Page 19 of Just a Little Promise

“So, I told Tripp yes to his offer,” she said as they waited for the auction to begin, along with a lot of other eager women. “And he asked me to bid on him, no matter the amount, so that he wouldn’t have to spend the weekend with any other woman.”

Lauren grinned and looped her arm through Skye’s. “That’s because he’s a stand-up guy with morals and integrity. I mean, why would he want another woman when he has you?”

Skye’s face warmed at her friend’s words, but she rolled her eyes. “He doesn’thaveme.”

Lauren waggled her brows playfully. “Well, technically he will be ‘having you’ for the foreseeable future until you get pregnant.”

Okay, she couldn’t argue with that, and maybe therewasa part of her that was looking forward to the fantastic sex they would have to make a baby. Now that her nerves about telling Tripp “yes” had dissipated, she felt much more relaxed. And then there had been his reaction to her announcement, how genuinely excited he’d been, and the entire decision felt right to her. Now, she could just enjoy her time with Tripp, along with the baby making process, until she became pregnant.

Skye watched as all the bachelors took their place on the stage, but mostly her eyes remained on Tripp, who’d also found her in the crowd of women. His gaze met and held hers, and his smile was only for her, while his brother Drew spoke to the man standing beside him—Derek Bettencourt, she believed his name was. Having Tripp’s sole focus and attention released another round of those fluttering butterflies in her stomach.

Quickly, she scanned the other men up for bid, then glanced at Lauren, who was also taking inventory of the bachelors. “Okay, so which guy did you decide on for yourself?” she asked her friend.

A slight frown creased Lauren’s brows. “His name is Neil Pierson, and according to the information he sent in, he’s an accountant. I decided to go for someone boring but dependable who will hopefully be willing to fake date me at my sister’s wedding and help convince my family I reallyamhappy.”

“Which one is he?” Skye asked.

Lauren’s frown deepened. “In the brochure, he was the last guy listed, but his spot is empty.”

All the other men had taken their places, except for that last one, and Skye sought to reassure her friend. “I’m sure he’s just making his way through the crowd to the stage.”

Lauren nodded absently, then reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out her cellphone. The device was on silent, but must have vibrated because Skye saw her check a text message that had just come in from “Mom”.

“Crap, I need to call home,” Lauren said in a panic as she glanced at Skye, genuine worry in her eyes. “Apparently, my grandfather had a mini stroke earlier this afternoon. My mom says it was mild and not overly serious, and he’s already home from the hospital, but I need to hear for myself that he’s okay.”

“Of course,” Skye said, nodding in understanding. “Go and call.”

“Hopefully I’ll be back in time to bid on the last guy,” Lauren said, then rushed off to touch base with her mother.

Just as Lauren disappeared out of the ballroom, the last bachelor in the lineup finally—and very reluctantly—made his way onto the stage just as the auctioneer started to speak. And he certainly didn’t look like the geeky, mild-mannered accountant Lauren was hoping for. No, this man had a grumpy scowl on his gorgeous face and looked as though he wanted to be anywhere but in a charity auction where he was a prize to win.

She had to stifle a laugh, because his gloom and doom expression was certain to dissuade any female from wanting to be in his company.

Then Skye saw Billie, who worked for Future Fast Track and was in charge of the event, rush up to the far end of the stage and motion at the cantankerous guy until she had his attention.

“Smile, Chase!” Billie yelled at him, loud enough for Skye to hear.

His name was Chase, not Neil. For some reason Lauren’s choice had been replaced with this gem of a guy.

Chase attempted a smile, but it looked more like a pained grimace.

Hoo boy, Lauren was going to have her hands full with that one if she made it back in time to bid on him. And most likely, her bid would go unchallenged because who wanted to go out with a stick in the mud like him? No matter how good looking he happened to be.

The auction started, and Skye refocused on Tripp, who wouldn’t look at any other woman but her as the first few men were bid on, then walked off the stage to meet with their winners. She’d been so entranced bythisman’s sexy smile and seductive eyes that she had no clue how much the other bachelors sold for, which really didn’t matter because Tripp had given her carte blanche when it came to winning him.

Skye started the opening bid on Tripp, and a few other women quickly topped her amount. Pure determination, and yes, a hint of jealousy, had Skye calling out higher numbers every time someone tried to steal Tripp from her. Okay, it wasn’t stealing, she admitted to herself, but as she battled it out with the other ladies to win him for herself, she felt more territorial than she probably had a right to. But now that she’d decided to let him be her baby daddy, they were going to have a lot of sex in order for her to get pregnant, and there was no way she would allow another female to spend an entire weekend with her man.

Her man. She blinked at her possessive thoughts, then found herself bidding again.

The amount kept increasing... ten thousand, fifteen thousand, and higher. Every time someone topped her, she immediately shouted out a larger number. She couldn’t help but feel a stab of guilt for spending his money so frivolously, but instead of looking upset by the accumulating amount, Tripp seemed amused, an approving smile on his face, which helped ease her conscience.

Gradually, the other ladies dropped out and stopped challenging her bid, which topped out at twenty-six thousand dollars. Then she was the last woman standing and holding the final bid. She grinned up at Tripp as the auctioneer banged his gavel and announced her as the winner, then instructed her to meet her bachelor out in the greeting area.

All at once, the adrenaline wore off and Skye swallowed hard when she realized how much she’d spent. While she was slightly horrified that the number had escalated so high, Tripp didn’t even flinch. Instead, he winked at her, then strode off the stage.

Lauren still hadn’t returned, and Skye hoped that everything was okay at home with her friend’s family and grandfather. Not sure when or if Lauren would be back, Skye made her way out to meet Tripp. She found him in a sectioned off area with other bachelors and their winners, and she couldn’t help but grin as she approached him.

“Congratulations,” he drawled when she reached him, the low, husky sound of his voice and the way his eyes slid down the length of her, and back up again, making her breathless. “Is it wrong of me to say that your determination to win really turned me on?”

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