Pick Me (12 page)

“Gotcha.” Jimmy nodded and pursed his lips, then a big grin split his face. “Now I don’t know what the hell to say except enjoy your meals.” Their server approached and Jimmy slapped a hand on his shoulder. “You take care of them, wine and desserts are on me.” With a quick salute, he headed for another table.

After Colt ordered a bottle of wine and an appetizer, the server left. They sat in silence, Valentina scanning the restaurant, while he only had eyes for her. Damn, he wished they weren’t wearing these stupid microphones, the things he wanted to say to her. Then again, the show was important to her, and Jonas had high expectations. Colt shifted his gaze from Valentina and zeroed in on the bastard sitting in the corner. The sconces reflecting off his head as he brooded.

“You look beautiful.”

Her dark eyes widened before they settled on him. “Thank you,” she said and tucked a curl behind her ear.

He could tell she wanted to say more, her eyes imploring, restless, but the cameras had them both guarded. Fortunately the server approached with their wine. After that, they placed their orders, and when they were alone again, they both seemed to be staring at everything and anything but each other.

This couldn’t continue. If it did, Jonas would only come down harder on Valentina. Determined to make the most out of an uncomfortable situation, he blurted, “What’s your favorite ice cream?”

She giggled. “Ice cream? Where did that come from?”

“It’s all part of getting to know you. So tell me.”

“Okay, vanilla.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep. But, if I’m feeling really crazy, I might go for cookies ‘n cream. And yours?”

“Vanilla chocolate chip, although I’m partial to cookies ‘n cream, too.”

They’d spent the rest of dinner doing something he’d never bothered to do before—actually learning about his date. Ruger had been right. He’d never asked the women he’d slept with any questions about themselves. Because pretty much all he’d wanted to do was have sex with them. Not that he didn’t care, hell he wasn’t that much of a jackass, but before he’d met Valentina, he hadn’t really thought much about having a relationship. Sure, he’d figured eventually he’d meet a nice girl and settle down, raise a bunch of babies and the whole nine yards. He was only thirty-three and had plenty of time to make that happen. Only it was happening right now. He wanted this woman, wanted to know everything about her. Not just her choice of ice cream or her favorite movie, but what really made her tick.

Beneath the surface there was more to Valentina. While she’d been open, sexually, and had never evaded any of his questions, on or off camera, he suspected she hid a part of herself from him. Or maybe it was his own conscience rearing up and demanding that he open himself up to her. He didn’t know. He cared, though, for her, for whatever they’d embarked upon, and the only conclusion he’d come up with since finding her again was something he hadn’t been prepared for. He wanted her. Not just in his bed, but in his life.

After they’d finished eating, they had both declined coffee and dessert. Colt couldn’t wait to end the date, well at least the show’s version. Last night, he’d made arrangements with Valentina to meet back at her apartment once the coast was clear. God he hated this cloak and dagger BS. All he wanted to do was date like a normal couple, talk without having to worry about saying the wrong thing and having it bite him on the ass later.

The server promptly brought out Colt’s credit card and receipt. As he signed the restaurant’s copy and left a tip, he shifted his gaze around the restaurant. A buzz of excited whispers came from nearly every table. He glanced to Valentina who stared wide-eyed at the hostess stand.

Colt followed her gaze, then let out a soft chuckle. Reggie Zucker. Two hundred and fifty pounds of honed muscle, and last season’s MVP linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, the man towered over the other patrons waiting to be seated. He wore a two thousand dollar suit—Colt knew because he happened to have been present when the tailor fitted him—and had a petite blonde on his arm.

While Reggie had become more of a friend than a client, the timing couldn’t have been any worse. Colt had been itching to end the date and head back to Valentina’s for some one on one time, but now that Reggie was here they might have to stick around a bit longer. Although...he shifted his eyes to Jonas who frantically waved at one of the camera people and pointed at Reggie. With the way Jonas was practically frothing at the mouth, maybe a little camera time with Reggie and his famous, pop star girlfriend might help take Jonas’ mind off the spy cam Valentina wore and what she’d been expected to film later.

