No. Yes. Fuck.
Twisting around, Jack dove under the water, kicking until he ran out of air. How the hell was he supposed to tell his brother he’d shared several mind-blowing kisses with one of his possible girlfriends? Not to mention the wild dressing room sex they had last year. He grit his teeth. Damn. Just thinking about the encounter sparked a longing he didn’t need.
What the hell was he doing?
He had to tell Matthew. Jack hated liars. There was nothing worse than a liar. He would not become one of them. Not for the sake of his nerves or Brielle.
Chest heavy, shoulders tight, he turned and swam back to his brother.
“Change your mind?” Matthew smiled, treading water in his direction. “Why is it you get stressed when I mention that woman’s name?”
Jack snorted. Why indeed? “Look, about last night.”
“You two were amazing. I’ll tell ya, Jack, the way you moved as one…it was…” His brother paused until he drew near, eyes sparkling when he finished with, “…incredible.”
Yeah, incredibly hot. Jack took a deep breath and looked him in the eye. “That’s because just before we came out, we shared the most unbelievable kiss.”
Matthew’s brows rose. “No way!”
“Yes. Look, I’m sorry, Matthew. It wasn’t my intention, but we were talking and…well, it just sort of happened. I couldn’t help myself.” He finished in a rush, relieved to get it out. “I don’t blame you if you’re mad. You can slug me. Go ahead. I deserve it.” He offered a clear shot of his right cheek.
“That won’t be necessary.”
Jack’s gaze snapped to his brother’s. “It won’t?”
“No. You see, I…a…have something to tell you.” Matthew glanced away, but not before Jack had seen guilt dulling his brother’s dark eyes.
Guilt? What the hell did Matthew have to be guilty about? Jack straightened and folded his arms across his chest, breathing past the sudden jump in heartbeats.
“Go on.”
“Well, I like Brielle. She’s funny, charming, and always a surprise, but…” his brother stopped to take a breath. “Well, I sort of already liked one of the other girls before she came on the show. I haven’t eliminated Brielle because mom and dad chose her,” he finished quickly.
Jack stared at Matthew, slowly digesting his revelation. Why his heart suddenly felt lighter than air would remain a mystery he wasn’t too keen to solve just yet.
“It’s also the reason I won’t be eliminating her tomorrow night.” Matthew smiled. “So, you see? It’s fine with me if you want to pursue her. As a matter of fact, I think that’s a great idea. Just don’t do it in front of the other girls. I’m sure Brielle would get slack for that.”
Holy shit. Jack’s arms dropped to his sides, splashing water between them. Matthew wasn’t eliminating Brielle and wanted him to pursue her?
“I’ll be damned.” He blinked, still waiting for a punch line. “You’re saying you’re not mad that I kissed Brielle?”
“Mad? Hell no! I’m delighted.” Matthew grinned, slapping Jack’s shoulder. “In fact, I think you should do it again.”
This time Jack laughed. “The thought has crossed my mind.” Among other things. His grin slowly faded. “But she’s way too distracting, and exactly what I don’t need right now.” He re-crossed his arms and gripped tight as his body protested what was about to come out of his mouth. “I think you should reconsider your decision and eliminate her tomorrow.”
Matthew jerked back. “What? Eliminate her? No way, man. Not gonna happen. I already told you, I have to keep her on because of mom and dad. Sorry, bro.” Shaking his head, his brother slapped him on the shoulder again and sighed. “You’ll just have to deal with it.”
Jack opened his mouth to protest and got a mouthful of chlorinated water as Matthew dove under and swam away.
Deal with it. Right.
Looked like he was going to have to deal with a hell of a lot of cold showers in his future, too.
Chapter Eleven
Brielle couldn’t believe the events of the last few days—because there hadn’t been any. Had the perpetrator stopped? If so, why? There’d been no threats, no phone calls, no power outages. Nothing. Well, she smiled, glancing at the handsome man with mesmerizing blue eyes, hot, ripped body, sporting a familiar hat, as he sat across from her in the limo. Not exactly nothing.
