One in a Million Read Online Free PDF Page B

Jen. “Call me Gil.”
    She could tell just by looking at Gil he was smart. Perceptive. And she wasn’t much of an actress. What chance did Eli’s ruse have of success?
    I just need to survive to the end of the race without making a fool of myself or letting Bob down. After the green flag fell, no one would be interested in chitchat. And when Eli crossed the finish line, her job would be done.
    Inside the tent it was already sweltering. Predictably, Eli was in the middle of a knot of women in the center. He immediately broke out of the circle and headed for Jen.
    In bed last night, she’d wondered if she’d exaggerated the impact of his masculine presence. Now, every cell in her body surfed a wave of longing.
    â€œJen, hi, I was worried you weren’t going to make it.” Eli’s glance flicked over her rust-colored polo shirt and best jeans, his expression inscrutable. “I figured you for an early bird.”
    Another sparrow reference? No doubt he’d rather she was wearing something sexy, like half the women here, but her closet didn’t contain anything that bared her midriff or clung to her very average curves.
    â€œThat would make you the worm,” she pointed out.
    Gil made a sound that might have been a cough.
    Eli’s eyes gleamed. “I see you’ve met Gil and Quinn.” He took her hand, and held it loosely—but tight enough for a tingle to race up Jen’s arm.
    Gil watched the two of them. “You haven’t forgotten what I said about distractions, Eli?”
    â€œNo, sir. Jen is quite the toughie. She’ll keep me in line.”
    Gil’s look measured her scant five feet four inches and turned quizzical. “In that case, welcome aboard, Jen.”
    When he and Quinn left to greet the fan club president, Eli said, “Smart move, acting like you don’t adore me. Gil liked it.”
    â€œI don’t adore you,” she reminded him.
    â€œOh, yeah?” He raised their joined hands. “Then how do you explain this?”
    â€œIt’s part of our act,” she began, outraged…then realized he was teasing her again. “You’re an idiot,” she said. She couldn’t help noticing he had capable hands, the fingers blunt and strong. Even though she did plenty of hard work on the farm, her hand looked soft in his.
    â€œActually I think I’m pretty smart.” Eli glanced around. Several female fans hovered nearby, but hadn’t approached. “This plan is working already.”
    The same scenario played out many times over the course of the day. With Jen beside him, fans respected Eli’s personal space.
    It was lucky she was under no illusion about his interest in her, because a girl could have her head turned by the teasing, charming consideration he bestowed. Not to mention the hand-holding, the arm around her shoulders, the occasional caress of a finger down her cheek.
    Every contact sizzled so hot, the man should carry an inflammability warning label.
    Eli seemed to have a hundred things to do, from bantering with his team to chatting with sponsors to discussing race strategy with Kevin Horton, and he seemed to want to do them all at once. The pace was dizzying. Frenetic. Yet Jen had to give him credit for taking the time to introduce her to people, to explain what was going on.
    She couldn’t believe he planned to race five hundred miles at full speed after a day like this. She was exhausted, but Eli seemed to gain energy with every new encounter.
    As the 7:30 p.m. start of the race approached, he changed into his green-and-white uniform. It made his eyes more brilliant and accentuated his broad-shouldered, lean-hipped physique. When he appeared in the pits, Jen couldn’t help a little intake of breath.
    Eli smirked. “Let me guess, you’re thinking Mr. Irresistible. ”
    She rolled her eyes. “It would be a striking combination on anyone.” Then she betrayed