Bachelor at Her Bidding (Bachelor Auction Book 2)(5)

So it would be better not to start anything that she couldn’t finish.

Her family, her friends and her job were enough.

They had to be.

Rachel enjoyed the first “lot” hugely. Buck had been the local auctioneer for years and years, and was well known as the best cattle auctioneer in the county. He’d dressed tonight just like he did for cattle auctions, too – a string tie, a rodeo belt buckle the size of a small side plate, and a massive Stetson which covered his comb-over. And he was clearly enjoying auctioning off the beefcake as much as he enjoyed auctioning off beef, discussing the specimen’s haunches, points, teeth and muscles, then the way he kept the bidding super fast.

She found herself paying full attention when Buck brought Ryan on to the stage. Something about the man drew her. Even looking at him gave her goosebumps. He reminded her of an actor she’d had a crush on for years – that same sensual curve to his mouth, the promise in his eyes.

How would that stubble feel against her fingertips? Or – heat surged through her – on more intimate skin?

Ah, now she really needed to stop daydreaming. The last thing she wanted was for her sister and girlfriends to notice how Ryan was affecting her.

“And now we have our bachelor chef, Ryan Henderson,” Buck said. “His pedigree’s established. Most of you know he’s Phyllis’s grandson, some of you know he trained in Paris as a chef, and just about every woman in Marietta knows that Ry makes the best desserts in the universe.”

There was a general cheer, and someone called out, “Bring on the red velvet cheesecake!”

“Tell us about why you joined the auction, Ry,” Buck invited.

Ryan smiled. “Because Lily Taylor said that red velvet cupcakes were not enough.”

Not enough.

The words echoed through Rachel’s head, and she drowned them out. No. Not here, not now. This wasn’t going to be a pity party; it was meant to be a fun night out with her sister and her girlfriends. Enjoy the margaritas. Enjoy looking at the men. Enjoy the party atmosphere. Don’t think about what Nick said.

“Seriously, someone had to drop out at the last minute. So I guess I need to apologize to the ladies, because I’m afraid you’re getting second best,” Ryan said.

“I don’t think so,” Buck drawled. “Not when people come to Grey’s from three towns away to buy a slice of your red velvet cheesecake.”

There were more whoops and catcalls.

Ryan gave them a self-deprecating smile, and Rachel felt a kick deep inside her belly. Which was crazy. Why was she reacting so strongly to him? She barely remembered the boy from school, and they’d both spent most of their adulthood away from Marietta. Since she’d been back, she hadn’t really seen him around town.

“Turn around, Ryan. Let the ladies see what they’re bidding for,” Buck directed.

“My cooking,” Ryan said, holding up both hands. “These skills.”

“He’s skilled with his hands, ladies.” Buck chuckled. “You can’t ask for more than that.”

Skilled with his hands. Rachel had the most vivid picture in her head of those hands touching her. Stroking her. Coaxing murmurs of pleasure from her.

“Teeth?” Buck asked.

Obligingly, Ryan bared his teeth.

“Nice and strong and white – and sweet.” Buck winked.

Rachel knew this patter was all part of the way to drive up bidding – but now she could see for herself that Ryan Henderson had grown up into someone gorgeous. A shade under six feet tall, with a lean body and clever hands that made amazing things. A mouth that had promised pleasure, those beautiful eyes – and a smile that made her knees melt.

For one crazy second she actually thought about bidding for him.

Then common sense kicked in. Bid for him, and let the town gossips like Carol Bingley in the pharmacy make snide remarks about how Dr. Rachel Cassidy could only get a man since her divorce by buying him?

Not a chance. She still had a little pride left.

“Ladies, a date with this bachelor is going to get you the best dinner you’ll ever eat in your entire life,” Buck said.

Lily took the microphone from him for a second. “Food that’s better than sex,” she drawled.

“You heard the lady,” Buck said with a grin. “You have a Parisian-trained chef totally at your whim. You bid for him tonight as your dish of the day, and on your date he’ll cook you anything you want for dinner. So what am I bid?”

The bidding started at three hundred, and rapidly went up to five hundred, with Buck speaking so fast that the dollars rose in a blur.

But then Hannah raised her hand, shocking Rachel so much that she could barely speak.

“You’re bidding for him? But… Han, you’re married!” Not to mention five months pregnant and showing off her bump proudly.

“It’s dinner,” Hannah said with a grin, “and not just any old dinner. This is food made especially for you by someone who can really cook. Now I’m over the morning sickness, I need to make up for all the food I couldn’t face – right, Doc?”

“You really don’t need to eat for two. That’s an old wives’ tale,” Rachel protested.

But Hannah continued to bid, with Buck calling her “my sweet little lady” and nodding approvingly as the bids rose.