Flaming Hearts (Beyond Reality Book 2) Read online

  “Did you know I was going to be here today?” she asked Dean abruptly.

  Dean looked down at Becky calmly. She was definitely riled up. “No, sweetheart, I didn’t,” he easily bent the truth a bit, the endearment coming out of his mouth without any thought, “I had no idea I’d meet such a beautiful woman today, or that I’d get to play a knight in shining armor,” he told her honestly. “Am I happy that I met you? Definitely. Am I happy that we can’t be together right now? No way, but I can wait. I know you have obligations, and believe it or not, so do I. But I feel better knowing my brother will be around in case you need him and just to keep watch over you.”

  Becky’s forehead furrowed and she awkwardly stood in the middle of the trail. “I don’t understand this. You. I don’t understand you. Why would you care? I mean, you just met me, you don’t know me. Unless your brother has told you about me?” she asked in a small voice, dreading his answer.

  Dean wanted to beat the crap out of all the men on the show. He could tell from her demeanor and the way she asked the question she was embarrassed.

  “Jonathan didn’t tell me quite how pretty you are or how tough you are,” he answered honestly. He didn’t want to lie and tell her he didn’t know anything about her, she wouldn’t believe it anyway, but he certainly was telling the truth about how beautiful she was.

  “Tell me, though,” Dean asked, trying to slightly change the subject. “How did you end up out here alone if you’re on a reality show?” He wanted to hear what she’d say.

  Becky sighed and started walking again. How much should she tell him? She thought about how nice it felt to be taken care of and how wonderful his hand felt holding her tenderly as they walked along the trail. She decided to be honest with him. If he really did want to see her again she wanted to start this, whatever this was, off on the right foot.

  “It’s stupid really. I was on a double date with the other woman on the show…”

  “Whoa, other woman?” Dean interrupted. “What kind of dating show is this?”

  Becky laughed and said under her breath, “A terrible one.”

  She sighed again and told Dean the premise of the show, that there were two bachelorettes the men were competing for.

  “So how will it end?” Dean asked seriously. “Will you both end up with a man or what?”

  Becky was embarrassed she hadn’t even thought about that. Was that what Eddie had in mind for the show? That they’d each end up with a perfect match? She knew that wasn’t going to happen. The men didn’t want her, they wanted Marissa. But how else could it end? Crap, she should’ve asked more questions of Eddie when they met and he explained how the show would go. Would it get down to one guy and he would pick which woman he wanted? That would just cap off her humiliation. There were just too many awful scenarios to imagine. She mentally shrugged, it was too late now.

  “I have no idea,” she told Dean honestly, “but you wanted to know what happened today right?” She wanted to change the subject back to his original question.

  Dean nodded and Becky told him about how she and Marissa were on a double date and it was her turn to choose what they’d do on the date. She didn’t feel like going into the past dates and how disastrous they were for her, it was too embarrassing. She explained how Marissa had hurt herself and how she herself had been selfish and wanted to continue on to see Devil’s Canyon.

  Dean told her as they walked, “It doesn’t seem to me that you were the selfish one, Becky.”

  Becky sighed. “Well, if I’d just gone back like she wanted to when she twisted her ankle, I wouldn’t have gotten hurt and stranded here today.”

  “Yeah, but you wouldn’t have met me either,” Dean said with a cocky grin, reaching out to hold her hand again.

  Becky smiled hugely, at both his words and his actions. “True, very true.”

  After a small silence, Becky decided she’d tell Dean about her meeting with the coyote at the top of the trail. She didn’t know why she wanted to share it with him, other than the fact she needed something to talk about until they reached the parking lot, and besides, she thought he might appreciate it as much as she did.

  “Something did happen to me on the trail, though,” she started, looking up at Dean while they walked.

  “Are you okay?” he immediately asked, concerned.

  She laughed and squeezed his hand lightly. “Nothing like that, I saw the most beautiful coyote while I was up there.”

