Bidding For His Heart

by McKenna Rogue

  Bidding for His Heart

  Love Demands a Holiday

  McKenna Rogue

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Dear Reader

  Holidays with the Romance Chicks

  Also by McKenna Rogue

  1

  Kate

  This was all a mistake. Standing on the porch of my best friend’s new house, garment bag over my shoulder, makeup bag tucked under my arm and three pairs of strappy heels dangling from my fingertips, all flashed a big neon sign of desperate.

  The doorbell chimed inside the house, and instead of Maisie in all her tattooed and bright, colorful hair glory, was her brother…in a fucking towel.

  Sam Turner used to just be Maisie’s annoying big brother until he hit a growth spurt and managed to turn his gangly limbs into athletic assets. While Maisie and I were the misfits of Jubilee Falls High, Sam was the popular and intelligent jock.

  And he loved to torture me.

  Now he was a full-fledged doctor…er…surgeon. And age had done nothing but give, give, give. The man was a stunning piece of art with sculpted muscles which I was the perfect height to stare at, caressing each curve and defined muscle of his chest and holy-moly-six-pack abs.

  Ever since I’d returned to Jubilee Falls, Sam seemed to be everywhere.

  Annoyingly.

  Frustratingly.

  Everywhere.

  “What are you doing here, Turner?” I growled.

  He grinned and continued to block the doorway with his broad shoulders. “I’m here for you, Katie.”

  “Not my name, asshat.” I gestured at him with my hand full of heels. “Are you going to move so I can come in?”

  “What’s the magic word?”

  “Are you five? Move.”

  “I’m afraid those are not the magic words,” he replied, his lips still curved in an annoying smile that made him even more attractive.

  “Look here, Annoying One, I have to get ready for this stupid Valentine’s Day Ball for this stupid holiday-celebrating town because my best friend thinks getting back on the horse for a ride is good for me somehow. But your whole gender can suck it. I’m going to look like the dancing hippopotamus from Fantasia in a dress tonight and the last thing I need is for Sam Turner, Mr. Perfect, to give me crap.”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Mr. Perfect?”

  “Yes, everyone adores you. Even your little sister. But I know the truth. You’re Mr. Annoying. You’ve just somehow fooled everyone else.”

  He chuckled. “You know, Katie, if you just gave in and gave me a chance, you’d see I’m not so bad.”

  “It’s not like you can stand me either, Sammy,” I sneered.

  “I do love how you glare at me.”

  He pushed off the frame of the door and finally made a sliver of space for me to pass him. My overly prominent breasts brushed against his torso and I couldn’t help but look up and meet his gaze when my nipples tightened in response. I didn’t know if he was aware of my body reacting, but there was something odd in his green eyes as he held my gaze as I passed by him.

  He lifted my garment bag out of my grip and led the way up the stairs.

  Don’t look at his ass. Don’t look at his ass. Don’t look at his…

  Could that towel be any lower on his hips? His ass looked perfect in everything he wore, including, it seemed, a towel.

  “Maze had to run over to Mom’s and drop off Liam. She’ll be back in a few,” he said as he hung up my bag in the guest bedroom.

  Since Maisie had reunited with her baby daddy, she’d moved into a house and had a lot more space. She was deliriously happy, and I was happy for her. She’d been through a lot. It was good for the father of her child to be around for her and for her son, Liam. They deserved that.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked.

  “My place is being painted and the bathroom redone. Maze let me stay a few days.”

  I nodded.

  “I bet Liam loves it.”

  Sam grinned. “Yeah, I love it too. He’s such a great kid.”

  “You’ll be a good father.” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop myself.

  Sam’s smile hesitated. “What?”

  “I…think you’ll make a good father.”

  “Yeah?”

  Why did it feel like my opinion mattered to him?

  “Yeah, of course. You never grew up. You can talk to them on their level.” My tone was teasing, but he almost seemed disappointed in my answer.

  “Are you planning on bidding on a date tonight?” Sam asked.

  “If your sister has anything to say about it.” I dropped everything in my arms onto the bed. “She thinks I need…a night with an anonymous guy to get me out of my slump. What she doesn’t realize is that men are scum. Just because she’s all happy and in love again.” I sighed. “That and her guy isn’t scum.”

  “I wish you’d tell me what happened in New York.”

  My arms wound around my middle like I was afraid he would try to gut my soft middle of emotions and vulnerability. “It’s nothing.”

  Sam studied me, his eyes unwavering. It wasn’t judgement or scrutiny I saw, but something gentle and warm. “Come on, Katie, I know when you’re lying. Who leaves their dream job to work as a caterer in Jubilee Falls?”

  “Please stop calling me that.”

  My tone seemingly straightened his spine and pulled his shoulders back. “What did the asshole do?”

  “Why do you care?” He couldn’t know, could he?

  “Because I miss the twinkle in your eyes,” he breathed.

  He said it so quietly, I was sure I’d misheard him.

  Sobering from his words, he moved backward out of the room until he was just outside the doorway. “I’ll leave you be. I’ve got to head out soon.”

  “You headed to work?”

  He shook his head. “I’m a bachelor tonight.” And then he was gone.