Before Carla’s elimination last night, each of the contestants had their alone-time with the Anderson brothers. Brielle had barely gotten into the study when Jack had shut the door and kissed her senseless up against the hard surface.
“I told Matthew about our kiss, and he wasn’t upset,” he’d informed with a measure of relief lighting his incredible eyes. “It seems he’s already fallen for one of the other contestants.”
Jack had smiled, brushing her lower lip with his thumb. A move she was beginning to love way too much. If only his thumb would take to roaming…
“He said he’s going to keep you on because of our parents.”
Damn. She had hoped Matthew would’ve told Jack the truth. Her gut had tightened as he unknowingly reminded her of why she was really there. It had been hard enough to remember when he hadn’t recognized her. Now that he had, remembering her job had become impossible when he was near. It was as if her body knew his body knew and wanted to get to know him all over again.
“I must admit, I tried to get him to send you home.” His gaze had dropped to her mouth and knocked her heart into her ribs. “You’re too much of a distraction to me.”
Good. They were on the same page. She’d smiled, slipping her arms around his neck, loving the way his corded muscles had felt under her hand. “Ah, poor baby.” And once again, her mind had shut off as she brought his head down to hers.
They’d ended up on the couch. Somehow. She had no recollection. Her burning need had gone unsatisfied, though, when she’d spied the cameraman grinning full tilt in the corner.
That’s when she’d gasped and sprang to her feet, shaking her head at the man. “You’ve certainly got the best person to follow.” A small smile had twitched her tingling lips while she fixed her dress where Jack’s hands had so deliciously played.
“I know.” He’d smiled back, but it had quickly disappeared when Jack faced him.
“Oh, we’re here!” Danni’s excited voice brought Brielle’s attention back to the present.
She blinked and refocused on the scenery halting outside the window to her right. The roar of a coaster and tower of crisscrossing two-by-fours, reaching high then curving down into several thrilling hills, set the background for happy faces, excited children and their harried parents rushing to catch up.
“I can’t wait. I love amusement parks. What a great idea for a group date.” Mandy giggled, rubbing her hands together.
Brielle’s gaze met Jack’s. She knew what he was thinking. What in the world was wrong with the studio? This was possibly the worst location they could’ve picked. Very public. Very dangerous. She’d be sticking to Matthew like glue today—she only hoped his brother wouldn’t mind.
As soon as the producers got them through the gates and past the massive statues of famous cartoon characters, Jack pulled her to the side, pretending to look at a map of the park.
“Look, Brielle, I hate to ask you this.” The uncertainty in his voice caught her off guard. “Would you mind staying close to Matthew today? I know he’s supposed to have some equal time with the others, but I’d feel better if you were next to him when I’m not.”
Her heart swelled. “It means a lot to me that you trust me to be with Matthew.”
He hesitated, dipping his head to search her eyes, “I do trust you, Brielle. Although—” his frown deepened. “I don’t want you harmed either. On second thought, maybe you shouldn’t be near him.”
“I’ll be fine,” she reassured, touching his fingers before slipping her hand in the pocket of her belted shorts. “And between the two of us, so will Matthew.”
“I hope so.”
“What shall we go on first?” Danni asked, leading the others toward them. “Matthew and I want to head to the roller coaster, but Mandy mentioned the carousel.”
Brielle and Jack exchanged a look and promptly replied, “Carousel.”
Two hours later, having ridden half the rides, they stood in line for a much slower paced attraction—the boats. They’d just gotten out of the haunted house, and Brielle’s nerves were stretched thin. Every bounce, every bump, every stupid, jumping ghoul had her ready to pounce. She needed time to calm down.
“I’d like to ride with you, Matthew. If that’s okay?” Danni asked, then smiled and slipped her arm through his when he readily agreed.
Brielle glanced at Jack. She’d hoped to go with the handsome former Ranger, but knew it was out of the question. She quickly stepped to the groom and said, “Me, too.” Then grabbed Matthew’s other arm and smiled into his puzzled face.
