I sit back and watch Emily making her way from group to group in the lounge room, my eyes glued to her like a hawk. She looks like Venus embodied in an updated wardrobe in that blue dress. The damn thing is hugging her body in all the right places, and I’m having a hard time keeping my desire in check.

I still can’t get over how she looked on that dais when I pulled up. Standing there in that dress, a perfect blend of wide-eyed innocent and girl-next-door siren, she was amazing. And from the first words out of her mouth, I knew that I’m in it to win it. My blood heats just thinking about her and all the ways I can corrupt her, make her sweet little body beg for mine. I’m forced to adjust my collar as I swallow, letting the fantasy visions go for now to focus as she moves around the room.

She’s doing a great job of chatting with the guys, trying to be sociable and pretending to have a good time, but I can see her nervousness. Every once in awhile, she twirls a lock of hair around a finger and giggles. But her laughter doesn’t ring true to me. It seems forced.

She’s probably bored to tears by the same questions over and over. Her voice is starting to get monotonous and her eyes are starting to look glossy. Not all of the men are badgering her with questions. A few of them go straight to bragging about how amazing they are, thinking she’ll be impressed.

I have to laugh at how ridiculous they sound. Total douchebags, going on and on about their cars, their jobs, and their bank accounts. If every guy in here were like that, they’d have to wrap the show because Emily would be mine before the clock struck twelve.

Unfortunately, I do see some actual contenders, seemingly normal guys just like me who carry an air of authenticity about them. I recognize one of them, a Daniel Garza whom I shared a limo with.

I shift in my seat when I hear Emily approach the group of men next to me. My lips curl in distaste when I recognize Lee Dixon. He was also in the same limo as me. He, more than anyone else, makes my stomach churn. He sets his wine glass aside and jumps to his feet to take her hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss that lasts too long for my liking.

“Nice to see you again, Emily,” Lee says with aplomb that makes me grit my teeth. The dude is acting like the consummate gentleman when he was the complete opposite in the limo. Something about how he’d spent last night dreaming of choking her with his cock. I have to make sure she stays far away from this asshole. “I’m honored to be one of your suitors. And I have to tell you that you grow more stunning by the minute in that dress.” As he says the last part, he uses her hand to turn her around in a little twirl, his eyes roving down her body.

Emily looks flustered by it all, and judging by the blush on her cheeks, she’s feeling him. I smother the surge of envy that swells from the depth of my stomach at the smile on her face. Even though I don’t like Lee, I can’t let him or anyone else make me lose control over my emotions. I’m here to play a game just like everyone else, and I won’t win by getting worked up the moment someone is trying to mack on Emily.

Keeping a level head, I watch their interaction, and I have to admit, Lee’s smooth and talks a good game despite his ugliness in the limo. The other poor schmucks in that group have barely spoken to Emily at all. It’s almost like Lee’s entranced her into a private conversation in the middle of the party.

I start to get irritated when their conversation goes on longer than it should, but thankfully, Meredith puts an end to it. She’s been watching on the sidelines. “Cut! Emily, move to the next group, please.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” I hear Emily mutter. She gives Lee a little wink, laughing at some joke he whispers to her before she approaches my group.

Her eyes immediately fall on me and she freezes, her lips parting in surprise and a blush that rivals the one she had for Lee popping up on her cheeks.

I jump to my feet, getting to her before anyone in the group can. I know I have to be imposing, towering over her at 6’3” when she seems to be no more than 5’4”, but I peg her for loving tall men. “Hello again, Emily,” I say to her. Her perfume is entrancing, a woodsy fragrance that makes my head spin. “Having a good time so far?”

For a moment, Emily doesn’t reply, her mouth opening and closing before she manages a smile. “I am,” she says, blushing slightly. God, I love the sound of her voice. Sweet and pure, yet a note of sultriness buried underneath. She’s got a wholesome vibe, but I can tell there’s another side to her ready to burst out at any moment, and damned if I don’t want to be the man who unleashes her. “I’m just having a hard time remembering everyone's name.” She giggles, almost in a way that makes me feel like she’s been told to laugh just for appearance’s sake. “I may end up needing cue cards or something.”

I chuckle. “Do you remember mine?” I feel like there’s no way she could forget mine, but I brace myself for her to say no anyway. After all, there were twenty-nine guys after me.