  Dean stopped and looked at Becky with surprise. “You did?”

  “Yes, it was at the top of the trail. It’s beautiful there and everything was quiet and I heard something and looked over and there he was. Just sitting in the grass.”

  “Were you scared?” Dean asked her quietly. Most women would have freaked out and screamed or something. Not his Becky. He smiled, he liked that. His Becky.

  “Not really. Well, I was at first, but he just lay there, looking at me. He didn’t make any moves toward me. It was really peaceful, actually.”

  Dean continued to smile at her. She was amazing. She was sensitive, and beautiful and tough, as he’d told her earlier.

  “That sounds like it was a very fortunate meeting, Becky. You do have to be careful though, as you can’t trust all wild animals.” He felt compelled to say something about her trusting that coyote, even if it didn’t do anything threatening.

  “I know,” Becky told him. “I’m not an idiot, but he wasn’t scary in any way. It was as if he fit into the atmosphere and I didn’t get any wild vibes from him! I was afraid for a moment it was rabid, but it wasn’t drooling or doing anything other than just lying in the grass, watching me. He was beautiful. I feel fortunate for being able to have had the experience. It’s hard for me to even think about how some people never will get to experience anything like this because they live in cities.”

  “I knew I liked you for a reason,” Dean said mysteriously as they continued walking.

  Becky heard the teasing note in his voice and laughed, not knowing exactly why. “And why is that, good sir?” She teased right back.

  “My parents live near here and operate a wild animal refuge. They have a huge area just for coyotes that have been hurt or need relocating because they won’t stop harassing the local ranchers. They aren’t pets, but they’re given a place to roam and run and be free, but still be protected at the same time.”

  Becky just looked at Dean in amazement. “Are you kidding?” she asked quietly, coming to a stop.

  Dean stopped too, since they were holding hands and he didn’t want to let her go. “No. I’m not kidding,” he told her, wondering why she seemed so shocked.

  “All my life, from the time I was a little girl,” Becky started, looking into his eyes as she spoke, “I’ve wanted to help animals. I had this grand idea that I’d buy a piece of property and start taking in dogs and horses and pigs and cats and llamas and hamsters and whatever other animals were in need of help. My mom was constantly trying to take care of mice and birds and any other small animal I brought home that needed saving. I saw so many homeless and abused animals growing up, it broke my heart. I’ve never been able to get anywhere near accomplishing that goal. But to hear that your family...” Her voice broke and she couldn’t go on.

  Dean didn’t hesitate but gathered Becky in his arms to comfort her. Finally. She was in his arms. She was the perfect height. Her head fit right under his chin and she felt so good against his chest, against his heart.

  “My family does what they can,” he told her, murmuring into her hair at the top of her head. “They take in all the animals they can and have a whole staff to help them. I’d love for you to meet them and to meet all the animals someday.” He realized suddenly there was nothing more he wanted to do than bundle her up and take her home to meet his folks. They’d love her.

  “Really?” Becky said skeptically, leaning back to look up at the man holding her in his arms. God, it felt good there. She was feeling emotionally shaky and his arms holdi
ng her close were just what she needed. For whatever reason it didn’t even feel weird. With other men she’d dated it had taken quite a few dates before she’d let them get this close. Why Dean was different she had no idea, but she really liked being in his arms.

  “Really,” Dean said. “When you’re done with your show I’ll take you to meet them.”

  Becky didn’t know what to say. It’d be a dream come true for her to be able to visit the animal sanctuary, but she didn’t understand why Dean would even offer it. It wasn’t as if they actually knew each other. It’d been what, only about an hour since they’d met? But deep down Becky knew why he’d made the offer. There was some connection between them. She could feel it and she assumed he could too. What truly sucked was that she couldn’t do anything about it right now. She had obligations…but God she wished Dean was on the show. Although, if he was, with her luck, Marissa would kick him off just for showing any attention to her.

