“Uh, what?” the show’s host, Daryl Highs, asked.
Was she losing her mind? It was true, but this was television, and she couldn’t fly her crazy flag just yet. “Nothing. I’m just nervous.”
He touched her arm. “It’s going to be fine. This is my fourth year. And each season the bachelor or bachelorette is nervous, but true love’s worth it, right?”
“You bet.” She put as much conviction in the words as she could.
It was a television show. She wasn’t so stupid as to think that something might actually come of it. Not saying it absolutely wouldn’t, but a proposal at the end? Could a person meet and fall in love with someone in ten weeks? The idea was nuts, but the season two bachelorette had married her final man standing the previous year in a wedding that was broadcast. So far, she was the only one to find her match. Would it really hurt to hope just a little that her prince charming was going to step out of the limo?
“Okay, time to greet the bachelors,” Daryl said as he opened the door for her.
As they stepped outside, the limo pulled up, and the door opened. This was it. Twenty guys were going to start pouring out of the car, and in ten weeks…well, who knew what would happen. Her heart fluttered in her chest as visions of what could be played in her mind.
A camera placed across the driveway panned from Sophia and Daryl to the limo and back. On cue, Daryl looked into the camera and said, “Welcome to the fifth season of Celebrity Proposal. I’m here with our bachelorette, twenty-six-year-old Sophia Parker. You may know her from her hit YouTube show, Take it from Sophia, where she gives baking tips each week. Over the last year, she’s built her show to a staggering two million subscribers.”
He paused, smiling at her, and she could’ve hidden. It was one thing to film a baking show for YouTube. It was another to do a live bachelorette show.
“Isn’t she cute?” he said and cleared his throat. “She’s known for thinking outside the box when it comes to baking, and…” He leaned forward like he was sharing a secret. “Let’s face it; those goodies she bakes look delish.” He turned his gaze on her. “How are you doing, Sophia?”
Now that she was on camera, she was so nervous she could feel hives breaking out. “I’m okay. A little nervous maybe.”
“Oh, you don’t have any need to be nervous. It’s our bachelors that should be nervous.” The host laughed and turned to the camera again. “Now that our bachelorette has been introduced, let’s meet the lucky bachelors. Will the first bachelor please step out?”
The first guy exited the car, and he flashed her a smile as he raked his hand through his blond hair. “Hello, I’m Blake Johnson,” he said as he stopped in front of Sophia, his dark eyes catching hers and holding them. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you.” Wow. He was attractive, and his smile was great, but he also had a reputation as a bad boy on the surfing scene. Two years ago, he’d entered rehab, and since then, he’d been working to get his life back together. From what Sophia had seen in social media, he was a different guy than he had been.
After that, each guy got out, said pretty much the same thing, and before long, Sophia became more comfortable. It wasn’t as bad as she was picturing. Each of the guys was attractive with a great smile, and she could maybe see potential there. It was a good thing she had ten weeks and not the ten seconds she was given to greet them.
Then the last guy emerged from the car, and Sophia gulped as her nerves went into overdrive. He was tall, taller than any of the other guys. Broad shoulders that tapered to a slim waist with a James Bond vibe. She couldn’t see his muscles, but by the way his tux pulled against his chest, there was no doubt he was as built as she imagined. This guy was…wow.
Raking a hand through his thick dark hair, he casually closed the distance. As he stopped in front of her, he took her hand and kissed the back of it. “It’s nice to meet you, Sophia. I’m Thomas Gun. I thought you were cute in your videos, but clearly, they didn’t do you justice.” He flashed her a smile a Hollywood star couldn’t buy.
Dimples too? Whoa. And that square jaw? Piercing blue eyes? Great googly moogly. It was like someone had plucked her perfect man from her dreams. “Uh, yeah, you too,” she squeaked. A record player scratched in her mind, and her cheeks burned as she realized what she’d said. “I meant, thank you.”
