Meet Your Mate Excerpt

“He’s lost his mind,” Jack muttered, pulling her past the contestants and into the study with her cameraman tripping over his feet to keep up. She eye-rolled the other girls. Their chuckles could be heard until Jack shut the door with his foot.

Yanking her hand free, she rounded on him. “What in the world’s the matter with you? I don’t see you treating the others like this.”

Eyes narrowed, he came to stand before her. A musky ocean scent filled her nostrils as she fought her body’s knee-weakening reaction.

“I don’t treat the others like that because they haven’t given me reason.” Hot breath lifted the hair framing her face, while his eyes dared her to speak.

She’d never backed down from a dare. Hands on hips, she gave him the full extent of her stare. “What exactly have I done? You don’t even know me.”

“Look, Ms. Bennett,” he spat her name like spoiled meat on a hot day. “I’m not interested in what you have to say because I’m telling Matthew to send you home tonight.” Blue flames shot from his eyes and licked her face.

“Why are you so mad? I haven’t done anything to warrant this behavior. I came on this show hoping for the best.” She watched his expression cool before she moved toward the wooden desk in the center of the cherry-paneled room. Resting on the edge, she pretended that her mauve fingernails were the most fascinating things in the world.

“Why exactly did you come on this show, Ms. Bennett?” He stepped in front of her, his presence demanding she look at him.

Glancing up, she shrugged and tried to keep some truth in their conversation. “I wanted to meet your brother.”

“What for?”

“To learn origami.” She smirked, lifting her hands. “Why do you think?”

His gaze narrowed. He wasn’t amused.

She sighed. “Look, I know I can make your brother happy. Isn’t that what matters?”

“How?”

“What do you mean, how?”

He placed his hands on either side of her on the desk and leaned in. “By kissing him the minute you two were alone?”

She blinked. “You saw that? Well, then you’re not very observant for—“ Brielle stopped before she gave herself away.

“For what?” His finger traced her jaw. “A man? That’s right, Ms. Bennett. I am a man. Maybe you’d like to kiss me too?”

Oh, you’ve no idea!