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

sand is still compact. The waves crash on the beach in the moonlight, and it’s just gorgeous. Tony is quiet at first, just taking it in, then he clears his throat. “So . . . are you going to tell me what happened after the wedding?”

I hesitate on going this deep with him. But I can’t hide the fact that our social circles are intertwined. I take a deep breath. “Life happened.”

“That’s not very specific,” Tony says.

“Well, after seeing Roxy, I just wanted more out of life than an empty apartment. I tried finding a guy of my own, but dating . . . well, it didn’t go so well. I tried photography, but I had to give it up when the choice was pictures or the light bill. Then I found my new job, and now I’m on this big mission to take this land, and in direct competition with you.”

Tony chuckles. “Do you really want to win this thing?”

I nod, letting go of his hand to pick up a rock and throw it into the waves. “It’s not about just wanting to win. Our department needs to show some signs of life.”

He looks me over silently for a long time, and I turn back to him. In the ghostly moonlight, I see a softness in his eyes. “And if you don’t come away with the deal?”

“Then I’m told we’re most likely going to be looking for new jobs,” I say shortly.

Tony squats down and picks up a rock, tossing it into the waves along with me. He’s so elegant that I hurriedly snap a few shots, wanting to catch him just as he is in the moonlight. “I wouldn’t want to see that happen.”

He sounds sincere, but I have to remember he’s a charmer. I knew that from the moment I met him. I lower my camera, curious. “And what would you want to see happen?”

Tony throws another rock before turning and stepping closer. This close, I can barely see him because of the shadows of the night, but I can hear it in his voice. “A girl like you deserves every happiness in the world.” He leans in, and I take a step back, but I can’t escape when his lips press into mine again. It’s not fierce, but sensually sweet, and he tastes delicious. I let myself melt into him for a moment before we pull back.

“I should probably get to bed. We have an early morning,” I manage.

His eyes gleam with amusement as he nods, seeming to say he’ll let me go . . . for now.

Tony nods. “Yeah, but I think I’ll stay out here a little longer. Sweet dreams.”

“You too,” I reply, turning and heading back toward the house. It feels like my legs weigh a thousand pounds as I move away from him.

Tony

Watching Hannah walk away, she’s like a goddess, her hips swaying in the moonlight before the shadows from the trees swallow her. My body is throbbing from head to toe, lust pounding in my veins. I want her so badly.

What stops me from chasing her down to take what we both know she wants to give me was the look in her eyes. I think about what she said and it haunts me. I’m out here for the same reason she is. But the intensity of what she said, what she will lose if she can’t ink this deal . . . that hits me hard.

I don’t want that for Hannah. But at the same time, I know Oliver is depending on me and trusts me. I have the future of our family in my hands, and I have to make this work. I have to win.

I pick up a rock and throw it into the ocean, watching it splash in the inky black water. I feel torn, conflicted. I want Hannah, and for some strange reason, I feel compelled to try to give her everything her heart desires. On the other hand, there’s my family, and my responsibilities and duties to them.

I pick up another rock and throw it harder this time. For an instant, it’s a dark speck against the silver of the moon, and I keep my eyes there, hoping for guidance, for answers.

But there aren’t any, just the crash of the waves and the crash of the questions in my head.Hannah

I wake up with a moan, my eyes fluttering open as I hear bells going off from somewhere in the house. My back feels like iron rods have been shoved up my ass from the physical activity yesterday. My muscles cry out at even the thought of having to do more work. Dancing is one thing, but the Hawaiian dancing used muscles I didn’t know I had, never mind the hundreds of pulls on the bow string.

“Someone kill me now,” I groan, not wanting to get up. It doesn’t help that I didn’t get a good night’s sleep. I spent all night tossing and turning, my dreams of Tony interrupting me every time I started to drift off.

He seemed like a presumptive ass at the wedding, but maybe I had him wrong. Yesterday, he was the perfect blend of cocky flirting and seemingly honest intensity to pierce past all my defenses. And the way I opened up to him and he kissed me . . .

Ugh.

It’s exactly what I said I wasn’t going to do, get drawn into another guy. Especially one like Tony, whom I have both history with and am competing against. If we lose this and by some miracle the division doesn’t shut down, Myra will fire me in a hot minute if she finds out my mind may have been on Tony’s affections and not the task at hand.

I have to keep my eye on the prize. Besides, who knows if his intentions are genuine? He could be playing me like I did him at first.

“Morning, sleepyhead,” Cassie says cheerfully from her bed. Hair crazy and sticking out in all directions,