Those blue eyes of his held hers. “I look forward to getting to know you, Sophia Parker. If you’re as witty and charming in person as you are on your show, I’ll be a fish in a barrel.” Was that a slight accent she caught? If so, she couldn’t really place it.
If she were in a restaurant, she’d be hailing a waiter for the check. Who needed nineteen other guys when Mr. Perfect Blue Eyes was telling you everything you’d ever wanted to hear? Another scratch, but this one was a chalkboard. Everything she wanted to hear. The words repeated in her head slowly.
This guy was charming. No, he was oozing charm, and it was all directed at her. She’d bet money he was an actor and he just wanted to stay on the show. Sophia pulled her hand away and smiled. “Thank you. That’s very sweet.”
Daryl turned to the camera. “Well, folks, that’s all twenty of our bachelors. Stay tuned. After the break, we’ll be getting to know them better, and…” the host paused as he held up a finger. “We have a few twists for this season. Trust me. You don’t want to miss it!”
The filming stopped, and Sophia sighed. Thomas was still standing there, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “Look, that was great for television, but don’t feed me lines. If you’re an actor and you want to stay on the show, there are better ways.”
He blinked. “I’m not an actor.”
With that, he walked into the house, leaving Sophia to watch him go. His back was just as incredible as his front. Man, the guy was built.
She blew a piece of hair that had come loose from her updo. Not an actor? Yeah right. What had Hillary gotten her into? How was she going to distinguish between the real and the fake? Could she? Oh, this was a nightmare, and it was just the opening ceremony.
* * *
With his shoulder leaned against the wall, Gunner stood in the far corner and swept his gaze across the large room filled with men and one lone, cute woman. He’d arrived in California the night before and found most of the guys were decent. They all seemed excited to be a part of the show and genuinely interested in Sophia.
Most of the day before arriving at the ceremony was spent going over how the show worked, signing releases, and receiving instructions on what they were supposed to do if they didn’t make it through the first round.
They’d also had to relinquish their phones and any other electronics that might give them a view of the outside world. It was an unsubtle way of saying no spoilers. While they were on the show, it was social media blackout. He had kept a phone hidden from them so he could contact the group, but no one knew about that but him and Hillary. It was seriously boring for a guy who’d just come back from an assignment that had him guarding a Spanish prince during a coup.
So far, the only thing remotely exciting to happen was the electricity that raced up his arm when he touched Sophia. He’d masked it, but, man, that small touch had set him on fire. He couldn’t remember a time since Bella that a woman’s touch did that to him.
Eh, it was probably just his nerves and the fact that a television camera was pointed at him. Still, he’d keep his hands to himself and make sure there were no more zaps or zips or anything. He was only there to catch a creep, not find…that “L” word.
He did find it amusing that she thought he was an actor. She thought he’d fed her lines? All he’d done was compliment her. Was she used to that sort of thing? The way she’d gotten all hot was cute, but it completely floored him. He’d thought television was weird before, but now he had a front-row seat to the craziness.
When the camera crew got everything in position, the host, Daryl, pointed his beaky little face into one of the cameras and smiled. “And we’
re back with Sophia Parker and her twenty bachelors.” He turned to her. “What are you thinking so far, Sophia?”
Despite what his head screamed, Gunner couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of her. The green organza dress matched her eyes, and the way her dark hair was pulled up with the bangs swept to the side, she was unbelievably beautiful. He’d been honest when he’d said her videos didn’t do her justice. Her legs were long, and part of him was thrilled they were staying in a home right off the beach in Malibu. Maybe he’d get to see her in a swimsuit.
Gunner shook his head. Where had that thought come from? He shrugged it off. She was attractive, and he was a man. That’s all it was. What man in their right mind wouldn’t find Sophia Parker gorgeous? And Gun was definitely in his right mind.
She hugged herself. “Uh, well, it’s a little intimidating, but so far, I’m enjoying myself.”
