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

I take a seat, my eyes immediately meeting Tony’s as soon as I sit. He’s dressed the same way we all are, in a t-shirt and cargo shorts, as if we’re trying to be ready for anything Wes throws at us.

He gives me a smile, just like he always does, but it feels different. When Tony and I first met, his smiles were arrogant, those of a man who knew he was King of the Mountain. Now, they seem genuine, like he’s happy to see me. I’ve tried to keep my guard up just a little bit. I can’t be sure he isn’t just using me, but he doesn’t strike me as that kind of man. “How’d you sleep?”

I spent half the night wishing you were next to me, and the other half dreaming you were, I want to say before replying. “Well, I think I’m finally getting acclimated. How about you?”

“We slept great,” Caleb answers for him, grinning like a shark. “Can’t be much longer before we win.”

Caleb’s boast makes my head spin, although I don’t know if it’s because of the possibility he’s right or the fact that regardless of who wins, our time here is coming to a close. If I win, Cassie and I go back and someone from Aurora will take over the next phase of whatever is going to happen. If I lose . . . I’ll probably never see this place again. Hell, who knows if or when I’ll even see Tony again? And that hurts worse.

“There’s two team challenges left,” Wesley announces as the staff brings in breakfast. “You are going on an adventure controlled by lines. Latitudinal and longitudinal, that is. You are going on a scavenger hunt. Both teams will be given a list of locations around the grounds. You will be provided with two backpacks per team, one with your supplies and one empty to collect your items. Both teams will have the same list. You can choose to work together or alone. After finding all the items, you will need to assemble a puzzle to complete the task. So teamwork may help you, or it may mean your opponent finishes the puzzle before you. Choose wisely and let your heart be your guide.”

We all look at each other. This being a more analytical game, I feel like Cassie and I have a good chance. It’s been a long time . . . but map reading was one of my strongest skills in Girl Scouts.

My mind is telling me to beat the hell out of Tony, but my heart is saying to work with him. I don’t know what to do. I feel like I don’t know if I can trust him or if this is a foolish combination of hormones, stress, and the location. He could be the ultimate player, playing me like a fiddle. It’s just one big clusterfuck of uncertainty.

After breakfast, we go to the back of the house, where our bags have been laid out on the steps, two in blue and two in red. I look at Tony and make a decision. “Let’s work together as a team? At least until we get the puzzle pieces.”

“What are you doing?” Cassie whispers, grabbing me by the arm as Tony immediately looks relieved. “Caleb needs his ticket punched!”

“Are you going to tell me what happened between you two? Since you dumped a bucket of cold water on him, you two have been glaring at each other like you’re each other’s worst enemy.”

Cassie’s face turns red. “None of your damn business, thank you very much. But you’re the boss, so however you want to do it.”

I shrug and pick up one of the red bags. It must be the supply bag because it’s packed.

Tony gives me a questioning look, seeing that Cassie might have a problem. “So, team effort?”

“Together,” I confirm. Caleb, meanwhile, has a GPS, map, and a piece of paper with coordinates on it. “Whatcha got?”

“Eight digits,” Caleb says in frustration. “I thought maps had latitude and longitude. What is this shit?”

I look at his paper and the map and thank my Girl Scout experience. “It’s military grid coordinates. Here, let me see . . . okay, the GPS is set for that too.”

I show them how to use the map, and Tony takes the lead. I start to follow, but about halfway across the yard, I stop, recognizing that Cassie’s not with us. I turn and see that she’s still standing with her arms crossed, a pissed off look on her face. I go back, giving her a look. “What?”

“Are you trying to win this or what?” she asks. “You saw it—the guys didn’t know what the fuck they were doing. So why are we working with them? I get it, you like Tony, and I won’t say shit about it. I like everyone here too, but this is our jobs on the line here! The good looks and tight asses go out the window when I might not be able to feed myself.”

I get Cassie’s point, and for once, she seems to have more sense than me. Still, that competitive spirit just isn’t in me now. “You already know that with Wesley, it’s not just about who crosses the finish line first. Besides, the puzzle we’re still doing individually. I don’t know if there’s anything dangerous out here, but if there is, I want them nearby.”

That seems to satisfy her, but Tony calls out before she can respond. “Hey, you guys coming? Or do you want to split off?”

“We’re coming. Just a little girl talk,” I call back.

“All right, you in? Let’s do this,” I say, offering my fist, which Cassie lightly pounds and gives a little nod, smiling her acceptance of the plan.

The first location is pretty easy to find, and as we walk, we wonder what sort of craziness Wes is up to. “There has to be a twist,” I mutter as we find a