Most Eligible Texan

by Jules Bennett

  He took a step forward and offered a smile. “You’re not boring,” he corrected. “There’s nothing wrong with knowing what you want. I’m the same way. I see something I want, I make it mine.”

  Damn it. He needed to calm the hell down. Hadn’t he told himself to get control over his desires?

  But saying and doing were clearly two different things because he couldn’t stop himself. Rachel pulled out emotions in him he couldn’t even describe.

  Her eyes widened. “Are you talking about food or something else?”

  Matt shrugged, forcing himself to take a step back and not get her any more flustered. “We’ll discuss food. For now.”

  Rachel moved to the Pack ’n Play and sat Ellie down. The little girl whimpered for a moment before Rachel pulled a doll from the diaper bag on her shoulder. Damn it, why hadn’t he taken that from her?

  “Let me help.” He took the bag from her shoulder. “Damn, woman, what do you have in here?”

  Rachel straightened and turned. “It’s amazing how one little person can need so many things. Diapers, wipes, butt paste—”

  “Pardon?”

  She laughed and went on. “I have an extra change of clothes in case of blowouts, food, snacks, toys, pain reliever for her swollen gums...”

  “I don’t know if I want any more information about the butt paste and blowouts.” Matt set the diaper bag next to the door. “I’ll fix you a plate. The restaurant downstairs serves some of the best food I’ve ever had and I’ve been all around the world. I ordered their rosemary bread because when I called, they said they’d just taken it from the oven.”

  “Well, you clearly know me,” she said with a wide smile that punched him with another dose of lust. “If it’s carbs, I’m in.”

  “Do you still have a love for key lime pie?”

  Rachel rolled her eyes. “If you mean do I still inhale it like it’s my job, then yes. I don’t even care about the added pounds. Key lime pie is so worth it.”

  “You’re still just as stunning as always, Rachel. No pounds could change that.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head. “I’m starting to see why you were the recipient of the most prestigious bachelor title. You’re still quite the charmer.”

  He might try to charm other women—well, he didn’t try; he flat-out did charm them. But with Rachel, he wasn’t trying. He always spoke the truth, always wanted her to know her value and how special she was.

  If you cared so much, you wouldn’t have let a year pass since seeing her.

  “I’ve missed you,” she stated, as if reading his mind. “I miss our friendship.”

  Friendship. Yes. That’s the only label their relationship could have, because she was a widow, a single mother and she wasn’t looking to jump back into anything. Honestly, he wasn’t looking to fill the role of Daddy, either, but that didn’t stop the fact he wanted Rachel as more than a friend.

  Likely she’d thrown that out there as a reminder, but he dismissed the words. He’d respect her if she flat-out wasn’t interested, but he had to know. He had to know if she was interested in him. He needed to find out if she burned for him as much as he for her. Would she even want to attempt anything physical knowing he wasn’t ready for anything more?

  Why did this all have to be so damn complicated? Oh, right. Because he’d spent years building and attempting to ignore these emotions.

  “I’d better eat before she starts fussing,” Rachel told him as she went to take a seat. “There’s always a small window of opportunity and I rarely get warm food because I feed her first.”

  Matt urged Rachel toward the table and pulled her chair out. “If she fusses, I’m sure I can hold her and entertain her while you finish, or I can feed her. Regardless, you are eating right now while it’s warm, and there will be no arguments.”

  Rachel looked up at him and quirked one brow. “You ready to play Uncle Matt?”

  Ouch. That stung. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to be called...then again, he hadn’t given it much thought. He was having difficulty processing much of anything with that creamy shoulder of Rachel’s on display and her familiar floral fragrance teasing his senses.

  “I win over billion-dollar mergers before breakfast,” he joked. “I’m pretty sure I can handle a little person.”

  Rachel snorted. “Don’t get too cocky. It’s harder than it looks.”

  “I never doubted that for a minute,” he corrected. “Now eat. There’s plenty.”

  Once she took a seat, Matt eased it closer to the table. He immediately started filling her plate with rosemary bread and Alfredo over penne and chicken, then filled her glass with pinot grigio.

  “You put all of this together pretty quick considering you just asked me today.”

  Matt set her food in front of her before taking a seat across the table. “Just a few calls and the right connections. Why wouldn’t I go all out for a friend I haven’t seen in a year?”

  Her stare leveled his. “I’d think a cup of coffee or a stroll in the park would’ve sufficed.”

  Matt reached across the table and squeezed her fingers. Her eyes immediately darted to their joined hands. “You have every right to be angry with me.”

  “I’m not angry,” she retorted.

  Matt raked his thumb across the silky ridge of her knuckles before easing back. He noticed she didn’t wear her wedding band any longer and part of him swelled with approval and excitement.

  “Hurt then. You can’t lie to me, Rachel. Billy’s death did something to both of us.”

  Like the fact he couldn’t be the one to console her. He simply...damn it, he couldn’t. He’d wanted too much for too long so he’d had to let her go and pray someone else offered the comfort she needed. Because if he’d had to hold her day after day, night after night until her pain had eased...

  “I was hurt,” she admitted. “I still am, actually. Care to tell me why you just disappeared?”

