His words were cut off as he turned just in time to see his cousin wrap a huge arm around said blond. Just his luck. Frowning, Tristan glanced from one male to the other, wondering what the hell was going on. Last he heard, Callum had stopped playing about and was dating a woman by the name of Kari, and this vision before him was so not a Kari. The male was as tall as Callum with broad shoulders and abdominal muscles that popped through his dress shirt. Tanned skin complimented the mop of golden curls adorning his head, and his eyes. Damn, they were as blue as sapphires.

“Yo, T! Earth to Tristan. I said, say hello to Josh, you dumbass. He’s an old army buddy of mine. Well, he’s a pussy-ass mofo. Not a soldier really. Just a muscle-bound nurse in fatigues.” Callum’s voice dragged Tristan back from his lust hazed mind. Yet Josh’s deep chuckle as he punched Callum in the shoulder caught his attention once more.

Tristan stared at the god before him for a long minute before taking his offered hand and gripping it tightly. Josh’s skin was smooth and warm, his palms callused, and his touch electrifying. Or that was just Tristan’s over-active imagination. Whatever, the guy was gorgeous. “It’s nice to meet you. Tristan Bailey. How are you enjoying your night?”

Arching a brow, Josh smirked, pulling his hand free as he answered. “I don’t know yet. I’m currently having goddamn heart failure over here. Cal signed my ass up for the auction. I’m dreading it. I mean, what if some cougar wins and expects something extra? I’ll bloody die, and then so will Cal. Slowly.” Barking a laugh, Callum hugged his friend, kissing his temple as he pulled back. Maybe people were wrong. Maybe Josh was his partner and not this Kari. Tristan’s fists clenched by his sides at the thought. Why did it anger him so much? This Josh had nothing to do with him. They didn’t know each other. Had just met. Yet still he wanted to know the truth of their relationship. Just as he was about to ask as much the hostess called time for the auction. “Here goes nothing. Wish me luck guys.” Josh pouted dramatically as he turned to leave.

 Giving his commiserations, Tristan watched as Josh walked off. The male’s predatory gait only added to his sex appeal and made his cock strain against the zipper of his pants. He had to have him. As Callum made to follow, Tristan stopped him dead. “Are you a couple?” he demanded of his cousin.

“Hell, no! Just friends, I’m with Kari now, and happy, too.” Laughing, Callum gripped his shoulder to gain his attention. The expression on his smug face said he knew exactly why Tristan was asking.

With a roll of his eyes Tristan broke away before going back to his table. “Don’t follow me. I’m trying to be discreet.” Callum laughed at Tristan’s words, but the hurt in his eyes had Tristan second guessing himself as usual. Before he could call him back, however, Cal disappeared into the crowd. He would make it up to him later. Taking a seat, he waved the waitress over and ordered another Jameson. Maybe he would be charitable tonight and make a bid after all. An extra hour of his time wouldn’t kill him. As the auction began, he bided his time feigning interest in the females that were paraded on stage. They were beautiful, just not to his liking. He preferred male company to that of a woman. Not something he ever denied, the public knew he was gay, and proud of it, so there would be no holding back where Josh was concerned.

Glancing around the main ballroom, Tristan had to admit that his crew had done a fantastic job. The place looked amazing, like something out of Lawrence of Arabia. Silks in an array of colors adorned the walls and large cushions for seating in the same colors covered the floors, and the lighting was low and intimate. It was their own personal harem. He had to remember to compliment Skye on all her hard work. She had truly outdone herself.

As the lights dimmed once more signaling time for the men to come on stage, Tristan straightened in his seat. He would do anything to spend a few hours alone with Josh. Anything. The man was beyond gorgeous, and no one had ever held Tristan’s attention the way he had. It was imperative that they got together to see if anything could come of it. Scratch that. Tristan would make sure something came of it. He wanted Josh. As soon as the men were led out onto the stage Tristan sat forward in his seat, bidding paddle in hand. He was damned if anyone but him would leave with Josh on their arm. With a smile the hostess brought the men forward one at a time, and the women in the audience went crazy over them. There were six in total. The first five were tall and dark, some broody and others obviously full of themselves, not really appealing to him in the slightest. Then there was Josh, blond and shy, his sweet blush testament to that. As he walked to the front of the stage the audience went quiet. The hushed excited whispers made Tristan feel uneasy.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to introduce the handsome Joshua Malone, retired army medic and entrepreneur. He enjoys piña coladas and long walks on the beach. We will start the bidding at one hundred dollars.” The hostess’s voice dripped honey as she took Joshua in from the feet up, thinking up the best way to eat him. It pissed Tristan off, but he couldn’t stop the chuckle at Joshua’s eye roll, or Callum’s deep laugh following the comment on his drink preference. His cousin was such a dick. Trust him to make a bad situation even worse. Poor Joshua, his blush deepened tenfold and didn’t that drive the female population crazy. They were screaming and fighting among themselves for his attention. It riled Tristan even more thinking that one of them could end up being with Joshua in his place. Yet it would not stop him from bidding.

Waiting patiently for his turn to bid, Tristan watched as the horny cougars took the total from one to 1,700 dollars. They would give up soon, and then he would swoop in and steal the show. With a smirk he settled back in his seat, nodding in agreement at the hostess’s words. “Wow, ladies and gentlemen, it would appear that Mr. Malone is quite a popular guy. I have twenty-five, do I hear twenty-six?”

The women went ballistic, shouting over the top of each other. Some actually got physical. It was quite amusing really. Taking a sip of his drink, he continued to watch Joshua squirm on stage. It was obvious he didn’t like the attention. Not one bit. Tristan wanted nothing more than to go save him from his embarrassment. Yet this was for charity. He would make it up to him later. Willing Joshua to look his way, Tristan smiled slowly as their eyes finally, blessedly met. The male swallowed hard, his cheeks stained red from a fresh blush, and it made Tristan want him all the more. Finishing his drink, he decided to give the male a break.

“Fifty thousand dollars.” Every head in the room turned toward him. The quiet gasps and curses of those present reverberated throughout the high-ceilinged room. Tristan stood slowly, smoothing his jacket as he made his way toward the stage. He could feel the ladies’ eyes burning holes in the back of his head, but he couldn’t seem to care. Glancing up at his prize he grinned wider, extending a hand. “Shall we, Mr. Malone?” His voice was a mere growl as he awaited Joshua’s reply.