Taking the Heat Read Online Free Page A

backpack. ‘Okay, Miss Tara, I need to cover your eyes before we go any further.’
    â€˜Sure,’ I sighed. At that stage, I was simply along for the ride.
    He fastened the soft material over my head. ‘I’ll lead you in, then I’ll take off the blindfold and leave you standing on your own. It’ll be dark, so don’t move at all until the lights come up.’
    â€˜Whatever.’ With my eyes covered, everything else seemed more pronounced. I could feel my skirt blowing gently around my thighs, and individual strands of my hair shifting on my back. Smells began to become identifiable: the runner’s cheap deodorant, decaying leaf litter, the salty tang of the nearby ocean.
    Most of all, I could hear with clarity. As I was drawn forward towards the bungalow, my footsteps echoed on the wood, while the palm fronds snickered in the wind.
    The runner moved me into position, removing my blindfold. It was just as dark without it on. They must have cloaked the entire building in blackout fabric. I could hear the other production assistants whispering softly. As their voices faded off towards the far side of the bungalow, I listened for anyone else around me.
    Soft breathing on my left. I turned my head quickly to the sound, but without my sight to keep me balanced, I wobbled on my wedges and fell sideways.
    Squeaking as I helplessly pitched down, I threw my arms up. Someone caught them.
    â€˜Hey, are you okay?’ asked a cultured English voice in a whisper. Strong male arms held me and I breathed in the scent of clean skin and coconut shampoo.
    â€˜I’m fine, thanks.’ I should have moved back to my position, but there was something incredibly sexy about being held by a stranger in the dark. I leaned my mouth close to his ear and said quietly, ‘Are you a contestant?’
    â€˜Yes. You?’
    â€˜Yeah. What do you think is about to happen?’
    â€˜No idea, but I’m glad at least I’ve met someone else now.’ There was a smile in his voice and the heat from his skin felt soothing to my ragged nerves.
    â€˜I’m Tara.’
    â€˜I’m Henry.’
    â€˜I should probably stand back where they put me.’
    â€˜Let me help you.’ Henry held my hand and placed the other on the small of my back, moving me gently to my position. When I regained my balance, I squeezed my new friend’s hand, as a silent thanks, expecting him to let go.
    He didn’t, and I didn’t release his fingers either. We stood in the dark, holding hands while invisible whispery forms moved around us and the room began to fill up.
    It would have been incredibly boring to stand there alone, but with Henry’s hand in mine, it was a special experience; a sexy, mysterious bonding. Every twitch of his palm, the way he rethreaded fingers at the perfect time, it all somehow meant something. I wanted to show him I was enjoying what was happening, so I used my thumb to stroke his, and I felt him quiver from my touch.
    I was trying to decide if we could risk another sneaky whisper session when a booming voice rang out in the dark, amplified to an almost painful level. ‘Contestants! Welcome to your first night on Erotic Island! Right now, you are all the proud recipients of a one million dollar cash prize—unless you break the rules. I know you’re all keen to know what the rules are, and you’ll find out soon, but for tonight, there is only one rule …’
    Light flared, brilliantly illuminating the bungalow. ‘Party!’
    The suddenness of the illumination caught my poor eyes off guard. They shrieked in protest against the floodlit room and I raised a hand to shelter them. Meanwhile, a throbbing beat filled the room while people around me cheered and whooped.
    Strobe lights pulsed, but I desperately needed to see. I lowered my arm and took in my new island-mates. Nineteen beautiful creatures filled the room, raising glasses that had