by Chelle Bliss
I turn my face toward the star-filled sky and shake my head. Not only did I forget my cell phone at home, but there’s not a person attending the party who would be caught dead on this pot-hole-riddled dirt road. I laugh into the nothingness and give myself exactly thirty seconds to lose my shit.
When the hilarity of the situation wears off, I grab my purse from the front seat and my keys from the ignition and head toward my parents’ house. My feet ache with every step, and curse words spill from my lips like one of the mechanics in our garage. What should’ve been a ten-minute walk feels like it takes forever. Walking in heels has never been an issue for me, but tonight, under the glow of faint moonlight, I’m getting a full workout. The rocks crunch under my feet, almost throwing me off balance. Just when I’m about to give up, the faint familiar glow rises from the dark horizon. I have never been so happy to see my childhood home as I am right now.
I burst through the front door, sweaty and with my thousand-dollar red-soled shoes covered in dirt. I’m greeted by one of the waitstaff, and based on the look on his face, I know I look like a total mess.
I smile and wave my hand wildly through the air. “Car trouble,” I try to explain, but he wanders away without saying a word.
I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror near the base of the stairs. I look better than I would’ve imagined. My hair is barely out of place, and besides a fresh sheen of sweat, I look exactly like I did when I ran out of my loft in a tizzy.
The house is empty besides the few waiters carrying trays toward the back of the house. I glance at the clock and stow my purse and keys in the coat closet. “Damn,” I groan when I realize I missed the start of the auction.
My father’s voice booms loudly as he announces the first item. I resist the urge to kick off my shoes even though my pinky toes feel like they’re on fire. When I make my way to the back, my father is perched on the upper terrace with Roscoe and Brooks behind him.
My stomach rolls as I realize what’s about to happen. When I came up with the genius idea to auction off the boys, I never imagined I’d have a thing for the new guy. It’s for charity. I remind myself of that fact over and over again as I lean against the wall and take in the scene before me.
“Let’s start with Roscoe Ridley. Ladies, if you’d like to go on a date with the reigning champ, now’s your chance. Remember, one hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit the local Children’s Hospital. We’re starting the bidding at five hundred dollars. Do I have an offer?” My father waves his hand over the crowd, waiting for the first bid to roll in.
We both figured Roscoe would be the biggest prize of the night. The event may be for charity, but there isn’t a person in attendance who doesn’t want to win an item. They never liked to be outdone in any situation, especially when they’re flashing their money in front of others.
Ms. Constance, the town trollop, is the first to raise her hand. “I’ll take him off your hands for five hundred, Beau.” She looks around, a giant smile on her blood-red-stained lips.
My father dips his head acknowledging her bid. Roscoe takes a few steps forward and opens his suit jacket before spinning in a circle to show what he has to offer. The man really thinks he’s the hottest thing on the planet, and based on the typical fan reaction, he’s right.
I drag my eyes to Brooks and let my mind wander. I picture him laughing, holding hands, and flirting with one of the rich ladies at the party. My pulse quickens, and I squeeze my hands together into tight fists. “Shit,” I whisper, hating the reaction I’m having at the thought of someone else touching him.
“One thousand,” a lady in the back yells and outbids Constance.
“We have one thousand. Do I have fifteen hundred?” My father turns to Roscoe and winks.
Constance glances over her shoulder at the woman in the back, probably throwing all kinds of hate with her eyes. “Fifteen hundred!”
“Two thousand.” Mrs. Peabody, the town’s newest divorcee, gives Constance a smug smile.
Their fight isn’t just about Roscoe—it’s personal. “Three thousand!” Constance raises her hand high in the air and waves her fingers.
“Five,” Mrs. Peabody replies.
Constance’s face turns red. “Seven,” she shouts.
My mouth falls open at the amount of money they’re throwing around. I’m not going to complain, because every penny is for a good cause, but damn. Their bidding war is no longer about my brother and has everything to do with the fact that Constance slept with Mrs. Peabody’s husband while they were very much man and wife, and the entire town knew about the affair.
