This is the longest conversation I’ve had in a long time. But I’m not looking to make friends, particularly not with a curvy, chatty girl who dresses like a strawberry. I turn on my heel and walk away. Again, she follows.
“Are you in town for the Valentine’s Day festival?”
I bark out a laugh. I’ve never been involved in town events and I certainly couldn’t care less about Valentine’s Day.
Chapter 3
Annie
When Boyd and his friend followed me out to the car park, I knew I was in trouble. Boyd never passes up an opportunity to insist I should hook up with him.
“Nobody else wants you. I could lower my standards for a night.”
He is crude and disgusting and I make it a point never to be alone with him. I would tell my father about Boyd but I don’t want to cause trouble.
I really was summoning the courage to tell Boyd and his friend to shove off, when I looked up and saw the great Thorne Kingsley coming our way. And the strangest thing happened. I completely lost my voice. I was stunned into silence. Not because of how big Thorne Kingsley is. And not because there are so many rumors about the man.
It was because my heart literally skipped a beat. My mouth went dry, I felt a heat sweep through me. I saw those broad shoulders, the beard, the soulful green eyes, and I felt a connection. And the strong desire to climb all over him. I’ve never felt an instant attraction like this. I’ve read about it, but I didn’t know it could be real.
Faced with the great Thorne Kingsley and instead of being frightened or wary I find him…handsome. Sure he is big. Built like a bear. Broad shoulders. Muscles and strength. His hands are so big. And yet, he has intelligent green eyes. A calm persona. In control. And when he looks at me and asks if I am okay, my heart does a little flip and I just know all the rumors can't be true.
And then, when he wanted to just walk away, I was seized by the need to keep talking to him. As one sided as our conversation might be, I am determined to break through his stern barrier and get him talking to me.
“I’m looking for single men for the Valentine’s Day auction. Would you like to join in?”
He turns to me and looks at me as though I’ve lost my mind. And maybe I have. I’ve never dreamed I would be so bold as to ask Thorne Kingsley anything, let alone to take part in a town event. And the Valentine’s Day auction. But I feel this strong urge to tell him all about it. It would be a huge win for me. It would really show Ireland Fox up if I could convince Thorne Kingsley to auction himself off.
But more than that, I want to keep talking to him and I can’t think of anything else to talk about other than the festival.
“It’s for a good cause and it’s a great way to meet people. Maybe you and your brothers…”
“Don’t go talking to my brothers.” His voice carries a clear warning.
“Just you then?” I ask with a cheeky smile. “I bet lots of people would bid on you.”
“Bid on me?”
“For the auction.” I nod. There aren’t many single, eligible men in town and lots of women would love to bid on the chancefor a date with the great Thorne Kingsley. Especially when I tell people how you saved me from those men.”
His frown is getting darker. But instead of running for the hills my excitement increases. Standing this close to him. Talking to him. It is bringing out a cheeky side of me I didn’t know I had.
“Don’t go talking about me. This town does enough talking. They don’t need a new story about the bad Kingsley’s.”
So he knows what people say. Of course he does. For a moment my heart goes out to him. To be labeled by this town, I know how that feels. As the daughter of the school principal I’ve always been known as the good girl. Or the weird, quiet girl.
“And I’m not going to be in your damned auction.” He continues. And then he gives me a hard look. “Are you going to be in this ridiculous auction?”
“Would you bid to win a date with me if I was?” Oh God, where had that come from. Never in my life have I flirted with a man. But there is just something about him that makes me feel bold.
He leans in close. My pulse races. “If I have to come rescue you again, I will not be pleased.”
And with that, he gets in his truck and leaves without looking back. I should be shaking in my boots. But instead I am filled with a giddy excitement.
Chapter 4
Annie
It’s warm in the town hall, everybody milling around with excitement for the big auction.
