The Bachelor Auction (The Bachelors of Arizona Book 1) (23 page)

“What?” Jane frowned. “Why?”

“Honey,” The woman’s red pouted mouth dipped into a frown. “Cinderella always has to make the perfect entrance.” She winked and abandoned Jane just like the twins had.

What the heck was going on?

I
f Brock had to listen to one more woman talk about the state of the world, or the economy, or the irritating fact that they couldn’t park close enough to the warehouse where the ball was being held, he was going to take a cue from his brothers and start downing shots.

Bentley eyed Brock over his whiskey with a smug grin, then lifted his glass into the air in a silent toast.

They were supposed to have arrived with Jane a half hour ago. The twins were here, but where was Jane?

So far there’d been no sign of his grandfather.

Where the hell were they?

Panic set in when he realized that if for some reason his grandfather saw Jane first…What if he said something to her that made her run? What if he was mean to her? Was his grandfather capable of that?

Maybe it was just Brock’s own nerves about the plan for that evening. He just wanted everything to be over with. And Jane in his arms.

“He’s late,” a voice to his right said.

Brock turned and came face to face with the CEO of Titus Enterprises. She and his grandfather were rarely in the same room together.

They couldn’t stand one another.

Their fights alone had made national news, when in a fury she’d thrown a pencil at his head during a charity board meeting.

If the Wellingtons were the Kennedys of the south, then the Titus family was the Vanderbilts of the Pacific Northwest. Both companies had set out with the mindset of world domination, and both companies had had their share of scandal.

Then again, with a woman like Nadine at the helm of Titus, it was no shock at all. Her dangerously low-cut silk ball gown had a bright red bow wrapped around her neck and matched her lipstick perfectly. With heavy eyelashes and bright blond hair, she looked to be somewhere around her mid-sixties rather than pushing eighty-nine.

“Well?” Her penciled brows drew together in a furrow. “Where’s that damn grandfather of yours?” She rolled her eyes. “Charles never did understand the point of being punctual. Why, last time we went to dinner and—”

Brock’s eyes narrowed. “Dinner? You shared a meal? Broke bread?”

“Yes, and I only managed to stab him twice.” She adjusted her short black velvet gloves and shrugged one shoulder. “He took all of my silverware before I had the chance to inflict more violence. The bastard just kept pouring me more wine.”

“How horrible for you.”

“Dreadful man, getting a woman drunk for his own pleasure!”

Brock coughed into his hand. “This isn’t awkward, this conversation.”

“Boy, ain’t nothing awkward about a man and a woman engaging in a nice meal and having the consensual three S’s.”

Brock stared at her, then toward the door. “I’m almost scared to ask this, but why three S’s?”

“Oh.” She touched his arm lightly. “How sad. Do you not understand how to woo a woman properly? No wonder you needed my help.” She grinned brightly. “You know, I have some incredible lithographs of the Kama Sutra and—”

“No thanks.” He took a step away while she pouted.

“Oh, I see.” Her eyes suddenly widened. “You haven’t conquered young Jane yet. Are you a virgin?”

She yelled the last part. She clearly wanted to embarrass him and create a scene because that’s what she did best.

He groaned as he noticed the curious stares from people around them.

“Hilarious,” he murmured while she laughed to herself. “Keep your voice down.” The last part was said on a hiss.

“Scared of breasts.” She nodded knowingly. “Well, boy, they aren’t gonna smother you if that’s what you’re afraid of. Worse comes to worst, hold your breath.”

“Great advice. I’ll be sure to pass it along to someone who actually needs it.”

“Asphyxiation during coitus used to be a thing, you know, back in the seventies.”

Why was the woman still talking about sex? God. She was almost more trouble than she was worth. He took a gulp of champagne.

“When I wore the knit tops with no bra.”

Brock spit out his champagne in shock then wiped his mouth, while Nadine kept talking about breasts. Then, thankfully, his grandfather appeared.

This was it.

“Such a wicked handsome man.” Nadine sighed next to him. “Too bad he has the manners of a bastard son of a whore.”

She said it so politely one would think she was almost complimenting him.

Brock glared as his grandfather slowly and very casually made his way toward them. “I trust everything’s in order?”

Nadine let out a snort. “Good to see you, Charles.” She drew out the ‘s’ in his name and leaned forward, her somehow still perky breasts parted like the Red Sea as her dress nearly came off her chest.

“Nadine.” His grandfather said through gritted teeth. “New dress?”

“Yes.” She beamed.

“Did you steal it from a teenager?”

“Yes.” Nadine scowled. “That’s exactly what I did, right after cheer practice, where I performed splits in the air and made love with Johnny in the locker room.”

“Bring him up again and I’ll strangle you.” His grin was still in place but his face was red.

“Johnny?” Brock repeated.

“Your grandfather certainly didn’t peak until…after high school.” Nadine giggled behind her hand.

His grandfather took a menacing step toward Nadine but Brock stopped him. “Are we ready to begin?” And then his breath caught in his throat as the love of his life waltzed into the room. “Jane.”

She moved through the crowd with so much grace it hurt to watch her.

