Jessie looked back at Nick, realizing in a rush that there was something that needed to be said.
“Uh, look, I’m sorry I yelled at you earlier, when I came ashore. I know you were only trying to help.”
Nick glanced up. “That’s okay. I’m sorry I tried to save your life.”
Jessie blinked. She hadn’t expected sarcasm.
Nick put his hand to his head and let out a low laugh. “No, wait a minute, that came out wrong.”
Jessie smiled, feeling an odd surge of affection at his embarrassment.
“I really didn’t mean that the way it sounded,” he went on. “I promise. I’m sorry, too. Sorry that we got off on the wrong foot.”
“I can see how easily you might have thought I was in trouble,” Jessie said generously. “You were right to try and save me. Better safe than sorry.”
He shook his head in mock regret. “I don’t know. At the time I thought you were going to start whacking me with your bag. I was about to throw you back in.”
Jessie laughed.
“Of course, now I know why you were so anxious to rescue that bag,” said Nick. Jessie nodded smugly, at last beginning to feel the possibility that she might make friends with Nick.
“I hope Lois doesn’t get too mad,” she said.
Nick tilted his head quizzically and then she saw comprehension dawn on his features.
“You smuggled those onshore,” he said.
Jessie nodded, pleased by Nick’s obvious admiration.
She didn’t even notice Cindi’s return.
“What are you looking so happy about?” said Cindi.
Jessie flushed. “What? What do you mean?”
“Relax,” said Cindi, “I was just asking.” She sat down on the log next to Nick and leaned over to nudge him playfully with her shoulder. “I’m afraid that I might have interrupted a little tête-à-tête.”
Jessie wanted to go over and push Cindi off the log. Nothing sophisticated, just push her so she went ass over teakettle onto the sand. She didn’t know if it was deliberate or not but Cindi was exhibiting a real knack for dissolving any burgeoning friendship that Nick and Jessie managed to achieve and embarrassing them back into self-conscious formality. Or maybe it was just Jessie she was embarrassing.
“Anybody mind if I hit the hay?” said Malcolm, joining them at the fire and evidently not noticing any strain in the atmosphere. “I’m exhausted again and I don’t even know why. It’s not like we even did that much today.”
“It’ll take time for your bodies to get used to the heat,” said Nick. “Just wait until tomorrow, you’ll really find out what tiredness is about.” He laughed at their expressions. “It’s a good idea for us all to get some rest.”
They got to their feet, stretching and yawning in the mild night air.
Cindi looked at Jessie in consternation. “Where are you sleeping, Jessie?”
Jessie looked around in dismay. She hadn’t even thought about it. Had they expected her to build a shelter? Why hadn’t anyone said anything?
“She’s sleeping with me,” Nick said casually.
Jessie looked at him and then let out a laugh. “Oops,” she giggled. “Did you hear what you said? Another slip of the tongue.”
He looked at her blankly. “No. I meant it.”
Jessie swallowed. “Excuse me?”
“Sorry, I should have explained sooner. You’re going to share my shelter tonight. There’s too much risk that you’ll get cold overnight on your own and if I share out my clothes it’ll just leave us both underdressed. This is the only way to do it until we’ve had a chance to scavenge something to make clothes out of.”
He gave her a frank smile. “I promise I’m not trying to take advantage of you, it’s just a survival tactic. If you get cold you won’t be able to sleep and you’ll be irritable tomorrow.” His eyes grew playful. “You might try and attack me with your bag.”
Jessie returned his smile and offered a suggestion. “Maybe I should bunk down with Cindi instead.”
“Sorry,” said Nick. “I’m under instructions from Lois. Since you’re all competing she wants to keep you separated.”
Jessie nodded, keeping her face impassive. Trust Lois. Even though Kenny was gone, Jessie had no doubts that their sleeping arrangements were going to be caught on one of the Island Eyes. The woman knew how to make good television.
Jessie glanced up at the nearby trees, wondering if there was a camera focused on her right now and hoping that her indifferent expression was fooling it. She might be feigning resignation with Lois’s decision but inside she was jittering with nervous excitement at the thought of sharing a bed with Nick.
Cindi was evidently thinking along the same lines.
“Well, aren’t you the fast mover, girl,” she said with an outrageous grin. “I guess you knew exactly what you were doing when you wore that dress.” Cindi giggled as if she was only kidding around, but Jessie’s face flamed regardless.
“It’s not…I didn’t plan on…”
“It’s about survival,” said Nick, unruffled. “Nothing more.”
“Survival of the species,” said Cindi in an undertone to Jessie. “It wouldn’t surprise me if Nick’s planning a little propagation. Lucky you.”
“Oh, right,” Jessie whispered back. “Like we could do anything without you and Malcolm hearing it.”
Cindi raised an eyebrow. “So you have been thinking about it.”
Jessie shook her head, but Cindi just winked at her. “Sleep tight,” she said as she sauntered off to her own shelter.
“Okay, you too,” said Jessie with forced brightness. “See you in the morning Malcolm.”
“Yup,” he said. “Good night.” Malcolm obviously didn’t intend to be as blunt as Cindi but he didn’t have to be. Jessie could see the inevitable speculation in his eyes.
Jessie winced and then she followed Nick over to his shelter, trying to shake the feeling that she was the chosen concubine.
“Are you tired?” asked Nick conversationally.
She nodded, realizing that the weakness in her legs needn’t necessarily be attributed to the fact that she was about to bed down with Nick Garrett.
She was just tired, that was it.
Her eyes widened in alarm as Nick unbuttoned his shirt. He took it off and then pulled his T-shirt over his head in one fluid motion.
Jessie couldn’t tear her gaze away from Nick’s chest, naked except for the microphone around his neck. She didn’t know what to do. Had she been completely wrong about him? About this show? Was she expected to have sex with him after all? On camera?
“Here,” said Nick, handing her his T-shirt. “Put this on.” He put his shirt back on and bent to untie his boots. “I’ll give you my socks as well, they should be some help.”
Jessie, mortified by her assumptions and touched by his consideration, slipped the T-shirt over her head. It smelt of him and she wrapped her arms around herself as she felt the lingering warmth of him seep into her skin.
Nick gave her his socks and then covered his microphone, indicating she should do the same. Jessie wrapped her hand around the microphone and stared at his face, shadowed in the moonlit night.
“I