Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Arden
An auction to win a weekend in my cabin?
No way. Not happening.
What the hell did this town think I was?
I’d already refused Evelyn Hartwood’s, the mayor’s wife of my hometown, Lovesbury, request to model with puppies, so why the hell would I say yes to this?
But then I saw all proceeds were being donated to the veterans, and my mind changed. I couldn’t donate to a cause that meant so much to me.
A cause that was me.
Unwanted memories from my past threatened to make a reappearance, but I shoved them deep down where they belonged and signed up for the auction.
A week later, an email from Evelyn told me I was bachelor number twelve. It was happening. No way to turn back. But I had ample time to think of a plan for the weekend. And I came up with the perfect idea.
I’d rent a room at the local inn, and she could have my cabin to herself. That’s within the rules, right? Probably not, but no one would find out. Unless the woman made a big deal about it, but maybe she wouldn’t. Most likely, the woman needed a vacation. Or to get laid. Neither could I help with.
Yet as Valentine’s Day approached, my nerves doubled, then tripled, then exploded throughout my entire body. I kept telling myself it was for a good cause, but it didn’t ease the nerves. Not even a little.
When the day finally arrived, I choked back some coffee and drove to the center of town an hour before showtime. I met up with the guys in the back room, a few of them I knew from around town. Lovesbury was a small town, and naturally, everyone knew everyone. And usually all of their business.
People in town, of course, knew me. And knew that I liked to be left alone.
I wasn’t the type to strike up conversations or maintain friendships.
Hell, I could barely maintain the one with myself.
I worked in security and spent as much time working as I could, and the rest of the time at home with my dog, Fred.
He was a German shepherd, one I helped train during my time in the military, and when we arrived back home, I couldn’t part with him.
Adopting him was the best thing I could’ve done for myself, as Fred helped my mental health a lot. He was my best friend through some dark times. I know it sounds crazy, but the comfort he brought was irreplaceable.
I seriously hope whoever wins me likes dogs because Fred isn’t going anywhere.
“Looking good, fellas!” Evelyn announced over the hum of conversations, bringing me out of my numerous thoughts. Sometimes I wished my brain had an off button.
Evelyn clapped her hands and smiled. “Thirty minutes until we walk out.”
“She’s a toughie,” a guy’s voice I recognized said, and I turned to find Levi there, a large smile on his face. He clapped me on the shoulder. “Hey, bro, how’s it going?”
I nodded in his direction, happy to see a familiar face. “Hanging in there. Wondering what I’m doing here.”
“Same, dude. But hey, it’s the cause that counts, right?” He pointed at the paper he was holding. “Looks like I’m number thirteen, right next to you.”
“Nice. We can grumble together.” I said with a smirk. Levi was an officer in town, a trusted partner in the community I’d known for a while, and I was glad he was here. Someone else to commiserate with.
Levi chuckled. “Should be interesting.”
We continued talking about the auction and things happening around town, and the time passed quickly.
“Everyone, get into numbered order!” a woman with a clipboard yelled over the chatter. “Start with bachelor one here and continue down.” She stood near the door and pointed at her feet.
Levi and I joined the row of men, lining up accordingly.
In front of me stood Graham Westbrook, a local sports athlete.
It was nice to see others in the community taking part, from mechanics to officers and even athletes.
We had a good lineup. Hopefully, we’d get some good bids, and the veterans’ center would get a new roof in no time.
There were thirteen guys in total, and after they took a head count several times and reminded us of our roles, they walked us out onto the stage.
The crowd cheered, and I looked around at all the faces, surprised that so many people turned up, especially in the cold weather.
Moments later, the auction began, starting with the bidding for bachelor number one. The ladies in the audience were quick to bid, and the men went fast.
Suddenly, it was my turn. A bead of sweat trickled down my back. Is it hot in here, or is it just me?
“Let’s meet Arden Waters!”
I had no time to think as an assistant wrapped her arm around mine and urged me forward, bringing me front and center.
I wanted to disappear.
Lights shone bright in my eyes.
“Take a good look at him, ladies! A weekend with him is up for grabs, and you know you don’t want to miss this one. Any bidders?”
I stood there and forced a smile, my heart thumping loudly as women stood and called out bids.
“Yes, number five twenty, what’s your bid?”
“I say six hundred and fifty.”
A few gasps.
My stomach turned.
That was the highest bid so far. My eyes flicked toward the woman who bid, and my insides twisted.
She was fucking gorgeous.
And she wanted me.
“Going once for bidder five twenty, do I hear anything higher? Going twice for bidder five twenty, going three times, and…sold! To number five twenty. Congrats, five twenty!”
I couldn’t move.
Couldn’t tear my eyes away from her.
She won me…she wanted to. Who is she?
An assistant appeared beside me and led me to the rest of the bachelors, my mind still in a trance, my thoughts a jumbled puzzle I couldn’t sort through.
All I could think about was her.
The rest of the auction passed quickly, and when it was over, the bidders who won came forward to pay before collecting their prize.
One by one, the guys slowly disappeared, until only a few remained.
“Arden Waters, you’re next,” another woman with a clipboard said.
I stood, grabbed my jacket, and headed to the front where the gorgeous woman waited.
Only the last two women were left, and I instantly knew who mine was. I wouldn’t have been able to forget her if I tried.
I thought she was gorgeous before, but now seeing her up close, I was mistaken.
She was breathtaking.
I drank her in slowly, taking her in inch by inch, my eyes dragging over every curve and feature.
She couldn’t be more than mid-twenties, her skin soft and youthful looking.
A sprinkle of freckles danced across her nose, and her blue eyes shone under the lights.
Brown wavy hair lay over her shoulders, and my fingers itched to run through her tresses.
Hoops and studs filled both ears up the sides.
A small silver stud rested in her nose as well.
She was so fucking beautiful.
Shit, did I say that already? How is my brain complete mush from her mere presence?
I didn’t know her name, but I didn’t care.
My heart was closed off, but I didn’t care.
I never opened it to anyone, and especially not to women I hardly knew, but again, I didn’t care.
Why not? Why does she make me not care? Why her and not others?
It was as if she reached inside me, plucked out my soul, and handed it to me on a platter.
She left me at a loss for words.
“Hi, Arden. I’m Isla.” Her voice washed over me, so bright and bubbly, and a tingle ran down my spine. “Nice to meet you.”
This woman had me in a chokehold already. How?
But I couldn’t show it. Not a chance. I had no clue who the hell she was. And it annoyed me that she could break through my walls already.
“Hi,” I grumbled. “Ready?”
“You bet I am. We’re gonna have fun,” Isla said, so much conviction in her voice, I nearly believed her.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
And the weekend had started.