“Wow,” Valentina said and shook her head. “That’s—”

“Reggie Zucker.”

Furrowing her brows, she looked back at the couple. “Who?”

He chuckled again. Apparently even with four older brothers she didn’t follow football. “The big guy, he plays for the Cowboy’s and happens to be my client.”

She glanced back at Reggie, then at him, and the smile she wore gave him the impression she’d been relieved. Odd, but he didn’t have time to consider her reaction. Reggie and his girlfriend, Shawna—no last name because apparently her first was all she needed to sell out concerts across the country—headed for their table.

Colt stood and offered his hand as Reggie led Shawna toward them. Instead of greeting him with a hand shake, Reggie gave him a bear hug, any tighter and a rib would likely crack.

“Dang, I wish I’d known you were gonna be here tonight. We could have double dated,” Reggie said as he released him.

“I thought you were in LA, but obviously LA came to you,” Colt said with a wink and a grin, then kissed Shawna’s cheek. “How are you, Shawna?”

“Great. And we
were
in LA, but when Reggie told me he’d only be in town a few days because he had to head back home for his grandma’s ninetieth birthday party, I had to join him.” She looked up to Reggie. She had to considering the man stood a good foot and a half taller. “I wanted to be here with him, and meet his family.”

Whoa. He hadn’t expected that one. When Reggie had first started dating Shawna, Colt had cautioned him. Her long tours, living in separate cities, the paparazzi, the tabloids. He didn’t want Reggie to lose focus on his own career, not when he was in his prime, but they’d been together for almost ten months and apparently were still going strong.

Retrieving his manners, he introduced them to Valentina, then offered them a seat. They ordered another round of drinks, talking and laughing like regular couples, he supposed. Only regular couples didn’t have paparazzi lurking outside the window or a camera crew following their every move. Regardless, the mood and company had actually taken away some of the earlier tension Colt had been feeling. The girls chatted like they’d known each other for years, and he was able to catch up with Reggie.

As they finished their drinks, Jimmy approached, telling them that their drinks were on the house, and that the table belonged to Reggie and Shawna. Reggie asked if they’d like to stick around for a while longer, but when he glanced at Valentina and caught that flicker of desire in her dark eyes, he declined.

They left, the cameras on their tail, and as they waited for the valet to bring around his Corvette—the only flashy thing he owned—she leaned into him. “Well, that was interesting. It’s not every day you meet a bunch of celebrities.”

“Did you get her autograph?”

“No, but I got Reggie’s while you were talking to Jimmy. Five of them to be exact, and all on cocktail napkins.” She shrugged. “It’ll be the cheapest and best Christmas present this year,” she finished with a grin. “Oh, there’s your car.”

“If you want, I can supply you with all kinds of autographs, you’ll never have to buy another Christmas present in this lifetime,” he said, and helped her into the Corvette.

She laughed, until she caught one of the cameras on her. Colt wanted to knock the damned thing to the ground. For the first time all night, she’d relaxed and let herself unwind, but the reality of the reality show had ruined the moment.

They still wore their microphones and had a camera placed on the car dashboard, so their conversation remained light, stilted. When he’d finally arrived at her apartment, Jonas, Danny and the two camera people jumped out of their van. Anxious to be alone with Valentina, he looked at Jonas. “How do you want to do this?”

“W-what?” Jonas stammered.

Colt ripped off his microphone and encouraged Valentina to do the same. “I’d like a moment with Val, preferably alone.”

“No, that’s not how we do things. The cameras are always—”

“Shut up, Danny,” Jonas muttered, a gleam in his eyes. “Let them have a few minutes.”

“But, we never—”

Jonas silenced Danny with a narrowed gaze. “Ten minutes, Colt. After that, we come in with the cameras.”

Whatever. Colt took a stunned Valentina by the elbow and ushered her into the building. “Is your spy cam on?”

“No. What are you—”

He cupped her cheeks and kissed her. Quick. Too quick for what he really had in mind, but that could wait for later. “We gave Jonas a celebrity appearance tonight, so let’s give him a short make out session. Between the two that should get him off your back for a while. What do you say?”

