Page 32 of Hope's Highest Bidders

But he doesn’t let me finish. “It’s happening. When we leave here, you’re going to be Mrs. Sassy Rogers.”

I don’t have any fight left in me. Have I dreamed about this moment? At least a hundred times... but I never wanted it like this.

I close my mouth and look at the man in front of us. He gives me a look of pity. “You ready to do this, miss?”

I nod my head and think about how ridiculous this all is. I’m listening to the man talk about commitment and forever, and I’m standing here in a see-through nightie. I chance a glance over at Cole, and his jaw is pulled tight. He doesn’t look as if he’s a man that’s happy about getting married.

When it’s time, Cole answers the officiant, “I do.”

His voice is clear and calm. Nothing like what I’m feeling. But when it’s my turn, I nod my head. “I do.”

The officiant smiles, announces us as husband and wife, and tells Cole he can kiss the bride.

I turn to face him, and Cole is not happy. If anything, he looks pissed. I wait for him to refuse to kiss me, but he surprises me when he pulls me into his arms. He leans down until our mouths are only inches apart. He pauses, and I search his eyes, trying to get a glimpse of what he’s thinking. He didn’t have to marry me. This was just an added option that he could have refused, but for some reason, he didn’t.

He looks as if he’s about to pull away, and I grab the lapels of his suit jacket. “Kiss me, Cole.”

He nods and slowly leans in to press his lips to mine. I loop my arms around his neck and hold on. His kiss is potent, and he pulls me against his body, letting me feel his hard body against my softer one. I don’t want to let him go. If I had my choice, I’d stay right here because it’s like all my fantasies are coming true.

Cole pulls away first, and we’re both breathless. He looks down at me, his eyes traveling down my body. He stares at my hard nipples poking against the sheer material of my white overalls. He grunts as he takes off his jacket and wraps it aroundme. I slide my arms inside it and am instantly comforted, surrounded by the heat and scent of his body.

He turns to the officiant. “Where do we sign?”

He’s holding out a marriage license, and both Cole and I sign it. It isn’t long before we’re both settled in his truck and headed back to Whiskey Run.

There’s a thousand questions in my head, but each time I think I get the nerve up to ask him one, I look at him, and his jaw is tight, and he’s frowning at the road in front of us.

I hold my hands in my lap and stare out the window at the scenery passing by. There’s peace in knowing that I’m going to be able to save my dad’s ranch but at what cost? This changes everything.

I have no idea what is going to happen now. But when Cole passes the driveway to his ranch and takes the one to mine, I know that even though he bought me and even married me, it looks as if I’m going to remain a virgin.

I sigh, unable to keep in my disappointment.

9

COLE

My truck rocks across the gravel driveway. All the way home to Whiskey Run, I’ve held on to the steering wheel with a death grip. It was either that or reach for Sassy.

I’ve been hard and pissed off the whole time, and it’s not a good situation to be in. I’ve never been the type of person to be out of control or impulsive, but obviously if it involves Sassy, I’ll do just about anything. Even get married.

She’s been silent the whole way, but her soft voice fills the cab of the truck as we arrive at her house. “You’re mad at me.”

I ignore her. I don’t trust myself to say the right things, so maybe it’s better if I say nothing at all.

The lights are off at her barn and her house. I’m sure her father’s already in bed, so I turn off my lights as I park.

She starts to get out, and I tell her to stay.

Thinking she’ll listen, I get out of my side of the truck and walk around to find her shutting her door.

“I thought I told you to-“

“Stay? You did. But I’m not a dog. I don’t know why you’re mad at me. I didn’t ask you to come and bid on me.... to marry me.”

I take a step toward her. She still has my jacket on, but it does nothing to hide her heaving breasts from the little tirade she just had.

“Did you really think I’d just leave you there?”

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