Bird of Paradise by Katie MacAlister Read Free Book Online Page B

hooted and
whistled at his double entendre. Adam rolled his eyes. If the women
who had hounded him at the airport were anything to go by, there
wasn't anyone here he would have even the slightest romantic
interest in…except perhaps the goddess sitting next to him. He slid
his gaze toward Hero as the president continued.
    “Couples rated compatible will be paired off, and
judged on how well they work together. They'll be faced with a
variety of challenges, all geared to give them a better
understanding of what the other is really like. Successful couples
will be awarded points while those of you not meant to be together
will have the opportunity to pair up with someone else of your
choice. At the end of the second week, the participants who have
earned the most points will advance to the next round, leaving us
to start the third week with only fifty bachelors and fifty
bachelorettes. By the end of the sixth week, only one couple will
be left to enjoy the grand prize of—say it with me—one million
dollars and an around-the-world-trip for two. As you can tell from
the number of your fellow contestants, the competition will be
tough, but remember! The goal of the show is to find that special
someone, not to rack up points, so be honest in the confession
booth. We've all had enough bad dates not to want to repeat them
just to accrue a few points, right?”
    The audience groaned their agreement. Jesus tugged
on his leash, standing with his front legs on the back of the
chair, giving the cameraman who was filming him one of his silent
meows. The cameraman grinned in delight, tightening the focus of
his shot as the cat squinted his eye at the light atop the camera,
batting at it with one massive paw.
    “Show off,” Adam grumbled, glancing up to see if
Hero was watching. She was, but the smile that had started such a
warm glow within him had faded. She looked worried now, pensive,
tapping a finger against lush lips as if she was considering his
fitness for some role. A surge of lust slashed through him,
whispering to him exactly what role he'd like to perform with
her.
    “One final word and then I'll let you go all freshen
up before dinner. You'll notice around you the cameramen and
soundmen. They are here to capture your responses to your dates, as
well as to film any interviews you might be requested to do with
the illustrious Asterisk. Please do your best to pretend the camera
crew is not present. We want your reactions to be as realistic and
unstudied as possible. Be honest, be yourself, and above all, have
fun here in our own little Eden!”
    Dara the executive producer had returned to the
microphone with a few last minute announcements. “Dinner tonight is
the first of this week's group dates. Each table will be playing a
few icebreaker games to allow you to get to know each other. Points
will be awarded to tables whose members complete the events. There
will be a cocktail get-to-know-you hour before in the south patio.
The orientation packets handed to you as you came in include your
room key and a map to the resort, as well as a list of amenities,
Eden rules, et cetera. If you have any questions, feel free to ask
any of the show's handlers. They're the ones with the blue buttons
and the wild looks in their eyes.”
    The crowd laughed and applauded the producer,
chatting among themselves as they started filing out of the
ballroom. Adam pulled Jesus back from where he was trying to climb
onto Hero's lap.
    “Sorry,” he said. “He really likes you. You ought to
take that as a compliment—he doesn't like too many women. My vet
thinks it was a woman who abused him as a kitten.”
    “Abused him? How terrible. Poor Puss,” Hero said,
stroking the cat's large head. Jesus made that peculiar rumbling
deep in his chest that passed for purring, giving Adam a sly look
out of his good eye. Adam looked over Hero's head.
    “Er…Sally, if I could speak to you for just a
moment…”
    “You do, and I'll tell that producer the