Page 60 of Highest Bidder
I laugh because he seems so out of his element. He’s used toflirting with girls but not hanging out with them. Actually, I’m not either, but I’m enjoying it. A lot.
“You seem happier. I’m guessing based on you practically mauling her in your truck that the trip was a success.” JT wiggles his eyebrows, and I shove his shoulder as he laughs.
“Yeah. It actually went better than I hoped.” I slide my hands into my pockets. “I mean, there were a few bumps, but it was great. Her dad’s awesome too. You would like him.”
“Dude! I’m jealous you got to meet Conrad Smith. Now that you’re dating his daughter, you’ll be an auctioneer in no time.” He smiles.
Of course I still want the job, but I’m realizing it isn’t the most important thing in my life anymore. I now have an amazing girl by my side, and I don’t think life could get much better.
“You like her a lot, don’t you?” he asks, but there isn’t much question in his voice.
“Yeah. There was some shit that went down at the gala. She was hurting, and I hated it. It only made me want to protect her,” I admit.
He smiles at me. “Okay, Moondoggie. Let’s get inside to the women. Maybe you can help me figure out what the hell they are squeaking about.” He claps me on the shoulder.
26
HUNTER
Tossingthe last of the decorative pillows on my bed, I can’t wipe the smile off my face. Last night, Myles went home when JT did, reluctantly. Then Jess and I had a much-needed girls’ night, watching movies and eating loads of ice cream. Although, we didn’t actually watch much of the movies because we were too busy talking about all the events that took place while I was gone. She fanned herself at the steamy parts, and we laughed all night. She updated me on everything work-related. She also told me how much she and JT had hung out while I was gone.
When I walk out of my bedroom, Jess is already awake shuffling around in the kitchen, looking exhausted.
“Morning,” I say through a yawn.
“Morning.” Her voice sounds sleepy.
“I guess you’re only a morning person when you don't stay up most of the night?” I giggle, and she glares at me. I put my hands up in surrender. “Well, Myles texted. He and JT are picking us up in thirty minutes. We need to bring bathing suits, jeans, and closed-toed shoes." Her eyebrows furrow when she looks at me. “Don’t ask me. I don’t know what’s going on today. But we need to get going because we don’t have much time to get ready.”
With that, I turn around and head back into my room to take a quick shower. I wrap myself in a towel and do my hair, leaving it to air dry. I skip makeup and put on my purple bikini and jean shorts with a cropped T-shirt over top. After stuffing a towel, a change of clothes, my boots, and some other things I could possibly need into a bag, I’m ready. I walk out of my room and Jess is finishing up too. She has on her red bikini with beige shorts and a loose T-shirt. She stuffs the last of her things into a bag when a knock at the door, bringing us out of mindless packing. I dart to the door in anticipation. She rolls her eyes at me when I nearly crash into it before throwing it open.
My sexy man stands in the doorframe, looking like an absolute vision. He's in black swim shorts and a gray T-shirt. The shirt hugs his arms and shoulder muscles perfectly. He's wearing his worn hat backward, and he smiles at me. I jump into his arms and kiss him. He wraps his hands around me and grabs hold of my thighs, making sure I don’t fall. I hear someone clearing their throat, and my eyes fly open. JT stands behind Myles. He looks a little embarrassed to be there, but we are blocking the doorway.
“Oh, hey JT,” I say through a giggle, my cheeks heating in embarrassment. I wiggle and Myles gently puts me down.
“That’s it, Fun-Size? Oh, hey JT.” He mocks me in a high-pitched girly voice. “You launch into his arms and kiss him, but I get an, oh hey?”
I laugh at his teasing, walk over to him, and kiss him briefly on the cheek. I don’t think he expected it because his face turns bright red. I turn back around to see Myles’ arms crossed over his chest with his eyebrows lowered.
“What?” I walk past him before he can say anything. “You ready Jess?” I yell out. Nickelback comes barreling over to greet the guests. Both men sit on the floor to give him all the love he so desperately thinks he’s lacking as if he’s not spoiled rotten.
“Yup. Do you think we will need condoms?” she yells back.
Both of the guys stop giving any attention to Nickelback, and their heads whip up. The dog whines at the loss of attention.
Jess pokes her head out of her room. “Gotcha!” She looks at them, and we both laugh hysterically.
The guys look at each other and give small laughs. But they still both looked stunned and unsure. They don’t know what they’ve gotten themselves into for the day.
“So where are we headed, boys?” I ask as we all pile into Myles’ truck. The two of them climb up front while Jess and I make our way to the back together. Myles wanted me up front with him, but she tugged on my hand to follow her to the back. She didn’t tell me much of what’s going on between her and JT, but I get the inkling that she wants more. She isn’t sure if he feels that way too, or if he’s playing her. His reputation doesn’t help. So I know she’s trying to guard herself around him.
“We’re going to my house,” Myles says.
My eyebrows furrow. “We could have met you there. You didn’t have to pick us up.” Myles looks at me in the rearview mirror, making me smile. I am excited to see his house for the first time. I’ve imagined what it looks like, but I can’t wait to see the real thing. He told me the view’s amazing out the back of his house. It’s nice we all live fairly close to one another, which is a miracle since we work all over the state. He reaches over the seat and hands me my favorite morning drink, a Mocha Frappuccino. JT also hands a drink to Jess. I don’t miss the way her cheeks turned a little pink at the gesture.
“We wanted to make sure you were properly caffeinated, and I wanted to pick you up.” Myles shrugs.
Jess leans over and nudges me with her elbow, and I can’t help but feel a flutter in my stomach with how sweet he is.