My father is dumbfounded as he tries to keep up with the bidding war.
“Ten!”
I almost stumble backward with the insanity of the entire situation. Ten thousand dollars for a date with Roscoe is beyond ridiculous, even for these two ladies, who don’t value a dollar.
Constance takes a step forward, parting the crowd with her hands before giving Mrs. Peabody a nasty glare. “Fifteen. I can keep going as long as you can, Peabody.”
Brooks nervously yanks on his tie and shifts his weight between his feet. I feel a little guilty I didn’t warn him about the auction, but I’m sure he didn’t balk at the idea when he saw how happy the entire thing made my father.
Mrs. Peabody crosses her arms and ignores Constance. “Twenty.”
The crowd gasps before their heads snap, almost in unison, toward Peabody, waiting for her response. The board at the Children’s Hospital is going to be beyond ecstatic for this year’s donation. Between Roscoe and Brooks, we’ll make more than double our usual donation.
Constance spins on her heels to face Mrs. Peabody, places her hands on her hips, and grins. “You can have him. I’ll take the new boy.”
Bile rises in my throat at the thought of Constance spending any time with Brooks. She’s as handsy as they come and has absolutely no morals. Knowing Constance, she’ll be on her knees begging to suck his cock before the entrée is even served. I cover my mouth and swallow the bitterness.
“I plan to have them both,” Mrs. Peabody responds.
Roscoe leans over and whispers in Brooks’s ear. A moment later, they both laugh like they’ve been best friends for a lifetime.
“Twenty thousand going once.” My dad pauses as his eyes sweep across the crowd. “Twenty thousand going twice.”
Roscoe blows on his nails and rubs them against his jacket, putting his cockiness on full display. It’s nothing new to these people. They’ve watched Roscoe grow up and know exactly the kind of man he is. For all his flaws, he has a good heart and would do anything for his family.
“The date is sold to Mrs. Peabody,” my dad announces, “for twenty thousand dollars.”
Roscoe raises his hands in triumph, and the people in the crowd murmur.
“You’re up, buddy.” Roscoe slaps Brooks on the back before pushing him toward my father and straight into the lion’s den. “Good luck.”
Brooks laughs nervously, looking more like a timid school boy than a champion race car driver in the making. My body stiffens as I watch the women undress Brooks with their hungry eyes. I want to shout he’s mine, but I can’t, and it eats me up inside.
Roscoe turns, finally catching sight of me, and smiles as he struts my way. He’s impressed with himself, but I knew he’d fetch a pretty penny, especially from his rich old lady fan base. “Hey, you made it. What the hell happened?” he asks as he slides next to me.
“My truck broke down.”
“You should’ve called. Why don’t you just use the company car already?” Roscoe asks.
“I love my truck. When it won’t run anymore, I’ll buy my own car.”
“You always have to be so hardheaded.” Roscoe bumps his shoulder against mine. “We were worried about you.”
“Looks like you were out of your mind with grief.” I wave my hand in his face and try to silence him.
My dad wraps his arm around Brooks’s shoulder and brings him clos
er to the railing so the crowd below can get a better look. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is Brooks Carter, the newest addition to Ridley Racing.” The crowd cheers and claps while my father pauses for dramatic effect. “He’s ruled the dirt, and now he’s ready to play with the big dogs. Which one of you lovely ladies would like to spend an evening with Brooks, the newest sensation to hit the professional circuit?”
“Me!” Constance lurches forward like she is about to climb the staircase and hurl herself into Brooks’s arms. “Give him to me.”
“Now, Ms. Constance,” Dad chides but softens his tone with a kind smile. “You know how this works.”
“Two thousand,” Constance calls out before my dad has even stated the opening bid.
Dad laughs and tips his head to her. “I have two thousand for Brooks. Do we have twenty-five hundred?”
