Page 25 of Highest Bidder
There are a few ways to buy the cows. You can buy one cow or sometimes an entire herd that has several heads sold together.
I love working with JT and Myles. We all mesh well together. We rotate who lets the cows in and who helps Aaron with taking bids. It’s fun, and I don’t remember the last time I laughed so much while at work. Most of the cows do as they’re directed. Butwhen we get a cow that won't, we try to keep our cool while pushing until it budges.
I’m in my head about Myles, though. When JT and I are in the pen together, he keeps a wide berth when we pass each other. But when Myles passes, he always finds a reason to give me the subtlest touch. I can still feel where his hands held onto my hips longer than needed to keep a cow from pushing me over. The marks of his fingers dug into my hip bones. Now they’re permanently tattooed with the heat of his skin.
It’s confusing. He acted as if he was responsible for ensuring I didn’t go out with James. What sucks is that he was starting to win me over. Then he went all caveman on me, and I am not okay with that.
“Hey,” Myles yells, so I can hear him over the loudspeaker.
“What?” I yell back. I can feel the noise radiating through my body, down to my toes.
He motions over his shoulder to Aaron, selling the lot in the ring with us. “You’re up. Remember what I told you. If there are no bidders, sell it to number five-twenty.”
“Got it.” I step around him, but pause when his hand firmly grasps my elbow. His smile reaches his eyes and makes them crinkle.
“Don’t make me look too bad. I kinda like it here.” He winks.
“Well, you should have thought of that before telling the boss to give me your job,” I say before I can stop myself and grin.
His laughter is drowned out by Aaron selling the herd that JT pushed through the gate.
After the sale, we file into Thomas’ office. Myles is right by my side, like he has been all day. I’m exhausted and just want to get some food in my stomach. But I had the best time. Thankfully, the men didn’t haze me much, and I got to sell a good amount.
“Hey. You all did great today,” Thomas says. “The sale ran smoothly, and I’ll see you next week, right?” Thomas looks right at me like his question was only for me.
I nod. “I’d love to come back.”
His shoulders visibility relax. “Great. I appreciate it. You make a sound addition to the team.” He reaches out and shakes my hand, and then speaks to the entire team. “Have a great week, everyone.”
The sale ended right after two p.m., and none of us had anything to eat except the few snacks we brought. So my stomach plays a gurgling tune as I shield my eyes from the sun. Beads of sweat break out across my body, trickling down my curves. This heat is brutal.
My body goes on high alert when I sense Myles walk by me. “Will you go to lunch with me?” Myles asks. I stop, and JT almost runs into me.
“Woah, Fun-Size. You need to lay on the horn or something before slamming on the breaks. I can’t see you stopping from down there.” He winks, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.
“Ha. Ha. You’re so funny.” I shake my head in disbelief.
“I know. How about we ditch this one,”—he nods at Myles, who glares back at him—“and I’ll take you to have some real fun?”
I laugh. “Actually, how about you join us? I have a huge craving for Mexican food.” I look between the guys.
Rubbing his hands together, he licks his lips. “Oh, that does sound good.” I catch his eyes flicker to Myles for a second before they land on me again. “I was just messing with Myles. I need to get home. You two have fun.” He tips his imaginary hat and spins around.
Deep blues eyes meet my gaze. “Look, I’ve been an ass to you. If you’d give me the chance, I’d like to make it up to you. Let me buy you lunch and apologize.” Myles presses his lips together and forces a crooked smile onto his face, making it easier to envision the little boy who worked hard but never got recognition for his efforts.
Why did I have to be raised with manners? It’s making it hard for me to turn him down and walk away.
I look at my Bronco, wondering if I should leave, then look back at him. My rejection gets stuck in my throat. He’s still watching me, waiting for an answer, apparently in no rush to go home. My stomach growls again. Okay, one lunch won’t hurt, especially since there’s free food involved. My shoulders drop as I give in and sigh, “Okay, but one asshole remark”—I poke him in the chest—“and I’m gone.” I lift my thumb over my shoulder and gesture toward the road so he knows I’m serious.
“Yes, ma’am.” He smiles, and I see a dimple I’ve never noticed before, peeking out from beneath some scruff that seems to have gotten longer over the weekend.
Did he just call mema’am?
My shoulders slump as I sigh. “Jess will be disappointed she missed out on a chance to give you the third degree.”
Myles opensthe door for me to the restaurant, that grin still teasing his lips as he watches me pass, his eyes never leaving mine as I walk inside. It all feels weird, date-like even. Like both of us are feeling on edge with unfamiliarity and uncertainty about how this will pan out. Will I make it hard for him? Will he continue to be an ass? Should we both just call it quits? The hostess shows us to our table, dropping off a basket of chips and salsa. I’m freaking obsessed with chips and salsa, but my nerves have me breaking the chips into tiny pieces too small to dip, and by the time I’ve broken them up and popped a few in my mouth, I realize they aren’t good without the salsa. This feels different. I knew I should have gone home.
Why do I put myself in these situations? First, James and nowMyles. Jess was right when she insinuated I didn’t want tobewith him. I don’t want tobewith Myles, either. Except, the big difference between James and Myles is I didn’t feel anything when James touched me. But the smallest touch from Myles sends burning sensations throughout my body, making me want more. I’ve already imagined what it would be like to have his muscular arms wrapped around me, which is ridiculous. Except all I can think about is that they were on full display and glistening with sweat at the park.
