Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Two thoughts go through my head. The first is that teenage boys are idiots. The second is that I’m wondering how she doesn’t see what I see.
I lift my hat off my head and hold it to my chest. “Okay, so whatever idiots said that to you lied. They probably said it because they knew they weren’t good enough for you-“
She interrupts me with a surprised gasp. “Good enough for me?”
“Yes. You’re pretty, Sassy. Smart, kind, funny, independent, you don’t take shit from people, you’re good with animals...” I let my voice trail off before I admit to her what I really think about her. About how she’s always on my mind and I dream about her every night. Yeah, I’d better keep that to myself. “One day, you’ll find a man that treats you right. Don’t waste your time on the ones that don’t see your value.”
She nods her head, and a grin overtakes her face. “You think I’m pretty?”
I laugh. Of everything that I just said, that’s what she’s hung up on. “You’re beautiful, Sassy. Don’t let anyone ever make you think different. If they do, tell me and I’ll take care of it.”
She looks at me curiously. “Why are you being nice to me?”
I gape at her. “Aren’t I always nice to you?”
She tilts her head back to look at me. “Yeah, you are, but you never talk to me.”
I don’t deny it. As a matter of fact, I go out of my way to avoid talking to her, but I can’t explain why. “Will you do me a favor?”
She doesn’t hesitate. She nods her head vigorously, always happy to please.
I put my hat back on my head and shove it down over my forehead. “Don’t go showing your body to men that aren’t worthy, sweetie. Promise me no more swimming in your underwear.”
She shrugs. “Okay, I promise.”
I remember that I forced myself to walk away from her after that. I could have stayed and talked to her all day, but I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied with just looking at her. No, I would have wanted to touch her, and I knew I shouldn’t.
I turn Zeus around and look in the direction of Sassy’s ranch. Can I let her do this? Can I let her auction herself off and maybe marry another man? All this time, she’s been right next door and I’ve told myself that I’m too old for her and she deserves a better man than me, but we’ve reached a crossroads. I let her do this and I may lose her forever.
Fuck! I know I can’t let her do it. I can’t sit by and let another take what’s mine—and Sassy’s mine. She has been since the day I saw her coming out of the water in her underwear.
With determination, I ride back toward the ranch. I have a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it. First, I need to wrangle myself an invite to this auction... and then I’m going to win me a virgin.
Sassy
I’m going to be sick.
This week has flown by, and the day has come for the auction. I’m having second thoughts. Hell, third and fourth too. Ever since that kiss that Cole laid on me the other night, I’ve been a mess. I know now I overreacted. So many times this week, I almost called him to apologize, but I didn’t. I know Cole, and I know that he was just worried about me.
But it’s too late now.
I’m backstage at the auction, and my whole life is about to change.
Most likely I won’t be a virgin by the end of the night.
The thought makes me want to run out of here as fast as I can and not look back.
But then just as quickly, thoughts of my father and his beloved ranch surface. He’s the reason I’m doing this. My mother died when I was just two years old, and my dad raised me by himself. He’s sacrificed his whole life to give me everything I could want or need. I can do this for him.
My hands tremble as one of Coco St. James’ assistants hands me a costume that is hidden in a hanging bag. “What’s this?”
The woman rolls her eyes. “It’s what you’re wearing tonight. Coco picked it out, and I have to say, it’s perfect.”
She turns and walks across the room, grabs a cowboy hat, and brings it back to me. “Here you go. This will go perfectly with it.”
I take the hat from her with a nod. I’m hoping there’s a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt in the hanging bag, but I know it’s not going to be the case. The other women are already dressed, and it looks like a competition to see who can wear the least amount of clothes.