Ben had been on a date the day before, and Renee heard nothing about it. She hoped she would get some details from someone so she wouldn’t be surprised when the show aired. But for now, she needed to concentrate on her own date.
The four contestants going on the date were told to wear casual clothing, and as Renee glanced around the sparsely lit studio where the women gathered, she realized casual meant unique things to different people. Clara had on the shortest shorts humanly possible to accentuate her mile-long legs while Tracy had on a mini-dress and high heels. Renee wore jeans and a decent top. She was glad when Eva walked into the room with jeans on as well, though she had on heels.
“I’m so happy to see a friend on this date.” Renee watched Clara and Tracy check themselves out in the nearby mirror.
“They’re definitely in a different league.” Eva glanced over at the other women.
“The outer space one.” Renee laughed as Eva grabbed her arm and nodded in agreement.
Mike, the producer, entered the studio and garnered the women’s attention with a sound snap of his clipboard. “Ladies. Today you will be driving so I hope you’re comfortable.” He gave Tracy and Clara the once over as he continued. “Before you take the shuttle to the sight of the shoot, I’d like a word with you, Renee.”
“Oo, you’re in trouble,” Eva cooed as Renee followed Mike off the small set.
Mike turned to her in a dark corner of the set. “Renee, I need to know what to expect from you.”
“Excuse me?” Renee frowned.
Mike sighed. “We will be around high-powered vehicles today. If there are going to be any fires, I need to have the right crews on hand.”
Renee raised her eyebrows. “Are you serious? I don’t light fires for fun. I didn’t set anything at all on fire last week.” She realized how silly her statement sounded.
Mike nodded. “True, true, but a lot worse can go wrong in a car.”
“Worse than catching fire?”
“Maybe not.”
“Look, I think you and I got off on the wrong foot, Mike,” Renee said with sincerity. She knew Mike had Ben’s ear, and if she wanted to fix the impression she made on Ben, she needed to start over with Mike as well. “I apologize for any havoc I created. I haven’t meant to cause trouble.”
“You didn’t mean to push our bachelor into the pool?”
Renee sighed. “That I meant. But I didn’t intend to start any fires, and I certainly don’t want to do any harm.”
Mike glanced down at his clipboard. “Just be careful, okay?”
“With the cars?” Renee sensed the change in Mike’s mood.
“With Ben,” he replied before he rushed off to corral the women for the shuttle.
* * *
Renee didn’t have much time to think about what Mike meant because the ride to the track was short, and Eva talked next to her the whole drive. Once they arrived, Renee realized they really would be driving. A few small cars lined the track, and the smell of fresh dirt hung in the air. They were going to race.
The only race Renee had ever been in involved go-carts. This was more serious, but she could handle it. After all, she regularly went above the speed limit on the interstate…to keep up with traffic, of course.
Clara teetered on her high heels, and Tracy pulled at her short skirt. They might not be comfortable in their chosen casual attire. Renee was glad she wore her sneakers and jeans.
When Ben arrived in a racing jumpsuit, all of Renee’s thoughts regarding everyone’s attire vanished. The suit hugged Ben in all the right places, and the helmet beneath his arm made him appear slightly dangerous. Something about danger drew a woman to a man.
“Good afternoon, ladies.” Ben gave a little bow. “Thank you for coming today. It’s only right to inform you of what happened yesterday.”
Renee squinted into the sun. Ben’s date with the other four contestants. She was curious about what they did, but since he didn’t usually share details, she was surprised he would spill any now.
“Yesterday I went on a date with the other four participants left on the show,” Ben continued. “But I had an awakening of sorts, and before the date began, I asked each of them to leave.”
Renee blinked as Tracy gasped beside her.
“It came to my attention that some of the women who auditioned for the show didn’t come to find love.” Ben looked at each of the ladies in turn. Renee squirmed when his gaze fell to her face. Was he talking to her? Did he know about the radio gig she wanted to secure? “I realize fame and fortune are tempting, but I want each of you to understand those things are icing on the cake.”