“That’s great,” he said, returning his attention to the camera. “Well, now it’s time for our bachelorette to mingle and get to know the bachelors.” As Sophia stepped away, Daryl turned to the camera. “Audience, as you know, this part of the night is most crucial. Once Sophia has a chance to talk with everyone, she’ll be choosing ten for a short one-on-one. From there, we’ll interview our bachelors while she has a chance to figure out who she’s keeping. Now, let’s listen in.”
A man with the camera on his shoulder slowly followed Sophia as several other stationary cameras panned the room. She seemed to make a straight line to Gunner and then stopped next to one of the last guys out of the limo. If Gunner remembered correctly, his name was Justin Turner.
As casually as he could, Gunner positioned himself so he could listen in on the conversation.
“Hi, Justin, right?” Sophia asked.
Huh, she remembered his name. That took some skill. As quickly as they’d shuffled through, that was impressive.
Justin tipped his head. “Yes’em. That’s me.”
She chuckled. “I’m guessing cowboy?”
Gunner smiled. So, she liked cowboys? The thought that he could sport a ten-gallon flitted through his mind. He shifted on his feet as he shook the idea away. He needed to focus.
With a hearty laugh, Justin nodded. “That’s me.”
“Where are you from?”
“I’m from Arkansas, right on the border with Texas.”
A smile twitched on her lips. “Do you own a ranch?”
He bobbed his head. “Yes’m. I raise horses for the rodeo.”
“Were you in the rodeo?” The way she said it made Gunner listen harder. That little bit of information had gotten her attention with the way her voice rose. Maybe Gun would invest in a Stetson. He quietly grumbled to himself, suddenly hating the assignment even more.
“I was when I was younger. Planned on making it a career, but a ride gone bad ended that.” He pulled up his jean leg just a few inches to reveal a prosthetic. “They didn’t get to me quick enough, and my leg was crushed. An infection set in, and I lost it about ten years ago.”
Sophia touched his arm. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”
Justin covered her hand with his. “Aw, I’ve learned to live with it. How about you? Could you be stuck with a one-legged fella?”
Shrugging, she said, “I think…I think when you love someone, you love them, and it doesn’t matter.”
“You think so, huh?”
“I do.” She held the man’s gaze a moment and then cleared her throat. “Uh, I guess I need to mingle. It was nice chatting with you.”
He smiled and said, “You too. I look forward to more chats.”
Gunner had to give it to the guy; he sure knew how to charm a woman. Plus, he seemed like a decent guy.
Sophia stopped a few feet away from Justin and turned, her fiery eyes locking with Gunner’s a second before heading his direction. Uh-oh. He’d planned to stay out of the way since he knew he was going to be the bachelor not chosen, but there she was, with him in her sights.
As she stopped in front of him, he straightened and smiled. “Good evening.”
Holding his gaze, she crossed her arms over her chest. “You said you weren’t an actor.”
“I’m not.”
Narrowing her eyes, she said, “You sure were charming out there. What exactly is it that you do?”
Gunner chuckled. Ryder had given him a cover to use while on the show, but there was no way Gunner was going to be a landscape artist from Dubuque. As soon as he’d read the file, he’d phoned Ryder and told him that he needed to come up with something else.
After much discussion, they’d mutually agreed that he was an investment banker and he’d use his own small town of Ninety Six, South Carolina. Ryder had scrubbed his past, including his dishonorable discharge, just not the record of his service in the Army. Not that Gunner cared. He hated that Isaac died, but if he had to make the same choice again, he would. No one could have predicted friendly fire would kill his friend, but they’d kept an entire village from being enslaved by guerillas.
“I’m an investment banker.”
She huffed and glared at him. “Oh? I would have thought used car salesman with how well you charmed me back there.”
Gunner was a little stunned with how angry she was. “Uh, may I ask what exactly it was that I did wrong?”
Rolling her eyes, she said, “Oh please. You told me exactly what I wanted to hear out there. Like you’d memorized lines. Telling me I’m cute and that you’re a fish in a barrel. Just be honest.”
