He put his hand on my knee, and I never knew knee-touching could give you goosebumps. “I like that you’re honest with me. Right now I’m pretty sure you’re the only person on this entire show who’s telling me the truth.”
Another one of those charged, connected, electric moments passed between us, and this time he was the one who broke it off by looking away. “I think that’s almost everyone. You fulfilled your promise, so I should probably send you home tomorrow night.”
Unexpectedly, that was the last thing I wanted. The thought of being sent away made my stomach tie itself up in knots. “You can’t.”
He looked shocked.
“Abigail is out to sabotage Genesis, and she’s so sweet and innocent, I . . . I want to stay and protect her. So you should keep me for as long as you keep Abigail.”
“Is that the only reason you want to stay?” His voice sounded low and seductive. His eyes glittered dangerously.
What was I doing? He had given me the out I wanted, and I’d told him no. What was wrong with me? And why did I have to keep lecturing myself? I could blame Abigail and Matthew Burdette all I wanted, but the reality was that I was the one taking things a step farther than I needed to. Burdette had only asked me to pretend, and I wasn’t just pretending. I’d always had feelings for Dante, even if I didn’t want to acknowledge them. I had always been attracted to him. I had been able to quash those things down, deep inside, where they weren’t a problem. It had been even easier when he and his dangerous lips were not in close proximity. But being with him here, like this . . .
I didn’t want it to end.
I told him good-night, failing to answer his question. I had to get my mind straight. I had to make the right choice.
I needed to talk to Sterling.
Chapter 11
Thou art to me a delicious torment.
Another day passed, filled with boring sunbathing and trying to make conversation with women who only wanted to talk about themselves, while Dante went on a morning date with Tiffany and Michelle. It was one of those dates where one girl would get a heart pin, and the other one would be sent away. Poor Dante. It would be like being stuck between a rock and a moron.
I managed to track Taylor down. It seemed like she had been avoiding me, but I didn’t have time for that. “I need to ask you for a favor.”
“You don’t know me very well. I don’t enjoy doing those.”
I ignored her prickly and sarcastic response and figured something was not going well on the show. I knew it wasn’t me she was upset with, so I didn’t take it personally. “I need to call Sterling. Like right now.”
She narrowed her eyes at me, and I hoped she would say yes. I needed to talk to him. I was dangerously close to chucking it all and believing Dante. I hated to admit it, but he had breached my defenses and was getting so close to making me really and truly fall for him.
“Come with me.”
She led me into the first-floor bathroom again. “Why do we always come in here?”
“No cameras.” She gave me her phone, and I hoped Sterling would answer. Sometimes he didn’t pick up when he didn’t know the number.
“Can I speak to him alone?”
“I’m sorry, you can’t. We have a deal.”
I nodded and hoped that this bathroom would be like a Catholic confessional, and that she would keep anything she heard to herself.
I dialed Sterling’s number, and after a couple of rings it went to voice mail. I tried it again, and thankfully, this time he picked up.
“Sterling Brown.”
“Hi! It’s me. Lemon. I’m using a friend’s phone to call you.” It was a little bit sad that I felt the need to identify myself, but it was understandable given our last phone call. It would have been the straw that destroyed the camel’s back if he’d failed to recognize me again.
“I’m walking out of my office right now for a deposition. What’s going on?”
“Could you just stop for a second and listen to me? This is important.” I thought of everything I wanted to say to him. I’m having feelings for another man. I’m considering breaking off our engagement and canceling the wedding.