Renee checked the row of women. There was really only four of them left?
“And I, as corny as it sounds, am the cake.”
Clara giggled, and Renee attempted to stifle her own laughter.
“What I’m saying is I want you to be here because you want me and not something I can offer you. If any of you have dreams of riches, you may as well leave now.”
The silence permeated the air as Ben inspected the row of contestants again.
“Yesterday, I gave the women the same out I offer you. One of them took it. She was the only honest one in the bunch. I may not know you ladies well, but I knew enough about those on the date yesterday to realize what they wanted. One of the things they didn’t want was to fall in love with me for who I am.”
Renee squirmed. She certainly didn’t plan to leave on her own, but Ben might force her to go if she didn’t admit her reasons for auditioning.
“I sense more honesty from the group we have here today.” Ben paused, his gaze on Eva. “Each of you has shown me a true side to yourself, and that gives me hope for a relationship and a future.”
Renee pictured Clara and Tracy standing beside her. She couldn’t believe she was in the same category as those two. What had they shown him other than their bikini-clad bodies? Now certainly wasn’t the time for jealousy.
“I asked each of you to accept a dandelion at the last elimination ceremony, and I meant it.” Ben shifted his helmet to his other arm. “If your opinion of me doesn’t measure up, I would ask that you simply own up to it.” He stared at Renee.
Renee took a step forward. She didn’t know what she would say, but she had to make a move.
“There…there’s something I need to tell you,” she stuttered. Renee knew she needed to clear the air between them faster than the race cars sitting nearby. If she didn’t, she might be gone in sixty seconds…or less.
Ben jerked his head to the left, and Renee followed his lead. They walked silently to a small alcove beneath the stands where spectators would go to get refreshments during an event. Once out of view, Renee exhaled. The camera that followed them eyed her closely. There was no turning back.
“I need to apologize.” Renee lifted her eyes to meet Ben’s. “I’m sure you watched last week’s show, and you heard a few things come from my mouth that weren’t exactly complimentary.”
Ben scoffed. Renee knew she deserved any cynicism he had to offer.
“I am no different than the women you sent home yesterday.” Renee meant it in more than one way. “I judged you before the tapings started. I had my ideas about you, and I didn’t give you a chance to prove yourself before I made up my mind.”
Renee searched his face. She couldn’t be sure, but she thought he almost looked amused. She decided to forge ahead.
“Ben, I really appreciated what you said at the last dandelion ceremony. I realized how wrong I was to jump to conclusions. Even though everything you did up to that point backed up what I thought…I think I was seeing what I wanted to see. And now, well, I want to see something different, and I believe what I’m starting to see is much more in line with who you really are.”
Ben’s look turned to one of confusion. Renee couldn’t blame him. She was talking in circles and moving her hands around just as fast.
“What I’m trying to say,” she went on, doing her best to get her po
int across and glancing over at the intruding camera, “is I do really want to be here. I honestly don’t know what might be between us, but I hope to find out. You must be angry with me, and I completely understand. But no matter what I said or did before, I truly want to get to know you for you.” Renee found herself poking Ben in the chest until her pointer finger hurt.
“I hope we can move beyond my insults. Maybe I should shower you with compliments now to make up for it.” Renee rambled faster than she ever did on the radio. She took Ben’s silence as permission to keep going. “I think you have a kind heart under here.” She poked his shoulder and felt the muscles below his racing suit. “You showed real respect for the women on the second date last week and proved you can treat a woman right if you try.” Renee paused. Perhaps she wasn’t complimenting the correct attributes. Men were physical creatures who appreciated beauty, right?
