“I don’t want to be that girl,” she confessed.

  “What girl?” I asked, going down onto my knees as she sat on the side of her tub.

  “The one that makes you feel guilty for a past I wasn’t even a part of. I have no right to feel hurt by something that took place long before you and I did this.” The way she waved her hand between us confused me, but I realize that she is still trying to figure this all out as much as I am.

  “I got jealous over the mention of some guy that you didn’t even sleep with.” Her brows furrowed. “The online boob stalker,” I felt relieved when she laughed at my words. “I get it, Amara, I do.”

  I wish I could wipe my slate clean, but I can’t all I can do is start anew.

  Holding her all night long while she slept in my arms was something I realized I wanted to do often. She may snore and fucking wiggle like she’s got itching powder in her sheets, but feeling her body pressing to mine makes it all worth it.

  She begins to wiggle against me, and I loosen my hold on her, but only enough so that she can turn and look at me.

  When her eyes locked with mine, I graze over her jaw with my thumb and lean in to kiss her forehead.

  Her eyes flutter shut, and I hug her in silence.

  I wish I knew what it is rolling around in her head.

  “Have you been awake long?” She asks, looking through her long lashes as she attempts to blink away the sleep.

  “Not long,” I say even though it's been more than an hour I’ve been lying here listening to her and feeling her.

  “Are you hungry?”

  I shake my head.

  “So what do you want to do?” She looks at me, seemingly confused.

  “Just lay here,” she looks down and I give her time. I wait for her to find whatever it is she needs in order to look at me again. When she does, I move in closer and press a soft kiss to her lips.

  “I wish more than anything that I could erase my past,” she bites at her lip, and I kiss her again. “But I can’t. I’m here now though and I can tell you that there isn’t anywhere else I’d rather be.”

  “I have to face the fact that your past is much more colorful than mine.”

  “Colorful,” I grin, though I shouldn’t.

  “I’m trying to be nice about it,” she confesses. “I guess I spent too long wanting you and now your here and—,”

  “Wait, what?” I stop her and she looks at me, almost like she can’t figure out why I interrupted. Slowly I see the moment it registers, and she tries to look away covering her face, but I don’t let her. Grabbing her wrists I pull them away from her face and find her blushing. “Wanting me?”

  “Stop,” Amara laughs.

  “Come on now,” there is no way I’m letting this moment slide by without pushing for as many details as I can get.

  “Like you didn’t know,” she says embarrassed.

  “How would I know?”

  “The longing stares, the nervous energy whenever you are around. How about the fact that I constantly rambled whenever you talked to me until I was practically out of breath.”

  “Amara, babe, that’s just you.”

  “No,” she shrugs, “that’s just me around you.”

  She rolls her eyes and I chuckle, wondering how on earth I didn’t see this.

  “Yeah Mar,” she teasingly appraises herself. “Way to humiliate yourself and boost Ty’s ego.”

  Without another second lost I move my body over hers and prop my elbow up on each side of her, pinning her in and leaving her no choice but to see only me. “I’m honored.”

  “Oh my God, stop.”

  “Baby, I’m serious,” I lean in and kiss her jaw, then the corner of her mouth and finally her lips. “You could’ve chosen anyone, but I’m the lucky one.”

  She takes a deep breath.

  “I do have one question though,” Dragging my thumb over her jaw, and along her lower lip she tries to bite it and I pull it away.

  “What?”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Things could have been so different.

  “And what face rejection.”

  “What makes you think I would reject you?” She rolls her eyes. “I’m serious.” Moving my arms further up I get closer. “Sweetheart, if you would have told me, you could have saved us both a whole lot of wasted time.”

  “Tyler, you are such a bullshitter.” She doesn’t believe me, but the truth is, had she shown me one ounce of interest I wouldn’t have hesitated.

