“I think I’ll head home.”
“What, no Annie, I put you up for the auction. Since we didn’t get as many people sign up as we expected.” Ireland gives me a pointed look. Like it’s my fault I couldn’t get people to sign up.
“Nobody wants a date with me.” I protest.
“No, of course not.”Nice.“But you're good with math, or you could recommend a book to read or organize someone's book shelf, right?”
I want to say no. How can I be so bold to stand up to Thorne Kingsley one day and the next be made to look like a fool in front of the whole town. But it is what I do. I help out at all the events. I do what people ask of me. And because I don’t want to ruin Valentine’s Day for my friends, I find myself shoved up on stage and let the bidding begin.
There is something about standing up in front of the whole town, having everybody staring at you. Being in one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. It has my mind whirling. I don’t want to be little Annie May any more. My middle name isn’t even May! It’s just what people call me. Sweet, littleAnnie May. Well I’m not little. And I’m not nearly as sweet as everybody thinks I am.
I want to be stronger. Stand up for myself. I wish I had said no when told I was going to be made to stand up here like an idiot. And I’m sick of people just accepting that I’m okay being single. Maybe I was for a while, but my reaction to Thorne just proves that I want someone to love. I want to live my life, not just plod through the days. And I want a partner. And a family.
I’ll never be as put together as someone like Ireland. But look at Erika, she and I were both outcasts, the weird kids in school and yet she found her perfect match who loves her for who she is. I want that.
Just as I am thinking this I hear a voice call out and bid on me. Coming back to earth I scan the crowd and see Bloyd sneering at me. He has bid $10 and nobody else is joining in. Oh geez, thanks universe. I want a man, but not bloody Bloyd. And then I see a figure move out of the shadows in the back. Tall, broad shoulders. I recognize that brooding glare. Thorne Kingsley.
With all the power I have within me I beg him with my eyes. Please place a bid.
A moment of silence. My heart thudding. My gaze connected with the man who makes my pulse race and my body feel like it’s on fire.
“One hundred dollars.” His voice booms out across the room.
Gasps and whispers move through the crowd.
My eyes dart between Thorne and Ireland who is the announcer for the day. My heart doing little backflips praying this is actually real.
Chapter 5
Thorne
If the looks and whispers aren’t enough to tell me that I don’t belong here. I don’t know why I came. Town activities have never been my thing. We leave that to the other side of the family. The good side. The kind of Kingsley that becomes town mayor.
It was a strange desire to see Annie again. Her bright smile and chatty ways. And then a protective feeling when I thought of her auctioning herself off to a pack of useless young bucks. The girl could probably find trouble even if it was hiding from her.
So here I am, with townspeople looking at me with surprise. And then frowning. Everybody likes the way it is, with me keeping to my mountain. I rarely come to town and if I do I certainly don’t stick around to chat.
But when I see Annie up on stage, all the other noise just fades away. She is so damn cute. Her bright eyes shining, reaching right into my soul. I don’t know why I am here, I can’t explain why I came. But looking at Annie, I feel a calm sense of purpose.
The announcer looks flustered. I can hear the murmurs go around the room. But I have eyes only for Annie.
“Oh my, that is a large bid. And is that Thorne Kingsley?”
I walk towards the stage, still holding eye contact with Annie. I shouldn't have come here. I shouldn’t have bid. But seeing the smile in Annie’s eyes. The relief. There is a warm feeling in my chest and all I know is that I made the girl smile again and right now, that is all I care about.
“Thorne Kingsley.” The announcer has excitement in her voice. “Why don’t you come up here on stage and let everybody see you.”
“No.” Even to me, my tone sounds gruff. But I hold out my hand to Annie. She takes it and I help her down off the stage and then turn and make my way out through the crowd, guiding Annie along behind me.
Outside the cold air hits me.
I look down at Annie. Her big, bright smile. Looking at me like some sort of saviour again. And again, there is this strange warm feeling in my chest.
“What happens now?” I ask, looking down at our hands, still clasped together. “I guess I take you on a …..date?” I struggle over the last word. Damn, it’s been a long, long time since I asked a girl out on a date.
There was once a time when I moved in powerful circles. As a bodyguard I met the rich and famous. The good, the bad and the wanted. The sort of people who ruled governments and had global power. There were fancy dinners, private jets, galas and balls. But I was on the job. My stoic silence did the talking for me. I never learnt how to talk to nice girls. Especially cheeky brunettes who I’ve accidentally bought at a Valentines Day auction.
I look up to meet her eyes. “What would you like to do?”