And Brock’s heart nearly stopped.

“Holy shit.” He sucked in and choked on the same breath while Jane looked down at her feet then up at him.

The glass slippers. Well, his version of them, anyway.
She’d worn them
.

“She’s absolutely lovely, Brock, and my my, what an entrance!”

Blood roared in Brock’s ears as the entire room fell silent. Jane was looking at him, walking toward him. She was his.

Her gold silk dress shimmered under the lights.

God, she was so damn beautiful. Yet he couldn’t make his feet move toward her. He was glued in place, paralyzed, stunned by her beauty.

Beauty that he’d always seen.

But tonight it was perfectly highlighted: her hair was pulled into a low ponytail, the front was braided to the side, covering part of her ear where single diamond earrings twinkled.

The gloves she wore went past her elbows.

Everything about her was—magical.

Her lips widened into a shaky smile as she took a few more steps toward him.

“Well, don’t just stand there,” Nadine hissed. “You need to speak.” Had she just clapped at him? “Go on, shoo!”

Jane bit her bottom lip and then let out a laugh as she finally made it to his side. “There’s something really strange about that woman.” She pointed her auction paddle in Nadine’s direction.

“Don’t point. She’ll think it’s an invitation to come over.”

“Too late,” Jane whispered. “Sorry.”

“Hello, dear!” Nadine spread her arms wide. “I’ve heard so much about you!” She gave Jane an overly obvious wink, as if asking her to play along and pretend they hadn’t already met at the door. “Why, Charles just won’t shut up about how you cleaned his home and slept with his grandson when we’re—”

Brock’s eyes narrowed in on his grandfather, who’d started tugging at his tie like it was choking the life out of him.

The crowd gathered around them.

Good, that’s what he needed. He needed people to think Nadine had absolutely no association with Jane whatsoever—though she didn’t need to yell all the gory details.

“When you’re what?” Brock asked innocently.

“Discussing business,” Nadine said brightly. “Why, sometimes it takes all day and night to get just the right contract negotiated.” Her eyes lit up. “In fact, Charles, I was hoping to steal you away this evening.”

“Leave the rape whistle, the gun, and the Swiss army knife at home, and we’ll talk,” He nodded to her purse. “Oh, and I wasn’t born yesterday. The pens stay, too.”

“You know, for being nine years younger, you sure aren’t very adventurous in…” Her eyes went from Brock to Jane. “Er, the charity board meetings we’re both on…and such.”

“Maybe because I prefer for the focus of board meetings to be singular, on one person, rather than…objects.”

“Oh, Charles.” She sighed.

“Should we leave you two alone now? With the pens?” Brock asked. “Because things just got really weird and I’m pretty sure you’re talking about sex with my grandfather, which by the way, is totally fine, as long as you never talk about it again in front of me or Jane, or any other object that may or may not be scarred for life.”

“The cock.” Jane nodded.

“Yes, I’m going to have to ask you to refrain from speaking about it, even in front of the ass and the rooster.”

Nadine’s lips twitched. “You remind me so much of my grandsons. Should we set up a play date?”

“Sure…” Brock backed away slowly. “Let me just see if I can find my Legos.”

“Perfect!” She winked and looped her arm with Grandfather’s. “Now, we’ve embarrassed you enough. Enjoy the ball.”

Grandfather walked off then paused and turned. “Brock, you promised that you would still participate in the auction.” He eyed Jane. “I don’t know what she’s doing here, but unless she bids on you—”

Brock stared down his grandfather. “I told you I was choosing both. Maybe it’s time you let me decide the course of my life.”

Grandfather eyed him and then settled his gaze on Jane. When he finally walked away Brock could have sworn his grandfather was laughing, but what did he have to laugh about?

When he looked back at Jane, her face was tight.

“Trust me,” he whispered in her ear. “And you look beautiful.”

She exhaled then pressed her hands to her hips, smoothing her dress as if she was nervous. “It’s not too much?”

“It’s perfect.” He reached for her hand and pulled her into his arms. “Now, you have the shoes, the dress, the pearls.” He grinned. “But you’re missing one thing.”

She frowned. “What?”

“We need to find you a prince.”

“Hmm, I don’t think I know any princes.”

He twirled her in his arms. “I can always go get Bentley. I’m sure he’d step in.”

“I don’t want Bentley.”

“Brant then?”

She smirked. “Nah, he’s too handsy.”

“Then I guess you’re stuck with me.” He bent over her hand. “May I have this dance?”

She curtsied low. “I thought you’d never ask.”

B
rock’s smile melted all her defenses, making her feel beautiful and secure—although she was still a bit nervous. She still hadn’t seen her sisters and she feared that they’d approach her and say something hurtful or embarrassing. Probably both.

Brock’s smile deepened as he slowly examined her from head to toe.

This man in a suit was a dangerous thing, the way his broad shoulders filled out the black jacket. The style reminded her of something she’d seen in an old historical movie.

Which really did make him the prince.

His auburn hair had a slight wave; it was parted to the side but she knew it would soon fall prey to his hands, since that was his nervous thing: running a hand through his hair.