  “You really are clueless,” She tries to argue with me, but I don’t give her that chance. Instead I kiss the argument right out of her. This woman is the most confusing, frustrating and gorgeous beauty I’ve ever met. She has no clue just how desirable she is. “Completely, clueless,” I whisper, but she grips the back of my head and pulls my mouth back to hers. And suddenly our conversation is lost.

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-THREE

  Amara

  “Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Tyler nudges my shoulder with his as we stand off to the side and watch as tables and chairs are being set up around the large room.

  I already know he’s doing his best to get me to react, but I remain aloof, not giving in to his game.

  I shrug, “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Because if some lady wins me at this auction and I have to go out with her, things could happen.”

  I look over at him and arch my brow, crossing my arms over my chest. “Things?”

  He’s fighting a smile and I know I’m failing fast at trying to hide the irritation he’s managed to trigger.

  “This lady and I could really hit it off, have a good time and sparks could fly.”

  “That’s possible,” I rein in the need to react.

  “So you’re okay with that?” He asks allowing his arm to brush against mine

  I shrug as if the idea of this doesn’t bother me at all.

  “Then you and I should probably spend some time together tonight,” he insists. “Just in case tomorrow takes me off the market for good.” Tyler doesn’t even attempt to hide his smirk. “It could be our last night to hang out.”

  "I have plans.”

  “Oh yeah,” he chuckles knowing I am full of shit.

  “Yep,” I don’t believe my own words. “Big plans that I can’t cancel.”

  “That’s too bad,” I’m in so much trouble with this man. I can’t even have one conversation with him without practically drooling and rubbing up on him like a kitten.

  “Yeah,” I tried again. “Really big plans.”

  Nope, not even close. I fail miserably.

  “This place is crawling with horny, desperate women,” I mumble entering the room to see them all scanning over the stage eager and ready.

  “Yep,” Lorelei doesn’t even attempt to argue.

  It’s almost like a bunch of hounds, breathing heavy with their tongues hanging out.

  “Do you plan on bidding?” She asks as we take a seat at the table Audrey had set aside for our group.

  “Nope,” I’ve decided to prove a point to Tyler that him going out with another woman doesn’t bother me. The problem with that plan is I’m already feeling nauseous about it. “I’m only here to support Audrey.”

  Soon we are joined by Charlie, Spencer, Jasper and everyone else, all of us ordering drinks and settling in for the show.

  One by one the firefighters go up on stage, dancing around stiffly and trying their very best to play the part. I of course spend most of the time with my hand over my mouth, hiding the smile that is now making my cheeks ache.

  I excuse myself to use the restroom, feeling a headache coming on. Gathering some Tylenol I place the bottle back in my purse and am about ready to exit the restroom when two women walk in.

  “All I do know is that there is no way I am losing the bid on him,” one says to the other. “I haven’t been able to stop picturing him in my dreams since he changed the tire for us a few weeks ago. That smile,” she groans.

  “And those muscles,” the other adds and then they notice me.

  “Oh sorry,” they each laugh. “Just gearing up to bid on our favorite firefighter.”

  “I get it,” I wave it off and start for the door. “Good luck,” I toss over my shoulder and hear them say they don’t need luck, that they aren’t willing to lose no matter what.

  These women are vicious.

  What is it about a man in uniform?

  Just as I reenter the room I see Liam exiting the stage, not looking happy and I hurry back to the table to join the others.

  “What did I miss?” Grabbing my drink, I pop the pills in my mouth and swallow.

  “Audrey lost Liam to some crazy woman that decided to bid a ridiculous amount, and he seems pissed.”

  I don’t get the chance to say much when the music starts and I glance up to the stage as Fitz steps out, who knew the guy could dance like he is. It’s actually a little sinful.

  The captain of the station starts the bidding and I hear the bidding begin. Fitz seems very pleased with himself.

  “Three thousand dollars,” two voices yell out simultaneously, and I turn in my chair to see the two women from the bathroom. They are standing in the doorway looking determined and everyone else is watching them.

