Free Taking the Heat by Kate J. Squires Page A

she is. Although, I wish she’d just ask me to move next time …’
    â€˜No, not the Japanese girl,’ he said, painfully uncomfortable. ‘The … the, you know … the kiss.’
    â€˜Oh … that.’ That wasn’t just trouble—that was crazy and wonderful and hot and unbearable and amazing. And definitely not something I wanted to discuss with Henry. If I’ve learned anything from watching The Bachelorette , it’s that you have to keep all your relationships separate.
    Henry was still stammering through his piece. ‘It’s not that I don’t like Chris, you see. It’s only that I don’t think he’d be very good for you. He seems rather intense when it comes to you. The way he looks at you, it’s like you’re the only girl in the world, as if he wants to drag you back to his cave or something.’
    God help me, I shivered at the volley of images: Chris throwing me over his shoulder, carrying me away, tossing me onto a bed somewhere, pinning my hands over my head, forcing his lips to mine …
    â€˜So, I hope this isn’t too forward, but I just thought you should know.’ He leaned forward, earnestly. He was so wretchedly adorable that I wasn’t sure what to say. He didn’t need to know that my body cried out for Chris like a One Direction fan in the front row, or that I was considering jumping Chris if the opportunity allowed.
    Henry also didn’t need to know that I had no intention of letting myself fall for Chris. I could never trust him with my heart. I just want to be near him, with him, on him as much as possible while we’re here on the island.
    All of that makes me sound like a truly awful excuse for a human being. I’m sorry, world, but I can’t help how I feel. Tell me you’ve never used someone for their body, or guarded your heart against someone you know will only hurt you, and you can throw the first stone.
    My biggest priority, as it was with Meghan, was to make Henry feel understood. ‘Thank you, Henry. I really appreciate you bringing this to me.’
    His features grew bright with relief. ‘You’re so welcome, my lady.’
    We rose and walked to the door. ‘Will you save me a dance at the party tonight?’ he asked, his fair eyebrows high.
    â€˜Of course! God knows how we’re supposed to dance when nobody is allowed to touch, but we’ll make it work.’
    Drained, I opened the door, and in lieu of kissing him on the cheek, blew him a kiss as he walked out.
    Laughingly, he caught my kiss in his hand and tucked it in his pocket. ‘For later,’ he explained, walking away down the eastern walkway.
    Movement on the north walkway caught my eye. Chris stood there, watching Henry depart with coldness in his eyes.
    â€˜Chris?’ I called. ‘Chris, wait!’
    He was gone. Again. Thoroughly irritable, I had no intention of streaking after him in my robe and bare feet. Just you wait, coffee boy. You and I will be having words at the party, oh yes …
    Turning back inside, I collided with the cameraman, who had crept up close behind me. ‘Out. Now.’
    â€˜But can we just ask a few questions about—’
    â€˜Guys, I’m sure you’re all lovely and I know you’re only doing your jobs. But if you don’t leave now, I will be forced to do something crazy.’
    â€˜Please do!’ said the manager. ‘That’s fantastic for ratings.’
    â€˜What if I take a dump on the middle of my bed?’
    Pause. ‘Okay, we’ll go.’
    â€˜Cheers, boys!’
    ***
    When I woke up from napping, my cheek was plastered to the pillow with drool. ‘Classy,’ I muttered to myself, wiping at my face and hoping the cameras didn’t catch it, so it wouldn’t be used for some hilarious ‘Missed Moments’ episode.
    Another shower was in order. I must say, my bathroom is fast becoming my