Hope’s Highest Bidders

4. Sassy

4

SASSY

I should probably be ashamed, but I’m not. I’m not doing the auction for some random reason. I’m doing it to save the ranch that’s been in my family for generations. I’m doing it so my father doesn’t lose the one thing he loves more than anything.

But I can tell that Cole doesn’t see it that way. I’ve heard he has a temper, but I’ve never seen it before. Right now, he looks as if he’s going to spontaneously combust. But I’m not scared. I know he would never hurt me, although he may yell a little.

His voice gets even louder. “Taking care of things? You call this taking care of things? You’re auctioning off your body to God knows who. Do you have any idea what kind of man...”

I hold my hand up to stop him. I’m trying to remain calm and act as if I have complete control of the situation even though the thought of all of it still makes me nervous. “I know, Cole. I know exactly what can happen... just like I know what will happen if I don’t do it. I can’t let my father lose his ranch. I didn’t know he took another mortgage out a few years ago. We’re behind on payments, and we’re going to lose this place. I’ve done everything I can. I’ve sold everything I have to sell, and this... me... is all there is left. Now if you’re going to sit here and pass judgment on me, then just go. I don’t need to hear it.”

He moves toward me and puts his hands on my shoulders. I feel his touch as if it’s a bolt of lightning that courses through my whole body. I try to remain calm even though just being this close to him has my nipples hard and my legs trembling. “Sassy, honey, you don’t have to do this.”

I bite my lip. If Cole had come last week to talk to me, would I have signed the paper? Probably. Because I know that deep down the only reason he is offering his help is because of how he feels about my family. He really is a good man. But I can’t let him help me. I’ll be in his debt forever, and eventually, one day, he’s going to marry and have kids. I can’t tie myself to him and watch all that from the sidelines. It will kill me.

With a calm and steady voice, I answer, “I can do this and I will. I’ve done it. I signed the contract and sent it in. I’m obligated now.”

His hands tighten and trail down my arms to hold my hands. I look at where he’s holding me and wish this was under different circumstances. His voice is gruff. “Bullshit. You can get out of it. I can get you out of it.”

I shake my head vehemently. “No. There’s a whole clause about it, and I’ll owe money I don’t have. It’s done, Cole. It’s happening.”

“Fuck that. If you think I’m going to stand by and let you-“

I pull from his hold and step away from him. “Let me? You’re going to let me... Cole, I understand that this is a little out of the ordinary, but you have no say on what I do. I know for some reason you think you need to take care of my dad-“

He grunts in frustration and slides his hand through his hair. His eyes are wild, and he’s staring at me as if he’s a caged animal or something. “Your dad? You think I’m doing this because of your dad? I’m doing it for you. I can’t let... I can’t stand by and watch you do this, Sassy. I can’t.”

I shrug my shoulders because obviously we’re at a standstill. Neither one of us is going to give in, but he’s about to find out I’m more stubborn than he thought.

He walks over to me, and I force myself to stay where I’m at. I refuse to show any weaknesses, and with Cole, I have them. Hell, he is my weakness. He reaches up and puts his palm against the side of my face. It takes everything in me to not lean into his touch. “Sassy... honey... what am I going to do with you?”

He’s not expecting an answer. He’s watching me so closely and with so much intent in his eyes, I couldn’t even guess what’s going to come out of his mouth next.

He brings his hand forward a little bit and slides his thumb across my bottom lip. I gasp because this is probably the most intimately I’ve ever been touched, and I want more. I stare up at him, not experienced enough to hide what I’m feeling. There’s no doubt he can see my every thought right now.

“Have you ever been kissed before?”

I wasn’t expecting that question, but I nod with just a small shake of my head. I don’t want to move too much and risk him pulling away from me.

His thumb stops suddenly, and I whimper, hoping he doesn’t take it away. “Who? Who kissed you?”

I should be embarrassed that I’m twenty-one years old and have almost no experience, but I’m not. I tell him truthfully, “Bobby James in second grade kissed me on the playground.”

