Page 21 of The Bachelor Auction

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Almost ten hours later,at 8 a.m. sharp, I’m making my way down to the restaurant with a thick folder of notes tucked under my arm. Under different circumstances, I would have prepared a PowerPoint presentation with bullet points, maybe even made some drawings, but I sensed that Tyler Becks doesn’t quite work like that. Or maybe not in this particular instance.

My self-doubts that I might not have enough time to prepare for the task evaporated as soon as I opened the folder and read the name of Tyler’s new business venture.

Travelbuddy.com

Who would have guessed he came up with the idea?

Excitement flows through me. I know everything about it because I’ve been a member for months. I’ve logged onto the website countless times. I’ve probably read almost every review and comments, marveled over the website design, stared at each stunning photo.

The website is huge and already positioned as Google’s number one spot for travel planning. I can’t imagine why Tyler would need more publicity when he’s getting millions of hits a month.

Whoever set it up has done a great job.

So, what does he need me for when the website’s already getting so much traffic?

I can’t wait to find out as I hasten through the busy reception area and enter the restaurant. Tyler’s already seated at a table near the back, overlooking what looks like a Japanese Zen courtyard garden in the middle of the restaurant. He’s focused on his cell phone, frowning at whatever he’s reading. For a moment, time seems to stand still as I take him in. He’s wearing a casual shirt and slacks that emphasize his strong, muscular body. His arms are tanned, but not overly so, as though he likes to spend time outside of the confinement of his office. I wonder what he does in his spare time, whether there’s someone he spends time with.

There has to be.Guys like him are either players or off the market. Or very discreet about whatever they’re doing. Tyler Becks doesn’t have a playboy reputation. In fact, he seems to guard his private life so well that he doesn’t have a reputation at all.

I know that for a fact because last night, when work was the last thing on my mind, I found myself Googling him and reading every single article I could find about him.

Which isn’t just shameful. It’s downright bad. I can’t show any interest in his private life now that he’s my employer—my sexy, rich employer who’d make any woman curious, and I’m not even talking about the bulge in his pants that just won’t escape my attention.

“You made it without bailing,” Tyler says as soon as I’ve reached his table. He places his phone on the table and stands to help me into my chair. The faint scent of his aftershave and soap waft over me, and the image of him popping out of the shower emerges in my mind. I have to stop myself from closing my eyes and inhaling deeply.

“Thanks,” I mutter, settling into my chair and mentally preparing for a comeback when he pushes a cup of coffee toward me.

“Please help yourself. I took the liberty to order your coffee.”

“Thank you,” I repeat and wrap my hands around the cup.

I acknowledge the basket with bagels and fresh fruit set up in the middle of the table, but instead of digging in, I just take a sip of my coffee as I wait for Tyler to take the lead.

“Sleep well?” he asks and reaches for the folder on the table. “Do you mind?” Without waiting for my reply to either of his inquiries, he opens the folder. Sifting through my notes is such a personal thing to do. I should be angry, but the interest on his face keeps me from putting him in his place.

“I did. Thank you.” Which is a big, fat lie. I couldn’t stop fretting as my thoughts kept circling around work…but mostly aroundhim. You could say that he kept me up all night, though not in the way I would have wanted him to. I could barely focus on my work because my thoughts kept circling around him…even after I Googled everything about his life.

“Good.” He looks like he hardly got any sleep. There are faint shadows under his eyes, and judging from the way he keeps glancing at his phone, I won’t be having his undivided attention.

“Hmm.” Tyler’s face is drawn in concentration. He nods several times as he goes back and forth through my notes. I hold my breath, suddenly nervous. I was so confident of my ideas as I scribbled them down. Now I’m not so sure anymore.

Working on college assignments with countless books to draw inspiration from is one thing; coming up with an entire plan based on new ideas at three a.m. is another. There’s a real chance that whatever I scribbled down is a bunch of horse manure.

Oh gosh, what if that’s really the case?

“So…what do you think?” I prompt, not so patiently.

He takes his sweet time answering. Eventually, he closes the folder and looks up. I stare into his blue eyes, trying to read his expression. “It seems like there’s a lot of work ahead of you.” His gaze narrows on me, assessing me as though he’s not quite sure that I’m up for the task.

“Okay.” I nod even though I have no idea what he wants me to say. “So? Do you need me to do more research? Focus on something in particular?”

He smiles at my questions. “If you don’t mind, yes. You’ll be working directly with me so I’d appreciate a daily report.”

My heart starts to beat faster.

“You’re giving me the job?” My voice is faint, my tone unbelieving.

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