Oh, shit, if someone beat her, or worse yet, if she lost a game and had to go home . . . I hadn’t thought ahead enough. Chart. I needed to learn the girls’ names, their weakness and strengths, and make a chart.

It was the only way to keep the girls straight and make sure I knew how to beat them—so I could keep the one I really wanted. Just this morning I’d decided she was a challenge, something I hadn’t had in a really long time. But now I needed her to stay for more than just my sanity—I needed her to stay because I liked her. Plain and simple.

My mind flickered back to memories of our kiss. She’d tasted so good I’d wanted to weep with desire for just one more morsel of what she had to offer.

Body aching, I wiped off the remaining sand and walked toward my hut. Charts first, seduction second.

Only I didn’t notice that I was being followed, not until it was too late.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

BECCA

Being so close to Max had thrown me off mentally and physically. I needed to get away—fast. I scrambled toward the shore peeled off my sweat-soaked shorts and T-shirt, and waded into the warm water.

“So . . .” Reid’s voice penetrated my Max-filled thoughts. “You were the winner again. How’s it feel?” The camera was pointed in my face and Reid was standing behind it and to the side, where the water reached his knees. So he was talking to me as one of the assistants, not Max’s brother, a relationship I’d only recently learned about when Reid had slipped up off-camera and actually claimed the guy. I should have caught it sooner; they both had sexy eyes and mouth-watering smiles. Odd that Max hadn’t brought it up before, then again, I wasn’t anything to him yet . . . was I?

“Good.” I looked away from the camera and waded farther into the water. “I came here to win and that’s what I’m doing.” But was it only about winning anymore? I glanced back at Max and shivered.

“And the other girls? Are you worried they’ll try to distract the Bachelor in any way or possibly even try to win his affection?”

I snorted with laughter, hoping the camera wouldn’t see through my insecurity. The last thing I wanted was to lose the money . . . or the budding friendship I was developing with Max. “No.”

“Whoa.” Reid’s eyebrows drew together as he pointed back toward the shore. “Even now?”

Max was locking lips with Doc.

REALLY? Doc, of all people? He couldn’t have at least chosen Sneezy?

I mean at least Sneezy seemed frail and insecure and . . .

Doc was . . .

I quickly looked away. Reid’s eyes lit up a little too much for my liking. “He can do what he wants.” I shrugged, irritated that I had a lump in my throat. Never once had it occurred to me that I’d get attached to Max or that I’d be pissed when I saw him with other girls.

School. My brain reminded me. I was there for money and for school, not Max. He was just . . . an added bonus, a nice added bonus, but also a distraction I didn’t need. Right?

“Interesting.” Reid cleared his throat. “All right, we’re done for now.” He sent the camera crew away but stayed where he was. “You holding up?”

“Of course!” I said it way too fast. Licking my lips, I looked down at the water. “It’s not like I own him or anything. I mean he’s the Bachelor and it’s part of the show, right?”

“Right. Actually I meant how are you holding up after playing the game and most likely suffering from dehydration.” Reid examined me for a minute, as if he were studying my expressions and trying to decipher me. “But since we’re talking about it, off the record, do you actually . . . oh, God, I can’t believe I’m asking this, do you actually like him?”

“No!” I snorted, almost choking on the word. “I mean, no, he’s . . . he’s—”

“Max,” Reid finished slowly. “But he’s also pretty damn hard to forget. I imagine in another life he was a leech—or maybe even a koala bear—that just attaches himself to you and no matter how hard you try to shake him, he digs in harder. Am I right?”

I didn’t answer.

“By your silence and all-around awkward posture I’m going to assume that’s a yes, you like him. Damn.” Reid splashed the water. “Another one out of my reach.”

“When was I ever in your reach?”

“Please.” Reid snorted.

I gave him a confused look.

“For real?” he asked, sounding exasperated. “Not even a tiny chance? Not even with the eyes?”

“You’re sexy.” I nodded. “I’ll throw you that bone.”

“Why do I feel insulted?” Reid tilted his head to the side. “By the way, he’s a good catch, even if he is crazy, a bit unstable, crap in bed . . .” He winked. “Okay, I’m kidding, and for the record there haven’t been any complaints in the bedroom department.”

I snorted. “How could there be, what with his—”

Reid’s eyebrows shot up. “No, please continue. Don’t let my shocked expression deter you from saying what’s really on your mind . . .” He smirked. “His . . .”

“Er . . . vibrant personality?”

“It’s big.” Reid nodded knowingly.

I felt myself flush.

“His personality, I mean.”

“Right.” My throat was parched. “It seems like it would bring you lots of years of—”