She grinned. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Fake it if you need to,” he teased, and reached for the broach that held the spy cam, caressing her breast in the process.

Sighing as he grazed her nipple, she said, “When I’m with you, everything is the real deal.”

“Then let’s give him a little something for his ratings.” He pressed a button on the broach the way Valentina had showed him, then kissed her like he’d been aching to do all night. Moments later, both breathless, he gave her a final lingering kiss, then said, “I’ll see you in a few days.” With that, he left her at her apartment door, then headed out to his car where Jonas and the rest of his crew waited.

With the camera’s on him, he gave his take on the night, then climbed into his car. He followed the
Pick Me
van out onto the freeway, then backtracked to Valentina’s. He’d been bursting at the seams all night, not only literally, but figuratively. While he wanted to finish that kiss in the proper way, without the spy cam, there were a few things they needed to talk about. Things that might put a whole new spin on the show and their relationship.

Chapter 8

Well, that was interesting.
Valentina sighed, her lips still tingling from Colt’s unexpected kiss. She noted the time on the clock, an upside down triangle filled with the colors of the rainbow, courtesy of the lesbian owners. Although she knew Colt would be back soon, she locked the door in case Danny or Jonas decided to pop by for a visit after Colt gave his quick “after date” interview.

Smiling, she made her way to the front window. Now conscience of what people could see, she closed the drapes, then headed for the kitchen.

Tonight had been one surprise after another, starting with Colt’s Corvette. She’d only seen him in his truck, or his souped up golf cart, but the Vette suited him, too. Fast, not too flashy. Fun, with a subtle hint of badass. He’d said he only drove the car in the city because parking his Ford was cumbersome. Yeah, right. He was a guy, and guys liked toys.

She pulled a couple of wine glasses from the cabinet, and set them on the counter. Dinner had been even more interesting. She’d nearly melted like a scoop of her favorite flavor of ice cream left out on a hot, balmy day. Colt had turned an uncomfortable situation into something fun. Asking about her likes and dislikes, they ended up playing twenty questions through most of the meal. Although they’d grown up in two totally different elements, he the country, she the city, they shared so much in common. Maybe having the cameras placing them on guard had been a good thing. Knowing they were being filmed had forced them to improvise and make the most of the situation and in the end had resulted in helping her learn more about Colt, and he her.

Damn, in another lifetime, they would have been great together.

Who said you can’t make this work?

Slamming the drawer closed, she gripped the wine server, and tried to shut that voice down—again. Yes, they had a lot in common. Plus, the sex was freaking hot. While she’d been totally honest with him at the restaurant, there were still all the other lies she’d been spinning.

She opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of wine. God, if Colt found out, he’d be totally pissed, and hurt. She wasn’t leading him on, not really, she’d been up front with what she’d wanted from him, but had a sneaky suspicion that he wanted more. That thought warmed her, comforted her, yet at the same time had her belly balling into a tangled knot. She wanted more, too. She wanted him, period. In her life, oh God, ‘til death do us part.

“Don’t go there,” she mumbled, because it could never happen. Even if she explained herself now, based on what an honest soul Colt seemed to be, she didn’t think he’d understand.

You could give it a try.

She could, but what if he’d become so angry he walked away from the show? People would lose their jobs. She’d lose her career opportunity and would be left with nothing. No Colt. No job. She didn’t even really have a place to call home anymore. All of her belongings were rat holed in her brother Dom’s basement, and when she had a break from the show, she stayed in her old bedroom at her parents’ bungalow. Pathetic.

Gloom and doom was not the Bonasera way, so she shoved those thoughts aside and brought the rest of the evening into play. She still couldn’t believe she’d met Shawna.
The
Shawna. Talk about a “wow” moment. Not that Reggie Zucker wasn’t a “wow” thing, either, but Shawna? The woman was a megastar, her concerts always sold out, her songs were constantly played on the radio, and yet Shawna was as down to earth as the next person. While a little star struck—okay, a lot—the thing she’d taken the most from the encounter, aside from a bunch of autographs, was another confirmation that Colt wasn’t
Pick Me’s
imposter. From the astonished and giddy look on Jonas’ face, and how he’d quickly rallied the cameras to focus on Reggie and Shawna, she’d gathered Jonas had nothing to do with the impromptu meeting. Knowing that fact, though, wasn’t nearly as fulfilling as what Colt had done at the end of their date.