  They started walking again and it wasn’t too much longer before they’d made it back to the parking lot. Dean helped Becky into his truck and walked around to the driver’s side. Before he started the engine he looked at Becky.

  “Seriously, Becky,” he said, getting back to something he’d said earlier and she’d blown off. “If you need a friend or anything else, please let my brother know and he’ll get in touch with me and I’ll get it for you. I’ll point him out when we get back so you’ll know who he is. It’ll make me feel better. I’ve never been on a reality show, but I can imagine it can be a lonely experience.”

  Becky looked down at her hands. Man, he was intense, but she liked it. It seemed as if he honestly wanted to take care of her. “Thank you, Dean,” she told him with emotion in her voice. “Trust me, you don’t ever want to be on a reality show. It does get lonely, but I’m not sure I’ll need anything. I appreciate the sentiment though.”

  She wasn’t sure what was in store for her on the show, but she also wasn’t sure she’d actually be able to contact anyone about anything when she was back on the set. Unfortunately, Becky also wasn’t sure about the connection she seemed to have with Dean. She figured once he talked to his brother, really talked to him about the show and about her, and once he saw Marissa, his attention would most likely wane.

  Soon enough they were pulling up near the house and the set. There was a lot of activity, as usual, but nothing out of the ordinary. Becky guessed that perhaps no one had missed her yet…or cared she was gone. She sighed, trying not to get sucked back into the doldrums just seeing the house tried to push her into.

  “Go ahead and stop here,” she told Dean as they got close to the gate.

  “I’ll bring you all the way to the door,” Dean told her, not liking the thought of dropping her off and letting her go back to the set on her own. Not because he thought she couldn’t do it on her own, but because he wanted to lend her moral support for what waited her inside.

  “Please don’t,” Becky said. “Seriously, I’m not supposed to talk to anyone off the set, especially someone like you.” Her voice trailed off.

  “Someone like me?” Dean asked, seriously wondering what she’d meant.

  Becky blushed. “Yeah, someone as good looking as you.” She smiled in his direction.

  Dean laughed. “I’m just a regular guy doing a good deed,” he told her.

  Becky got serious again. “No, really, you aren’t just a regular guy. Most regular guys I know wouldn’t have done what you did for me today, or at least they wouldn’t have been as gentle and patient. Besides, I don’t want you to get in trouble, and it’ll just be easier if you let me out here and let me go up by myself. I’ll tell them I took a taxi home and they’ll believe it.”

  “Most regular guys would have done what I did for you today, sweetheart,” Dean said earnestly. “You’ve just been hanging around the wrong kind of men.”

  “Obviously,” Becky agreed softly, not looking away from him. When Dean looked inclined to continue trying to persuade her to let him bring her up to the house, she simply looked him in the eyes and said, “You need to stay here. Please.” She tried to sound firm, when she really felt anything but. “You can tell me what your brother looks like so I’ll know it’s him.” So I can try to avoid him. Becky thought to herself.

  Dean sighed, pulled over to the curb and shut off the engine. He told her to stay put, got out and walked around the truck to her door and opened it. He didn’t step away when she turned sideways to slide out of the seat, but instead put both arms above his head on the door jam and leaned against the truck toward his woman. He would’ve rather put his hands on her body, but knew it was too soon for that intimate of a gesture. He tried to put into words what he felt, how serious he was about her.

  “This isn’t the end for us, Becky. You might as well know this now, you might be on a reality show, but I aim to be an unofficial contestant. I’ve never felt about someone the way I feel about you, even though we’ve only just met. I want to spend more time with you and I want to get to know you. I want you to get to know me. Just please tell me you won’t forget about me while this damn show is being taped. I want a chance with you.”

  Becky just looked at Dean. She thought his little speech was the most romantic thing anyone had ever said to her. She cleared her throat twice before she could answer him.

