He shakes his head and grins, though he doesn’t move his hand. “You’re fucking with me.”

“And,” I tilt my head to the side playfully, “what are you gonna do about it?” My heart slams against my ribcage as I stare up at him, half hoping he leans down to kiss me.

Dear God, what was in that potato? Maybe it wasn’t garlic. Maybe it was mushrooms, because I’m clearly on some sort of trip. I mean, who is this girl talking right now? She’s not me. This version of me is unhinged, wild, unafraid.

“If you don’t knock it off, I’m gonna bend you over and spank your ass until it’s dark red. Is that something you want, little girl?”

My clit throbs and my skin warms with a tingle I usually reserve for fantasies about Owen. I think I need a nap. A long, hard, serious nap. A nap so long, I wake up in another lifetime. A nap so deep I escape this place for a while. A nap that reminds me I’m not attracted to whatever weird shit this is.

In over my head, I glance up at the giant, then toward the bathroom. He’s still got his hand on my breast but if I move fast, I could duck under his arm and get to the bathroom before he catches me. That, or he’ll catch me, and I’ll reap the seeds I’ve sown. At this point, I’m not sure which I’d prefer, which is exactly why I duck under his arm and dart for the bathroomdoor. Thankfully, there’s a lock, though a small part of me is hoping he breaks down the door and takes me, anyway.

There must have been something in that potato.

Chapter Four

Zee

“She’s fucking with us, man. She had my fuckin’ cock in her mouth.” Moose grabs a beer from the fridge and settles down into the recliner by the fireplace as though he didn’t just say what I think he said.

“What?”

He tips the bottle up. “Yeah, I don’t know. It just happened. She’s… she’s trouble. You sure she’s avirgin?”

Blood pops under my skin. “Yes, she’s a fuckin’ virgin. Why did you let her touch you? Did you touch her back?”

“She put my hand on her tit.” He says the words matter of fact as though it’s nothing. “She’s stressed, and she’s trying everything to get out of that room. That’s all that was. Come on. Get a beer and sit down before you lose your damn mind.”

I’ve known Moose for a few years now. I did some work for him, and we got into a conversation about the best wood to use for a custom bookshelf. That rolled into about a dozen more conversations on similar topics and a tool sharing system that never ended. He’s not the easiest guy to talk to, but he’s loyal and reliable, which are two things that are hard to find these days.

I grab a beer for myself and sit across from Moose in the second recliner. “You seen Hawk?”

Moose groans. “Probably off writing somewhere. I think he has a draft due by the end of the week.”

I nod and lean back, staring up at the wood beam ceilings in the old farmhouse. I didn’t come here thinking this was gonna be easy, but I didn’t expect it to feel so damn gross either. Kidnapping wasn’t my first option. Truthfully, wasn’t my second either, but here we are… knee deep in shit. At this point, I might as well try growing something.

“What’s the plan here?” Moose groans. “The bidding is up over two hundred grand. If someone doesn’t accept that bid by midnight, she’ll owe the penalty payment toFantasy Driverfor breaking the contract.”

“I know,” I huff under my breath and pace the room as I think over the second half of this stupid fucking plan.

“How long does she have to make the appointment?” Moose tips back his beer and sighs before scrubbing his hand down over his face.

“Depends on the negotiation with the winner. I’ll have to log into her account tonight and see who won.”

“Or I can. It’s probably best that way. You get so damn worked up every time you look at that thing.” He clears his throat. “Are we accepting whatever bid comes through and fuckin’ killing the dude or what?”

“You know this could’ve been a lot easier, right?”

“Don’t start that shit again.” Moose’s tone is gruff.

“I thought we weren’t taking her until the morning. I thought we were giving her a chance to change her mind?”

“Look, I had a driver willing to help, and I did what I did. You wanted something different you should’ve done it yourself.” He’s gruff when he speaks. Then again, he’s always gruff. “Two days and you’re on your own. I don’t want this shit storm falling back on the farm.”

I don’t know what I’m doing with the winner of the auction. I haven’t thought that far ahead yet. On one hand, Iwant to murder whoever thought it was a good idea tobuya virgin. On the other hand, I want out of this clean and easy.

Sliding the mask back down over my face, I adjust the voice box and make my way to the back room, trying not to think about Moose’s cock sliding into the girl’s mouth. There’s no way in hell he didn’t enjoy that a little, and there’s no way in hell, he didn’t edge it on. Part of me wants to turn back and punch him in the jaw, but I decide to talk to the girl first.

“Coming in,” I bark, knocking on the door before I unlock it.