Page 6 of Good Girl and Grinches

“The last and highest bid for our lovely Sabrina! What a generous display from our distinguished patron who’s shown such enthusiasm, ensuring millions go to the veteran’s charity. We can’t thank you enough, sir. And of course, the biggest thank you to the waitresses who stepped up and saved the auction!”

The spotlight is too bright, too hot. The disappointment on my stepbrothers’ faces is evident. Part of me aches, wishing they hadwon. They’re my safety net, my protectors. With them, I know I’d be safe. How they planned on fulfilling the sex part of the contract… that was less certain.

But Hottie… The way he talked to me, laid his claim even before I was up for bid. Six million dollars. It’s heady. My skin tingles at the thought of his touch, of waking up in silk sheets, of charity galas that I would organize.

That is if the statistics of the auction hold up. I’ll be the future Mrs. Hottie McDollarSigns. Now that’s silly. I haven’t marked the first item off the checklist and I’m going full-on dreamer like Betsy.

The auctioneer’s words get lost in the applause. Hottie raises his champagne glass in my direction. Such a simple gesture, yet full of possibilities.

Then I’m led off stage. Right. Time to pay and—

My stepbrothers push through the crowd, their faces tight with concern as the three of them stop in front of me. But I can’t focus on them. Not when Hottie’s approaching. I panic. “Don’t scare him away. He won and you need to respect that.”

My pulse races. This is what I wanted, isn’t it? A chance at love, at security, at a life most girls only read about in magazines.

Large, warm hands cup my shoulders as Hottie circles me and stops behind me. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was burning up from the fire-filled gazes my brothers offer. But this heat is different. My body’s already reacting to Hottie.

Although, there’s a component of having my stepbrothers right there, so close, within my grasp that makes it less clear why I’m swoony. Am I eager to show them the woman I’ve grown into?

And the bigger question… would I have reacted the same way if my stepbrothers won me?

Hottie’s breath tickles my ear. “I’ve waited too long for this moment.” His fingers trace down my arm, raising goosebumps. “I was prepared to do anything to ensure you ended up with me.”

Something in Hottie’s tone strikes differently than earlier.

I force a laugh to diffuse my nerves. My brothers seem ready to throw down in the middle of the sex club. I angle my head to Hottie and say, “You had me worried when you bid on my friends.”

He angles my chin up and kisses the tip of my nose. I think we’re checking a few boxes, but his actions don’t ignite my soul the way I thought they would.

“I told you before the auction started that you were mine.”

Flame juts his chin and shifts his weight.

Hottie addresses my stepbrothers, and it occurs to me that he doesn’t realize who they are. “Why don’t you three losers go outside and cry around a campfire while I enjoy my victory?”

I don’t like him talking to them that way.

He continues, “Unless, of course, you want to watch all the ways I’m about to make her beg.”

That definitely didn’t land right. This isn’t some pissing match. My mind thinks I should pull away, but before my body moves into action, he spins me around and claims my mouth.

It doesn’t check the panty-melting box like I expected.

Being yanked backward also isn’t expected. Somebody stabilizes me so I don’t fall. Ghost.

Flame points across the room. “Before you put another hand on her, make your payment.”

“I’ll take her with me.” Hottie reaches for my hands, but I pull away. If I hadn’t been looking directly at him, I’d have missed the flash of anger that crosses his expression.

My comfort levels are fully breached. The sexy vibe is thoroughly ruined. I’m not even sure I want him to pay for me. What’s happening? Is this normal nerves or something more?

The last thing I want to do is beg my older brothers for help, but then again, if they weren’t challenging Hottie it might not be so weird. Confusion takes over.

I need a minute to speak to my brothers rationally. I’m applying my lip gloss before I realize I’ve grabbed it. “Actually, if you could go pay, I want to clear up whatever confusion these three have.”

“I won. What more is there to clear up? Time for these three to accept the ‘L’ I handed them.”

“Can’t blame them for being disappointed, right?” I’m shocked at my poise. “The blizzard won’t let us go anywhere. We’ll just stand here and talk while you pay.”

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