Jane Millionaire (22 page)

JP experienced a moment’s envy at the rippled abs Rob covered, abs similar to the ones JP had once sported himself. Growing old really was the pits. Now, his stomach looked more like the proverbial beer gut. Maybe he’d hire a personal trainer when he got back to California. A young, frisky, female trainer to whip him into shape.

JP blinked, pulling himself back to the conversation. “What happened at the lake was an accident.”

“An accident caused by the irresponsibility of one of the bachelors. He risked Ji-ane’s life unnecessarily. He’s to be removed from the castle as soon as taping is finished. Otherwise, I’m not liable for my actions.”

JP stared at the angle of Rob’s clenched jaw as he studied Rob’s slip up of her name. When he’d watched the film of Jane’s rescue, Rob had called her Jill. And kissed her.

He leaned back, reached for a cigar, and frowned when he came up empty handed. Damn, he’d snuck a smoke after he’d approved the clippings to be aired with the segment they’d record tonight booting #4.

“You know,” he drawled. “It’s a shame you aren’t one of the bachelors. The crew caught your rescue. It would have made some great footage. Handsome bachelor risks life and limb to save the star of the show.”

Rob’s chest rose and fell in swift succession. “That footage needs to be destroyed. I don’t ever want to see it or think of this afternoon again. This isn’t some show about getting your jollies off of fear.”

Did the boy realize how transparent he was? He’d never seen Rob so smitten by a woman. And the poor lad had been ga-ga over Mandy before her shine had started to fade and the real witch beneath her gilded surface came through. Yep, Jane had Rob by the ole royal jewels.

“Quite humorous that our pretend princess gets rescued by Prince Charming, but he isn’t one of the eligible bachelors she’s allowed to chose from, wouldn’t you say?”

“So, we’ll film the show and Bachelor #4 leaves immediately following. That should work well enough.” JP nodded, considering how far to push. Much further than he had up to this point. “Kensington is with Jane. He put a couple of stitches in the cut on her head. Says she has a light concussion but will be fine as long as she doesn’t over do it for a few days.”

Rob’s face pinched at the news Kensington was with Jane. A tic twitched along his jaw.

JP almost laughed. And just to think, the boy had once been a successful actor. “Too bad we won’t be using any of the footage of her rescue since the two of them cozily playing doctor would have heated up the airwaves.”

“Isn’t it though?”

“Fortunately the gash is easily hidden beneath her hair. Kensington was able to keep from making a gap. Only had to snip a few strands.” JP stifled his mirth. Barely. “The man is really good with his hands.”

Rob stuffed his hands into his jean pockets and let out an exasperated breath. “Don’t you have something you need to be doing? Possibly finishing up whatever was so important I had to take your place today?”

“Aren’t you glad you did? I could never have pulled Jane from the water and we both know it.”

Rob’s face paled and JP regretted his reminder of Jane’s brush with death. Still, she was going to be fine and the show would go on as scheduled. At least, mostly. There had been a few necessary changes. One had to be flexible about these kind of things. Fortunately, he’d learned to go with the flow a long time ago.

“Actually.” He stood from the settee. “I do have a few things I need to attend to. I’ll see you in a couple of hours. Maybe you should take a nap. You look worn out. But come to think of it, you did when I first saw you this morning, too. Must have had a long night. Get some rest. We’ll film the show as soon as Jane fills up to it.”

Standing with his legs slightly spread, Rob rocked back on his bare feet. His mouth twisted in thought, he finally shrugged. “Okay. If I’m not down fifteen minutes before time to start shooting, send someone up for me.”

“Sure thing.” JP opened the door, pausing to throw one last parting shot. “You know, when I was editing last night’s film, I noticed Jane disappeared fairly late into your room for several hours. What was that all about?”

Gotcha. JP smothered a grin at the guilty as sin look plastered on Rob’s face.

He rocked back on his feet again, his hands digging deeper into his pockets.

“You weren’t sticking your hand in the cookie jar were you?” JP asked, knowing exactly what had transpired during the time Jane had been in his pal’s room. He’d known the moment he’d seen Rob this morning. Something had been different. Not that his constant tension about Jane had eased, more like it had transformed into something more intense, more personal.

“No, sir. No cookies for me last night.”

JP held his tongue. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. You were reviewing the daycare scenes with her, right? Good thing I can always trust you to do the right thing.”

