Hope’s Highest Bidders

8. Sassy

8

SASSY

I can’t believe that Cole came and bid on me. Not only bid, but won me in the auction. I was so scared up on that stage. All I kept thinking about was that kiss I shared with Cole. I knew I was messing up, but I didn’t know what to do.

When I stumbled down the stairs and heard him call my name, the emotions welled up inside me, and I’ve been in his arms ever since. I know I’m making a spectacle of myself, but I don’t even care.

I keep my head buried in his neck, and it’s as we’re walking out of the building that I finally talk to him. “Thank you, Cole. You didn’t have to do this, but I’m glad you’re the one that won the auction. I’m going to pay you back.”

I start to cry. I try to hold it back, but I can’t. All the what-ifs are swarming in my head, and I can’t seem to make heads or tails of any of it. All I know is that I’ve never been happier to see someone in my life than when I heard Cole say my name.

He doesn’t say anything. He just grunts and keeps walking. I don’t look to see where we’re going. I don’t even care.

It’s not until he stops and goes to set me down that I hold on to him tighter. His voice is calm. “Let go, Sassy.”

Reluctantly, I do as he asks. I unhook my legs from around his trim waist and slide down the length of his body. He grunts as my feet touch the floor. He’s still holding me, one hand on my back, and the other touches my chin, lifting it so I have to look into his eyes. He frowns and starts to wipe at the tears on my cheeks. His voice breaks in a whisper. “What am I going to do with you, Sassy?”

I could think of a few things and start to name them off in my head. Kiss me. Love me. Never let me go. But of course, I don’t say any of those things.

“Are you ready?”

A man comes to stand next to us, and he’s looking between Cole and me. I drag my eyes off Cole and look at the man smiling at us as if he’s in on some kind of secret.

Cole grabs my hand and turns to the man. “We’re ready.”

The man starts talking, and I know my eyes about bug out of my head. I turn to Cole and interrupt the man’s spiel. “Are we getting married?”

Cole turns his head and levels me with a look. His face is guarded, and I have no way of knowing what he’s thinking. “Yes, we’re getting married.”

I shake my head. He’s already paid six million dollars to save me from this mess. I can’t make him do this too.

“You don’t have to-“

He cuts me off. “We’re getting married, Sassy. I think that’s the only way I’m going to be able to keep you out of trouble.”

I don’t know what I was expecting. Maybe hoping for something romantic like he can’t live without me, but no, he’s marrying me to keep me out of trouble. As if I’m some child or something. “You don’t... I won’t...” I start.

But he doesn’t let me finish. “It’s happening. When we leave here, you’re going to be Mrs. Sassy Rogers.”

I don’t have any fight left in me. Have I dreamed about this moment? At least a hundred times... but I never wanted it like this.

I close my mouth and look at the man in front of us. He gives me a look of pity. “You ready to do this, miss?”

I nod my head and think about how ridiculous this all is. I’m listening to the man talk about commitment and forever, and I’m standing here in a see-through nightie. I chance a glance over at Cole, and his jaw is pulled tight. He doesn’t look as if he’s a man that’s happy about getting married.

When it’s time, Cole answers the officiant, “I do.”

His voice is clear and calm. Nothing like what I’m feeling. But when it’s my turn, I nod my head. “I do.”

The officiant smiles, announces us as husband and wife, and tells Cole he can kiss the bride.

I turn to face him, and Cole is not happy. If anything, he looks pissed. I wait for him to refuse to kiss me, but he surprises me when he pulls me into his arms. He leans down until our mouths are only inches apart. He pauses, and I search his eyes, trying to get a glimpse of what he’s thinking. He didn’t have to marry me. This was just an added option that he could have refused, but for some reason, he didn’t.

He looks as if he’s about to pull away, and I grab the lapels of his suit jacket. “Kiss me, Cole.”

He nods and slowly leans in to press his lips to mine. I loop my arms around his neck and hold on. His kiss is potent, and he pulls me against his body, letting me feel his hard body against my softer one. I don’t want to let him go. If I had my choice, I’d stay right here because it’s like all my fantasies are coming true.

Cole pulls away first, and we’re both breathless. He looks down at me, his eyes traveling down my body. He stares at my hard nipples poking against the sheer material of my white overalls. He grunts as he takes off his jacket and wraps it around me. I slide my arms inside it and am instantly comforted, surrounded by the heat and scent of his body.

He turns to the officiant. “Where do we sign?”

He’s holding out a marriage license, and both Cole and I sign it. It isn’t long before we’re both settled in his truck and headed back to Whiskey Run.

There’s a thousand questions in my head, but each time I think I get the nerve up to ask him one, I look at him, and his jaw is tight, and he’s frowning at the road in front of us.

I hold my hands in my lap and stare out the window at the scenery passing by. There’s peace in knowing that I’m going to be able to save my dad’s ranch but at what cost? This changes everything.

I have no idea what is going to happen now. But when Cole passes the driveway to his ranch and takes the one to mine, I know that even though he bought me and even married me, it looks as if I’m going to remain a virgin.

I sigh, unable to keep in my disappointment.