Chapter One
“Can’t I just put the money in?”
Oscar raised an eyebrow at him. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, I don’t want to do it. I’m all in for helping raise money for the center. You know that, but standing up on a stage, letting a bunch of women bid on me?” TJ shuddered and gripped the steering wheel tighter. “I can’t do it.”
Oscar chuckled. “Yes, you can. It’ll be fun. You just don’t like the idea of it.”
TJ rubbed two fingers over the crease he could feel forming between his brows. “It won’t be fun. Not for me. You enjoy that kind of shit. I’m sure it’d be fun for you—at least, it would have been—before Grace.”
Oscar shook his head rapidly. “You don’t have to sleep with them.”
TJ laughed. “I didn’t think I did. I didn’t mean that. I just meant you enjoy women’s company. I don’t. The thought of the auction itself is bad enough. The thought of having to spend an evening with some woman I don’t know—especially the kind of woman who’d buy a man’s company like that …” He shuddered again. “Nah. I can’t do it.”
“Please?” Oscar turned to face him as TJ turned the limo into the little lot behind the center.
Once he’d parked and cut the engine, Oscar gave him his most persuasive smile. “You know we’d have a bidding war. You’ll bring in the most money. And besides, it’s not just the money; it’s about getting into the spirit of it. You’re supposed to set an example. You’re one of the leaders. Hell, even Terry’s going to do it.” Oscar chuckled. “I don’t know who’s going to bid on him, but someone will.”
TJ blew out a sigh.
“It’s only one night of your life.”
“Two. The night of the auction and the night I have to spend with whoever wins.”
Oscar shrugged. “Okay, so, two nights. You’re not prepared to give up two nights of your life to help raise money for this place?”
TJ pursed his lips. “It’s not like that, you know it’s not. I give most of my waking hours to this place, and I’d be happy to give the money myself instead of taking it from some horny old lady who wants to spend an evening with me.”
Oscar laughed. “Who says it’ll be a horny old lady? It could be some hot celebrity chick who takes a shine to you. Hope’s bringing a bunch of her friends from her modeling days. Clay’s coming, and there’ll be country singers and movie people.”
TJ sighed again. “This is me we’re talking about, not you. I don’t give off fun-and-flirty-come-fuck-me vibes. I give off dark-and-broody-stay-away vibes.”
“And some women go crazy for that.”
“Whatever. Are we going in, or are we going to sit here talking about it?”
“We’re going to sit here until you agree to do it.”
TJ checked his watch. “It’ll make you late.”
“You know I’m pushed for time, so I’m banking on you being good to me and agreeing right now so we can get in there and I can find Grace and go.”
TJ shook his head. “You just expect me to fall in with what you want?”
“Yep.”
“Why?”
“Because you love me.”
TJ had to laugh. “If you loved me, you wouldn’t make me do this.”
“Not true, little brother. This is a dose of tough love. You don’t want to do it, but it’ll be good for you. I know it will.”
“I don’t see how.”
“Then you’ll just have to trust me. Agree to do it and find out.”
TJ held his gaze for a long moment. He didn’t want to do it. He knew it wouldn’t be good for him. He’d endure it. Maybe it’d do some good for the center—in terms of morale and camaraderie with the other guys. “Okay.”
Oscar grasped his shoulder. “Awesome! Thanks. It’ll be fun. You’ll see.” He opened the door and got out. “Come on. Let’s go find Grace.”
“I’ll be right with you.” He watched Oscar go in through the back door, then sat for a few more minutes. He could do the auction thing. He didn’t want to, but he’d survive. He pursed his lips. Survive. That was the wrong word to use. It was too strong. He could put up with a bunch of rich women wanting to have some fun. He didn’t begrudge them that—especially since it was for a good cause. Surviving was something else. Survival was life or death, in its truest sense. He had survived. Not all of his buddies had. He sucked in a deep breath. This wasn’t the time to go there. He didn’t have to. He had things to do. He could go inside the center and get on with helping guys who had survived. The vets who came home—mostly to find that home had forgotten about them.
He stared through the windshield, not seeing the busy street, but instead seeing a dusty one baking in the desert heat, stone houses, piles of rubble … He shook his head to clear it. The memories faded, and, in their place, he saw a woman. Damn! She looked out of place here. She wore a suit and high heels. She was pacing back and forth, talking on her phone. For the first time in a long time, he felt the stirring of desire as he watched her. Her face was beautiful, even though she looked irritated as she talked. Her brown hair fell around her shoulders—it looked silky and smooth. The suit wasn’t the kind she’d get away with in a bank or a courtroom. It was cut for pleasure, not for business. It made the best of her curves while showing off just how lithe and slender she was. He shook his head in surprise. He hadn’t noticed a woman as a woman in a long time. Hadn’t felt anything approaching desire. Yet right now, watching this stranger, he was imagining undressing her, exploring her naked body. Watching her lips move as she talked, he wondered what it would be like to kiss her.