  That took the last of the wind out of my sails. I slumped onto the bed, frowning.

  He was going to have a date tonight. I was still in shock that he and his long-term girlfriend broke up shortly after I moved home. They seemed so happy together. On social media, anyway. I didn’t want to admit to the gnawing jealousy I felt watching their relationship unfold. She was a girl from high school, in our class. She’d been perfect and popular just like him. Just the kind of girl he’d go for.

  I’d never admitted my feelings for Sam to anyone. It was all too embarrassing. Being the curvy goth girl who loved everything food and grew up to be a chef didn’t fit with the chiseled, clean cut, Dr. Adonis. He was a Ken doll and I was a doll from Monster High.

  Thank goodness Maisie returned and found me laying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, before the depression of it all swallowed me whole.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. You’re here. Please, let me talk you out of going tonight? Let’s just get some ingredients, I’ll make us your favorite junk foods and we can watch any John Hughes film you want. Though, I’m leaning toward The Breakfast Club. I will accept Sixteen Candles or Some Kind of Wonderful.”

  “Nope. You need a night out. Hiding with me on the couch isn’t helping you. In fact, I think it’s making it worse.”

  “Anything but a Valentine’s Day ball. Cupid hates me. He actively tries to ruin my life. There’s no way there is a stroke of luck that tonight will be fruitful. I mean, I’m supposed to bid on a date? Not a guy? A date. Like any guy is going to know how to take me on a proper date.”

  “I know what my proper date would be, but what’s your idea of a proper date?”
<
br />   “Not flowers and nice restaurants, that’s for damn sure.”

  “Then what?”

  “Are you seriously asking me for my dream date?”

  “Yes.”

  I groaned. “Okay. Fine. There’s definitely food and perfectly paired wine or beer. But more than that, it’s doing something stupidly fun like bowling where we can talk, but there’s no pressure to constantly be thinking of something witty or a server interrupting when you finally do have good conversation going. You can sit and play and eat and drink and get to know each other. Just have fun. After bowling, we’d go somewhere for dessert. Nothing fancy, just delicious, like pie a la mode from the Bumblebee. And then a walk around the park or maybe something a little more intimate.”

  “What’s your beef with flowers?”

  “They die and then you throw them away. It’s not romantic,” I replied. “Plus, a bouquet of flowers on Flower Holocaust Day isn’t original.”

  “Flower what-now?”

  “Flower Holocaust Day. Do you know how many flowers go out on Valentine’s Day, just to die the next week? It’s ridiculous.”

  Maisie chuckled. “I happen to like getting flowers and Sean did not skimp on them either.”

  “Is he around tonight?”

  “No, he has a few shows lined up over the next couple of weeks. They’re not playing tonight, so we’ll be talking tonight after the ball.”

  “Talking, huh? You mean hot phone sex?”

  “Most definitely.” She grinned like a happy, dopey, completely head-over-heels woman should.

  I put my hand on her shoulder. “I’m really happy for you, Maze. You deserve so much happiness.”

  Maisie gave me a serious look, one that reminded me of Sam. “You do too, you know? What happened in New York wasn’t your fault.”

  I waved her off. “Let’s get ready for tonight. And maybe discuss pre-gaming before the ball.” There was no way I could even consider bidding on someone’s date, if thoughts of him were in my head.

  I felt like I was getting ready for the prom, with the curlers in my light brown hair, and more makeup than I ever wore, even on a normal date.

  My actual prom had been a fun night, until I had to watch Sam all over one of the girls in our class. Maisie had gone with Sean and I went stag. A couple more girls from our class, misfits like me, went with us in the limo. Even though Maisie had a date, we spent a lot of time dancing and hanging out. She was always good about making time for her friends.

  Somehow, I doubted tonight was going to be any fun at all.

  “All right let’s get your dress picked out.” She rubbed her hands together.

  I opened the bag and pulled out three dresses.

  Maisie pointed at the plum number, which I had no real intention of wearing. “What is that?”

  “A dress.”

  “It’s gorgeous. Put it on.”

  “I’m not actually going to wear it.”

  “What? Why not?”

  I sighed. “It’s beautiful, but I just don’t think it’s right.”

  “Put it on.”

  I rolled my eyes but obeyed. Secretly, desperately hoping it looked as good on me as I remembered. The dress was out of my usual style. It was more form fitting than I usually wore, but it flared out perfectly down over the soft rolls of my stomach and wide-set hips. The fabric felt good over my alabaster skin. I smoothed the lines before I turned to look at Maisie.

  She just stood there and stared at me. “Was that dress tailored for you?”

  “What? No. It’s a CC Designs dress. I got it from her Pear-shaped line.”

  “You have to wear that. I don’t even care what else you brought. Kate, you look incredible.”

  I rolled my eyes. “It’s a dress, not a magic wand.”

  “Oh stop. You’re gorgeous. Hey, Sam! Come here.”

  It took no time for him to step into the doorway, as if he was lingering in the hall. Sam’s gaze flickered to me and then to Maisie and then shot right back to me like a boomerang. His green eyes went wide and almost black, his mouth parted as he stared at me.

