Bachelor's Bait by Mari Carr Page A

help with the improvements needed at the center.”
    For the first time in days, Marc felt a spark of hope. Even so, he couldn’t sugarcoat things for Sophie. “The funds needed are fairly substantial. I’m not sure one fundraiser will do it.”
    “Maybe not, but I called Casey Woods on my way here. Do you know Casey?”
    Marc nodded. “Only by reputation. He did all the renovations on the Crawford Inn, where your benefit dinner took place, right?”
    “Yeah, that’s him. He’s done some work at Books and Brew over the past year or so—and he’s also got the hots for Jordan. I told him about the center and he’s offered his services in making the repairs. He’ll work at cost.”
    Marc reared back. “No way! You’re kidding me?”
    Sophie shook her head. “I also have a call in to Gabriel Lawson. We rent the space for Books and Brew from him and he’s become a good friend. I’m hoping I can convince him to match whatever we raise at the auction.”
    “You think he would?”
    Sophie wiggled her eyebrows. “Let’s just say I think Jordan could help me persuade him too. After I leave here, I’m going to visit Patricia Butt–Bi— Er, Butler–Baines.”
    Marc feigned a shudder. “Why in the hell would you want to see that woman?”
    “Because as annoying as she is, she’s also extremely useful in certain circles. She owes me a favor and she’s going to pay up.”
    “How?”
    “She’s going to help me strong-arm every attractive, eligible man in the city into participating and then she’s going to make sure all her rich, man-hungry girlfriends are there to place bids.”
    Marc stood up and walked around his desk. He took her hands and pulled her to her feet. “You’re incredible.”
    She grinned. “There has to be some perks to being a society princess.”
    Marc couldn’t resist. He kissed her.
    Sophie accepted his embrace as easily as she had in the coat closet. Marc sensed there was something more brewing beneath the surface. He broke the kiss, though he didn’t move away.
    “Are you okay, Soph?”
    Sophie’s grip on his shoulders tightened as she pressed her body closer. “I’m not sure. My dad—” She paused before shaking her head. “I don’t want to think about him right now. I just need…” Again her words faded way. Her breasts brushed against his chest. He knew exactly what she needed. Distraction and comfort.
    Unfortunately, Marc was far too aware of the fact his receptionist, Janice, was sitting just outside that open door. He gently pushed her away.
    “Don’t move,” he murmured. Walking to the lobby, he told Janice she could head out for lunch early. The receptionist jumped at the chance for a long break. Marc followed her to the front door, flipped the sign from open to closed then locked it.
    Sophie watched him from the doorway.
    “I thought I told you not to move.”
    “You’re closing?”
    He nodded.
    “Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
    He chuckled as he approached, slowly backing her into his office until he could shut that door as well. He flipped the lock. “Yep. I am.”
    “Good.”
    He continued to move until the backs of her legs touched his desk. He cleared the papers on top to one side then lifted her to the surface. “Have I ever told you how much I like the short skirts you wear?”
    She reached for his tie. “No, but that’s hardly surprising considering we’ve only known each other about a week and a half.”
    Her comment, though funny, also seemed wrong. “It feels like longer than that.”
    She bit her lower lip. “I know. It’s weird, isn’t it?”
    They’d been thrown together by a common cause and circumstances. Marc had never felt so grateful for dumb luck. Still, he couldn’t let go of the worry tugging at the edge of his conscience. “What’s your dad going to say when he finds out about the fundraiser? It could wreck his business deal.”
    Sophie lifted her shoulders in the universal “I don’t know” gesture. “It