  “I texted.”

  Such a lame defense, yet the words left his mouth before he could stop himself. Out of everything and everyone in his life, Rachel was the one he’d barely been able to control himself around.

  “I don’t really want to dredge up the past right now. I want answers from you, but let’s not do it tonight.” She picked up her fork and offered a typical dimpled smile. “Billy was a big part of my life, but I’ve worked hard at moving on. I’m trying to make a future for Ellie and me. Always looking back isn’t the way to do that.”

  He had to hand it to her. She’d hurt from her husband’s death, from Matt’s absence, from being thrust into being a single mother, yet she forced herself to trudge on.

  “So, you’re finishing your degree,” he started, hoping to keep the topic on her life. “Where do you go from there?”

  Rachel stabbed a piece of pasta and lifted a shoulder. “Right now I’m helping Alexis with the charity auction for the Pancreatic Cancer Research Foundation.”

  Impressed, Matt nodded in silent admiration. “What’s the auction? Do you have donations from area businesses?”

  Rachel dropped her fork, pulled the napkin from her lap and dabbed the corners of her mouth. “We’re auctioning men.”

  Matt stilled. “Excuse me?”

  Those bright, beautiful eyes locked on his across the table. There was that mischievous gleam he’d seen from her in the past. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know more.

  “We’re having a bachelor auction. Care to be Bachelor Fifteen?”

  Four

  Way to go. Nothing like blurting out her thoughts without easing into the request. Granted she’d promised Alexis she’d ask Matt for the favor, but Rachel probably could’ve done a better lead in.

  “Bachelor Fifteen.”

  The words slid slowly through his sultry, kissable lips as he set his fork down and co
ntinued to hold her gaze without so much as blinking. She really needed to not stare at his mouth, and she absolutely should not be imagining them on hers.

  Rachel cringed. “So, we need another bachelor and we were wanting one that would be fairly popular, and you came to town, we’re friends, you’ve got that new title and...”

  He sat still as stone.

  “I’m rambling,” she muttered. “You don’t want the hype or the press. I get it. Forget I asked.”

  Rachel focused on the potatoes on her plate. Carbs were always the answer, especially when she’d just verbally assaulted their friendship.

  “Is that why you came?” he asked.

  Rachel immediately met his gaze. “What? No. I wanted to see you. I wanted you to meet Ellie. Earlier I was working on the auction and Alexis and I started talking and your name came up.”

  Matt offered that cocky, familiar smirk. “Is that right?”

  He was clearly intrigued by the idea of being the topic of conversation, but she wasn’t about to feed that ego.

  “But don’t feel obligated to agree just because we’re friends. In fact, forget I asked.”

  Rachel started to reach for her sweet tea just as Ellie let out a cry of frustration. Pushing back in her chair, Rachel came to her feet, but Matt was quicker. He stood and crossed to the Pack ’n Play, reached down and lifted Ellie out.

  Unable to look away, Rachel stared at the way Matt’s large hands held on to her daughter. Ellie’s little mouth slid into a frown as she stared at the stranger. She reached up and patted her tiny fingers against his mouth.

  “Here, let me take her.”

  Matt shook his head as he made his way back to the table. “She’s fine. Enjoy your dinner and we can discuss this auction some more.”

  Rachel eased back into her seat as Matt sat back down in his own chair. Immediately Ellie’s arm smacked Matt’s glass over, spilling his drink into his plate of food.

  “I’m so sorry.” Rachel jumped up and grabbed her daughter before handing Matt her cloth napkin. “Let me go inside and get a towel. Go finish my plate and I’ll get this cleaned up—”

  Matt grabbed her arm. “Relax. Nobody’s hurt here and it’s just a spill. Maybe we should go inside where Ellie can play on the floor and we can sit on the sofa and have dinner?”

  Rachel wanted to gather her child and their things and leave to save further embarrassment, but she knew that would be rude after all the trouble he’d gone to. So against her better instincts, she nodded.

  “I think she’s getting hungry,” she replied. “Let me feed her and then I’ll help clean and carry things inside.”

  “Take care of her. I’ll take care of everything else.”

  Rachel stared for a moment until she realized he was serious. She couldn’t help but think back to Billy, who hadn’t wanted kids, who’d been flat out angry over the pregnancy. Yet here was Matt offering to care for Ellie while Rachel did something as simple as eat her dinner.

  She shouldn’t compare the two men. Sure they were friends, but they’d always been opposite. Billy had been the adventurer, the wanderer, which had been the initial draw for Rachel.

  Matt was just around for a good time. He was content in Dallas, happy with life and work. He was well-grounded and only got away to travel to Galloway Cove.

  Who wouldn’t be happy owning their own island? At this point in her life, Rachel just wanted to own her own home, not the house Billy had bought and not some place her in-laws wanted her to have. She wanted to do life her way.

  Several moments later, Ellie had been fed. After cleaning her up, Rachel scooted the coffee table off to the far wall and left an open area for Ellie to play in without hitting her head on the furniture.

  Matt came back in and quickly had their food all set up, acting as if an infant hadn’t just turned his steak and potatoes into tea soup.

