Love or Lust - Rachael Brownell Page 0,6

to reveal my identity I would, but until that happens, they’re going to continue to think that. Or until this episode airs, and then I guess my identity’s no longer a secret.”

Glancing around for a cameraman, I don’t see anyone, but that doesn’t mean we’re not being recorded right now.

“Why tell me then? Why risk it if you wanted your identity to remain a secret?”

“Because if I’m going to spend my life with you, you need to know what you’re getting into. I want you to know everything. I want you to be the first person I tell the complete truth to. I know you can handle it. Which reminds me there’s one other thing I’d like to talk to you about.”

But he doesn’t get the chance because Teegan and Milo appear out of nowhere. Bella’s only a few minutes behind them, and then Jace is mixing drinks, flirting with Teegan in front of me, and an impromptu pool party has officially started. The only person missing is Lennon.

“Hey,” I call over my shoulder to Jace as I pull my sundress on over my damp suit. “I’m going to see what’s holding Lennon up.”

He nods and goes back to his conversation with Milo while Teegan fucks him with her eyes.

She’s going to be sadly disappointed when she learns he lied to her. Heartbroken is more like it.

I’ve knocked twice and still no answer. When I check the handle, it turns, and his door opens. I call out to him, but I’m met with silence. The bedroom and bathroom smell of Lennon, as if he may have just taken a shower, but he’s not here.

When I return to the pool, I’m surprised to find Lennon sitting on the edge, dangling his feet in the water.

“Where did you come from?” I ask, taking the seat to his right. Bella’s on his left, and Milo’s on the other side of her.

“What do you mean?” Lennon asks, not looking in my direction.

“I went to your villa to see where you were, and you weren’t there.”

“Oh, I went for a walk. Why were you looking for me?” he asks, glancing in my direction but refusing to make eye contact.

“You were the only one missing. I was worried.”

He shrugs his shoulder and then pushes off the side, sinking into the water. I watch as he swims across the pool without looking back. When I look to Bella and Milo for an explanation, neither of them is looking in my direction. Bella is watching Lennon swim away, and Milo’s eyes are focused on Teegan’s ass.

Of course they are.

Her bathing suit shows more than it hides. Her breasts would fall out if she bent over, and her bottoms are barely enough fabric to cover one butt cheek let alone both of them.

Teegan’s still fawning all over Jace when I walk over to the bar.

“Are you taking orders yet?” I ask, sliding onto the stool furthest from Teegan.

“Nope. We only have one drink on the menu tonight,” Jace replies, stepping away from Teegan, her hand falling from where she had placed it on top of his.

Don’t be jealous, Presley. It’s a game. Just play nice.

“I guess I’ll take one of those.” My voice is perky, and there’s a smile on my face.

Even when Teegan whines and asks for another drink.

Even when she pushes Jace in the pool and holds on to him so she follows, which backfires since her knee collides with his crotch on the way down.

I’m even perky and smiling when she throws herself at him as we’re playing our second hand of poker after the producers forced us into the game room. I mean, we’re on their schedule after all. How dare we deviate from the plan! It’s not like we left the property or are hiding from the cameras. If that were even an option.

I smile through it all. Watching her drape herself on him. Flirt without shame. Kiss him on the cheek and attempt to hold his hand. I’m even smiling when she pretends to be drunk so he’ll carry her home hours later.

Why?

Because I know what’s coming and she doesn’t.

Because I know within two minutes of dropping her off at her door he’ll be crawling in my bed.

Because the second he walks in my door I’m making him shower off all her germs. And I plan to be the one to wash his back.

But when two minutes turns to five and then ten, I start to second guess everything.

My decision.

What’s coming next.

Him showing