Page 30 of The Bachelor Auction

“Why did you take this job?” His question is harmless enough. It could count as small talk were it not for the sober glint in his eyes.

“It was the only job Brenda and I could get.” I laugh at my own joke even though it’s the sad reality.

“You know that’s not true. You’re too good at what you’re doing not to know that your company name sucks and you would have succeeded if you had only kept at it.”

“I’m not sure about that.” I think back to only a week ago to the unpaid bills piling up and the mounting debt threatening to drown us. “No one was interested in giving us a chance, and I think that had nothing to do with Brenda’s stupid choice of a company name.”

He pauses for a moment, hesitating, as though he’s unsure of whether to reveal his true thoughts. “I had your application letter sitting in my inbox for a few months. I had asked HR to arrange a meeting the same day we met at that charity auction.”

“You had been considering us for months. But your reservations held you back.”

He nods his head, gravely. “Yes.”

“You changed your mind after meeting me in person.”

He nods again, but this time, his eyes meet mine. Even though he doesn’t answer, there’s no need for his confirmation. I can see his response in his eyes and it’s scalding me.

“What changed your mind, Tyler?” My voice is low, my breathing hard to control.

I need to hear him say it, I tell myself, if only to make whatever I need to make out of it.

“You. Everything about you.” He rounds the table and reaches for me, helping me to my feet. “I liked what I saw that night.”

He’s talking about the auction.

“You didn’t know me. You knew nothing about me.”

“True. But I wanted you anyway.” There’s a moment of hesitation before his lips come crashing down on me, his mouth savoring mine, slow and tender. I clutch onto him, holding on like he’s my anchor, even though the way he kisses me he’s probably more like the rock that could pull me under water and drown me.

Between our kisses, I barely come up for air, and when he finally pulls away from me, it feels like something’s instantly missing.

I crave him more than I should.

“I want you to stay the night,” Tyler says.

There’s no question in his tone, no suggestion. No promises of a future. Not even of a tomorrow. It’s a simple request that I know I’ll follow.

I nod and let him show me to his bedroom, even if only for one night.

I’ll deal with the consequences later.

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