  I’m actually just thankful that it wasn’t Tyler, that they had in their sights. I’ll admit I left the restroom feeling a little nervous about it. But I guess it's Fitz that will be in the company of two women tonight. I’d say poor Fitz, but I have no doubt he’ll handle it fine. He seems like the type that won’t shy away from that type of situation.

  Fitz exits the stage, flashing the women a smile and one of them screams out. “You belong to us.” Making the entire room erupt in laughter and wild hoots. Who knew women could be so insane.

  “Next up, we have none other than Calloway’s own football legend turned firefighting hero, Tyler Collins.” My chest tightens and my stomach flips around nervously. “Collins, get your butt up here,” Chief Harshaw hoots as a country rock song starts to play and the strobe lights begin to flash.

  Oh my God! Of course he had to go all out on his entrance! No, he couldn’t just walk up wearing regular everyday clothes and wave like he’d rather be anywhere else but here.

  Suddenly I want to kill him.

  Ty takes the steps one at a time, popping the collar on his dress shirt while a cocky gleam brews in his eyes. He struts his shit like those guys in Magic Mike, the crowd erupts and eats up every bit of it. Even Audrey’s sister Charlie lets out a few catcalls while Jasper and Spencer laugh their asses off.

  I notice Audrey looking at me and I force a smile. I am doing the best I can to hold onto my cool. My cheeks suddenly feel hot.

  No time is wasted when the bidding starts. Each one makes my heart race even faster.

  And Ty is playing it up so well. I wonder if it would be wrong of me to march up there and push him off the stage.

  One paddle after another are going up, several women adding five or ten dollars to the prior bid before them. They are all around the room, several trying to outbid the other. I feel dizzy from the amount of paddles to the left, then right, behind me and right in front of the stage.

  I look up at the stage and see Tyler lock eyes with mine, winking and I narrow my eyes at him.

  “Wow,” Lorelei whispers at my side but I don’t take my eyes off Tyler. He offers this ridiculous sway of his hips, gaining a few more catcalls, and lewd comments. The bidding breaks out again and Chief Harshaw only shakes his head and keeps it going.

  A tall brunette with hungry eyes lifts her paddle and tops off the bidding at nine hundred and twenty-five. She then looks around as if she is daring someone to outbid her. I don’t know why she gets my blood racing so much but before I know what I am doing, or can stop myself, I am grabbing my paddle and lifting it into the air.

  “Two thousand,” I call out, and everyone turns to me in surprise. Even Ty, he stops wiggling his hips and strutting around on stage. He stands with his hands on his hips and a surprised smile on his face.

  “Well damn,” someone to my left mumbles, maybe Spencer or Jasper who knows. I don’t look away from Tyler. My heart feels like it may beat out of my chest.

  “We have two thousand from the young lady in the red dress,” Harshaw says, pointing to me and then scanning the crowd.

  “Anyone else?” It’s then I look away from Tyler and scan the room, seeing everyone looking at me. There must be something about the look on my face, because suddenly no one else seems so eager to raise their paddle. “No,” Harsh chuckles. “Alright then. Going once, going twice… sold to the lady in red.” He points to me. “Hope you know what you’re getting yourself into, sweetheart!”

  Tyler starts to exit the stage but instead of walking off the side, he comes down the front and walks right up to our table. Standing at my side, he spins my chair to face him and before I know what he is doing he’s gripping my face in his hands and giving me a kiss that knocks the wind from my lungs.

  “That was beyond hot,” He says, smiling against my lips. “I guess we can’t hide this anymore.”

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-FOUR

  Amara

  “Damn,” Tyler says, slightly breathless as he still holds onto my hips tightly.

  I’m currently still straddling his lap, with him still buried inside of me and I can’t seem to catch my breath. I look down and realize we didn’t even take the time to get undressed, which is probably a good thing considering we are in the cab of his truck in the parking lot of the very place the auction took place.

