Page 7 of Highest Bidder
“I’m actually looking for a roommate!” She looks over at me with hope in her eyes. “I know you’re probably looking for your own space, but my place is a two-bedroom house, and you’d get your own bathroom. We’d share the common areas. Oh”—She turns to me and grabs my shoulders—“and there’s a pool!” Jess’ shoulders relax as she closes her eyes and sighs. It’s easy to see she loves living there. Being around her today, I know there’d never be a dull moment if I said yes. She’d definitely be a fun roommate.
“Well, where do you live, and how much would the rent cost?” I ask.
Jess’ eyes double in size. “Are you serious? You want to be my roommate?” she asks, bouncing on her toes. “Okay, so it’s seven hundred a month, but we can talk about those details later.”
“I’d love to be your roommate, Jess!” I give her a warm smile and put my arm around her. “I’m excited to have a girl to talk to! Come on! Let’s get to our lane before Mr. Grouch steals it and holds it hostage.” On our way to the lane, Jess tells me more about the house and the office gossip. When we arrive and find Myles standing there, arms crossed and eyebrows drawn together, we break out into a fit of giggles.
“You know,” she says, peeking over at Myles. “You were right about Mr. Grouch,” Jess whispers to me. We laugh again. I can picture making a life here. It feels good to finally feel like I’ve found where I belong, if only I can figure out how to get my ringman to be friendlier. One minute, he’s rude and doing everything he can to get a reaction out of me. The next, he’s invading my space and bringing some serious sexual tension.
“Hello, Myles.” I nod toward him.
“Hey, Hunter. Not going totripagain, I hope?” His eyes flare.
Jess’ eyes ping-pong between us.
“Nope. I never stumble on the block.” I smirk right back.
He turns his eyes on Jess. I can almost see her swooning.Give me a break.Sure, Myles is ruggedly handsome, with his five o'clock shadow and hair the perfect length to tangle my hands into during a passionate kiss.Oh, my god.Where did that come from? I shake my head, trying to get the thought out of my head.
Myles slides his gaze to Jess. “Hey, Jess. How’s Nickelback? Have any new photos?”
Who?I look over at Jess.
Jess looks at me, placing a hand on my arm. “Oh, I forgot to tell you, I have a dog. Are you allergic?” Without waiting for an answer, she turns back to Myles with stars in her eyes. “He'sgreat! Always up for a game of fetch. No, I showed you all the recent pictures. I wish I could bring him with me everywhere.”
I smile at her, “Aw, I love dogs! Can’t wait to meet him.” Turning my body fully to Jess, I add, “I’d love to join you for walks and playing fetch when I move in.”
Out of my peripherals, I see Myles looking back and forth at each of us.Ha, not getting rid of me that easily, big boy!
“Oh, yeah!” Jess gasps. “We go in the morning and when I get home from work. I’m sure he’d love having you come along. Where are you staying right now, anyway?” she asks.
Feeling Myles’ eyes on me, I keep my focus on Jess. “I’ve been staying at a hotel. So I’d love to get out of there as soon as possible.” I smile at her. My dad will be relieved I’ve found a place. I can’t wait to call him and tell him all about today. He’s going to be thrilled to hear that auction life here is just as amazing as it was growing up. Auctions have always been our main connection. When I was younger, he allowed me to go with him to work. Everyone at the auction was like a second family to me.
A deep and sultry voice brings me out of my memories. “So you’re moving in with Jess?” Just his voice makes my knees weak. But it’s his eyes that hold me there.
“Yeah, she is!” Jess answers for me. “Isn’t that great? We’re going to have so much fun.” She loops her arm with mine. “I can’t believe I met you this morning and now you’re going to be my roommate. We should go swimming tomorrow after the sale. I’m assuming you’re working here tomorrow?”
“Yes, I’ll be here bright and early.” I wink at Myles, knowing he doesn’t want me here. He’s not going to get rid of me that easily. Turning back to Jess, I add, “Also, swimming tomorrow sounds great! I got a few new bikinis before moving here.” Swimming in a pool after a long day sounds like the best way to spend an evening. When deciding to move here, I hoped that I would get the chance to go swimming more often than I did in Oklahoma.
“Yay!” Jess squeals and looks at her phone. “Ah, the lanes will be starting soon, I better go turn on the computer.”
I watch Jess as she skips away and turn to see Myles watching me intently. My face falls, and I school it into a blank expression. Feeling the heat under his gaze, I force myself to walk away.“Bring in the cars, Myles.” I peek over my shoulder at him. “Or do you want to sit this sale out?”
He glares, then storms away toward the cars. My eyes immediately rake over his butt and broad shoulders. I notice how well his jeans fit, hugging his ass in all the right ways. I can imagine wrapping my arms around his back and allowing my hands to drop down and grab a handful of his nice backside. Sucking in a deep breath, I quickly turn my head, averting my eyes.
My word, I need to stop. He doesn’t like me, and he’s such a grouch.
The sale goes smoothly.I don’t get to go as fast when the dealers are the sellers, but we can still cruise. I noticed Myles watching me off and on. Each time, I would raise an eyebrow at him, and he’d quickly turn around to find me more bidders. He’s good at his job. Too bad he’s got a stick so far up his ass. I’m amazed he can bend over.
I walk to the parking lot to rev up Westley. Blaring “One Thing” by One Direction, I drive back to the hotel for the last time. I’m looking forward to settling down in a house. The hotel has been nice, but I miss that homey feeling. Living out of suitcases is exhausting, and I’ve been doing it for a week now. While driving, I make a mental list of all the things I will need to order once I’m moved in. I don’t doubt that Jess will let me crash on the couch until I can order a bed frame and mattress. I know it’sgoing to take some adjusting to living with someone. I’ve lived by myself since moving out of my parent’s house. My ex-boyfriend wanted to live together, but I kept making excuses. I feel safer with Jess than I ever did with him. I think my subconscious knew something wasn’t right with him, and I never made the leap. It feels like life is finally coming together, and I can’t wait.
My phone rings as I pull up to a red light. Taking a peek at who it is, my mother’s name flashes across the screen. I cringe, silence it, and make my turn as soon as the light turns green.
7
MYLES
Headingover to my mama’s house to fix her faucet, JT follows in his car behind me. He can never say no to a home-cooked meal, not that I blame him. Being two bachelors who drive a ton for work, it’s hard to get one. We usually eat out, so I’m grateful for my mama. She always knows what I need. But I can’t say I’m looking forward to her and JT doing their harmless flirting. Hopefully, it will keep my mind off of Hunter. The whole damn sale, visions of her in a bikini kept flashing through my mind. Once she put it in my head, I imagined her diving into the pool, her body traveling beneath the clear water before slowly ascending. My imagination only got worse as I pictured her breaking through the surface, running her hands through her thick hair as water dripped down her gorgeous body. I could envision her as she climbed out of the pool and seeing her barely covered tight ass in her bikini bottoms before laying out in the sun as droplets glinted off her body.
