Taking the Heat Read Online Free

experience, but for your sister. Isn’t that right?’
    Dammit. Travel weary, I was at my lowest defence. Weepiness overtook me, almost immediately. ‘Ella is my world. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her.’
    â€˜I know,’ said Miles sympathetically. ‘Let’s watch.’
    He indicated the TV, which burst to life. My face appeared, from the pre-production interviews. ‘Ella’s the bravest person I’ve ever known. I love my baby sister. I’ll do whatever it takes to come home with the million dollars.’
    The screen changed, showing an old pic of Ella and me, smiling and holding hands, our blonde hair intertwined. My voice played over the top. ‘She’ll never have a normal life again. She’ll never know how it feels to rub her feet in the sand, or have a warm hand on her leg. She’ll never skip down a flight of stairs or go for a run in the park with her children. She may never be able to have children. I can’t give all that back to her,’ the screen flipped back to my tear-stained face, ‘but I can do this for her. I can win the money that will allow me to look after her, forever.’
    The TV faded to black, and I wiped at my face, trying to rub away the evidence of my impending breakdown. Miles handed me a tissue. ‘You’re such a good sister.’
    I waved away the compliment. ‘No, I’m not. I’m just doing what she would do for me.’
    I felt the cameras focused tight on my face, while another nameless production manager scribbled notes furiously behind them. The falseness of the situation caught up to me, and I smile weakly.
    Miles patted my hand. ‘Well, no more tears for now, darling. You’ve got a luau-orgy to get ready for!’

Chapter 3
    Yup. A luau-orgy. Not only is it hard to say, the name is quite deceptive. Nobody actually had sex as far as I know, although there were definitely some who came close. Then they hit us with the rules. Anyway, I’m skipping ahead again.
    After my interview with Miles, an assistant led me away. As I followed him along the wooden boardwalk, I could hear another chopper approaching but the sound faded as we wound in between the tall trees. The path split multiple times, and even with the signage, I wondered how I’d ever find my way back.
    We finally arrived at my bungalow. It’s like a gorgeous tree house, all pale bamboo and white draping. The view is incredible: the trees drop away around me and the ocean twinkles beyond them. I sighed and admired it for exactly ten seconds, before the huffy hair and makeup ladies practically threw me in a chair and set to work.
    Hours later, I stood before the floor-to-ceiling mirror in my luxurious bathroom. I had to give it to the women who’d worked on me: my eyes looked emerald and huge, my hair was shiny and full, hanging almost to my backside, and my skin was fake-tanned to a golden hue. A pop of brilliant red on my lips completed the look.
    Turning, I studied the outfit wardrobe had sent over. The black bikini was made of the tiniest four squares of material possible, but it was intended to be worn under a sheer beach dress, short and black. I slipped it on, along with my new red wedges, and walked out to the waiting crowd of helpers.
    â€˜Okay, I’m ready,’ I announced. There was a general stunned sound. Looking around at the crew, I sought reassurance. ‘Um … do I look okay?’
    â€˜Oh, honey!’ gushed the wardrobe guy. ‘You could almost turn me!’
    â€˜Good, I guess …’
    Once again, I trailed after my runner as he escorted me back along the wooden walkways. He had a walkie-talkie on his belt, with an earphone connected. I couldn’t hear the conversations, but from his terse responses, this was an event with exact timing.
    As we approached the main bungalow where I’d been interviewed, my escort turned to me and pulled a blindfold from his