“Of course,” she says softly, surprising me as she looks up at me. “Hayden Bishop.”

Warmth fills my stomach. She even remembered my last name. That’s a good sign. “Oh, the full name too. I must have left a good impression then,” I say, grinning.

“You did,” she says softly. Our eyes lock, and it feels like an invisible current flows between us. She seems to sense it because she dips her chin, smiling shyly as she reaches for the lock of her hair.

I intercept her hand, gently lowering it, and then push the curl behind her ear myself. “No need to be nervous,” I tell her. “We’re all just trying to get to know you. And for good reason.”

She bites her lip as she nods, and all I can think is that I wish I could bite that lip myself. “I know, and I want to get to know you—all of you.”

I’m the only one you need to know, I want to tell her. The rest don’t matter.

“So, what brings you to the show?” Emily asks. “Are you really looking to find your perfect match?”

I open my lips to reply, but Meredith interrupts. “Emily, move it along.”

Emily looks at me apologetically and I feel sorry for her. There’s no way she could get to know a guy in less than an hour, let alone thirty men in that time.

“Sorry,” she says simply. There’s not much else to say.

“It’s all right,” I say. “We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other better.”

She blushes at the confidence in my words as she moves away. My eyes never leave her face as she goes from group to group, making small chat. A couple of guys in my group keep up the conversation around us, but I barely notice them because I’m so focused on Emily. Looking at her body language, I try to get more of a read on who my competition is.

After another twenty minutes, Meredith calls out, “All right, time for our first elimination scene. Guys, line up in the yard in front of the hedge backdrop. Emily, come over by the table.”

We move where instructed and listen as Meredith explains that this initial cut is the biggest of the season, dropping our group from thirty to fifteen in one night. There’s a few grumbles from the guys about not wanting to go home so soon, but they knew this was coming. Besides, those who get cut still get to stay on the grounds until initial shooting wraps, so it’s a free vacation either way.

Emily seems flustered about having to make such a large cut so quickly, but Meredith walks up to her, Nate at her side with his ever-present clipboard. I can’t hear them, but I see Emily’s eyes lighting on each guy and Nate making a corresponding mark as she goes down the line. A few times, I see Meredith talking to Emily about a suitor and it seems like Meredith gets her way with her choice of guys, Emily nodding along with her.

Finally, the scene is set and Emily is shepherded to stand in front of the line of guys. Nate hands each of us card with a split image of our own headshots and Emily’s, telling us to hold them face down.

Nate hands Emily a card, and Meredith yells, “Action!”

Emily recites some lines. “Hi, Matt. It’s time to see if we have a match.” And as they both turn their cards over, holding them up for the camera, I can see that the matching split image is shown on both cards.

The next fellow isn’t so lucky, and when they turn their cards over, hers is blank. No match. He gives her a chaste kiss to the cheek and exits the scene, walking over the catering table.

As Emily works her way down the line, I realize some of these guys never had a chance. There just wasn’t enough time, and they didn’t seize the small opportunity they had. Reality TV just isn’t for them. Hell, it isn’t for me either. But seeing Emily, I have to win.

Thankfully, a few of the loudmouth guys get sent off too, one of whom doesn’t take it too well. After recovering from his shock, the jackass goes straight to anger and starts loudly muttering about how the producers will hear from his agent. I wonder if they’ll edit that out or leave it for dramatic effect.

Emily seems a little confused and wary, but she continues down the row.

She matches a couple more guys, including Lee. I have to admit, that match makes me grit my teeth, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I knew the sly bastard wasn’t getting cut tonight. He’s got too much charisma and, at least in front of Emily, he’s been a perfect gentleman. I’ll just have to bide my time and expose him for the snake that he is.

And then it’s my turn.

Standing in front of me, I realize she’s shaking. God, I wish I could take her in my arms right here and now and tell her everything will be all right. But they’ve made it clear what the rules are, and that’s out of bounds.

I am allowed to touch her, though, so I reach out and take her hand, covering it with my own. “It’s okay, Emily. You can do this,” I tell her in a reassuring voice.

There’s a long pause as she stares up at me with wide, doe eyes. There’s no way she’s cutting me, but for a moment, my confidence wavers. Then, she suddenly smiles and recites her lines and we flip our cards over simultaneously.

It’s a match.