Jonas probably had no clue, but Colt had sent him a subtle message tonight when he’d ripped his microphone off and demanded alone time with her. At first, she’d panicked. They hadn’t discussed doing any such thing, but she’d trusted Colt, and in the end she’d been rewarded with a kiss that held a promise of more to come. Oh and she was more than ready to come. Smiling, as visions of them naked on the bed flitted through her mind, she went to work uncorking the bottle. As the cork popped, so did a knock at her door.

Butterflies danced through her belly with anticipation. She set the wine bottle on the counter, smoothed her hand over her stomach, then along her hair. Although she knew Colt was likely on the other side of the door, she checked the peephole anyway, then gasped and ran back to the kitchen.

Oh my God, what the hell was Jonas doing here? Wine bottle and glasses quickly stowed into the fridge, those earlier butterflies had converted to a swarm of bees, needling and cramping her stomach with dread. She calmed herself as she approached the door, then had a thought. Dashing to the window, she opened the drapes, then drew in a deep breath. Colt stood on the street, just outside the parking garage. He waved his hand, and raised his cell phone. She drew in a deep breath, grabbed her cell phone and called him.

“He’s here,” she whispered.

“I know, I saw him turn around before I’d planned to and followed him. Are you okay?”

She jumped when Jonas knocked, no, pounded on the door. “Yeah, but call me in five minutes. I’ll pretend you’re my mom and get rid of him.”

“Done, just keep the drapes open.”

Pressing her hand to the window, she clicked her cell phone shut, then approached the door. “Who is it?”

“Look through the damn hole in the door.”

What an absolute ass. Unlocking the deadbolt, she opened the door a few inches. “What do you want?” she asked, angling her head so she could see him through the small crack.

He pushed on the door, but she held it firm. “Let me in, I’m paying for you to stay here.”

“No you’re not, Derek is, and if you want to talk with me, set up a meeting at the studio.”

“Val, I’m in no mood for your bullshit, all I want is the broach you wore tonight.” With a grunt, he gave the door a shove and strolled right into the apartment.

Wanting to be where Colt could see her, she walked to the center of the living room while removing the ugly spy cam. “Here, hopefully this will help your
ratings.
”

She didn’t trust Jonas, and had never liked him, even before this season of
Pick Me.
He’d always given her the impression that he would sell his soul for fame, and would walk on anyone to make it to the top. With the way he’d threatened her with the spy cams and sex tape, she now wondered how far he would actually go to achieve his goals.

“You better hope it helps,” he snarled, and grabbed the spy cam.

“So you have what you want, now leave,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I could...” He strolled around the living room, and like Colt had a few nights ago, checked out the décor. “Interesting place, but all of this lesbo stuff will have to go.”

“What the hell are you talking about? The apartment is leased. I can’t remove any of the items. They don’t belong to me or the show.”

“So don’t remove them, just move them. I’m thinking of placing a camera right here.” He pointed to a spot on the mantle. “That would work. You could do a little something-something here.” He turned and pointed to the couch. “Oh yeah, the angle would be perfect.”

“Get out,” she uttered, her teeth clenched so tight her jaw ached. “Now.”

“Don’t get all prissy. Tell me, what’d the redneck do to you in the hallway? Did he feel you up, slip his hand up your—”

“Now,” she shouted.

“Okay,” he said and held up his hands. “But keep in mind I still have your little sex tape. You wouldn’t want me to
accidentally
leak that, now would you?”

Heat rose to her cheeks, and sweat broke across her brow and upper lip. “I told you I’d wear the spy cams, but I refuse to have a camera in my apartment. Besides, it’s never been done on the show before.”

“There’s a first time for everything,” he countered.

“But wouldn’t this need Derek’s approval?”

