousness.

  That phrase probably hadn’t come to her mind since Cambria and her friends uttered it back in middle school, but never had she meant it like she did then.

  “I had to talk to you,” he said, voice raspy and low.

  She’d once seen a bird trapped in a storm drain. The way its wings beat so frantically, she worried it would die before it broke free. That’s just what Cambria’s heart felt like in that moment. Like wild, frantic wings flapping until she lost her breath.

  “Okay.” It came out in a whisper. She stepped back and opened the door further, but Canyon gave the subtle shake of his head. He glanced over his shoulder next, nodding toward the hallway.

  A quick peek said Tina was catching this on camera; they’d need to stay visible. Just as she wondered exactly what he wanted from her, Canyon reached out, wrapped a hand around her waist, and stepped closer.

  She took one small step, hand still glued to her zipper, and gave him a questioning look.

  He said nothing, merely held her gaze until she felt it in her toes—the longing, the deep need she sensed in him. He reached out, took hold of her other hip, and encouraged her to lean against the large, wood doorframe.

  Cambria abandoned her efforts with the zipper and did just that, reveling in the warm feel of his masculine hands on her hips.

  “I didn’t want our date to be over tonight,” he rasped.

  More heart fluttering. Warmth and hope and desire swelling with every beat.

  “If we have to wait until tomorrow now,” he continued as he stepped in closer, “the least I could do is tell you goodnight.”

  Goodnight? That sounded innocent enough. But as she took in the heavenly spicy scent of his aftershave, the warmth of his solid, muscular chest as he neared, passion flared within her. Hot, welcome, and a little less innocent than a simple goodnight.

  He moved one hand longingly up the curve of her waist, teased his fingers gently over her bare shoulder before cradling her neck. He lowered his head, slowly, while visions of their swing set kiss teased Cambria’s mind. Would it be as good as she remembered?

  He touched his lips to hers, soft like a whisper, and spoke against them. “Goodnight, beautiful Cambria.” And then his mouth took hers in a long, sensual kiss.

  Yes, so good. A helpless whimper floated to her lips. Her fingers fumbled blindly until she fisted the open folds of his shirt; it was
the only thing keeping her from floating away too. She kissed him again, reveling in the passionate push and pull of his magnificent mouth. She broke away for a breath, testing to see if she could stop things, but she couldn’t. It was much too soon. Instead she pressed onto her toes for more.

  Canyon tilted his head, deepening the kiss with a deep groan.

  She was so wrapped up in the moment that it took her a second to recognize the sound of Lisa’s whispered voice. She was telling the cameras to get closer. Canyon must have just tuned into it as well, because he brought the kiss to an end. He rested his forehead on hers while labored breaths passed between them in the small space. Cambria glanced up as he backed away slightly, her gaze landing on the death-grip she had on his shirt.

  “Oops,” she said with a laugh. She uncurled her fingers and smoothed the bunched fabric with her hands. “There.”

  Canyon glanced down at the wrinkled spot and grinned. He took her hand next, pressed a kiss to it, then stepped back into the hallway. “Goodnight.”

  Chapter 13

  Canyon would never get tired of hearing Cambria’s laugh. The last three days had offered plenty of it too. Each moment had only made him long for more of the same. More time spent with the woman who had won his heart.

  Today, they’d had an incredible time on the slopes. They’d spent the first few hours skiing, something Cambria was good at, considering she’d only been a few times when she was a teenager. Canyon taught her to snowboard next, and he’d be danged if she didn’t pick that up as well. She was a natural, which was sexy. More sexy was the fact that she was such a good sport about the bumps and bruises that came along the way. Cracking up when she wiped out while trying to dodge a young skier. What a refreshing contrast, compared to the women he’d dated while filming Find My Fiancé.

  “That was so much fun,” Cambria said with a sigh.

  Canyon took his gaze off the falling flakes beyond the limo and put his arm around Cambria. “I know. I’m glad we stopped when we did. Had we gone for another hour you’d have gotten better at boarding than me.”

  Cambria fiddled with the red scarf she’d removed during the drive. “You’re fooling yourself, Canyon Byer,” she said in that low tone she often teased him with. “I passed you in skill level an hour after we started.”

  “Yeah, right.” He laughed.

  She gave him a nudge. “You know it’s true. Just admit it.”

  “If I agree with you,” Canyon said, tilting his head to look at her face to face. “I’d only be saying it to make you feel better. Is that okay?”

  Cambria squinted her smoldering eyes as she held his gaze. “But you’ll say it? Out loud?”

  He nodded. “Sure. Won’t mean it, but I’ll say it.”

  She folded her arms. “Will you add five words to the end of the sentence? Just for me?”

  He nodded again, though he couldn’t hold back the smile threatening to pull at his lips.

  “Promise you’ll say them.”

  “I don’t know what they are yet,” he countered.

  “I’ll tell you once you’re at the end of your sentence.”

  Canyon shrugged, already looking forward to hearing what she wanted him to say. “Okay. You, Cambria, passed my astonishing level of skill as a snowboarder within an hour of learning to board yourself…” He let the final word dangle as he waited for her to give him the five words.

  “I’m not,” she instructed, giving him just two to start.

  “I’m not…” Canyon repeated.

  Cambria’s smile grew. “Just saying that,” she said with a nod.

  Canyon widened his eyes. “But I am just—”

  Before he could finish, Cambria covered his mouth with her hand. “Don’t say it. You agreed to add my five words, remember?” She kept her palm over his mouth and looked at him expectantly.

