AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I roll my eyes. Eve thinks everyone is in love with me.
“Wait! Who bid on you?” Her lips purse at my question. “Who?”
“Marco,” she huffs in irritation.
“Marco as in Marco Marone? He was here?” How the heck did I miss that? Marco is almost twice Eve’s age, but you wouldn’t know that from looking at him.
He moved to this giant cabin that sits right outside of the city limits in the country years back. He only comes to town maybe once a month for supplies. I don’t know what he does out there. If I had to guess, he chops logs all day. He’s got that whole lumberjack style going on. Not that I think he’s trying for any particular style. The man is the definition of not giving a fuck. He barely talks to anyone when he comes to town, only grunting his responses. But it hasn’t gone unnoticed by me that he always stares at Eve.
“Are there any other Marcos around here?” Sarcasm drips from her words.
“You think when you go on this date you can ask about that gnarly scar that cuts through his eyebrow?” The scar only makes him fiercer. With a town that loves to gossip, there have been all kinds of made-up stories of how he got it.
“Seriously?”
“I mean, if anyone has the balls to ask, it's you.”
“Probably got it wrestling a bear.”
I snort a laugh. “I bet he won.”
“Whatever. You’re all fixed up. Let's get a drink.” She changes the subject. Someone is a bit touchy. I let it go for now. When we step back out into the hallway, Crane is still standing there waiting for us. “You go pay your tab?” She lifts one of her eyebrows at him. I swear she’s like a dog with a bone.
“She’s not a tab.” He pulls me into his side. I know she’s only teasing him. A lot of times, Eve pokes at people to see how they respond. It’s her way of getting to know them.
“Hope you have enough money for a ring after you pay her bid. I’m going to put her price at top dollar plus a grand.” Eve smirks at him before strolling off.
“That was a joke,” I rush to tell him.
“It wasn’t a joke.” Crane's hand slips to my hip, gripping me tightly as he lowers his head for a kiss. “I’ve got enough money for both,” he says before claiming my mouth in a kiss, taking my breath away in more ways than one.
21
CRANE
The presentation hall is still abuzz when I stride in. Plenty of bachelors seemed to have left lonely, but there are many more chatting with the bachelorettes they’ve won bids for.
I bypass them and case the table along the back where the mayor sits with Carlton. He has a money pouch in his lap, and from the look of it, there’s plenty of cash inside.
I suppose I’m the last one to pay up. I pull my money clip from my back pocket and hand it to Carlton.
He looks up at me, baffled. “How much of this–”
“Just take the whole thing. Winning bid on Liza.”
His eyes widen, and he drops the money into the bag.
The mayor levels me with a stare. “Where is she?”
“With Eve, getting a drink.”
Her eyes narrow. “She’s all right?”
“She’s great.” I shrug. “I just needed to have a private chat with her.”
“About what?” Now the mayor is smirking a little, though I can tell she’s trying to keep it under wraps.
“Christmas spirit. You know, that sort of thing.”
