Nick fixed his bow tie once again. The damn thing was annoying and he didn’t want to wear it. In fact, he didn’t want to wear any of it. Not a tux, or a fucking bow tie and not the ultra-shiny patent Italian leather dress shoes. Thank god, he’d been able to switch those for dress boots instead, but still.

“Mr. Attiomo, do you have anything without a bow tie?” Nick asked, turning to the proprietor of Attiomo and Sons, the place they’d been sent for their tuxes.

Mr. Attiomo gave him a look from where he was bent taking in the hem of his pants, his thick-rimmed glasses gave him the appearance of an elder college professor. “Young man, a well-dressed man can make anything happen. You will wear a bow tie with your tux. It was a specific requirement by Mrs. Mitchell.”

Nick glanced around the expensive shop. He loved Little Italy in New York City. They had the best food, after all, but he hadn’t expected this little shop to be there. From outside, it appeared to be a hole-in-the-wall place, but once inside, he realized just how big and grand it was.

Kayla’s family came from wealth, so he shouldn’t be surprised she had chosen this place to dress the bachelors for such a big charitable event. Tickets alone were going for ten thousand per table. That was aside from the auction itself. Nick couldn’t fault them. The foundation working with the burn unit on the auction had done a lot for him in his time of need.

“Don’t slouch, young man,” Mr. Attiomo chastised. “I understand you were at war.”

“Yes, sir,” he replied, trying to look everywhere but at himself in the mirrors surrounding him.

“That’s not an excuse for poor posture,” said the little old man. “The military taught you better.”

Nick grinned. The owner reminded him of his dad. Before his parents passed away in a car crash two years back, Nick’s dad pulled his coat on everything.

He sighed and gave in to the poking and prodding by Mr. Attiomo.

“I think a cup of coffee will help you relax,” Mr. Attiomo told him. He stopped pinning the hem of his pants and pointed to a black leather chair. “Sit.”

Nick laughed and sat. Yeah, Mr. Attiomo definitely reminded him of his dad. “Got a latte somewhere in this store?”

Mr. Attiomo raised his bushy brows and finally smiled. “I like lattes, too. I do have a very good machine in the next room. I’ll be back shortly.”

Nick let the nerves go and focused on the fact this event was for charity. Many people would benefit from all the money they’d raise. That was reason enough to get him on that stage. He could only hope he wasn’t sold to some grabby old lady thinking she was going to be cougar of the year.

* * *

Nick took a deep breath. Nope. It didn’t help. A glass of champagne materialized in front of him.

“Drink it.”

He took it and gulped, then turned to face Ryan. His friend was dressed in a tux much like his own, but a different neckline style.

“I see you’ve been to Mr. Attiomo, too, huh?”

“He reminds me of your dad,” Ryan laughed. “I think that’s why I keep going back. That, or I’m some kind of sadist for his sarcasm.”

Nick laughed and gave his empty flute to a passing waiter, taking another full one. “He did remind me of my dad.” Nick glanced around the backstage. Names were being called and thousands of dollars were being offered for a night with each man. “So why a bachelor auction?”

Ryan shrugged. “I asked Kayla the same thing. She said the chair head of the Scars Foundation, the people helping to host this, suggested it as a great way to raise funds. From what I’m seeing, they were right.”

The hotel ballroom was packed. Nick had never been to The Plaza, nor an event there, but nothing could have prepared him for the place looking like a wonderland. They’d decorated with many yellow roses since that was the color for soldiers and they were the ones on auction. All the bachelors had a boutonnière with a yellow rose.

“Listen,” Ryan cleared his throat and squeezed his shoulder. “It will be fine. I’m glad you decided to do this. After what Scars Foundation did for you, I really am.”

Nick frowned. “What did they do?”

Ryan’s brows rose. “You mean, you don’t know?”

One of Kayla’s assistant showed up and grabbed his arm. “Let’s go, Mr. Gates. It’s your turn to show them what you’re working with.”

Nick was dragged off before he had a chance to find out what Ryan was talking about.

“Have fun,” Ryan called out. “We’ll chat tomorrow.”

Nick was taken to a stage where Kayla was playing MC behind a podium.

“Our next bachelor is extra dreamy,” she gushed. The women ooohed while lights focused on him, making him almost blind in the process. He couldn’t see anyone at the tables. “Ladies, this is Captain Nick Gates. He likes to eat Chinese food. His favorite movie is Jaws and his favorite thing to do when he’s not in the military saving our country is playing pool. So, let’s hear the opening bid for Captain Gates. Do I hear a thousand dollars?”

Nick smiled stiffly at the crowd of females he knew was there but couldn’t make out. With his hands in his pockets, he probably looked like he was posing, but he really didn’t know what to do with them.

“One thousand from number thirty-seven,” Kayla said. “Anyone want to up that? Captain Gates is going to make someone laugh with his charming sense of humor, tonight.”

Nick glanced at her. Why was she making shit up? Nick had no idea where this humor would be coming out of. His ass? Not like he was known for being funny. Broody, yes. Serious, yes. Funny, no.

“Two thousand from number forty-six,” Kayla said. “Three thousand from number thirty-seven.”

Nick squinted, trying to figure out who the numbers were. “Five thousand,” said a voice from the floor.

“Five thousand from number sixty-nine,” Kayla giggled. “Anyone want to challenge?”

“Ten thousand,” said someone else.

“Ten thousand from number thirty-seven,” Kayla chuckled and winked at Nick. “Captain Gates also loves the beach. He’s been given use of my family’s beach house in Golden Island. The winner will get a full weekend with Captain Gates. Do I hear fifteen thousand?”

Nick’s brow rose as he turned to Kayla. When had that invite been sent? He hadn’t gotten it yet. The woman on stage next to him grinned at him.

“Twenty thousand from number thirty-seven,” Kayla smiled. “Oh, I see another. Thirty thousand from number forty-six. Captain Gates has surpassed our highest bachelor who went for twenty-five thousand.”

“One hundred thousand dollars,” said a soft but strong female voice. There was something familiar about the voice, but he couldn’t see the face through the lights.

“One hundred thousand from newcomer number seventeen. Going one. Twice. Sold.” She slammed a hammer down. “Thank you, Captain Gates.” Kayla smiled and waved at him. Her assistant was there in seconds, pulling him from the stage and dragging him somewhere else.

“Where are we going?” he asked, tugging at the bow tie.

“Your winner already paid for her time with you. Tonight, all you have to do is meet her and have a few drinks. Kayla is giving up Golden Island for a few days so you can have a weekend with your winner.”

He stopped short and glanced at the assistant. “What exactly are we doing there?”

She gave him a look as if he’d lost his mind. “Swim, eat, talk. The usual beach stuff people do. She said to make sure you knew there was no matchmaking involved. Kayla realized this might bring more money so that’s why she offered. It worked. Now let’s go meet your date.”

They went down to the bar area where a blonde woman in a yellow gold dress stood by the bar with a glass of champagne. She looked familiar from profile until she turned to look at him. Fury filled his chest. He marched the rest of the space between him and her and stopped a foot away.

“What the hell are you doing here?”