  “I’m really sorry about that,” Rachel offered as he sat on the sofa next to her.

  “Why do you keep apologizing? Just because I don’t have children doesn’t mean I’m going to get angry over an accident.”

  Rachel glanced down to Ellie who was quite content plucking the nose on the stuffed toy monkey. “I just never know how people will respond. Some people don’t like children.”

  “I’ve never really seen myself in the role of a father, but I like kids. I mean, I highly doubt she knocked my glass down on purpose.”

  Rachel settled her plate into her lap. “You can eat at the table, you know. You don’t have to sit here with me.”

  All of this was too familial, and being in a situation like this with Matt only made her fantasize about things she could never have...at least not with this man.

  “Tell me more about the auction,” he said, ignoring her previous statement.

  “Matt, really—”

  “Tell me.”

  His gruff command had her pulling in a deep breath. “Alright. The bachelor auction is going to raise funds for the Pancreatic Cancer Research Foundation. Alexis’s grandmother and Gus’s wife passed away from that. When Alexis invited me to come visit, I offered to help with the auction. I’m not quite finished with my marketing degree, but I’m thrilled to be doing something along the lines of where I want to be. Not only am I helping the cause—this will look great on a resume when I finish my degree.”

  “They’re lucky to have you working on this,” Matt stated with such conviction she turned to him in surprise .

  “You have a lot of confidence for someone who hasn’t seen me in a year.”

  Matt finished chewing before he replied. “I know you, Rachel. Maybe better than you know yourself. You’re determined, headstrong and always looking out for everyone but yourself.”

  His blue eyes locked with hers, causing a warm melting sensation to spread through her.

  “Alexis couldn’t have chosen a better person for the job. You don’t need a degree to have compassion.”

  She wasn’t even sure how to respond to such praise. She hadn’t been looking for a compliment. They finished their dinner in silence and Ellie played without interruption.

  “Let me take the plates to the kitchen,” Rachel said, reaching for Matt’s empty dish.

  “I’ve got it.”

  “You’ve done enough. I can take care of this.”

  His suite at The Bellamy was absolutely dreamlike. Rachel couldn’t imagine being a guest here. She’d never want to leave.

  “I invited you.”

  Matt took the dishes and headed toward the open kitchen area. Having a sexy man do domestic chores was something no woman could look away from. Added to that, the thin navy sweater he wore stretched beautifully across his broad shoulders, captivating her attention.

  “You’re not doing anything except telling me more about the auction,” he stated. “What do I have to do as Bachelor Fifteen?”

  Rachel laughed, more out of shock than humor. “You don’t have to put yourself up for auction. We have guys who will bring in the goal Alexis is hoping to raise.”

  To Rachel’s surprise, Matt didn’t sit back on the sofa with her, but on the floor with Ellie. With one hand propped behind him, he rested his other arm on the knee he’d drawn up.

  “So when a woman wins her dream guy onstage, or however you’re doing it—”

  “In the gazebo at the TCC clubhouse,” she interjected.

  He nodded. “Fine. So when a lady’s knight in shining armor steps from the gazebo and they gaze into each other’s eyes, then what?”

  Rachel eased down to the floor as well and couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s probably not going to be that dramatic. But, the ladies are bidding on a fantasy date. Whatever that might be. One of our bachelors is a pilot, so the winner could also choose to be flown in his private jet to a nice dinner. All of the guys bring something different to the table, which is exa
ctly what we want so we can appeal to a variety of women.”

  “And their checkbooks.”

  Rachel smiled and nodded. “Exactly.”

  “How many bachelors have an island?”

  “None.”

  “Then count me in.”

  Rachel jerked back. Ellie crawled to her and climbed onto her lap. “Just like that you’re offering yourself up?”

  “It’s one date, Rachel. I’m not marrying anyone. If it’s for a good cause, and it is, I’m willing.” He handed Ellie her monkey when she wobbled closer to him. “I’ll match the donation of the bid made on me, as well.”

  She couldn’t believe how easy this was. “You could just write a check if you’re only wanting to help financially.”

  “Sounds like you don’t want me to be on the auction block,” he threw back with a quirked brow.

  That’s precisely what she sounded like because that’s exactly how she felt. But she had no right, and she truly had no motive to keep him all to herself. Matt didn’t belong to anyone, especially not his best friend’s lonely widow.

  “I just want you to be fully aware of what you’re getting into.”

  His eyes held hers and they did that thing again, that thing where he seemed as if he could look right into her soul and grab onto her deepest thoughts. However, it was best for them both that he couldn’t see her true feelings.

  “I think I can handle myself,” he murmured. “Will you be bidding?”

  Rachel’s heart thudded in her chest. She honestly hadn’t given it much thought until the idea of Matt being up for grabs came to light. Could she actually bid on him? What would he think? Would he think she was trying to date him? That she wanted to start something beyond friendship? Or would he think she was saving him from the other women waving their paddles?

  “Do you want me to bid on you?”

  Why did her voice come out so husky like some sultry vixen? Because she certainly was no seductress. For pity’s sake, her child had fallen asleep on her lap and Rachel was acting like some love-struck teen.