“Five thousand,” Mrs. Peabody replies, stepping through the crowd to stand nearly shoulder to shoulder with Ms. Constance.
Oh Lord. This could get even nastier in a hot minute.
“It looks like we have another bidding war,” I say to Roscoe.
He crosses his arms over his chest and throws his shoulder back. “He won’t go for more than me.”
I laugh softly. “We’ll see.”
“Ten,” Constance replies.
“Fifteen!”
“Twenty!”
Within seconds, they meet the bid they set for Roscoe and are chomping at the bit to go even higher. Brooks stands there, silent and frozen as he stares down at the two women.
“Well, fuck,” Roscoe hisses at my side. His overinflated ego smashes to smithereens right before my eyes.
I bite my bottom lip to stop myself from calling out a higher bid. I don’t want either of these women to spend a single second alone with Brooks. Even though he’s not mine, the knot in my stomach doesn’t seem to know the difference.
I’m so consumed by the noise in my head, I don’t hear the final bid before my dad announces, “Sold for thirty-five thousand dollars.”
“Fuck,” I groan as I snap my gaze to two women who were just fighting over Brooks. By the smile on Constance’s face, I’d say she is the victor. I cover my face and let a string of words that would have gotten my ass tanned as a child burst free.
“You okay?” Roscoe touches my arm.
“I’m just so excited,” I say, plastering a fake smile on my face.
Constance is running up the stairway and heading straight for Brooks. He backs up, looking stiff but bracing himself for what’s coming. She leaps into his arms, and he spins around, holding her like a bride. He’s playing the part perfectly, but when his blue eyes meet mine, they narrow to slits.
Brooks Carter is pissed, and there’s going to be hell to pay.
Chapter Seven
Brooks
Faith disappears into the house before I can untangle Constance from my body.
“Don’t run off so fast.” The woman latches her arms tighter around my neck every time I try to wiggle free.
“Constance, I’m sure Mrs. Ridley would like to get your check before we actually start our date. Don’t you think, doll?”
She blushes and blinks her eyelashes rapidly as she stares up at me. “I love when you call me that.”
I resist the overwhelming urge to drop her flat on her ass. “We have time for this,” I say, playing into her fantasy but hating every minute of it.
“You’re right. I need to give my donation so we can get to the good stuff.” She slides down my body and places her hands on my chest. “I just know you’re going to be worth every penny.” She slowly peels her hands away from me, and she walks away, swaying her hips for effect. She glances at me over her shoulder, as if to make sure I’m enjoying her show.
I stand there, waving to her and wishing she’d move her ass a little faster so I can find Faith. When Constance is finally out of sight, I wait ten seconds before I take off through the house, searching each room I pass for any sign of Faith. By the time I make it into the foyer, I spot her halfway up the stairs.
I take the steps two at a time and grab her arm before she makes it to the first landing. “Where the hell were you?”
“I broke down.”
Moving closer, I pin her back against the wall and invade her personal space. “Why didn’t you call? I’ve been worried sick.”
She finds her bearings and pushes off the wall, squaring her shoulders and pushing against my chest. “I forgot my phone. What business is it of yours, anyway?”
I grip her arm again and bring my face close so only she can hear me. “Less than ten hours ago I had my dick buried so deep inside you I could feel you breathe. That’s why it’s my fucking business.”
Her eyes flash with anger or maybe lust, but they change, burning brighter than I’ve seen before.
“Faith,” Mrs. Ridley says from the bottom of the staircase, and I release Faith and back away. “Is everything okay up there?”
“Yes, Mamma.” Faith narrows her gaze before stepping around me to peer over the banister. “Brooks was worried about me. We’re just talking.”
“Your father and I were wondering what happened to you, dear.”
I can’t turn around. I’m angry with myself for being so stupid and reckless. I knew we weren’t in private, but I let my aggravation get the better of me.
“I’m here now. Sorry,” Faith says and glances back at me, giving me an oh-fuck-we-almost-got-caught-you-asshole face before turning back around. “Can you give us a few moments alone, Mamma?”