She ended her call abruptly and thrust her phone back into her bag. It seemed the conversation hadn’t gone well. TJ watched, wondering if she’d walk away or call a cab or whether he should go and see if she was okay. The neighborhood wasn’t exactly rough, but it wasn’t somewhere a woman like her would normally be hanging out alone. He leaned forward to get a better look and somehow honked the horn.
She turned and stared straight at him. Damn. She was beautiful. She met his gaze for a moment, and he looked into her eyes. She looked startled, then … what? Was she afraid? He held up both hands and gave her an apologetic smile, hoping she’d realize he posed no threat. She nodded briefly and gave him the tiniest hint of a smile before turning and walking away. He stared at the corner where she’d disappeared for a few moments before he gathered his wits. When he did, he got out of the limo and hurried after her. To his disappointment, when he reached the corner, there was no sign of her. He blew out a sigh and turned back to go into the center. She’d be fine.
“What happened to you?” asked Oscar when he reached Grace’s office.
TJ shrugged. “I’m here now.”
Grace smiled at him. “Ignore him. He thinks he can bully both of us into getting his own way.”
“Charm you both, not bully. You know that’s not my style.”
Grace rolled her eyes. “Either way, it’s not going to work.”
“What’s not?” asked TJ.
“He wants us to leave now, and I’ve already told him I’ve got too much to do this afternoon.”
Oscar smiled at him. “All she has to do is the interview about the fundraiser dinner. You could handle that, right?”
TJ made a face. He’d love to help out, but journalists weren’t his favorite people, and he wasn’t sure he’d be the best person to talk up the fundraiser—especially the bachelor auction—and they’d no doubt want him to talk about that.
“See?” Grace looked at Oscar. “I told you he wouldn’t want to do it. It’s not fair to ask. We can leave as soon as I’m done.”
TJ felt bad. “If you want to leave now …”
“We do,” said Oscar with a grin.
“He does,” said Grace. “But I’m more concerned with this interview.”
“You can do it, can’t you, TJ?”
“I can,” he admitted grudgingly. It wouldn’t be as bad as being auctioned off. He smiled at Grace. “I won’t screw it up. I promise. I’ll talk it up and make it sound wonderful and say all the right things.”
Grace smiled at him. “I know you won’t screw it up. I just know you don’t like doing it.”
“I’ll be fine. It’s not something I’d want to do regularly, but if it means you can get out of here early, then I’m happy to step in.”
“If we go soon, like very soon, we can get up to Montana with enough time to drive down to the park by sunset.”
TJ was still amazed at the change in his brother. He was smiling at Grace as though they were the only two people on earth. The way she was smiling back at him told TJ that getting to Yellowstone by sunset was something important to her.
“So why are you wasting time sitting around here? Go. I’ll handle the interview. I’ll see you guys Monday.”
“Are you sure?” Grace looked uncertain.
“I am. Go!” He smiled at her. “I promise I won’t screw it up.”
“Okay. Thanks. The appointment is at two-thirty, and the name is …” She picked up a notepad from the desk and flipped through it. “Danny Walsh.”
“Okay. Two-thirty. Danny Walsh. I’ll do you proud.”
“Thanks, TJ.” Oscar was already trying to hustle Grace out the door. “We’ll see you Monday.”
TJ smiled to himself as he watched them go.
~ ~ ~
She checked her watch. This was just great! She’d arrived early as she usually did, and that wasn’t ideal in this part of town. She’d had to park a block away and walk, which was even less ideal. Alan had insisted that she should dress well; so here she was wandering around a dodgy neighborhood in the only suit she owned, and a pair of heels that, prior to today, had seen much more dance floor time than sidewalk time. After tottering all the way here, Alan had called and told her he had it wrong—the appointment wasn’t until two-thirty, and that she shouldn’t go in too early. So now she had to loiter. She just hoped no one was going to mistake her for a hooker. She smiled. Although if that limo driver who’d honked at her had asked her price, she might have told him it’d be free. Mm-hmm. She’d looked up when she heard the horn and, at first, she’d thought she was imagining things. He was sitting in the driver’s seat of a limo, looking through the windshield at her. Short cropped hair and the perfect five o’clock shadow. He wore a jacket and a white shirt open at the collar. He looked like a tough guy, and yet something about him seemed gentle. Maybe it was his eyes. They were light, green or blue, she couldn’t tell from that distance. All she knew was that she wouldn’t mind getting lost in them.
She came back to the moment when she heard another honk. This time it was a guy leering at her as he drove by. His jowly grin didn’t have the same effect as the limo driver’s curious gaze. She turned back toward the center and checked her watch again. Screw it. She could be fifteen minutes early. If they weren’t ready for her, at least she’d be able to sit and wait inside, off the street.
She pushed open the door to the center. She’d been curious to come and see the place. She couldn’t quite picture Oscar Davenport working here. She’d done a few stories on him when he’d opened his nightclub, Six, and she remembered him as a real flirt and good-time kind of guy. She couldn’t help but think that his involvement here at the community center must be some kind of publicity stunt. She’d heard he’d gotten engaged to the girl who ran the place, but she doubted that would last—at least, not if the girl had any sense. She was about to find out. The girl was Grace Evans, and she was supposed to be interviewing her. Though she suspected that Oscar would be there and would try to commandeer the meeting.
