It nearly does me in to look up and see Kylie’s face in the window.

Liesa and I trudge up the stairs. She stops at her bedroom door and leans into me. I feel her exhaustion. She doesn’t hug me or try to kiss me, more like a whole-body pat. “I’m so tired I could sleep for a week. Tomorrow, let’s insist we take the day off. No cameras, no other people. We deserve it. Maybe go sailing. Get lost. Never come back.”

I’d come back for Kylie. I could never leave her behind. “Sounds like a plan. I’m going to bed and might stay there until noon.”

She opens her door, fatigue tugging at her shoulders. “I won’t wake you.”

When I drop into bed, my mind fires up. Kylie. In her rash guard and tank, going into the ocean. Wearing my shirt and her thong panties. Stretched out on her bed, inviting me. I can smell her lemony scent, see her blonde hair making a curtain around my face.

As exhausted as I am, I can’t sleep. Maybe a swim will help me relax.

The house is quiet and I don’t turn on lights as I silently creep to the patio with nothing but a towel wrapped around my hips. The heavy tropical air pushes down on me, not cooling off much with the late hour. The infinity pool shimmers under the scant light from the moon and I drop my towel on the deck. I don’t want to risk alerting anyone with a splash so I slip into the cool water from the wide steps in the shallow end. With a deep inhale, I dunk under and stretch out, letting the water take my body and hold me suspended.

The relief only lasts as long as I hold my breath, but I relish that momentary respite from the camera, from Liesa and Jonas, the strain of trying to figure a way out for Kylie. I emerge for another breath, intending to dive under again but a gentle splash at the corner of the pool catches my attention.

I’m not alone.

I hold my breath and wait for my eyes to adjust to the woman smiling at me from the shadows.

“Aren’t I the lucky one?” Simone’s purr whisks away the false sanctuary I’d hoped for.

Shit. I search the patio and sure enough, a pinprick red glow reveals Bob’s location. How had they known I’d show up? That they can predict my actions is more than creepy.

Simone’s hair is piled on her head to make sure it stays dry. She swims toward where I tread water. “Finally, we have some privacy.”

My towel is a pile on the deck and I’d have to expose myself to escape. I paddle backward. “I didn’t know you were here. Sorry to interrupt,” I say, even though I was here first.

She floats closer and I smell gin on her breath. From the light of the moon, it’s easy to see she’s naked.

“Our privacy, Zachary. This is what we’ve been waiting for. Just you and me.”

And Bob and Jeri and about a million viewers. Jonas expects me to make this storyline interesting. If I don’t, he’ll punish Kylie somehow. My shrinkage isn’t only a result of the cool water. How am I going to get out of this? “We shouldn’t be here like this.”

She paddles with her hands so one of her legs can run the length of my leg. “This is exactly where we should be. Don’t tell me you didn’t know I’d be here. I’ve been waiting for you all night.”

I back up. “Liesa wouldn’t like us being alone like this.”

Simone gives me a throaty laugh. “I’m sure she wouldn’t. But she doesn’t have to know.”

I’m supposed to act tempted. “You’re a beautiful woman, but I am with your daughter.”

Again, she laughs. “That’s not true, is it? You hang out, you date, you have dinner. But you’re not together and that’s got to be hard on someone so young and…healthy.”

I kick to the wall and hold on. “You’ve been drinking. Probably shouldn’t be in the water. It’d be best if you went to bed.”

She follows me and stops too close. “Bed is a good idea. Yours or mine?”

Before I can say anything, she ropes her arms around my neck and plants a sloppy, gin-infused kiss on my lips.

This is what Jonas is after. I’m supposed to kiss her back and struggle with my desire. It doesn’t make me feel any better that I’ll be allowed to act noble, tell Simone how much I care for Liesa, and make a hasty retreat. I close my eyes.

For Kylie.

I open my eyes, determined to chomp on the crushed glass that would be kissing Simone.

Shit.

I can’t do it.

Kissing Liesa is one thing. It’s not real to either of is. Kissing Simone would be different.

I shove Simone away and she dips under the surface. “I said no.” Not caring if Bob gets me, balls and all, I heave myself to the deck.

Simone sputters, looking like a drowned rat. “Fuck you. You just turned down the best time you’d ever have. I’d have blown your mind, among other things. Liesa can’t do for you what I can.”

Not bothering with the towel, I flip Bob off as I stomp toward the patio doors.