He swallows and nods his head. His thumb slides to the side of my mouth, and then he grips my chin softly. “Is that it? That was your only kiss?”

I nod and blink up at him. It’s almost as if I’m in a trance, wondering what’s going to happen next.

His nostrils flare, and he leans closer to me. “I’m going to kiss you, Sassy.”

I barely comprehend what he’s saying before he dips his head and presses his lips to mine. It’s a small kiss, just a peck, but when he pulls back, I reach up and wrap my hand around the nape of his neck. If this is the only chance I’ll ever get to kiss him, I want a real one. “I wasn’t ready. Kiss me again, Cole.”

He doesn’t have to be told twice. He smiles before leaning down and kissing me again. His lips mesh with mine, and he tilts his head to press harder into me. He lifts just slightly. “Open your mouth, honey. Let me in.”

This time when he kisses me, I open my mouth just slightly, and I’m not ready for the way his tongue sweeps in, sliding against my own. I whimper as he kisses me, melding our lips together. My whole body comes alive as he pulls me into his body. I may be shorter than him, but somehow we fit together perfectly. His hands slide down my back and rest on the top of my ass. I press my body against his, wanting to feel the hard strength of him, but I’m not prepared for the growing bulge that is pressing into my belly. I pull back, breathless. His lips are swollen, and I know mine are the same. I shouldn’t look, I know I shouldn’t, but I lower my gaze until I’m staring at his hard manhood pressed against the front of his jeans. He’s hard...

“Is that... is that because of me?”

He reaches down and adjusts himself. “Yeah, honey, that’s definitely because of you.”

I stand here in awe wondering what alternate universe I’m in. I can’t help but keep watching the bulge between his legs, and I swear it twitches as I’m watching it.

He takes a step toward me. “Is that so hard to believe? I’m aroused by you, Sassy.”

My eyes about pop out of my head. I know he’s not saying he loves me or anything like that, but just the idea that me, tomboy Sassy Reid, has done this to Cole Rogers is crazy. I’m speechless, and he takes another step toward me. “Just like you’re aroused by me.”

He reaches out and puts one finger to my chest. I suck in a breath as his finger traces around my hard, puckered nipple.

My whole body shudders as he plucks it between his thumb and forefinger. I reach out and grab on to his upper arms to steady myself. My legs feel like jelly and like they might buckle at any minute.

He just smiles. His voice is thick. “You like that, don’t you?”

I nod my head as he continues touching and caressing me. “Do you want to lose your virginity to just anyone, Sassy?”

His words are like a bucket of ice water thrown in my face. I pull away from him and hide my traitorous body behind a blanket that was lying on the back of the couch. “Is that what this is, Cole? A test? You need to prove that I’ll open my legs for just anyone?”

“What? No, of course not. I want you to understand what you’re getting into.”

I blow out a breath and march to my front door, yanking it open. “I know exactly what I’m getting myself into, but thanks for the lesson, Cole. You can leave now.”

“Sassy.” His voice is like a warning, but I’m not giving in.

I point outside into the darkness. “Go, Cole. Please, I just want to be left alone. Thank you for what you’ve done for my family, but you’ve done enough.”

He wants to argue. I can see on his face that he doesn’t want to go, but I’m not giving in. I’ve made my choice, and even if it’s not the right one, it’s what has to be done.

He walks toward me and stops at the door. He grabs his hat and leans down, forcing me to look at him. “This isn’t over, Sassy. And just so you know, that... what we shared.... that’s not normal... it’s not usually like that... It won’t feel like that with someone else.”

With those words, he walks out the door, calling over his shoulder, “I’ll be seeing you soon.”

Instead of standing on the porch and watching him until he drives away like I normally would, I slam the door behind him.

So many emotions are going through my head, and I let them take over until I’m in a crying heap in my bed. This... all of it... was just a game to him. I’ve dreamed of kissing him, and now I’ll never get the feeling of it actually happening out of my mind. It may have been some kind of stupid lesson for him... but to me it was everything.