In Your Eyes (Man of the Month 6)

"I've got one for her right here," Reece said, pointing to the chair that his large body was blocking. "She says she won't have a view." He rolled his eyes, then flashed a mischievous grin. "What's she need to see these a-holes for? She's already got me."

"And I'm keeping you," Jenna said, then winked at Megan. "Doesn't mean I can't window shop."

Megan bit back a smile, her attention turning to Reece. They'd actually shared a one-night stand a few months back, before he and Jenna had gotten together. Megan had just arrived in Austin and had been feeling lost and lonely. Reece had felt the same. She'd been running from a man, and he'd been running from his desire for a woman he didn't think he could ever have.

Reece had gotten his happily ever after, and though Megan would never begrudge him that, she couldn't deny the envy that curled through her as she looked at him and Jenna together.

Reece was living his dream, lost in love and family.

And Megan? She was off to have one more shallow encounter with a man who made her pulse pound, but who she knew didn't really want her. All he wanted was payment.

She tried to tell herself that was okay. She was young. Why shouldn't she go out? Have fun? Have sex?

There was nothing wrong with that, not so long as she was careful and smart.

And maybe that was true.

But it wasn't a question of wrong or right.

It was a question of more. She wanted more than a one night stand. More than a fast fuck, even with a gorgeous man with exceptional skill.

She wanted the full meal deal, and she wanted it super-sized.

But she was starting to be afraid that she was never going to actually find it.

"Megan?"

She jerked up, twisting around to find Jenna looking at her. "You look lost."

"Sorry. Mind wandering."

Thankfully, the theme music started up, and she didn't have to say more. Instead, she rose up on her tiptoes and craned her neck over the crowd so that she could see the back of the room, where Parker and the other men gathered in the doorway to the back bar, waiting on their cue.

As if he sensed her attention, Parker looked up, his eyes meeting hers, full of heat and promise. Slowly, he smiled, and she sighed with pleasure as the heat of that smile warmed her soul.

Maybe she didn't have what Reece and Jenna had. Maybe she never would.

But for tonight, at least, she had Parker.

And Megan would take what she could get.

Chapter Five

"--to begin!" Beverly chirped, her bright smile lighting up the room. She held up her hands, and Megan had to smile at how expertly she settled the crowd. "But before we get going, I have a quick announcement. Those of you familiar with the Man of the Month contest will notice that tonight's contest is a l

ittle different. Thanks to the kind suggestion of contestant Parker Manning, tonight's contest not only benefits all you women in the audience--"

"And gay men!" someone yelled from the back, causing the room to erupt with laughter.

Beverly laughed, too, but didn't lose her stride, "--it also benefits the favorite charities of each of the contestants. And, of course, you are all supporting our favorite local bar, The Fix On Sixth, by coming here tonight, buying the drinks, and eating the food."

She went on to explain that Parker was donating one-hundred dollars per vote to each contestant's favorite charity. As for the winner, he was taking that number and multiplying it by ten. But in order to make sure that the votes were for the men and not the charities, the guys wouldn't announce their selected charity until after the competition.

"And that's it," Beverly said, wrapping up as the contest music started. "Let's give a warm welcome to our first contestant, Parker Manning!"

The room erupted, and Megan lifted herself onto her tiptoes, trying to see over the taller heads in front of her as Parker sauntered up the red carpet waving at the audience and generally soaking up the appreciation.

And, just as he'd done in his office, with each step he took, more of his outerwear came off. First the tie, which he flung into the audience. Then he unfastened the buttons. One, then another, then another. All the way down until his shirt was hanging completely open by the time he reached the stairs to climb up onto the stage.