Jonas waved his hand. “Screw Derek. If the show tanks, he has others.” With a quickness she hadn’t expected, he crossed the room and gripped her shoulders. “But
I
don’t, and I’ll make sure you’re career is ruined if you don’t go along with me on this. I want a camera, on the mantle. I want you to bring these men back here, and I want something that will give the audience a reason to keep watching.”

“Get your hands off me.” She shrugged her arms and twisted her body until she freed herself from his disgusting touch. “I would rather lose my career than do this for you.”

“Really?” He smirked. “You’d throw away all of Derek’s promises, your career, your reputation? Think about what this season could do for you. For us. I could take you places, you know. Help you out down the line.”

“Leave. Now. Take your damn broach and get the hell out of my apartment. If you choose to use the tape, I’ll quit. I’ll give it all up. The show...everything. I’d rather find a new career, than allow myself to play your whore.”

His jaw ticked, his eyes narrowed. “I’ll ruin you.”

“And you’ll ruin yourself in the process.”

Something flickered in his eyes, not defeat, but maybe understanding. He’d tried to threaten her, and she’d countered it, meaning every word. She’d give up everything Derek had promised, because there was no way she’d stoop to the level Jonas had demanded.

Jonas left the apartment without another word, slamming the door in his wake. She quickly locked it, then leaned her back against the door. No camera would ever capture the intimacy she shared with Colt. She...cared too deeply. Although it might be a little late for honesty, the emotions he evoked ran strong, stronger than she’d imagined.

She jumped when a hard knock vibrated against her back. Checking the peephole, she sighed with relief, opened the door and fell into Colt’s arms. Burying her face into his chest, she gripped the front of his shirt and let herself relax against his solid comfort.

Pulling her close, Colt tried to rid himself of the tension that had been coiling his gut since he’d watched Jonas stalk into the apartment building, and focused on Valentina. “He’s gone,” he said, hoping to reassure her, and maybe himself. He’d hated standing in the street when he’d known damned well Jonas was inside Valentina’s apartment. He didn’t trust the director, and when the prick grabbed her, it took everything inside of him to remain still. The helplessness that had gripped him was something he didn’t, and wouldn’t experience again. The show wasn’t worth risking her safety.

Still stroking her back, he rested his chin on her head, and closed his eyes. “I swear to God that will never happen again. From now on, I’m staying here.”

She burrowed deep against his chest. “You can’t,” she said, her voice muffled against his shirt.

“I can, and I will.” Leaning back, he tipped her chin. “I don’t trust him. What if he...hurt you?”

“But he didn’t.”

“Are you that determined to do the show that you’d allow yourself to be threatened and manhandled? I’m worried he’s only going to get worse.” Valentina was an intelligent woman, and having grown up in Chicago, surrounded by a family of cops, he’d guarantee she had enough street smarts to know this.

She dropped her arms and turned toward the kitchen. “I’m worried, too. Do you remember Shepp, the host of the show? Well, right after I finished recording my dating diary, he told me to watch out for Jonas.” She shivered, then opened the fridge.

“Why? Has Jonas done this before?”

Setting an open bottle of wine and a couple of glasses on the counter, she said, “I didn’t have a chance to ask. Jonas interrupted us. When I tried to catch Shepp in the parking lot, he’d already left. I’ll see him in a few days and try to find out what he’d meant.”

“Can’t you call him?”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to ask Danny for his cell phone number, or stop by Shepp’s hotel. It might only raise suspicions, or even worse, catch Jonas’ attention.”

“You have a point,” he said, and took the glass she offered. “I still don’t like it, or you being here by yourself.”

“This place has an alarm system, and I won’t meet with Jonas alone again. Not here or anywhere for that matter. You can’t watch me all the time, and besides, don’t you have a plane to catch in the morning?”

“Yes, damn it.” He set the glass on the counter and ran a hand through his hair. He had a contract negotiation for another of his clients that couldn’t wait.

She touched his arm. “Colt, “I’ll be fine.”

“Don’t you have a friend who can stay with you while I’m gone?”

“You’re the only real friend I have in Dallas,” she said with a wry smile. “But please don’t worry about me. I’ll throw some pepper spray in my purse if that will make you feel better.”

He rolled his eyes.

“Okay, so loan me the Magnum.”