  My hands immediately moved to shield my soft middle.

  Maisie moved toward me and pulled my hands away. “What do you think, Sam? Is the dress any good?”

  Sam licked his lips. “Uh,” he cleared his throat, “yeah, it looks…great.” What was the hesitation in his voice?

  “Convincing, bro. Try again.”

  A phone rang in the distance. “Oh, that’s Liam’s ring. I’ll be right back.” Maisie hurried out of the room.

  Sam moved more into the room to get out of his sister’s way. His eyes never left me. He shifted on his feet and then moved toward me. He stopped right in front of me. “You look fucking delectable in that thing,” he growled.

  I blinked up at him. “What?”

  His eyes traced over my face before they dipped down to my mouth, then even lower to my cleavage. He seemed bigger and like he was moving into me, but none of it made sense. Fabric tugged on my hip and I realized he was sliding his hand onto the curve of my waist. I tensed up, knowing he could feel my body through the slip of a dress. His hand was hot through the fabric and I ached to feel it on my skin.

  The faint sounds of Maisie getting off the phone played in the background.

  Sam squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them again, like he was battling some inner struggle I was unaware of.

  “See you at the party,” he growled and stormed away from me in a rush.

  What the hell just happened?

  Maisie came back in. “Okay, where were we?” She tilted her head. “You okay?”

  “I, uh…I’m great. I think you’re right. This dress is the way to go.” I had no idea what happened with Sam, but the dress seemed to be magical. Or maybe it was just all in my head. Either way, I was going with it.

  2

  Sam

  Kate Lawson had been put on this earth to drive me fucking insane. Ever since I’d hit puberty and hormones made me obsessed with boobs and pussy, Kate had been in the center of my fantasies.

  But, I’d steered clear of her. She was my sister’s best friend, completely out of my league with her brains, beauty, and drive. She’d gone to culinary school and ended up hired at a one Michelin-star restaurant in New York City. She was incredible.

  There were so many reasons why I never made a move, the biggest one being I thought I’d get over it. But even through college, all the hell I went through becoming a surgeon, and moving back to Jubilee Falls, she was always there in the background. I would see her comment on something Maisie posted on social media, find a picture of her, or she would contact me asking if Maze needed anything for her birthday.

  Kate was always there.

  We were mismatched. Not compatible. Impossible. Unlikely.

  And yet…it took everything I had not to press her against the wall and kiss her like I’ve always wanted to.

  Of course, our incompatibility had everything to do with her. She hated me. Despised me. Was completely repulsed by me.

  There were times when I thought we had chemistry, when I thought she was staring at me, when I thought if I kissed her, she wouldn’t punch me. But they were far and few between. Especially since she’d gotten back from New York. Whatever twat-weasel got a hold of her there did a number on her. I just wish I knew what it was so when I killed the guy, I’d know why I was risking life and limb.

  And tonight, she was going to be at the Valentine’s Day Ball. She was going to bid on some guy’s date and go out with someone who wasn’t me.

  Now, I’d written a good date. It wasn’t a date a lot of women would be impressed with. But I wasn’t looking for a woman who wanted an expensive meal with expensive flowers and to land a doctor for all their trouble. I wanted a woman who was…Kate.

  Well, fuck.

  By the time I arrived, Mayor Bartell was already rounding up all the bachelors for the evening and lining us all up for pictures before the auction started up.r />
  I recognized a few of the other bachelors. I moved to stand by Theo Davenport and Henry Manifold. “Gentlemen,” I said.

  “Wow, Mayor Bartell certainly out did herself this year if she managed to get Sam Turner,” Theo teased.

  “Shove it, Davenport. You’re just mad because doctor always trumps sleazy hacker. What was your date? Watch me play video games and tell me how awesome I am while feeding me Red Bull.”

  “Shows what you know. I don’t even drink Red Bull,” Theo retorted.

  “Damn, that’s what I put for my date too,” Henry said.

  “Surrounded by computer geniuses.”

  “You walked over here to us.” Henry clapped his hand into my back. “You have no one to blame but yourself.”

  “I couldn’t stand down there by Jackson and Benedetto.” I jerked my chin toward the guys standing on the end. “No one looks good next to fire fighters.”

  The three of us laughed.

  Turning away from the computer whizzes, I held out my hand and introduced myself to one of the other bachelors. “Sam Turner.”

  He shook my hand. “Griffin Meyer.”

  “And what do you do, Griffin Meyer?” I asked.

  “I’m a veterinarian,” he replied.

  “Oh god,” Theo said. “You save puppies?”

  “And cats. And horses.” He nodded with a teasing shameful expression.

  “But he looks like a fireman,” Henry said.

  Griffin chuckled. “It’s funny you mention that, I also was a volunteer fireman where I’m from.”

  “You need to go stand somewhere else,” I teased. “You make all of us look bad.”

  “I just do what I’m told. The accountants down at the end didn’t want me near them either.” He nodded to the men behind him.

  “Fine, you can stand here, but your date better be sad, so you don’t make us all look bad.”

  “You got it. Would this be good?” He flexed his biceps and we all laughed.