Working to keep the smile off his face, he rubbed his chin with one hand as he stuffed the other in his pant pocket. “Ah, so you think I was just charming you?”
“Well, weren’t you?”
“No,” he said, dropping his hand and chuckling. “I’m not feeding you lines. Why would you think that?”
Her arms slid to her sides, and she shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“You’re on a bachelorette show with nineteen other men vying for your affection. Clearly, I’m not the only who thinks you’re gorgeous.” He couldn’t keep a grin from forming.
Lowering her gaze to the floor, long dark lashes fanned against her cheeks, causing his heart to sputter. “This is all out of my comfort zone. I’m sorry.” She lifted her gaze to his, and a smile played on her lips.
“It’s okay. Can’t say I wouldn’t feel the same way.”
She caught her bottom lip in her teeth and nodded. “Well, I guess I’d better mingle, huh?”
He nodded. “I suspect I’d get pummeled if I stole all of your attention on the first night.”
She laughed as she shook her head. If his heart wasn’t gasping for breath before, it was now. Geez, that laugh. No, giggle. A mixture? Whatever it was, it was incredible.
“I’ll talk to you later.” She flashed him one last smile and sauntered off.
Talk to him later? Did that mean he was getting to stay? He rolled his eyes and turned from watching her walk away. Of course he was getting to stay. What a dopey thought. He’d be there whether she wanted him to or not. This woman was hitting all the right marks for him and causing his mind to fritz.
And just like that, the ghost of Bella flitted through his mind, and pain sliced through his heart. He’d promised himself to her. That he’d love her forever. Even if he hadn’t promised that, he was only there to work. His only job was to keep Sophia safe and find the letter writer.
Chapter 3
Sophia didn’t even touch Thomas Gun, and her skin was tingling. Good grief, was he eye candy. And that voice? It was even better the second time. Deep and warm. Plus, she was sure he was telling the truth that he wasn’t an actor. He definitely was charming, though, which made her wonder where he’d picked up that skill. Eh, it was probably best to avoid him. Guys with that much charm were usually nothing but trouble.
Even thinking he was a heartache waiting happen, part of her wanted to keep talking to him, but she’d been given instructions to keep moving. They didn’t want her to give the appearance of favoring one bac
helor over the other. Barely a few feet from him, one of the bachelors stopped her.
“Hi, I’m Landon Taffet,” he said, taking her hand and shaking it.
She definitely remembered him. He was the only guy with red hair and freckles. At first, she thought his eyes were brown, but they were dark blue now that she had a second to really look him in the eyes. “Hi. It’s nice to meet you.”
He smiled. “This mingle is a little hectic.”
“Yeah, it really is. Twenty guys and not a lot of time to talk.”
“Is this what you expected when you signed up for the show?”
She shook her head. “No, but then again, seeing the show is completely different than being on it. I didn’t think it would be this overwhelming.”
“Agreed.”
“Uh, so what do you do for a living?” she asked.
Chuckling, he said, “I’m a stand-up comedian.”
“Talk about a way to a girl’s heart. I like funny guys.”
“Then you must already be in love because I’m downright hysterical.” He cast his gaze down, a wide grin playing on his lips. “I’m kidding.”
She laughed. Charming, but none of the tingles Thomas had given her. Still, his wit was definitely keeping him in the running. “That’s funny. Did you always know you wanted to be a comedian?”
He lifted his head and locked eyes with her. “As class clown, it was a good bet that this was what I’d end up doing.”
She grinned. “Never underestimate those class clowns.”
His laugh was great, and he was charismatic. It wouldn’t surprise Sophia if he was headlining in a year or two.
As she opened her mouth, another of the bachelors cut in. She couldn’t blame them. With the limited amount of time, they each had just seconds to make an impression with the hopes they’d pass to the next round.
The man stuck his hand out. “Hi, I’m Eric Williams.” He was a little more heavyset than the others, with glasses and light blond hair. Cute in a geeky way.
The Ranger's Heart (Army Ranger Romance Book 3) Page 2