Page 96 of One Kind Hand

“Extreme Explorers,” Austin read. “A game in which teams compete to be the ultimate explorers.”

“It’s brand new,” Cody said. “You spend two weeks in the wilderness, camping and doing the challenges. After each challenge, the team with the least points goes home. In case of ties, teams battle in fast-paced rounds and either win and stay in the game, or lose and go home. To get people hooked, the creators want to have famous people team up with regulars.” Cody paused and looked at Charlie. “No offense.”

“None taken.” Charlie pulled off her sunglasses and hooked them on her shirt collar.

There’s nothing regular about this woman. Austin couldn’t wait to get her alone in his bed again. He vowed this meet-and-greet with his remaining sisters was going to be a quick in-and-out deal.

“Anyway,” Cody continued, “I can get you both on the show as a team. And before you ask, it’s filmed in southern Texas and they assured me, Austin, there would be no in-water challenges in this first season.”

Austin cringed, hating to hear his . . . limitations mentioned. Why couldn’t he man up and face his fear of the water? Coming unraveled the way he had yesterday royally sucked.

Especially because he’d done so in front of Charlie.

He angled Cody’s phone toward her now as he scrolled through several photos. Some of them were of the eye-catching wildlife and landscape in Texas, while other pictures were of intricate obstacle courses sure to challenge the body and mind. Not a body of water in sight.

“I figure Charlie’s experience living in the Vermont woods and her general daredevil style combined with your skill in making audiences love you, Austin,” Cody said, “plus the physical fitness you both possess . . . I see no reason you can’t win this thing as a team.”

“What’s the prize?” Charlie asked.

“A nice pile of money and a brand new off-road pickup truck with a trailer containing a custom-built motorcycle.” Cody swiped at his phone Austin still held and a photo of a sick, cobra-themed bike filled the screen. It was an orange-red color with scale detailing and a double headlight with slit pupils that glowed yellow.

Charlie moaned as she looked over his shoulder. “Mama likes.”

Austin imagined riding on that motorcycle with Charlie. Visions of her in black leather, gripping him tightly as she sat behind him made him harden in his pants. Knowing Charlie, however, she’d probably want to drive. That made him even harder for some reason.

“That’s just an example of what kind of motorcycle is possible,” Cody said. “If you win—”

“When we win,” Charlie interrupted, making Cody’s smile widen.

“When you win, you can have the bike designed however you like.”

“A crow,” Austin said, immediately thinking of feeding Knox last night on Charlie’s deck.

Charlie gave Austin’s arm a squeeze. “That would be perfect.”

“What do you say, Charlie? Want to explore the Texan wilderness and kick the other teams’ asses with me?” Austin asked.

“You bet I do.” Charlie clapped and did a little dance that was both adorable and sexy.

After pressing a kiss to her temple because he couldn’t resist, Austin turned to Cody. “Looks like we’re in, man.”

“Fabulous!” Cody took his phone back. “I’ll handle all the arrangements and when Hunting Justice wraps, you’ll have your month off in New England then blow down to Texas.” He looked up at Austin. “And, by the way, Chad Zimmers wanted to do this show, but the producers told his agent they weren’t interested.”

All three of them laughed.

“Better hope Jealous Chad doesn’t go spreading rumors to get you slapped again, Austin,” Charlie said.

Austin rubbed his cheek. “No shit.”

“He won’t,” Cody said. “I told his agent to keep Chad on a tighter leash or I’d let a little secret I know slip to social media.”

“What secret?” Austin asked.

Cody glanced around them then stepped closer. In a low voice, he said, “Chad sunk his agent’s boat about two months ago. Alcohol was involved.”

“Wow,” Charlie said. “Maybe alcohol explains his other recent behaviors too.”

“And his inability to score a role lately,” Austin added. He felt a little bad for the guy. Show biz was a tough world and he didn’t like to see anyone eaten up by it. That was what had happened to Summer and he’d lost her because of it.