I’m close enough to hear her throat work as she swallows.

“Hmm,” I hum, considering my next move. I’m close to crossing a line, but I barrel toward it anyway. “I could do something like this…” Lifting one hand, I drag my knuckles up the side of her neck. A ragged sigh racks her body, and for a beat, I swear she leans into my touch.

My heart rate accelerates as I move up, fingers lifting to tip her chin, so she’s forced to meet my gaze.

With a smirk, I drop closer, my lips nearing hers. Just a breath away. “Is this better for you, Julia?”

“Yeah,” she inhales, eyes searching mine as though she’s confused by what’s happening but refuses to back away either. “Something like this would be fine.”

“I’m so glad you approve,” I whisper, gaze dropping to her mouth as my pulse thunders in my ears. “I’ll try to be less virginal for you going forward.”

I rub my thumb across her bottom lip and pull away, watching her take one long blink.

“Later, Jules,” I say casually before I turn and walk away. Leaving so that I can process whatever the fuck just overtook me.

And as I retreat, I blink, too, but it doesn’t lift the spell. Which is fine by me.

I came here to fix the damage I’d done to my cherished Prickle Point memories.

And it worked.

OceanofPDF.com

OFFICIAL MEMO

To: Richard Wadsworth

From: Teri Baker

Subject: Second Elimination Ceremony

Bachelor has eliminated Ashley. The reasoning he gave on camera was that he just couldn’t see her adapting to farm life, and this is where he plans to live with his wife.

This week was spent around the farm but also in the town of Emerald Lake to give viewers a lay of the land.

We captured footage of Emmett and the contestants going on a hike up a mountain just behind the property. The imagery from the summit of that will be fantastic for cut scenes throughout the series.

Film crew reports that Julia (the location manager) submitted an excellent and detailed report that made their jobs easier. So hats off to the new girl.

Speaking of the new girl, our bachelor might have eyes for her. Nothing concrete. Just what I’m seeing from watching them interact and from the way he behaves in front of the camera. It might be something to keep our eyes on.

As you know, the hiking scene took a bit of a left turn with Evelyn taking a fall and Emmett refusing to help her. I had him record B-roll checking in on her when we got back to the farm, so we can spin his concern for her health if you choose to use the accident.

We reshot the scene and have him call for a medic, but it reads a bit wooden on screen.

The good news is we caught the kiss at Prickle Point from multiple angles, and Camera Two shot over his shoulder to give us the perfect angle on Evelyn’s face while also catching the sunset. I think with a little artful clipping, that scene will hit exactly the way we wanted it to.

The women back in the bunkhouse were NOT pleased about him choosing Evelyn for the picnic, and we captured a lot of shit-talk and catty B-roll. Cookie and Evelyn seem to have some mounting tension that might be worth building this week.

Let’s see what next week holds!

Sincerely,

Teri Baker

Story Producer

OceanofPDF.com

OceanofPDF.com

CHAPTER 21

Julia

Mom

Can you not tell your brother ANYTHING about the show? He keeps asking me. He’s like a dog with a bone.

Julia

Is that your way of calling him annoying?

Mom

I mean… if I had to label one of my children that way, it would not be you. But I prefer to consider him determined.

Julia

I’m sticking with annoying.

“The Ranch? No, that bar is where all the yuppies go.”

My gaze shifts up from my phone, landing on Emmett’s bare, chiseled, glistening torso.

My mouth dries.

I’ve been trying not to look directly at him since I came searching for him at the barn. But it’s unavoidable. Richard has asked me to find a country bar where Emmett can take the girls out for a night on the town.

The Ranch is far and away the most popular country bar in town. But I was still keen to get his input on where he’d go.

Two days of artfully skirting Emmett since our secret rendezvous and very unprofessional almost-kiss at Prickle Point down the drain.

Because he’s unloading hay from a flatbed, the veins in his arms throbbing with exertion. I can still smell the fresh scent of soap on his skin along with clean sweat and dried grass. Strangely, it’s appealing.

“Well, then, it should be the perfect spot for you and your harem,” I volley, reminding myself of what this situation really is.

My job is to create dates for him with other women. That’s it.

We can sit in a diner and get to know each other. He can be a gentleman and bring pineapple for my eggs. But he’s still juggling seven women in front of a slew of cameras.

And I am merely a member of the crew.

Which is why it’s perfectly professional for me to watch closely as he drags the back of his gloved hand over his damp forehead.

Perfectly. Professional.

“It’s not where I’d take someone I was actually interested in.”

I swallow and glance at the flatbed loaded with square hay bales. Other staff are picking up the slack while Emmett talks with me, and guilt claws at me for pulling him away from his work. Especially since he’s maintained that his mornings are reserved for farm chores, and he can only film for the show in the afternoons and evenings.

“Okay.” I nod firmly, meeting his gaze again. “Where would you take them?”

“I’ll pick you up at nine and show you.”

“Emmett.”

“Doll.”

I sigh, letting every ounce of tiredness soak into my voice. It’s easier to pretend I’m agitated by his new pet name than admit it sends an unwelcome thrill through me.

I prop my hands on my hips and tilt my head to demonstrate my impatience. “Just tell me where you want it to be so that I can go do my job.”

He slaps his hands together, dust flying from his gloves before he mimics my stance, facing off. “Sorry. Last time I let you do that you went ass over teakettle down Prickle Point and got injured. It’s for your own safety.”

My eyes roll. “It wasn’t that bad.”

“I’ll admit it worked out pretty well for me. But you were a little worse for wear.”

I flush at the memory and tell myself the entire run-in was practical. Very clinical.

“I think—”

“That you’ll be ready at nine tonight? Great. I’ll be done filming by then. Looking forward to it.” He turns on one booted foot and swaggers back toward the mammoth pile of hay, ending the conversation and leaving me staring at his firm ass and broad shoulders.

Mouth open, catching flies.

Brain reminding itself that we don’t do cowboys. We stay away.

As such, I consider marching over and arguing with him, but it seems pointless.

Especially when he turns around and catches me looking like I’m installing important updates. “Quit gawking at my ass, Silva. And wear something cute for me, yeah?”

He winks, and I flip him the finger like a starstruck teenager.

Fucking Emmett Brandt.

Emmett told me to wear something cute, so I decided to fuck with him and wear something hot as hell instead. A slinky red sundress that’s too short, but with its A-line shape, the fabric drapes over my thighs somewhat more demurely. The black ankle-high cowboy boots dress it down just a little too. I ran out of time to do much with my hair other than pin it up and leave a few loose curls down to frame my face.