Muscles running down Taylor’s shoulders loosened. “Thank you. How about sixhundred?”
Another hand shot up. “Six.”
“Thank you. Do I hear seven-fifty?”
Trevor removed his suit jacket, draped it over his shoulder, and struck a different pose. Hoots and hollers filled theroom.
Bidding for this bachelor stopped at one thousand. They’d never reach their goal at this rate, but the event had just started. Trevor left the stage as the first bachelorette strolled on. Taylor envied her confident smile and sexycatwalk.
I’m Raven. No one knows me.Taylor forced a smile before reading the card. “Delaney is a pediatrician by day, but if you play your date right, she’ll play doctor with you at night. Let’s start the bidding at eighthundred.”
* * *
Jagger didn’t wantto take his eyes off the pretty emcee, but he had to make sure someone could cover for him when his guests arrived. After receiving confirmation that his VP of global sales was waiting in Jagger’s suite, he replied that he’d beendetained.
Initially, he’d wanted to jump onstage and hold Raven’s hand, put his arm around her—anything—to help calm her down. Current bidding on the first bachelorette had reached two thousand dollars. That seemed to bolster Raven’s confidence. Her tight shoulders relaxed and her quivering voicesubsided.
Though in heels, she appeared about average height. But there was nothing else average about her. Even from the back of the room, he liked what he saw. Dark bangs covered her forehead and an ornate masquerade mask framed her eyes. He appreciated her elegant neck and bare shoulders. Her black gown hugged her figure and he wanted a closer look. As an avid runner, he was a sucker for a lean, muscular woman, and the lovely Raven fit the bill to aT.
“She’s lovely,” he murmured under hisbreath.
“Throw out a bid,” Maverick said as he leaned against the backwall.
“I’m talking about theemcee.”
“Hmm, I figured you’d go for the one parading around onstage.”
“No. There’s something about Raven…” With a smile, Jaggershrugged.
“Be right back.” After punching Jagger’s shoulder, Maverick left theballroom.
Several minutes later, Maverick returned. Jagger tossed his friend a nod, but his attention was diverted when Raven squealed. A round of chuckles floated through the audience. The current bachelor, wearing tuxedo pants and suspenders over his bare chest, had whisked her into hisarms.
“Thank you, Sven,” Raven said. “Why don’t you show off those big muscles for the ladies, but put me downfirst.”
Another wave of laughter filled theroom.
As the bachelor flexed and posed like Mr. Universe, Raven read his stats from the card. When the bidding stopped at twenty-nine hundred, her smile lit up herface.
A wave of heat infused Jagger’s chest.She’sadorable.
The next bachelorette moseyed onto thestage.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Mattie is open to an evening with either gender. So, if a beautiful blonde with a passion for dogs is something you’re interested in, I urge you to raise your hand and be generous with yourbid.”
“I like doggie style.” Maverick’s booming voice filled the ballroom. He stepped up behind the last row and threw up his arm. “Threethousand.”
Raven’s jubilant grin sent adrenaline shooting through Jagger.Damn, she’shot.
The intense bidding continued, until a masked woman won with a bid of forty-five hundred. Maverick returned to his spot against the wall besideJagger.
“Why didn’t you bid to win?” Jaggerwhispered.
With a casual shrug, Maverick said, “Didn’t want her that badly. Thought it would be fun to up the bidding,though.”
Over the next thirty minutes, Jagger stayed focused on Raven. She’d calmed down enough to lend her personality to the auction. In addition to making the audience laugh, she kept the event movingalong.
After the show, he wanted to introduce himself, but he had to get upstairs. According to a recent text from his VP, several guests were anxious to see him. Jagger could only make them wait so long before they’d leave, taking their valuable business withthem.