  “Dean, I’m not sure what to say. I…I want to get to know you too, but I’m only here for this show…I don’t live here…I—”

  Dean stopped her simply by putting his finger to her lips.

  “Just tell me I’m not alone in this,” he begged. Him, begging. He knew if his brother or friends could see him now they’d laugh their asses off. This moment meant more to him than anything ever had in his life. If she rejected him he wasn’t sure what he’d do.

  “You’re not alone,” Becky whispered shyly.

  Dean leaned down and kissed her. Softly, lightly, on the lips. For a first kiss it left a lot to be desired, but he’d take what he could get and he didn’t want to rush or scare her.

  As soon as Dean’s lips touched hers, Becky wanted to sink into the kiss and never come up for air. Unfortunately, it was a short, sweet kiss, definitely not the type of kiss Becky longed for from this man. Damn. She had it bad.

  Dean ran the back of his fingers down her cheek and then slowly backed up and held out his hand for her. She gripped his hand and he helped her out of the truck.

  “Be careful, sweetheart,” he whispered. “Remember, if you need anything find my brother, Jonathan. He’s about my height, has dark hair, long, down to the middle of his back, you can’t miss him. He’ll get in touch with me and we’ll help you with whatever you need.” At her skeptical look he put his hand at the back of her neck and pulled her toward him gently. “Seriously, Becky. Anytime. For any reason.”

  He watched her nod, gave the back of her neck a quick squeeze and backed away toward the front of his truck. He watched as Becky backed toward the house…both of them reluctant to break eye contact. Finally, she turned and let herself in through the gate, then disappeared. Dean got in his truck and drove off toward his house. He’d wait for his brother to get home, and they’d make a plan.

  Chapter Six

  When Becky arrived back at the production house she’d explained to Eddie that she’d been hiking and when she got back to the parking lot she had to wait for someone to show up so she could call a taxi. Eddie didn’t seem to care, only saying absently, “Next time don’t leave the group. That’s not the way this show works. You don’t get to go off on your own.”

  What an asshole. Becky thought to herself while nodding at Eddie. She went up the stairs to her room to shower and get ready for dinner.

  Jonathan stood off to the side and listened as Becky explained what happened to Eddie and knew there had to be more to the story, but he didn’t say a word as the attention in the house quickly turned back to Marissa and her “hurt” ankle. Jonathan knew Becky was hurt as well because he could see blood on the collar of he
r shirt and that her hands were scraped up. He watched as she went up the stairs. There was no rule that said that the women had to stay in the common area with the men at all times, and he figured she was going to take a shower.

  That night at the mixed dinner—with both the women and themen eating together—Marissa ruled the table with her story about what happened to her and the men ate it up. Jose sat next to Becky at the table and seemed to be feeling guilty about leaving her behind. Out of all the men at least he seemed to feel bad about what happened, although he did still leave her stranded on the trail while he tried to play rescuer to Marissa.

  Watching through his camera lens, Johnathan heard Jose apologize to Becky about leaving her behind. He didn’t know if Jose really felt bad or if he wanted to butter up Becky for the ceremony that would be held later that night. He shrugged and turned back to his camera, concentrating on getting the best shot of the contestants eating and scheming during dinner.

  Marissa and Becky met in the conference room before the ceremony that night to discuss their choices for which men would be staying and which would be leaving. There were going to be two men leaving and Marissa wanted Jose to leave. She’d decided he wasn’t as attentive to her as the others and she wanted him gone.

  Becky wasn’t surprised. Jose hadn’t fawned all over her at dinner and since he’d showed her some attention, of course Marissa wanted him to leave. Becky almost rolled her eyes. The whole show was a farce and ridiculous. The fact that Eddie was making her and Marissa work “together” to decide who’d be leaving was creating more and more friction between them. Becky didn’t think Marissa was a bad person. She was just caught up in the competitive nature of the show. Marissa could vote off whoever she wanted, Becky would do what she wanted and the hell with what Marissa wanted her to do.