Page 15 of Highest Bidder
JT looks down at Jess, and she glances over at him, tucking her bottom lip beneath her teeth. When he winks at her, a huge smile begs to take over her face.
Turning my attention back to the table, I look for my next shot. There is no way I can lethimbeat me. I line up my stick and pocket another ball, immediately meeting Myles’ deep, blue eyes. After sinking my last two balls, I look to see the eight ball is at a hard angle and is going to be difficult to get. I line up, but I already know I’m going to miss it. So I just try to place the cue as close to the eight ball as I can. Maybe Myles will accidentally hit it in.
Myles walks toward me. “Aw, that’s too bad. I guess you dochoke.”
Blake starts fanning herself. “Is it getting hot in here?” she says to no one in particular.
I pop my hip to lean on my pool stick. “Let’s see what you got,big boy.”
Was that necessary? No. Do I care? Also, no.
Myles smirks and lands his last two balls. His last ball touchesthe eight ball. Oh, please let him miss. I can’t let him win.He takes one more long look at me, making me squirm under his gaze, and shoots his shot. The cue ball sinks his last ball, ricocheting back and going into a hole. His shoulders slump, and he lets out a huff.
The girls and I raise our arms in the air and let out a loud scream and laughter follows. The guys laugh and each take turns smacking Myles on the back.
Picking up all three shots, I walk them over to Myles. “Better drink up.”
Myles’ heated gaze rakes over me slowly, and I have to stop myself from fidgeting. Picking up the first shot, he lifts it to me, holding my gaze for longer than he should before shooting it back. He does the same thing with the next one, keeping me in his sight. When he holds the last one in the air and everyone cheers, he slowly licks the rim, winks at me, and throws it back. Sliding his tongue across his lower lip, he removes all evidence of the Whiskey, then moves in closer. Someone accidentally bumps into me, causing me to fall into his arms. His strong hands grip my hips protectively. Unable to stop myself, I allow my hands to slide up to his hard abs, his eyes boring into mine intensely. Neither of us dare move. His fingers squeeze me tighter, sending a jolt of heat through my body.
Pushing up on my tippy toes, I lean forward until my lips graze the shell of his ear. He doesn’t move. Doesn’t breathe. “Enjoy your ride home,” I whisper. Patting his firm chest, I turn to the rest of the group. “Well, I guess I’ll see you all tomorrow!”
I turn to leave when a large arm snakes around my waist, pulling me back with a force that has my back smacking into his concrete chest.
“Where are you going?” The words lazily roll off his tongue, and I get a little too much enjoyment knowing the shots are already taking effect.
“It’s getting late. I’m going home.” I tilt my head to the side, looking up into his handsome face. “We have an early morning.”
He leans into my space, sucking all the air from the room. “Fine.” The pad of his thumb drags across his bottom lip, his gaze more heated than ever, making it impossible to look away. “Butthisisn’t over.”
11
MYLES
My alarm blares,filling my head with agony. I let out a drawn-out groan.Why?Why did the morning have to come so soon? Why did I make that bet with Hunter? I should have known she would win. The odds were stacked against me. Like any damn romance movie, the woman is a pool shark and the guy always loses. She seems to be my kryptonite, but flirting with her has been the best part of my days lately. I love seeing how I affect her. But mostly, I like how it isn’t only me. I see the way her breathing hitches when I’m close. The way she met my challenge and kicked my ass while doing it.
Damn, it’s too early. I press the pillow harder into my head, wishing it would stop the pounding. Blindly reaching for my phone, I drag it under with me. I check the time and nearly jump to my feet. I must have set the wrong alarm. Pulling myself out of bed, the room spins, making bile rise in my throat. Shit, I’m going to be late for work.
Drinking two drinks and three shots last night, I’m amazed I still remember anything. I need to take some Tylenol and head out. I throw on a pair of jeans, a black button-up shirt, and my hat, and rush out the door.
Fuck!I squint. The sun isn’t even fully up yet, and it’s too damn bright. I jump into my truck and pull my hat down low over my eyes. With how late I am, and the fact that the first auction today is an hour and a half away, I don’t have time to go back inside for my sunglasses. “Come on, Gertrude,” I say, patting her dash as if she were a living thing. “Don’t fail me now.” I throw the gear into reverse, back out, and speed away as I chug an old bottle of water I left in here, suffering through the warm plastic taste.
Thankfully, some of the guys we were with at the bar live close by and were able to get both me and my truck home last night. Otherwise, JT would have to haul my ass to work. But those guys weren’t happy when I threw up into a bag on the way home.
Pulling into the auction ninety minutes later, I readjust my hat so the bill rides lower and rush inside. I’m late for the meeting, but thankfully the lanes haven’t started. I walk up as everyone else is clearing out.
“Well, look who actually decided to show up this morning,” JT teases.
I squint from the pain.“Shut up.” I massage my temples to help relieve some of the aches.
“Wow.” A sweet voice floats from behind my shoulder, forcing me to turn around.
Hunter stands there with one hand on her hip, the other holding a coffee. If I weren't a gentleman, I'd trip her for that cup of brown life.
“You look rough,” she says, eyeing me. “Did you have a bad night, Myles?” she adds, on the verge of laughter.
This girl keeps showing up at the wrong time. A warning rumble leaves my throat. I’m in no mood today. I can barely keep my stomach from releasing its contents. I knew better than to bet against someone I’ve never seen play pool. There’s always a chance of it biting you in the ass. I couldn’t help myself. Shelooked carefree, shooting the balls into the pockets. I didn’t want her to leave. Before I knew what I was doing, I was on my feet and challenging her.
She puts her hands up in surrender, then brings her purse to the front of her, digs around, and pulls out a bottle. “Here.” I reach out tentatively and grab whatever she has. “I came with a peace offering. Here’s some rapid release Tylenol, and I don’t see your sunglasses. So you can borrow mine.” She looks down, a little embarrassed, as if she isn’t sure she did the right thing. “I know they’re a bit more stylish than you’re used to, but they will improve your looks by covering up half your face.” She does her best to hold back her laughter before clearing her throat. “I remember coming to an auction with a hangover. They were a lifesaver for me.”
