Page 30 of Hope's Highest Bidders

Finally, I get what she’s asking. “I lose my family’s ranch. The one that’s been in my family for generations. If that happens, I’ll probably lose my father because he won’t make it if he has to leave his ranch. He would be devastated.”

She nods, smiling. “Right. See, now we’re getting somewhere. Okay, so say you leave here and lose your ranch, let your dad down... can you live with yourself?”

I choke back a sob. “No.”

She nods excitedly. “Okay, so say you stay and go through with this. What do you lose?”

My first thought is of course Cole, but I don’t mention him. It’s not like he’s mine to lose. So I say the one thing I know I’ll lose. “My virginity.”

She laughs. “Yep, and can you live with that?”

I know what she wants me to say. I’m not proud of what I’m doing, but I’m going to do it all the same. “Yeah, I can.”

She leans over and grabs the white cowboy boots and squats down in front of me. “Lift.”

I do as she says, and she helps me put my boots on. “Now get out there. You got this, Sassy!”

I impulsively reach for her. “Thank you.”

She shrugs and pats me on the back. “It’s nothing. Good luck.”

I nod and walk over to the curtain to get in line. There are two women in front of me, and I pull my shoulders back.I can do this. I can do this.

I keep moving forward, repeating my little mantra and hoping that I’ll start to believe it soon. Because whether I want to do this or not, I have to. I can’t turn back now.

7

COLE

Isit on the edge of my seat and look up at the lighted stage. This whole thing is insane, but I’m not leaving without Sassy. It took me a week to get the invitation to this thing. I’ve had all kinds of credit checks, background checks, and everything done, and now here I sit waiting for the announcer to say Sassy’s name.

At least it’s tasteful. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I’m surprised. Everything is done in fine detail, and every security measure is in place. Limos, jets, and helicopters surround the place, and the inside of the grand white tent is impressive.

I got here early, wanting to make sure I didn’t have any problems getting through security. It took a while, but I can’t complain about it because it seems they take their job of keeping the women safe seriously.

But I’m ready to get this over with. I’m not going to breathe easy until I have Sassy in my arms and we’re on our way back to Whiskey Run.

The longer I sit here, the more on edge I become. I’ve watched woman after woman be auctioned off, and it fuckin’pains me to know that Sassy is going to be up there for other men to look at and bid on. They may bid, but they’ll never win. I’ll bet my whole damn ranch if I have to. Sassy is mine.

The woman with the blunt blond bob that gave her name as Coco St. James – what kind of name is that anyway? - is getting ready to announce the next person, and I know it’s Sassy. Even before she says a word, I have goosebumps, and the hair on the back of my neck is standing up.

I move farther to the edge of my seat and put my hand on the bidding button. We were told that when we want to bid, all we need to do is push the button. As soon as Mrs. St. James says Sassy’s name, I’m holding on to the button, not letting it go.

She introduces Sassy as a virgin cowgirl that knows how to ride. Fuck me, I can’t sit here through this. I jump from my seat, still holding on to that damn button. Other chairs in the room are lighting up, and it pisses me off. They have the audience in the dark so I can’t give the evil eye to anyone. All I can do is keep holding that button, determined to win my virgin.

The whole time, I keep my eyes trained on Sassy. She’s not comfortable up there. No one else may notice, but I sure can tell. I’m ready for this to be over.

Coco St. James stops talking and presses her finger to her earpiece before announcing, “Bidder #75, you have to let go of the button. You’re outbidding yourself.”

I growl in frustration, and it fills the room. Sassy’s head jerks up, and I wonder if she realizes it’s me out here. Could she have recognized my voice?

Reluctantly, I take my finger off the button and hover over it instead. Mrs. St. James continues, “Sassy, you have the crowd excited. Okay, so bidding is at three million. Do I have three point two million?”

Another man bids, and I hit my button before she asks for another one. The bidding continues, and I’m determined to win.I don’t care if I’m outbidding myself; I’m not leaving anything to chance. Finally, when it’s reached six million and Mrs. St. James announces bidder #75 as the winner, I’m out of my seat and heading to the stage.

Sassy is being directed where to go, and I can see her trembling as she walks down the steps. A security guard tries to stop me, holding me back, and I say Sassy’s name.

Her head jerks up. “Cole?” When she sees me, she says my name again and starts running to me.

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