Natalie soon puts an end to the celebration with a loud order for silence. She’s clearly rattled, but regains control as she details what will happen next. When the cameras are back on, Blake congratulates the Brads, wishes them well, and invites them to stand together to the side of the other men.
I proceed with the ceremony, handing out rings to Gerard, Caleb, Samuel, Christian, and Xavier. James already has a ring from our date. The remaining men are visibly relieved and relaxed during the ceremony because the two Brads going home means that all of them will be staying.
When the broadcast is over, Brad M. comes over to me. “Sorry to steal your thunder.”
“Are you kidding? Best commitment ceremony ever!”
He beams. “I thought so too.”
“I didn’t know things were so serious between you two.”
I wouldn’t have thought it possible, but his smile grows larger still. “I wasn’t expecting this. At all.”
“What happens now?”
“We actually live pretty close to one another. I guess I have a new boyfriend!”
I say goodbye to my friend, thinking his grin may not fade for days.
As soon as Brad leaves, Natalie pops up. “Ratings gold! We may break records this week.”
I’m surprised she’s not angry at Brad derailing the live broadcast, but of course, all’s well that ends with high ratings, as far as Natalie is concerned.
Not waiting for her to ask, I tell her that I’d like to invite Xavier on next week’s one-on-one date. Maybe it’s carryover from her glee about the ratings, but she seems delighted with my decision.
“Aren’t you glad you didn’t send him home week one?”
I don’t let on that I’m choosing him for the date so that I can figure out if he’s another fake.
25
Hot and bothered
Next, we leave the mountains, and the state, to travel to Sedona, Arizona. I wasn’t very familiar with the town, but I instantly fall in love with the beauty of its unique landscape. We’re stationed at another resort, this one in a canyon surrounded by majestic red rocks.
I’m told by a crewmember that Sedona is known for its energy vortices – places where the earth’s energy is concentrated. I’m not sure about any of that, but I could use any extra focus and power available to get through what promises to be a difficult week, as I narrow down the remaining men from six to only four.
It’s a clear, sunny day, and the sky is a breathtakingly vivid blue as I head into the group date. Gerard, Caleb, James, Christian, and Samuel – along with one camera operator – join me in an oversized pink Jeep, and we spend an hour on a very bumpy but beautiful guided tour over the town’s red rocks.
I’m seated between Caleb and Samuel, and as soon as the road gets rocky, the men each put a big hand over either of my thighs to steady me. Their hands touch, but instead of things getting awkward or leading to drama, they each make a slight adjustment and continue holding me, not seeming to care that another man is doing the same thing.
At times, Caleb pulls me close with an arm around my shoulder. At other times, Samuel does the same. I don’t sense any competitiveness; instead, it all feels effortless and natural, and the men are both in great moods throughout the trip. In fact, leaning around me, they talk to each other a few times, and I couldn’t be more impressed by their maturity and camaraderie.
The second part of the date takes place back at the resort where we’re taken through the spa and back outdoors to an open-air pavilion. Six massage therapists stand waiting next to six massage tables. It’s a welcome activity after the rough ride over the rocks, and good planning on the part of the producers.
We’re all wearing thick white resort robes with swimwear underneath. I’m led to a table on the far edge of the group, at a slight distance from the men. I watch them all lose their robes, just as all of them watch me. Though the therapist’s hands are skillful, I spend much of the time distracted by my awareness of the hard bodies that are nearby. I wish I could put my hands on all of them.
Moving on from my lustful thoughts, my brain turns to the difficult decisions I’ll have to make this week. Eventually, the relaxing massage calms my mind, and I’m finally approaching a dreamy, near-sleep state when the hands touching me are suddenly different. It’s not my female therapist, but now definitely a man’s hands gliding over my back.
I turn my head and open one eye to find James smiling down at me.
“I thought I’d take over. Is that okay?”
I nod and smile back at him, as my body thrills to his touch. The massage therapist had unhooked the back of my bikini top for full access to my back, and James takes advantage of the fact as he massages me, occasionally dipping his fingers down along the sides of my chest. As my pussy starts to tingle, I have to resist the urge to turn over and give him full access.