  After the kiss he deemed necessary, he took my hand and led me outside. To be honest, from there I’m not sure how we got in the position we are now.

  “That was,” he starts only to stop and shake his head. My dress is gathered around my waist, I am honestly not exactly sure where my panties ended up, but his pants aren’t even completely off, just pushed down. We both look as if we’ve gone through a windstorm as we each take in one calming breath after the next.

  “Worth every penny,” I say with a smile and his brow furrows.

  “You bought me,” he says almost as if it just hits him. “What happened to you not caring if some woman bid on me and won?”

  “I don’t or didn’t,” I shrug, “I got caught up in the moment.”

  “Oh is that all?”

  “Yes,” I nod, “I almost bid on Fitz.”

  Without warning Tyler grips my hips and moves me over, climbing over me and pinning me to the seat beneath him. “You really shouldn’t joke about things like that.”

  “Who says I’m joking,” I stare at him, defiantly.

  “Baby, that’s not funny.”

  Again he watches me, before moving closer and kissing me deep. I moan, unable to stop myself and can feel him growing hard against me once more. Positioning himself at my entrance he pushes in deep and swallows my moan.

  “Mine,” He groans which surprises me. “Everyone knows now, so you better bet that I’m not holding back anymore.”

  Excitement rushes through me, as Tyler continues to move his hips, making my back arch of the seat.

  “No more hiding,” he declares.

  “I wasn’t hiding.”

  “You were,” he argues. “But no more, no denying and no more running, it’s you and me, we’re doing this.”

  There is something in his tone, and determination I’ve never witnessed before. “I hope you’re ready.”

  My entire body reacts to the way he continues to thrust into me. He bites my shoulder and growls, when I feel my orgasm building. “Damn baby,” he speeds up his movements. “Never been this good,” I know he isn’t necessarily saying this to me but just stating what he feels. But it still triggers emotions within me. “Mine,” he adds again and until now I never thought I’d ever want a man to refer to me as such. But for Tyler, for him to make this declaration, it feels incredible.

  The moment I hit my peak, he too slams forward, emptying himself deep within me, and it's then I realize that I’ve made a colossal mistake.

  My heart feels as though it literally stops, and my entire body goes rigid.

  “Hey,” I look up to find Tyler watching me, concern etched in his eyes. “What just happened?”

  I could pick that moment and tell him the truth, or I could accept that there may not be anything to worry about and wait until there actually is.

  “We are in the cab of your truck in the middle of a parking lot.”

  “Yeah,” he furrows his brow.

  “What if someone sees us?”

  “What if they do,” a smile stretches across his lips.

  “We need to get back inside,” I start to sit up and he stops me.

  “Why do I feel like something happened just now and I’m missing it entirely?” He hovers over me, and I wish more than anything that I could tell him what is on my mind and not feel like he might freak out and run. I’m already running the last several weeks through my mind trying my best to calculate and ignore the signs.

  “Nothing is wrong besides the fact that we’ve just had sex not once but twice in the cab of your truck in a very public area and it just hit me that anyone could have been watching or videoing. We could be live streamed somewhere.” I widen my eyes for emphasis, really trying my best to make him buy the excuse.

  “Now that is a video I’d pay to watch,” Tyler growls out. I push on his chest making him laugh.

  He gives me one more kiss before setting back and I slide away, trying to readjust my dress.

  “Where are my panties?” I start looking around and then glance up to find him holding the lacy material on his finger.

  When I try reaching for them, he pulls them back. “I think I’ll keep these.”

  “You are not keeping them.”

  “Try and stop me,” with that he opens the truck door, climbs out and tucks them into his pocket, starting to back away. I remain where I am staring at him with my mouth hanging open.

  Knowing that he thinks there is no way I will go back inside wearing nothing, I climb out just to prove him wrong. The second I stand I realize there is nothing to provide a barrier to the evidence of what just took place and immediately I feel wetness seeping down my leg.