Page 5 of The Bachelor Auction

I could pretend she’s just had teeth work done and is still high on the laughing gas, meaning her judgment is impaired. The idea is so far-fetched it might even work.

It has to,or else I’ll have to claim that I don’t know her and that she simply assumed my identity. I mean, there must be a law about imitating others and the option to cancel bids that were placed in another person’s name. Right?

“Hi. I’ve been told you’re looking for me.”

A deep, commanding voice draws me out of my reverie. I lift my gaze, peering all the way up, past the tailored suit and broad shoulders into impossibly blue eyes, and my mouth goes dry as the heat from before flickers to life between my legs.

He’s hot. Like insanely good looking with the body of someone who puts major effort into working out.

And those eyes. Framed by dark lashes, they look like they’re carved out of sapphires. They shimmer with intelligence and something else.

He cocks an eyebrow, and I realize he’s amused, for some reason.

I struggle to suck oxygen into my lungs as I force my brain to start functioning.

The suit looks familiar. I narrow my eyes as I attempt to place it.

“Are you all right?” he asks, and that’s when it dawns on me…

This is Tyler Becks.

He’s here…standing right in front of me. Talking to me. Looking directly at me.

Whyis he here?

He needs to visit the restroom, and my chair’s probably blocking the way. That’s the only explanation I can come up with as to why someone likehimmight possibly visitourtable.

Because there’s no way, no freaking way, that he could possibly know I’m Emily Harding.

“I’m sorry. I’ll get out of your way.” I clamber up on shaky legs and push my chair aside, only now realizing that Brenda is nowhere to be seen.

Panic shoots through me. Whereisshe? Why am I alone withhim?

I can’t believe she’s abandoned me.

Tyler’s beautiful mouth draws into a sexy, lopsided smile as his gaze flicks from me, to down the hall to the door with the restroom sign, and then back to me.

“You thought I might need to visit the men’s room?” He throws his head back and erupts in laughter, the sound deep and so hot the heat from between my legs shoots up to my cheeks.

I’m mortified as his gaze fixes back on me, traveling from my face past my chest to my exposed legs and then back up, settling on my chest for a moment too long. My nipples bead under his heated gaze, pushing themselves farther into focus.

“What can I—” Help you with, I want to ask, but all that comes out of my mouth are a few broken words, too low, too breathy.

I shake my head at myself, angry because I’ve no idea what the hell’s happening to me. The guy’s hot all right, but my body’s reactions are absolutely ridiculous.

He’s great, but notthatgreat.

He’s sexy, but not exactly the hottest guy alive. Not that I’ve ever met anyone hotter, but it’s possible since I haven’t exactly traveled the world.

“Help me with?” Tyler prompts, his eyesfinallysettling back on my face, which should have me less discombobulated, right?

Wrong.

I stare into his face, not liking what I see there.

His pupils are dilated, his lips slightly parted, and there’s a strange glint in his eyes.

Focus. Determination. All intermingled with the slightest hint of arrogance. As though he wants something, and is ready to go for it.

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