Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 62404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
“Did you have a good time on our girls’ night? I had so much fun and the man who I went home with… Well, let me tell you…he was amazing in bed. Like, hold the sheets amazing.”
“Hmm,” is the only response I care to give.
“He called me yesterday. He wants to meet up again.”
“That’s nice.”
The bartender brings my drinks, and I lift mine to my lips. The salt hits me first, and I take a sip. My eyes go wide at the taste of the tequila. Wow, now that is a drink.
“Have you never had a margarita before?” she jokes.
I haven’t. I had one drink I liked, and I stuck to it. Maybe that’s what I’m good at? Sticking with things, even when they no longer suit me.
“I gotta get back to Kyler. Chat later?” I ask her.
Simone lays her hand on my arm as I lift both drinks. “Are you mad at me? You seem—”
“I’m fine, just tired. I had a busy week.” She nods at my words before I walk away.
I find my husband talking to a bunch of men I don’t recognize. Then again, I hardly recognize anyone he speaks to. I tend to zone out and politely nod my head at things he says at functions like this, hoping I am nodding at the right times. Sliding up behind him, I squeeze in and hand him his drink. He takes it without thanking me, and I stand there quietly.
“This must be Oriana.” I smile at the voice as Kyler looks down at me.
“It is. Oriana, meet Sergio.”
I smile at the new chief of police.
“I’ve heard nothing but good things about you.” He takes my hand and kisses it.
My smile remains in place as I pull my hand back. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I reply.
“I’m looking forward to bidding on you tonight,” Sergio says, and I glance up at him, confused.
Kyler places an arm around my waist. “Oriana doesn’t know yet. I was going to leave it as a surprise, but you just gave it away, Chief.” I catch my husband’s hazel eyes as he peers down at me. “You know how you wanted to raise money for the children’s cancer foundation?” I nod in acknowledgment. “They asked for an item to bid on, and I suggested a date with you.”
“A date?” I gasp.
Kyler squeezes my side as I gape at him, shocked.
“I’ll be sure to win it, Oriana. Maybe we can go out on patrol together. I’ll show you what a real man does.”
Kyler laughs as he excuses us and leads us away.
When we are out of earshot, I turn to face him. “Have you lost your mind?” I seethe as I push away from him, and he glances around to make sure no one can hear us.
“Figured you may like this.” He shrugs. “And keep your voice down. Someone may hear you.”
An announcement comes over the speakers, and I lock eyes with the man I love. Loved? Which is it? I don’t even know anymore.
“I’m not a prize to be bid on, Kyler.”
“Would you rather not help the children?” he throws back at me.
That’s not fair, and he knows it. My sister passed away from bone cancer when I was only ten. I hate that he did this, knowing full well I can’t back down from it because it would be a slap in the face for my deceased sister.
I hear my name called, and Kyler leans in and kisses my cheek. “I would never let any other man win you. It’s me who will be winning the bid.”
I breathe a sigh of relief as he walks off, and I follow after him as my name is called again. Making my way to the stage, I stand next to the hostess as everyone is seated. I spot my husband in the front row with a drink in his hand as he talks to the chief of police next to him.
“The bidding will begin at fifty-thousand dollars.” I swing my head around at the sound of the hostess’s voice who I wasn’t even listening to, to begin with.
Sergio calls out, “Sixty thousand.” I look at my husband next to him, waiting for him to bid and he does.
“Sixty-five.” He winks at me as the hostess asks for another bid.
I sigh and smile.
It goes quiet until Sergio speaks up again, “Seventy.”
My gaze lands on my husband, and he smiles and says, “Seventy-five.” I manage to keep a smile on my face.
“Any last bids?”
Everything goes quiet, and everyone in the room is deathly silent before I hear someone loudly say, “Half a million dollars.”
My eyes search for that voice, and when I find the owner, I lock eyes with the man whose charcoal eyes have been haunting my dreams. He offers me a smirk and tips his head. When I look at my husband again, he just shakes his head, telling me he will no longer bid.