“I’m glad you came.” Brock’s voice was deep, his eyes locked on hers. “Even though you’re technically here with two other men.”

Brock’s gaze shifted to her mouth, as if he wanted to kiss her. She strained toward him just as the music stopped playing.

The dance floor wasn’t too crowded. People were staring at them, probably because he was about to get auctioned off, Jane concluded.

Her stomach clenched.

“So.” She cleared her throat. “What exactly am I supposed to be doing? I feel like I should be helping whatever plan you have here but I’m completely in the dark.”

“Well.” Brock cleared his throat. “Unbeknownst to the twins, we’re actually auctioning them off for charity as well. There will be five bachelors total. Brant, Bentley, and”—he grinned smugly—“Thomas and Lucas—Titus. They’re Nadine’s cousins and when given the option to get on her good side, I knew they wouldn’t say no.” He paused and then whispered, “I go last.”

Jane nodded, careful to keep her smile frozen on her face.

“And then…” Brock sighed. “The woman who bids the most wins a date with me. Each of the top five bidders wins something, but I only have to go out with one of them. Of course, my grandfather still has his mind set on marriage—at least according to the media, but only because it makes sense: rich good-looking woman, rich good-looking man… People are idiots.”

Jane’s throat went dry.

“But,” Brock pulled her into his arms, “it’s not going to happen that way.”

“What makes you think that?” Jane asked.

“Because technically it’s not going to be a real auction. It’s fixed.” He eyed her boldly. “I…” He reached for her hands and squeezed them. “I think it’s pretty clear who I choose…and it’s a girl in a gold dress with seven freckles.”

“Eight,” she corrected, a bit breathless. “You forgot the one on my ass.”

Brock burst out laughing. “I may have to do some inspecting later.”

“But, Brock,” Jane said, suddenly serious. “What will happen if this doesn’t work out the way you want it to?”

“Let me worry about that,” he growled.

“But see, that’s the thing,” She pulled away from him. “I do worry, because I don’t want to be the reason people don’t take you seriously or trust you, or back out of a deal.”

“Jane—”

“You would resent me. Maybe not now, maybe not tomorrow, but you would resent me. I think we have enough baggage between the two of us. The last thing we need is to add more.”

Brock’s eyes narrowed. “What exactly are you getting at?”

“No matter how this turns out, you have to go through with everything. I mean, if I don’t win.”

“You will win.” His voice was urgent. “And if it doesn’t turn out the way I’ve planned it, then fine. Fuck them all. I love you and I choose you.”

“But your grandfather,” Jane said in a small voice, her eyes finding the man in question. She could still remember the way he’d tried to convince her to take the million-dollar check and his almost relieved expression when she didn’t.

Something wasn’t right. She just didn’t know what.

“Jane, did my grandfather get to you? Is that what this is about? Did he try to pay you off? Or threaten you?”

Jane froze. “Well.”

“Jane.” He exhaled loudly and placed his hands on her shoulders. “What the hell did he do to you?”

Her face flushed. “Well, he did offer me money to stay away from you. Enough money that I’d never have to clean another toilet. Ever. But then he seemed relieved when I turned him down.” But that made no sense. Why would he go to all that trouble? Something wasn’t adding up.

“Jane!” Bentley elbowed his way toward her, his smile wide.

“We’ll talk about this later.” Brock kissed her temple. “After you win.”

Bentley’s smile widened as he approached. “She cleaned up well, am I right?”

Jane rolled her eyes and stood up on her tiptoes to kiss Bentley on the cheek. At the last minute he turned so his mouth barely grazed hers. “Sorry, couldn’t help myself.”

Brock cursed beside her. “Do that again and I’m cutting off your dick.”

“Ooh…” Bentley winked at Jane and took a long sip of his champagne.
“Remember, I offered to take you off his hands. Until you have a ring on your finger, offer still stands.” His gaze heated. “Besides, he’s the one with the temper. I’m all about love…sexual healing…”

“I’ll do my best.” She shoved him away playfully as Brant approached the group. He had three different shades of lipstick spread across his neck.

“Such a selfish bastard. Leave some for us, too.” Bentley commented once Brant was in front of them.

Brant eyed her up and down again. “For the record, Brock, I approve.”

“Well, that’s a relief.” Jane stepped into his arms. Brant always smelled like women’s perfume. Always. Even at the ranch, which really made her wonder if he didn’t just wear it so that other women got jealous?

“Fruit of my loins!” Charles called out to his grandsons. “Gather ’round, my little chickens. The auction is about to start and I have something to say.”

The group fell silent.

Nadine’s lips were formed into an adoring smile as she blinked up at Charles.

“Tonight, Brock goes to the highest of the five bidders.” Jane tried to keep herself from tensing when he looked her way. His eyes lingered on her then briefly flickered to Nadine. “Now that that’s settled…” Charles eyed Brock. “Why don’t we go to the stage and get things started?”

Brock froze.

Jane squeezed his hand.

“Brock?” Charles tilted his head. “Is everything all right?”

“No,” Brock said, and turned to Jane. “But it will be.”