Irresistible Bachelors: Books 1-5 by Landish, Lauren (bts books to read TXT) 📕

need any big sticks of meat jokes right now, even if Cassie did set herself up with that comment.

Alani motions us through the dining room to another, smaller room that has a table covered with a bunch of hand-woven palm frond baskets that are empty. She gives us a small smile and disappears.

Wesley stands at the head of the table, grinning. The damn bird of his is still perched on his shoulder, and I wonder if it shits on it too. It’s almost always there. It sure as hell can’t be sanitary.

“What’s this?” Hannah asks suspiciously while I look around. I’m not exactly prepared to eat. I’m still shirtless, and I need to wash all this fucking sand off me.

“Challenge number two,” Wesley says, spreading his hands out, indicating the empty baskets. “To truly appreciate Mother Nature’s bounty, you must be in touch with her gifts. Making dinner for everyone. In fact, to honor your teammate, you will eat only what they prepare, although I will sample all the dishes for judging. There are some ingredients in the kitchen, all sourced from the land here. You will also have access to the garden, the grove, and whatever else you need. You’ll have a time limit, though.”

I let out a groan. I could fuck up a microwave dinner. We have no chance in hell.

Hannah and Cassie, on the other hand, immediately start whispering with each other, starting their game plan. Caleb looks at me miserably, and I can see he’s in the same position I am. Between the two of us, we may starve because I don’t think either of us can make anything edible. I turn to Wesley, shaking my head. “This isn’t fair,” I protest. “Caleb and I couldn’t cook a pizza even if you spotted us a crust, sauce, and an Italian grandmother.”

“What’s the problem? A few too many protein shakes and drive-thrus?” Cassie taunts, and Hannah smirks. Maybe that’s why Hannah brought her. Cassie talks a good game.

Wesley smiles, holding up a hand before anyone can reply. “Tony, I didn’t say the teams yet. As you saw earlier, things are not always what they seem and what you think you’re being evaluated on is not always my focus. You and Hannah will be one team. Cassie and Caleb the other.”

“What?” Hannah almost shrieks, looking absolutely mortified. “Tony and I can’t be on the same team!”

“Why not?”

Hannah looks flustered, but is obviously trying to tame her reaction. “Be…because we’re supposed to be competing against them!”

Wesley smiles serenely. I swear that this guy is into Zen or something. “It matters not. Your dishes will be judged individually, and I thought I’ve made it clear it’s not only about winning. You need to show that you are capable of helping people, even those you don’t like.”

She looks like she’s going to protest but then stops. “All right. I’m sure he could use a lesson on how to make it hot and spicy.” She flashes me a charming smile that floors me. Oh, this is going to be fun.

Her smile is convincing, but I remind myself that it might be part of her plan. She’s not going to flip the switch that quickly. It’s going to take work before I have her eating out of my hand. But that smile . . . damn, she’s good.

Hannah turns, bending over slightly, and whispers something in Cassie’s ear. Cassie nods and walks over to Caleb. “Hey, beefcake, you know how to make shrimp on a barbie? If not, I’m sure we can roast some wieners over an open flame.”

Caleb gulps and gives me a look I totally understand. Yep, they can't be trusted.

Hannah comes up beside me and pokes me in the ribs. “Hey, partner,” she purrs in my ear. “Don’t worry. I’ll show you all about cooking. I know how to make everything mouth-watering.”

My cock twitches in my pants at her words. Fuck, I don’t stand a chance. “Watch yourself,” I warn her, trying not to let on to the desire raging through my veins.

She grins impishly, biting her lip before turning to Wesley. “I can’t wait to start, but can we clean up a little bit first?”

Wesley nods. “Of course. Meet me in the kitchen in twenty minutes. Someone will show you where you can clean up.”

“Thanks.”

The devious grin she flashes me as she leaves the room with Cassie seems to say Game On.

* * *

Twenty minutes later, wearing a fresh tank top and some borrowed board shorts, I can’t help but laugh as Caleb and Cassie come in. “Dude . . . you’re wearing pink!”

“Don’t fucking start,” Caleb grumbles. He’s got on a pink tank top that says Cowabunga! “This is her idea of team spirit. And it was easier to give in than to argue. Can we just get this over with?”

Wesley chuckles and leads us into the kitchen. The prep area’s been laid out with all sorts of ingredients, and I feel like I just walked into a cable TV cooking show. There’s fish, pork, chicken, all sorts of fruits . . . I can’t even begin to identify them all. Meanwhile, Hannah looks like she’s in heaven.

“How much time do we have?” she asks.

“Ninety minutes,” Wesley says, tapping a clock on the wall. “Starting . . . now.”

We head over to the table, and right away, I can tell Hannah’s done this before. She goes through the ingredients slowly, thoughtfully deciding on her selections before putting them in her little basket. The whole time, she’s talking quietly to herself, and in fewer than three minutes, she has what she wants.

All I’ve got is some coconut and a mango in my basket. “Okay, let’s get you set up,” she says, and I bristle and reach for the shrimp, knocking her hand aside.

“Hey, watch it!”

“Just trying to be helpful,” I say, and Hannah bites back a reply before smiling. “I was thinking Cassie had a good idea. Shrimp?”

“With?”

“I dunno,” I reply, shrugging. “Let’s see what happens.”

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