“Why don’t you finish the conversation upstairs in private. I’d hate for someone to get the wrong idea.”
I squeeze my eyes shut and tilt my head back, cursing under my breath. Here it is. Mrs. Ridley saw everything. My entire career is about to go up in flames because I let my emotions get the better of me.
“Thanks. We’ll be quick.” Faith grabs my arm and pulls me up the rest of the stairway. I still can’t turn around or acknowledge Mrs. Ridley, even though I know I should, but I just can’t.
I follow Faith through the first open door. “I’m sorry,” I say as she slams the door.
“She won’t say a word to Daddy.” She rubs her fingers down her cheeks.
“I didn’t mean for that to happen. I don’t know what came over me.”
“What’s your issue, Brooks?”
I touch my chest, dipping my chin as I raise my eyebrows. “My issue?”
She places her hands on her hips and drops a shoulder. Her fiery side shows, and it’s sexy as hell. “Yeah. Your. Issue.”
“I was worried.” I push my hands through my hair, and I know I’m going to sound like a complete asshole, but I say it anyway. “You didn’t even call. No one knew where you were. Something really bad could’ve happened to you.”
“I’m a grown-ass woman, Brooks Carter. I know how to look after myself. Anyway, you’re going to have a grand time with Ms. Constance.”
I storm toward her, and all the emotions I felt earlier come roaring back double-fold. She backs up as I take two strides, closing the space between us.
“You jealous?” I lean forward, sliding my hands around her waist, and hover my lips less than an inch away from hers. “Tell me you don’t care, princess.”
She narrows her eyes as I slide my hands behind her back and cup her ass. Her breathing becomes labored, and I move my lips closer, keeping my eyes locked on her. She tangles her fingers in my hair and pulls my face closer. “Kiss me already,” she whispers.
I gaze into her deep-green eyes and let out a strangled growl before I crash my lips down on hers. She moans into my mouth as she wraps her legs around my waist and tugs on my hair. In seconds, my dick is hard as a rock. My grip on her ass tightens as she grinds against my cock.
She pulls away and gasps for air. “I need to feel you inside me, Brooks.”
I moan, capturing her lips with mine again, and start to carry her toward the bed and stop. “We shouldn’t do this,” I tell her,
pained by the very words leaving my mouth before she pulls my mouth back to hers.
There’s a knock on the door, and we both freeze. “Hello!”
My eyes fly open, and Faith’s eyes widen. We freeze, barely breathing for fear of being caught.
“Is someone in there?” a woman asks as the handle starts to turn.
“One minute!” Faith calls out, pushing against my chest and sliding down my body. “Please use another room. This one is private and not for guests.”
“Sorry about that. I was looking for the bathroom.”
“Down the hall on the right, ma’am.”
The handle releases and goes just as still as I am.
“Thank you!”
I collapse onto the bed, rolling onto my back and sporting a full hard-on. The moment’s gone, but it’s probably for the best. We are playing with fire messing around in her parents’ house. The woman probably saved us from making a bigger mistake than we already had.
Faith stands at the foot of the bed and exhales. “That was too close. Maybe we should take a break for a little while.”
We stare at each other for a moment before I decide it’s time I man up and do the right thing. Or at least try to anyway.
“Yeah.” I let out a huff and push myself upright. I’m not sure if I can keep my hands off Faith now that I’ve had a taste. Everything about her calls to me. I crave her, and working as close to her as I’m going to be over the next few months isn’t going to make anything any easier.
We’ve known each other less than two days, and she’s quickly become an addiction.
FAITH
My mother’s waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs as Brooks follows behind me. “Faith. Can I have a word?”
“Sure,” I say with a smile, trying to pretend like she didn’t just catch me red-handed.
But my mother doesn’t return my smile as she peers over my shoulder. “Brooks, Mr. Ridley was asking for you. He’s out back.”