Rescue Me Read Online Free Page B

was a gorgeous man with a hard-on waiting for
her.
    "I have to go."
    "Now? Why?"
    She grabbed her slacks off the bed and shoved them on, staring
resolutely at the floor rather than at Seth. Maya held her breath, too aware of
him watching her and the sexual tension still crackling in the air between
them.
    "I've just been reminded what a very bad idea this was.   Sorry."
    Maya's heart lurched when she saw him move out of the corner of her eye,
but he did no more than reach down and pick up his jeans from the floor.   If he touched her again, she wasn't entirely
sure she'd have the will to push him away.
    "You didn't seem to think it was such a bad idea two minutes ago.
In fact, you didn't seem capable of thinking about much else but what I was
doing to you."
    Maya felt her face grow hot. She wanted to deny it, but that would be
stupid. Her groin was still throbbing from his touch, and the scent of her
arousal still hung heavy in the air.
    "You've got one hell of an ego, Mr. Coulter, but I guess
everything's bigger in Texas."
    Seth laughed. "Touché, Miss Franklin. I guess I deserve that, but
you can't blame a guy for getting confused."
    "I know, and I'm sorry."
    "You gonna tell me what just happened?"
    "That was work on the phone. Turns out I was wrong. You are exactly
the kind of contestant the producers want."
    Maya risked a glance in his direction and let out the breath she'd been
holding when she found him at least half-dressed. The sight of him in just his
jeans and his hat was still distracting enough, and
she turned to the mirror to fix her hair, fighting not to stare at the wide
expanse of toned, bronzed chest, dusted with golden hair.
    "They want me?   Oh, man. I
thought you said I wouldn't make the cut?"
    "If it was up to me, you wouldn't."
    "Thanks."
    Maya winced as she realized what she'd said, and caught his gaze in the
mirror. "I explained my reasons earlier. The studio are going for a fun, sexy show, and they liked your look.   I've got to warn you though, they are probably going to want to play down your charitable side."
    "I guess I kinda expected that, and I figure I can mention it if I
win.   Besides, we need money more than
publicity."   He sat down on the bed,
boots in hand. "God, Maya. Do you know what I can do with five million
bucks? My father could pay off the bank and hire someone to help me run the
ranch so he can stop working like a dog every day of his damn life. And I could
afford to give the orphanage some of the financial backing it desperately
needs."
    Maya shook her head. "Seth, you haven't won yet. Don't count your
chickens."
    Seth was unfazed by her warning. "I'm a rancher and a damn good
fire fighter. I'm as fit and strong as anyone else in that competition, I'm
sure of it."
    "There's more to it than that. The public vote for the contestants
who bring the most fun, drama, or sexual chemistry to the show each week.   There's more than a small element of soap
opera to the whole thing. Those who don't learn that early on, or aren't
prepared to sell their souls in order to win, don't last very long."
    Seth weighed her words, then shrugged. "I
figure I've still got a good chance. None of the other guys will have much
experience of this kind of thing either."
    "It's not just guys in the show. There are female contestants, too,
very sexy ones. Part of my job will be to encourage any signs of romance
between the people taking part."
    "And you're trying to tell me I won't win unless I'm prepared to
get involved with one of the contestants?"
    Maya fixed him with a stare.   "Would that bother you?"
    Seth cocked an eyebrow.   "Why, does it bother you?"
    "Why should it?"
    "Damned if I know. You went all cold on me once you found out I'd
be in the show, and I still don't get why that meant we couldn't take things
any further."
    "Because now, I'm your boss, and it wouldn't be very ethical for me
to sleep with you. Trust me, Seth. The last thing either of us need are rumors that something is going