“And your eyes are more incredible than anything I’ve ever seen.” Renee took a step closer to Ben and laid her hand flat on his chest. She didn’t mean to invade the space between them entirely. She just needed to be closer to him. “It’s not their color really.” His breath warmed her face as she took another step forward. “It’s more the way they see me…or through me, I should say. It’s like they…”
All the air rushed out of Renee as Ben placed his hand over hers and curled his fingers around her wrist. Before she finished her comment, thoughts in her mind completely disappeared as her voice was silenced with Ben’s lips upon hers.
Renee was so surprised she forgot to close her eyes. She even glanced at the camera to see if the person operating it could explain what was happening. She didn’t know what to do. One second she was apologizing profusely, and the next, she was wrapped in Ben’s arms, kissing him.
As Renee began to enjoy the softness of his lips and the security of his embrace, she quickly decided to stop analyzing everything and go with the flow. She pulled her hand from beneath his and wrapped it around his neck, placing her fingers in his dark hair and toying with its soft texture.
Just when Renee began to enjoy every aspect of the kiss, Ben pulled back.
“Finally,” he said with a small smile as he placed his forehead on hers.
“Finally what?”
“You stopped talking.”
Renee’s face flushed. She poured her heart out to him, and he kissed her to get her to pipe down? The rush of the moment fell to the bottom of her feet as she jerked her head away from his.
“I’ll have you know people all over this city enjoy listening to me talk.”
Ben chuckled, grabbing her hand. “You’re doing it again.” He pulled her back toward him and put his hands on her waist.
“What?” She fought him off.
“Jumping to conclusions,” he said into her ear. “You think I kissed you to get you to stop talking, right?”
Renee didn’t say anything. For once, she was going to give him the silence he wanted.
“I kissed you to tell you I accept your apology. And because I wanted to.” Ben whispered the last part so the camera wouldn’t pick it up.
Renee found herself speechless.
“I’m used to it. People judge me all the time. And I’ve certainly given them plenty of reason to do so.” Ben shrugged. “But I appreciate you saying you plan to let my true colors shine through before you reach any final conclusions. And, Renee,” he said, pulling her closer, “I meant what I said the first time we met. I’m no firefighter. There’s something between us, and I’m not going to do anything at all to put it out.”
Renee wanted to stay in his arms for the rest of the date, but the other women waited, and she didn’t want to be unfair. Plus, she was a little uncomfortable with the way she felt. She enjoyed the kiss. That much was certain. And Ben accepted her apology, which was also important to her. But why were her knees weak, and why couldn’t she form any words? No man had ever had that effect on her, and she wasn’t sure she liked it. She still needed to learn more about Ben McConnell before she made any final decisions. But she was sure of one thing.
He was right about the fire.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Renee had a hard time meeting Eva’s eyes when she and Ben returned to the rest of the group. She wasn’t ashamed of kissing Ben, but she didn’t really want others to know. She was afraid her face revealed the truth. She needed space to sort through her emotions before the whole world saw what happened between them. Renee knew she didn’t have much time since the show aired in a few days, but she would take any privacy she could get.
“Thanks for your patience, ladies.” Ben took his place back in front of the expectant women as Renee sidled up by Eva on the end. “Unless anyone else has anything to say, let’s get this show on the road. And let me assure you, I’ll chat with everyone individually later.”
Renee watched Ben place his beautiful brown eyes on each woman. When he got to her, she shuddered. Their moment together had been short, but she wasn’t sure what she would do with more time. For now, she had to put the kiss out of her mind completely and concentrate on showing Ben…and the TV audience…more of her personality. Whatever might happen with Ben was great, but she needed to make sure she kept her eye on the other prize—her job on the morning show. If she accomplished both, life would be grand. If only one of the two came to fruition, at least she still had something.
Ben nodded when none of the contestants stepped forward. “And now, ladies…start your engines,” Ben teased. “Today we’re going to take these small race cars around the track. The stadium manager has warned me that we are not to go over fifty miles per hour. I understand that sounds slow for a racetrack, but with the curves, it’ll seem really fast. The winner of the laps will get to ride in a real race car at top speed with none other than NASCAR legend Robby Labrian.” Ben put his helmet on his head and opened the flap in front of his face. “Are you ready?” he asked.