  He nodded. “I remember,” he mumbled beneath her hand.

  She giggled that cute little laugh of hers. “Now when I remove my hand, you should say the whole thing over again without any diversion.” She gave him a stern look. “Okay?” She removed her hand, but kept her face close to his as she looked at him expectantly.

  “Okay. Cambria, you passed my astonishing skill level as a snowboarder within an hour of learning to board yourself and I’m not just saying that.”

  Cambria clapped her hands together. “Yay! You did it. I knew you could say it.” She rushed in and planted a kiss to his lips. So sweet, but far too short. He loved the way they’d moved from contemplated kisses to playful kissing in the car, on the slopes… long, tempting kisses on the tram. It really had been the perfect date. The perfect week.

  He adored this woman. Loved how much fun she made everything. Playing along with every silly whim or game. Clapping her hands after getting him to repeat a few words.

  “You know what I don’t get?” he said as he considered that round of applause.

  Cambria dumped a few chocolate mints into her hand. “Oh, no, is this going to be like the oven mitt?” she asked before tossing the candies into her mouth.

  “What do you mean? That was deep. I’m making deep observations, here.”

  She nodded. “Sorry. You’re right. What don’t you get this time?”

  “Clapping. What is this all about?” He clapped his hands together to demonstrate. “Who’s idea was this? We smack our hands together when someone does something we like?”

  She giggled. “Actually, you’re right about this one.”

  “I’m right?” Canyon asked, surprised that she’d actually admitted it.

  “Yes. What kind of bizarre behavior is that, anyway?”

  “Exactly.” He held her gaze for a breath, wondering if she was only humoring him. He’d find out with a bit of prodding, but that would have to wait.

  They were stopped in front of the cabin now, the snow-covered structure glowing in the night. The show had referred to this two-week stint as a Winter Wonderland Getaway, which Canyon had deemed ridiculous at the time. But in that moment, with Cambria by his side, the grandeur of moonlit pines draped in snow, barely visible against the night sky, he decided the name was a perfect fit. He thanked the heavens that they still had another week of this. Dating and talking. Flirting, teasing, and getting to know one another.

  At that sweet acknowledgment, a warning came to mind: don’t get too comfortable. Marsha Langston had a way of putting twists on things, especially when the going got good. She’d have to keep it interesting for the viewers, after all.

  No, he told himself. This was what America wanted, wasn’t it? The two of them hitting it off? And now they were. Marsha wouldn’t do anything to disrupt that. Besides, Canyon had a hunch that the woman was a true romantic at heart, despite the shrewd air she gave off.

  He forced his thoughts back to the present as Stan and Tina, who’d been positioned at the other end of the limo’s cab, piled out with their equipment.

  “We should look it up after we decorate the tree,” Cambria said.

  Canyon set his gaze back on her. “What was that?”

  “The bizarre art of clapping,” she said as they climbed out of the limo. “We can research how that all began. We’ll get to the bottom of it if it takes us all night.”

  Canyon wrapped an arm around her. The walks had been shoveled not too long ago, evident by the fresh mounds of snow surrounding the walkway. But already, a thin layer of white powder coated the cement.

  “If it takes all night?” he repeated while opening the door for her. “Sounds good to me.”

  Cambria gave his arm a playful swat as she walked by. Even after a full day of being outside, he could smell that sweet, cinnamon scent on her. Was it in her hair? Her scarf, maybe?

  “Welcome back, you two,” Lisa chirped. “Please change into something more comfortable and meet in the den. It’s time to visit the Ghost of Christmas Past while you decorate the tree.”

  Cambria was the first to respond. She reached out, tugged Canyon by his sweater, and pres
sed a kiss to his cheek. “See ya.” She darted down the hall then. Canyon moved to do the same but Lisa held out a hand.

  “Before you head back to your room,” Lisa said, nodding toward the theater room. “You’ll need to visit the small theater first.” The doors were propped open, the houselights were on, and Stan stood poised behind his camera at one corner of the room, stroking his long beard with one hand.

  A bout of nausea rolled through him as he glanced back down the hall where Tina followed Cambria into her room.

  Marsha handed an envelope to Canyon and motioned for him to step inside. “Read the note aloud, please, and then make your choice. I’ll give you some privacy.”

  She closed the doors to the theater, leaving Canyon alone with the note, the camera filming his every move, and the kind gentleman Canyon felt an odd sort of kinship to after he’d helped him out last night.

  Canyon tore open then envelope with hands that looked more steady than they felt. He gulped the dryness from his throat and read.

  “Decision time has come, Canyon. Your Winter Wonderland Getaway would not be complete without a Stay or Go ceremony. But this one will be much different. You are in charge of whether you and Cambria stay in your winter paradise and continue your relationship, or say goodbye to Jackson Hole and go your separate ways.

  To choose Stay: You must propose to Cambria tonight.

  To choose Go: Simply go about the evening without the proposal.

  His heart was hammering so heavily he could feel it in his face. A mad sort of pulsing through his forehead, cheeks, and ears. He stared at the note. Propose? Tonight? She’d think he was crazy.

  Spaced down a ways on the note, a final paragraph caught his eye.

  “Each bachelorette on Find My Fiancé picked their favorite rings at the beginning of the show. Cambria’s picks are lined up on the counter. Select a ring and take it with you while you decorate the tree. Propose tonight, and you’ll enjoy another week together as an engaged couple. Don’t, and you’ll go your separate ways once you wake.”