Page 14 of The Bachelor Auction

7

“You wouldn’t believe it,”I yell into my phone as soon as I’m out the door.

“Where are you?” Brenda asks wearily, ignoring my question. “Weren’t you supposed to be having a business dinner?”

Her accusatory tone renders me speechless for a moment. I speed-dialed her with the intention of lying that the company canceled the business dinner because they found a more suitable candidate for the job. Now I realize I should have taken a moment and planned my deception a little more carefully because Brenda isn’t easily fooled.

Must be her stars or something.

“I was, but—” I take a deep breath and release it slowly as I try to sound as nonchalant as possible. “They canceled. Said something about finding a more suitable candidate for the job.”

“That’s strange.”

“What is?”

“Well, I just received an email that you’re half an hour late.”

Shit!

I bite my lip hard as I stare down the long corridor ahead, not really seeing anything or anyone. Closing my eyes, I wipe my hand over my damp forehead.

“Brenda,” I say slowly. “Did you know it was Tyler Becks I was supposed to meet?”

I wait for a gasp, an exclamation of surprise, anything that would tell me she wasn’t aware of it, but all I get is guilty silence.

“Brenda!” I yell. “What did you do?”

“Me?” Her voice is shrill and defensive. “I didn’t do anything. I promise. He told me he wanted to know more about the company so I agreed to you flying over.”

What is it with this guy and his obsession to hire me? And why the heck is he so hellbent on it?

“That’s ridiculous.” I laugh at the thought in my head. “The guy’s a nutjob. A creep, obviously. We’ve barely spoken two minutes and he’s flying me over, paying for a suite and offering me work.”

“Maybe those two minutes were enough to convince him of your qualities.”

I laugh. “I very much doubt that. In fact, I’m sure I didn’t.”

“Didn’t what?”

“Didn’t convince him of anything. I didn’t even get to pitch anything. My point is, I’m not prepared to do this because I’ve no idea what this job entails and consequently don’t feel confident enough to do it. I have no idea what he wants. For all I know hecouldbe a creep.”

“A creep, huh?” a male voice says. I turn slowly, fuming that someone might be so rude as to tune into my private conversation, and my look of displeasure freezes on my forehead.

Tyler Becks is staring at me, his blue eyes sparkling with humor and arrogance.

Heat travels up my neck, settling in my cheeks. I want to tell him that I have no idea what he’s talking about. But I can’t open my mouth to lie…or say anything at all.

All I can do is stare at him as the seconds tick by and a tiny voice at the back of my mind slowly starts to remind me that nowIprobably look like a creep gawking at the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.

Crap!

In the light of day and dressed in a tailored, gray business suit he looks even more perfect than the night we first met. His eyes are two dark blue pools that seem to twinkle with unspoken promises while his muscular body seems to take up all the space. I take in a sharp breath, forcing air into my lungs, but the oxygen doesn’t quite seem to reach my mushy brain.

“Well?” Tyler prompts, brows raised.

He’s such a gentleman—I can already tell by the way his gaze scans my shirt and skirt, lingering a little too long on my legs. My skirt is long enough to cover my knees, but under his scorching gaze I might just as well be naked.

I raise my arms to cross them over my chest, but that only manages to push my breasts farther into focus—Tyler’s focus.

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