“Ah, shoot.” Mandy’s lower lip jutted out. “That means I’m stuck with Jack.”
The former Ranger chuckled. “My apologies on making you suffer, Mandy.”
The blonde’s eyes widened while her face turned pink. “Oh dear, I didn’t mean to insult you, Jack. You’re really very cute, but…well, you’re just not Matthew.”
“So I’ve been told.” He grinned good-naturedly, and Brielle experienced a healthy dose of envy as she watched the two joke around.
Jack, she was beginning to realize, was a rarity. He was confident, capable, an amazing kisser and hot as hell, but the quality that got her most, the thing that drew her in and wouldn’t let go, was the fact he put other’s needs before his own. Especially his brother’s.
Just look at how he’d stopped kissing her the other night in that private room at Club Terpsichore because he’d worried Matthew would be upset, even though she knew he was as lost as her, ready to go full throttle. And how, like now, his expression heated whenever he glanced at her, yet he’d asked her to stick near Matthew today when he couldn’t, willing to sacrifice any alone-time they could’ve snuck in.
“Watch your step,” the groom said, holding his hand out to her, having already helped Danni into their boat first.
After Brielle settled in next to him, her thoughts returned to his brother. She supposed some women would be upset that Jack had chosen him over her. But that’s not how she saw it. That wasn’t what Jack had done. No. It hadn’t been a matter of choosing his brother over her. In fact, it had nothing to do with her at all. Jack had put Matthew’s needs above his own. Plain and simple. Jack had made a sacrifice.
A trait she found very endearing. And very hard to resist. Brielle knew then and there she was only fooling herself trying to label this thing between them as purely physical. It was so much more, and went so far beyond...it scared the hell out of her.
As they pulled away from the dock, she turned to watch Jack and Mandy get into their boat, a friendly camaraderie evident in the smile on their faces. Their laughter twisted her gut. She wanted to be with him, enjoying his wit, making him smile.
Her heart had bad timing. It was true Dodger had often been in her thoughts the past half a year, but she really hadn’t known him long enough to be having such strong feelings for him.
And what about the case? This was a job, not an avenue to find love. What was wrong with her?
Jack.
Her pulse jumped. Jack was what was wrong with her. She enjoyed his company, enjoyed his kisses and prayed he wouldn’t be too upset when she revealed the whole truth about her presence on the show. She hoped to God he’d understand her reason for lying. After all, it was for his brother’s own good.
“Uh-oh.”
Matthew’s concerned voice brought her out of her dire musings and sent alarm tingling down her spine. Her gaze snapped to his. “What?”
“Something’s wrong with the boat.”
“Maybe we’re out of gas,” Danni said, her eyes wide as they came to a halt.
Brielle surveyed the area. The leisurely ride paced the boats so the occupants drove through a wide channel unhurried. “It shouldn’t be that. They have a routine and fill them every so many trips.”
“Well, now what? How do we get out of here?” Danni blinked at them.
Chewing her lower lip, Brielle gauged the distance to the bank and Phil, focusing his camera on them, then she glanced at the brown water, and shuddered. The thought of putting anything other than an oar in the murky depths made her cringe. That would be a last resort. A very, very last resort. She eyed the canal in front of them, but it was empty.
Matthew glanced over his shoulder and waved. “Hey, Jack. Can you throw us a line?”
Brielle and Danni turned toward the approaching boat. Her gaze met concerned blue eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Jack frowned, slowing his boat.
“We’re out of gas or something.” Danni shrugged. “It just conked out.”
“And it won’t turn over.” Matthew cranked the key to show nothing happened.
Jack nodded. “Okay. I’ll give you a tow.” He looked down by his feet then back up. “You got any rope over there?”
Matthew glanced at the floor. “No.”
Brielle’s hands went to her waist. “We can use my scarf.” She untied the white gauzy material from around her shorts. “I officially take back the comments I made about the studio's choice of clothes.”
“You picked a good day to wear those belted shorts.” Danni smiled.
Glancing from the back of Jack’s boat to the front of hers, Brielle formed a plan. “Okay, Jack. If you pull ahead of us, I can tie the boats together.”