“You took a blow to the head. One that knocked you unconscious. That is a big deal.” Jeff hooked his arm with hers again as he escorted her down the stairs and into the room where each show was taped.

“If you say so.” She smiled at his concern. He really was a great guy, and a fabulous doctor. “Personally, I don’t see the reason for so much fuss. All the other stitches I’ve had never burst open, and goodness knows I put a lot more pressure on them than just my fingers.”

Jeff’s blue eyes narrowed. “Just what were you doing where you would have gotten stitches, Princess?”

Oops. Maybe that blow to the head had done more damage than she’d thought. “Just because I am royalty does not mean I have spent my life in a plastic bubble wrap. I did spend four years in Southern California, you know.” Which is how they’d explained her speech from the get go.

“Yes, but I can’t imagine too many university students went around causing you to need sutures.”

“You might be surprised.” Jill hid a smile. She’d played many a game during college that had led to cuts that had to be sewed together. Usually on her head. Jessie had always teased that it was a good thing she was so thick skulled.

Jill came to an abrupt halt on the stairs.

Jessie.

Not once when she’d been struggling in the water had she thought of who would take care of her sister. All she’d thought of was Rob.

Guilt hit her. How could she have forgotten her sister? Jessie needed her. Had needed her from the time their parents had died while on the way to watch one of Jill’s basketball games.

“Jane?” Jeff tugged on her elbow with his. “Are you okay?”

She blinked up at him.

“I.” She winced. “Yes, I’m fine. It’s just,” she paused, searching for the right words. “I think I forgot who I really am today.”

“Huh?”

She shook her head and ignored the tiny spurt of pain the motion triggered. She’d refused medication when Jeff offered. Good thing, too, as she was slipping out of character enough as it was.

Her wide green eyes searched his. For what he wasn’t sure, but could guess. She had to be wondering if her dip in the lake had changed things between them.

It hadn’t.

Although he had slipped and called her by the wrong name. Had gotten caught up in the emotions of the moment and kissed her forehead.

He looked away without acknowledging her presence, determined to not give any indication that she looked lovely in her elegant blue gown or that he’d wanted to take Jeff Kensington’s place at her side.

When everyone was in place, Rob ran through his spiel as host. Smiling and providing a witty narration that led into scenes that would be inserted into the show at a later time.

“No. Don’t even say it. Last night never occurred.” He met her gaze and squared his shoulders. “You think you owe me something? Fine. Repay me by forgetting that last night ever happened.”

Shock registered on her face. “But.”

“No buts about it.” He scanned the room to make sure no one had noticed them. Only JP, a few crewmembers and a couple of bachelors remained. None were paying them any attention. “Last night shouldn’t have happened. Regardless of what we said, I should have sent you back to your room. If I could do last night over, that’s exactly what I’d do.”

But he was lying. He knew it and suspected she did, too. But he wouldn’t retract the words. She had to focus on Jane. On the bachelors. On Jeff Kensington.

Her gaze lowered briefly. “Okay. I shouldn’t have assumed anything had changed, but you called me Jill and I—” her words broke off as JP joined them.

“They do make a lovely couple. Maybe the show will have a real honeymoon, yet. Wouldn’t that just push us right off the rating scale?”

Was she hurt? Had her wound started bleeding again? Against his better judgment, but unable to risk that she might be ill, he opened the door.

She stood, fully dressed and looking nervous. “I need your help.”

“You’ve already said that.”

She glanced into his suite, her gaze stopping on his bed. No, he wouldn’t be giving her that kind of help. Although hell if his body wasn’t responding to the train of her thoughts.

“It’s not a little. It’s a lot, and I have to go to the lake. If you won’t take me, I’ll find another way. One of the crew, a bachelor, or I’ll go alone. But I have to go. Tonight. Now.”

“I face my fears, Rob. It’s the only way I can look at myself in the mirror and have any self respect.” She placed her hand over his. “Please take me to the lake.”

Rob called himself every name in the book and then a few more as he drove one of the network’s jeeps out to the lake, Jill at his side.

The last thing he needed was to be alone with her. Or to see her in the lake again.

With him or without him, she was going to the lake.

Did he have a choice but to take her? He’d sit in his room, agonizing over knowing she was at the lake, wondering if she was okay.

So here he was, bumping along a dirt road to a lake he could have lived without ever seeing again.

Jill hadn’t spoken since they’d climbed into the jeep. He glanced her way. Although she couldn’t see much in the dim light, she stared out the window with her hands twisted around the towel in her lap.