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CHAPTEREIGHT
Gavin
Istruggle to focus on anything as Joey leans over the table in her low-cut tank top. My eyes laser focus on the blue butterfly between those tempting peaks begging me to help it out. With my mouth. At least in my head, anyway.
My brain is foggy with fantasies, so when my name is announced, I don’t protest in time, and suddenly, I’m being dragged up to the stage by Robin and Gage. If it weren’t for the ex-military man, I would have easily pulled away, but knowing him, he’d fucking chase me just for shits and giggles. Growing up in a small mountain town, you rely on your neighbors and have friends, or so-called friends, even if you don’t want them.
“And here he is, folks, the mysterious grump from up the mountain,” Robin announces, which would piss me off, but I hear Joey’s sweet laughter even in this crowd. “Look at this sleek, shining beard, ladies. Let me hear your vote!”
Loud is fucking understatement; my ears split, and my head rattles. Women screech in high-pitched yells. To say I’m shocked wouldn’t do this shit justice. I don’t want to be up here, and I never would have given these women that impression, yet here I am displayed like a damn peacock.
I shake my head, about to make my way off stage, when the last thing I ever expect is shouted from the last woman I would expect it from.
“One hundred dollars!” Joey screams above all the cat calls.
“No!” I shout, pointing at her, but she just laughs, not remotely intimidated by me. Damn it.
“Two hundred!” A blonde in the front row says, shaking her money in the air.
This is my fucking nightmare.
“That’s not how this works,” I say, but no one can hear me. Especially not that deviant, Robin. The troublemaker bounces her eyebrows with mischief.
“Two hundred? Do we have Two-fifty for this handsome beard?”
“Three hundred!”
“Three fifty!”
“I’m not for sale, damn it,” I growl, but thankfully, no one hears me over Joey.
“One thousand dollars!” She shouts, and Robin screams her enjoyment. With a wink, she announces the winner to be Joey. Thank god, and finally puts me out of my misery.
Stomping off stage, I’ve reached my people limit. The crowd parts for my large frame, except for a blonde that tries to stop me.
“Hey, I feel robbed.” Her tone is flirty as she runs her long pink nails down my arm. “What are you doing after you finish your date with her? I would have paid more, you know.”
“No thanks.” I try to be respectful and step away, but she grabs my shirt pulling me closer. At the moment, I lock eyes with the woman I really want to be drawn to, and her face guts me. The confident smile she’s been wearing all night falls, replaced by something I hate.
Hurt.
Without another thought, I plow forward, past the blonde who only falters a step, and straight to Joey. She’s pulling her jacket back on, as some dick comes over to her.
“Fuck off,” I growl just as he says hello.
Her eyebrows shoot to the sky, but she doesn’t say anything as I take her hand and pull her to me.
“Let’s get out of here.” It’s a rough command, but I need to get her alone. Everything about meeting her in person is messing with me, and if she’s hurt, I’ll fucking tear down the mountain to fix it.
She doesn’t smile but nods, letting me take her hand. It’s soft and so much smaller than mine. Her heat rises through my arm and makes me hard.
I take several deep breaths, hating the crowded room, wishing we were home instead of here. She just got here; I don’t want to share her. Fuck, that’s a bad sign.
At the door, I’m greeted by the town’s new fireman, Trevor.
“Hey. It’s Gavin, right? Can I buy you a beer and talk for a bit?”
I’m sure he wants to know about my flight schedule since I’m the only one who can fly in and out, but I don’t have time.