She looked around as her eyes adjusted from the bright light outside. It looked like a real community center. There was an area that looked like a cafeteria where a group of older women was sitting doing crafts. There was a group of sofas around a big TV where some young moms were sitting with toddlers. A couple of guys she’d guess were vets were playing pool at the far end. She didn’t see any place that looked like an office.
An old guy in a wheelchair came toward her with a friendly smile. “Can I help you, Miss?”
“Yes. I’m here to see Grace Evans.”
The old guy frowned. “Do you have an appointment?”
“Yes. I’m a little early. It’s at two-thirty.”
“I’d say you’re a little late. She just left.”
“Did she say when she’ll be back?”
“Yeah. Monday. Is there anything I can help with?”
She blew out a sigh. She should have expected it. She hadn’t wanted this story from the beginning. She’d told Alan he should send someone else. Some of the girls enjoyed pandering to the rich and famous of this city. She didn’t. “No. Thanks. I was supposed to interview her about the fundraiser dinner and the bachelor auction.”
The old guy smiled and held his hand out. “I’m Terry.”
She shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, Terry. I guess I’ll be on my way.”
“No. There’s no need for that. We’re expecting you. At least, we were expecting someone. I’ll take you through. TJ’s ready for you.”
She frowned. “And who’s TJ?”
Terry grinned at her. He was making it hard to stay annoyed. His toothy grin was contagious. “He’s the other Mr. Davenport. Grace had to leave early. She left her apologies, but TJ stepped in. He can tell you anything and everything you need to know.” He winked at her. “It’s probably better this way.” He gestured for her to follow him and wheeled his way to the far end of the center.
She tried to force herself to smile as they went. She’d been hoping to meet Grace, the girl who’d somehow taken Oscar Davenport off the market. She’d been curious as to what she was like. Instead, she was going to meet the other Mr. Davenport. She assumed that must be Oscar’s brother, and she didn’t think she liked that idea.
Terry stopped in front of a door and knocked. It opened quickly, and a guy appeared. “You don’t need to knock, Terry. You—” He stopped short when he looked up and saw her.
She didn’t know which of them was more surprised. It was the limo driver. Once again, he held her gaze, and all she could do was stare back into those beautiful eyes. She didn’t need to speak. It was up to one of them to figure out what to say. She just stared, and he stared back.
It was Terry who broke the lengthening silence. “I’m sorry, Miss. I didn’t get your name.”
“Dani. Dani Walsh.” She held out her hand.
TJ stared at it as if it might burn him if he touched it, then he looked back up into her eyes. He looked confused. “TJ.”
“TJ Davenport,” added Terry. “I’ll leave you to it.” He turned and wheeled himself away.
It took TJ another few moments before he pulled himself together, but when he did, there was nothing soft left to him. Even those beautiful eyes hardened. “Come on in. I’m sorry, you took me by surprise. The name threw me off. I was expecting a Danny, as in Daniel.”
She followed him into the office and took a seat without waiting to be asked. “No. Dani, as in Danielle.”
“I figured. So, what do you want to know?”
She raised an eyebrow. She didn’t get it. He’d seemed interested in her when they’d seen each other outside. It didn’t seem like he’d been unpleasantly surprised when he’d opened the door and seen her standing there, but now his manner was almost hostile. “I suppose the first thing I need to know is what kind of problem you have with me.”
He sat back in his chair and pursed his lips. “I don’t.”
“I think you do. We should probably clear that up first.”
He nodded curtly. “Okay. To be clear, I don’t have a problem with you—not you, personally.” The way he let his gaze wander over her as he said it made his point very clear. For the first time today, she was glad she’d worn the suit—he was obviously liking what he saw. “However, I do have an issue with journalists in general. You’re not my favorite breed.”
Wow. She hadn’t seen that one coming. “Fine. Would you rather I come back another time and interview Miss Evans?”
He shook his head. “No. I said I’d do this for her. So, what do you want to know?”
Dani was taken aback. It was such a disappointment to find out that the hot limo driver wasn’t really a limo driver. He was some rich guy, playing charities, by the looks of it. At least he wasn’t like his brother. This one had all the charm of a cactus. She pulled out her notebook and looked him in the eye. “I’ll make this as quick and painless as possible. Just tell me what you want the readers to hear about this amazing dinner and bachelor auction.” She couldn’t help it; even she could hear the sarcasm in her voice.
His jaw set, and he pursed his lips. For a moment, she thought he was going to ask her to leave. She’d be glad to. Good looking as he was, she didn’t want to spend a moment longer than she had to in his company.
“I’m sure you have questions prepared. We should stick to those.”
“If you’d rather.” She reached into her purse. “Do you mind if I record this? It’ll make things quicker, and I’m sure we’d both prefer that.”
He nodded curtly. “Sure.”
She turned on the little voice recorder and launched into her questions.