He glanced aft, then to their stern and nodded. “Okay. Hang on.”
“No problem, bro. We’re not going anywhere.” Matthew chuckled.
Less than a minute later, the boats were lined up. “All set, Brielle, but be careful.” Jack’s gaze locked with hers.
She nodded and stood. “Hold this a second.” She handed Matthew the scarf, then swung her leg over the windshield and eased the rest of her body on top of the boat. “Okay.” Nodding at Matthew, she grasped the scarf and turned around.
“Be careful.” Mandy’s voice echoed the concern in Jack’s eyes as he watched from his boat.
Reaching the tip, she waited until she found her balance. When the boat stopped shaking, she laced the scarf through the chrome hook on the front of their boat and secured it with a square knot. After testing it with a tug, she carefully stretched toward the identical hook on the back of Jack’s boat.
“One down, one to go.” She winked at Jack.
Instead of smiling back, he stiffened and alarm entered his eyes. “Brielle, look out!”
Screams and shouts filled Brielle's ears a second before the boat pitched violently forward, tossing her toward Jack before she bounced backward onto her vessel. She gripped the sides in an attempt to stabilize herself and the craft.
Well that was fun. Not.
“Brielle? Are you hurt?” Concern creased Jack’s brow as he scrambled onto the back of his boat, straining to touch her arm.
“I’m fine. Just re-bruising my butt.” She steadied herself, then frowned. “What happened? Is Matthew okay?”
Shoot. Had that been deliberate?
Beyond disgusted for putting fun before her number one priority, she turned to find the groom and Danni, concerned but unharmed. Exhaling, she glanced beyond them to the mother hugging a young boy in a boat behind theirs. It appeared to be just an accident.
Her gaze bounced to Phil. There was something off about that man. Could it just be a coincidence that things seemed to happen when Matthew’s cameraman was present? He gave her a thumbs-up from the bank.
“I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” the mother asked, regaining Brielle’s attention. Apprehension tightened the lady’s features.
“I’m fine. No worries,” she assured, looking them over. Pale faces, tight grips, yes, this was an accident. “How about you?”
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br /> “We’re okay.” The mother smiled weakly.
Brielle nodded, allowing relief to enter her body. She relaxed her spine, then turned back to Jack. He, too, eyed the mother and son as a non-threat. Her gaze flicked over his lop-sided hat. The urge to fix itched her fingers.
“I would say it’s been nice bumping into you, but—” She lowered her voice so only he would hear. “I’d much rather bump like we did on the dance floor.”
Heat flashed through Jack’s eyes, and he matched her tone, “I’ll see what I can do.” Then he frowned. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”
Given her lifestyle, she knew she couldn’t make that promise. “Sorry, Jack, but trouble seems to find me.” Smiling, she laced the scarf through the hook on his boat, then scampered back toward Matthew and Danni.
Helping her into the seat, the groom looked her over. “Are you sure you didn't hurt yourself? That was some smack.”
“I’m sure,” she said, smiling at him and the worried teacher on his right. At this rate, her facial muscles would far out do her derrière in the sore department.
“I thought you were going to fall into that God-awful water, Brielle.” Danni shuddered. “I’m so glad you didn’t.”
“Me, too.” Brielle grimaced, then nodded to Jack. “Okay, Captain, tow us to port.”
After making it to the dock in record time without incident, she told the workers to keep the scarf, and the five of them headed in search of food and games.
“I’m famished.” Mandy clamored over to Matthew and grasped his arm.
“Yeah, me, too.” Danni claimed his free one. “What shall we have?”
Matthew’s brows rose. “Whatever you like.” He grinned down at the teacher, causing Mandy to scowl.
“Oh, boy. Here we go,” Jack muttered, staying a few steps behind.
Brielle stifled a laugh and stepped closer, happy to be near him. His hand automatically went to her back, and a jolt of pleasure warmed her insides. Deliberately slowing her pace so his touch would become firmer, she sent him a sideways glance.
She Does Know Jack Page 17