Page 9 of House of Desire

“It’s fine. Don’t mind me,” she says, waving away my guilt. “Are you bidding on anyone tonight?”

Her change of subject is as subtle as a tornado siren, but I let it pass.

“Dominic forced me to take some money to bid on him in case no one else does.” Lore snorts, looking at me with a real smile this time and I roll my eyes. There’s no way my brother won’t be bid on. He’s told he looks like a young, dark-haired Jensen Ackles constantly. I don’t see it, but then again, he just looks like Dom to me.

“I can tell you which players I know are single,” she says, with a suggestive wiggle of her eyebrows making me roll my eyes.

“You know I don’t have any time to date. I think in the last month I’ve left the bakery on time twice. Dates don’t really like to wait because I’ve been struck by inspiration or have a deadline. Plus, if I have one more guy serenade me trying to prove he’s going to be the next big thing, I might scream.”

She turns toward me. The hairdresser followed her movements with the practiced ease of a professional. “You should go on House of Desire!”

“The dating show with the candles? Where twenty people compete for the hand of one? Pass.” I give a dismissive flick of my hand and hold my mouth steady as it’s painted.

“I know for a fact Parker, the guy from season ten of House of Deceit, the tall blond one that Charlie flirted with? He’s going to be the lead. You could be one of his flames! He’s a really great guy. Truly. I wouldn’t lie to you about this. He’s not a wannabe actor or aspiring musician. Plus, I’ve always thought you two would be a good match.”

I can’t respond as my mouth is painted, but my mind is working through every excuse in the book.

“And,” she continues, “my brother can get you in. They just started going through the women’s applications. I could give Alec yours, personally. Some of the wranglers from Deceit have moved over to Desire.”

Dating has been hard in LA. Between the wannabe actors and aspiring musicians, I’ve taken a bit of an unintended hiatus. That, and the store keeps me busy. I perk up a little. If I went on House of Desire, I would have the ability to talk about the bakery. That could be incredible marketing. Plus, maybe there is some merit to trying something different.

“I’ll think about it,” I say, surprising both of us.

The hotel ballroom is decorated in the colors of the team. Of course. Lord knows we can’t have a color palette that isn’t gold and red. A runway shoots out from the center of the stage into the middle of the room for the players to strut down when it’s their turn to be bid on. A podium stands on stage left with a microphone waiting for the auction to begin after dinner.

Christmas trees, glittering sentries, stand around the edge of the room, adding to the ambiance.

“I already see at least three guys I have to punch in the face for checking you out,” Dominic says, looking around the crowd, his eyebrows in an angry slant. His obliviousness to the stares he’s getting from numerous women in the crowd makes me want to laugh.

“Oh relax, you overprotective bear. If I want to go out with someone on this team, you’re definitely not stopping me.” I smile up at the hostile face staring down at me.

As my brother has found his place among the team, the little boy I knew has faded away into sharp lines and a hulking body he’s trained into athletic perfection.

Our father’s dark eyes and sharp jawline stare down at me and I bend. Just a little.

“How about I promise not to make out with any of your teammates while I’m here?” I say, partially joking. There are a few men I wouldn’t say no to, if given the chance.

He sighs heavily before leading me over to our table, just left of center in the room. Lorelei sits tapping out a message on her phone while Tank talks to one of the other offensive team members. Outside of uniform, it’s hard for me to remember the names of the entire squad but when he turns, I know it’s Miles Lawson, a wide receiver I’ve had a crush on since I saw him for the first time walking to his car after a game.

Tank notices us out of the corner of his eye, and raises his glass in greeting.

“Reynier,” he says, clapping Dom on the back in that manly way guys do. He leans in and brushes a kiss against my cheek. “Anya, you look mouth watering. Lore, are you sure she wouldn’t want to be a third for us?” he asks, getting an immediate rise out of Dominic.

“If only, babe,” Lore says without taking her eyes from her phone.

“Pity. Miles, let me introduce you to Anastasia, Reynier’s gorgeous sister. Anya, Miles.”

The man turns toward me and I think my heart stops as he smiles. He is stunning with eyes that are a deep, warm brown drawing you in and telling you to lay your secrets bare at his feet as an offering. The dimple on the left side of his smile is perfect, and I inexplicably want to lick it.

Much like the other men in the room, his suit is eye catching and perfectly tailored. The brocade jacket takes the team colors and darkens them, bringing out the richness missing from the decorations. The black pants hug his thick thighs and I almost gulp at his impressive package as my gaze takes him in.

“Anastasia, the pleasure is all mine. And might I say, that dress is utterly enchanting on you.” His voice is deep like the cosmos above us. I want to hear him say my name for the rest of my life.

He takes the hand not wrapped around my brother’s bicep so I wouldn’t trip and fall on my way over here, and gives the back a soft kiss.

I think I hear Dom scoff, but I’m too busy swooning over Miles.

“Your dress, too,” I stumble, my brain having melted out of my body. “I mean, you look amazing, as well,” I manage to stammer out, the heat of my blush making sweat bead on my lower back.

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