Renee shuffled the dirt on the track beneath her feet and surveyed the shoes the other women wore. None were comfortable walking foot ware, much less racing shoes.
“Ready!” Eva shouted beside her as she kicked off her shoes and left them by the side of the track.
Renee smiled and glanced at Ben in time to catch his smile too. She and Ben were getting closer, but Eva was definitely going to be competition. Not only was she a nice girl, but she was beautiful, down to earth and enjoyed life with the best of them.
Clara and Tracy likely didn’t want to get their perfectly polished toes dirty, so they left their high heels on and gingerly walked to their chosen cars.
“Remember, ladies, fifty miles per hour.” Ben ducked into his car.
Renee removed the helmet from the seat of the yellow race car and placed it on her head. As she climbed through the window, she wondered how the other women enjoyed messing up their perfectly coifed hair. The color of the car made it almost resemble a dandelion to her as she adjusted the seat and fastened the belt around her chest and waist. She wondered why race cars didn’t have doors. Perhaps to make the driver look cool when he jumped in and out of the window.
Renee played with the small key in the ignition as Tracy attempted to climb into her car. Her attire was so tight Renee worried she might be the next victim of a wardrobe malfunction. Once Tracy was in, Renee watched Clara fold herself into her vehicle. Clara wore snug clothes as well, but Renee knew her long legs hampered her attempt more than anything.
Renee started the car and revved the engine a few times. The cars were probably old pace cars put out to pasture, but she didn’t care. It felt good to be in control behind the wheel. A lot of things were spiraling out of orbit right now…her job, her emotions, the result of the show… Steering this car around the racetrack with success, even if she came in last, might heighten her sense of control about her life right now.
Renee gripped the steering wheel and kept her eyes on the road. When Mike, the producer, popped up from nowhere and waved a start flag, Renee gasped. She hadn’t expected to se
e him. If anything, she thought they would have a bikini-clad woman for the job. Perhaps Ben sent too many of those home already for them to risk hiring another.
Before Renee got left in the dust by the rest of the cars, she floored her gas pedal and took off around the track. Her car climbed to fifty miles an hour quickly and the wheel shook as she made the first turn. Ben was right—fifty felt really fast. She wasn’t sure how real drivers handled faster speeds.
After the first curve, Renee was close to two other vehicles. She turned her head back for a split second and recognized the red and green cars way behind her. Those held Clara and Tracy so the two cars near her must be Eva and Ben. She drove just ahead of Eva and Ben was slightly in front of her.
Renee swerved to the left and cut Eva off unintentionally. Eva backed off quickly, and Renee realized her brief mistake became her advantage. Eva wouldn’t want to hit her, and if Renee drove erratically, she could keep Eva at bay. Renee hated to thwart her friend’s attempts to pass, but she wanted the race to come down to her and Ben.
By the third turn, Renee was pushing the gas pedal down farther. She was already going fifty, but if Ben stuck to the rules and remained at fifty…and was already ahead of her…it would be impossible to catch him. The needle on the dashboard rose. Fifty-one…fifty-two…fifty-three…fifty-four…her car edged forward until she was even with Ben’s.
Renee didn’t understand why she couldn’t overtake Ben’s vehicle since she was going faster than fifty, and he wasn’t supposed to. On the fourth turn, when smoke filled her windshield and blocked her vision, it became clear something was wrong with her car.
Renee took her foot off the accelerator, but realized she shouldn’t step on the brake either. She would risk someone slamming into her from behind at a high speed.
She closed her eyes, trying to picture where she saw Eva last. She was certain she had been on the right. Renee jerked the wheel, hoping to steer clear of an accident as her car slowed. Then she braced herself for an impact as she waited for the vehicle to come to a stop.
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