Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
I take all of it in with a cursory glance but it’s her vivid blue eyes roaming over me that captivates me by the time her gaze locks with mine.
“Wow… Ethan Blackburn in a suit. You look amazing.”
Fuck. I should’ve said that first, but I was honestly tongue-tied. I manage to loosen it, giving myself grace to let my eyes roam her body one more time. “You look more than amazing. I think stunning is the right word.”
Pretty words have never been my forte but with Marcie it’s easy to speak the truth. I’m not sure why, but I feel a small measure of victory that a blush creeps up her chest and neck before staining those high cheekbones.
That tells me that Marcie DeLeon is not used to compliments like that. I’m sure as hell not used to giving them out and I make a mental note to do it to her often. I like seeing her a bit flustered.
Marcie turns and grabs a black velvet handbag off the table, along with her keys. I step back from the door so she can exit, allowing her to close and lock it behind her. She places the keys in her purse and beams a smile at me. “Ready.”
I cock out an elbow, indicating she should take it, and when her hand threads through to rest in the crook, the heat of her touch is both exhilarating and comforting.
She feels right.
I escort her down the two porch steps, careful to note that she’s in sky-high pegged heels and her walkway is a little uneven with cracks due to age and roots from the nearby oak trees.
“I noticed your shutter needs fixing. I’ll come by in a few days and handle that for you.”
Marcie looks back at the front of her house and I’m assuming she hadn’t noticed it. “Oh, you don’t have to do that. I can hire—”
“I’ll be glad to do it for you,” I say, cutting her off. “I’m quite handy and I’ve heard a rumor that chicks dig that.”
Marcie laughs and then her gaze falls on my car. “Oooh… Mercedes. Riding in style.”
I grin down at her before opening the passenger door. “If I’d brought my work truck, I would’ve had to toss you inside given how formfitting that dress is.”
As expected, she blushes again, and I wonder if I’m perverted in some way that her reaction brings me pleasure.
She’s a good sport and far too sharp for me to battle with. “I would’ve just had to hike my skirt up a little higher.”
The thought of her doing that threatens to make my body react in an embarrassing way. I want to tell her I’m looking forward to that day, but I’m not sure if I can handle sexual banter right now. This woman has me wound tight and it wouldn’t take much for her to test my control.
I gently close the door behind her and move to the driver’s side.
As we pull away from her house, Marcie asks, “So, what can I expect from this evening? I’ve never been to a bachelor auction before and I’m not sure if I brought enough money to bid on the selections.”
I whip my head her way and find her grinning slyly. I ignore the fact that I don’t like the thought of her being interested in other men. The surge of jealousy rises so fast that it’s hard for me to process.
Still, I pull out a smooth response. “Save your money. Nothing but scoundrels will be up on that stage for bidding.”
That earns me one of her husky laughs, which punches straight through my body. “I have a feeling you’re the biggest scoundrel of all.”
“Oh, you have no idea,” I tease.
“But seriously… we just stand around and women bid on men?”
“Pretty much. There will be speeches and the auctioneer will try to drive the money up higher. It’s all in good fun. I don’t think half the people ever even do the dates. It’s really about donating money. There will be food and drink. Oh,” I say, changing the direction of the conversation, “and my family doesn’t know that I’m bringing you as a date. So we might have a bit of explaining to do.”
“Well, I told Michelle I was going with you. She loaned me the dress since I didn’t have anything appropriate.”
“And what does your sister think of you going out with the reclusive Ethan Blackburn?”
“She’s gloating. She’s actually been wanting me to approach you for a date.”
“Really?”
“She’s been trying hard to get me back into the dating world. And she’s mentioned your name a few times. But she knows I’m not the type who would ever make a move.”
“It’s a good thing I took the initiative then.”
“A very good thing. Like I said, be prepared for her to have a smug expression on her face tonight.” She pauses before asking. “Did you tell Sylvie that we were going to this event together?”