The two men at the next table broke from the attire most men chose. They went with t-shirts instead of suits or at least button-up shirts.
I chuckle. I guess it takes all types. The guy from the reindeer ranch was in a flannel shirt. He bid on Jolene and I remembered him as the guy from the reindeer ranch.
As my gaze lingers on the t-shirt guys, something seems familiar about them. My smile widens. It's so nice to have a memory. I'll never take that for granted again.
They're the guys from the grocery store parking lot.
Their stares hit differently, deeper. It's amazing how little it takes to feel like I have a major connection to someone.
Flirting a little longer than I did with the other tables, I enjoy the way my heart pounds harder, my legs feel as weak as if I've just run for hours, and my sex… what is happening down there? My less-than-spectacular panties are drenched. Why is my body having such a strong reaction to these men?
The auctioneer booms, "Sold! Thank you to everyone for a record-setting night for charity!"
It's over?
People rise from their seats and the emcee takes my arm. "Congratulations!"
I'm pretty sure he says more but I'm so overcome with the feeling that this is meant to be that I can't listen to his small talk.
I hold back the urge to leap offstage—too risky. The doctors said I can't afford another bump to the head.
A staff member ushers me through velvet curtains to the payment room.
The two men stare as I enter, their eyes wide. The slightly thicker guy's jaw clenches. The leaner one with the five o'clock shadow runs a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly.
Guess I need to break the ice. "Are we ready to make this official?"
The scruffy one steps closer, voice low. "Are you sure you're okay with this?"
I arch a brow. "I knew the rules when I took the stage."
The thicker one steps close and takes my hand. "With your memory loss... you don't worry about what you might've forgotten? Or when your memory will come back?"
Heat flares in my cheeks, but I lock eyes with him. "Are you scared that I'll remember a lover?"
He laughs, a rough bark. "What if you wake up tomorrow, everything clicks, and you ditch us?"
"Then give me a reason to never look back."
My heart races. Please don't let them be the type to treat me like I'm fragile. I got enough of that at the hospital and the woman's shelter. It was part of why I had to move on.
Thick boy's hand brushes my cheek. "We can start slow. You tell us what you want."
"Everything." I stretch upward, part my lips, and wait for him to lean down. "Make the fantasies I don’t even know I have come true."
Chapter 7
Toby
Molly. Molly. Molly. The name sticks in my throat like the lie that it is. Dylan's on her left, I'm on her right, her arms looped through ours as we lead her to a room.
"You're really okay having sex with strangers?" My words are rougher than I intend.
She tilts her head, dark hair spilling over her shoulder. "That's part of being in the auction. Letting the magic happen."
Dylan chuckles, but I press on. "So you would've agreed to anyone who won?"
"As long as they don't start giving me a creeper vibe." She flashes me an overly sweet smile, the kind that says to let it go.
