by Peggy Hunter
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Whiskey Creek Press
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Copyright ©2007 by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
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NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.
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BACHELOR FOR SALE BOOK 1:
SWEET REVENGE
by
Peggy Hunter
WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Published by
WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
Whiskey Creek Press
PO Box 51052
Casper, WY 82605-1052
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Copyright © 2007 by Peggy Hunter
Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
ISBN 978-1-59374-958-3
Credits
Editor: Chere Gruver
Printed in the United States of America
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT
BACHELOR FOR SALE
BOOK 1: SWEET REVENGE
"A wonderfully told quick tale by Peggy Hunter. Her characters were beautifully told and made me feel as if I was in the middle of this story. The story was not totally predictable; I like that I find myself surprised when reading a great story that seems to have an inevitable ending."
The Romance Studio
Overall rating: 4.5 Hearts
Sensuality rating: Explicit
Reviewer: Brenda Talley
"...creates an erotic romance to get your blood boiling with her awesome story. A book that will melt your heart. Allison turns the tables by leaving Randy stranded at the same place he took her virginity. Oh, revenge is so sweet! Or is it?"
Alisha
Two Lips Reviews
"Who can resist a buff fireman? Sweet Revenge is the first book in the Bachelor for Sale Series and if they are all as hot as this one was I can't wait to read the next one."
Tanya
Joyfully Reviewed
"Ms. Hunter writes with a very lyrical voice, and the world she creates is your every day idea of a little town. The characters are vivid, and some even scream off the page. They've been portrayed well. She catches the dilemma in Allison's life really well, and combined with the steamy attraction between the main protagonists, this is one read that will not bore a reader. I highly recommend this book."
Zee
Enchanting Reviews
Other Books by Author Available at Whiskey Creek Press:
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
A Lesson In Passion
Tempting Tara
Will's Rockie Way
The Knight Before Chris
The Wrong Mr. Wright
April's Fool
Dedication
For Calisa.
Thanks for always being there.
Chapter 1
Allison Peters walked into the auditorium and took a seat in the front row. Having stopped at the ATM on her way into downtown Toronto, she only hoped the cash she'd stuffed in her purse would be enough to make the purchase. One that would finally rid her of the demons that continued to dog her after fifteen years.
A bleach-blond woman with what had to be surgically enhanced breasts sat beside her. She gazed at Ally, her eyes glazed with excitement. “Isn't this great?” she asked gleefully. “And for such a great cause too."
Ally smiled tightly. “Yes,” she replied. “I'm always happy to support the community library."
Blondie frowned. “The bachelor auction is for the Children's Hospital."
Yeah, whatever. Ally offered another forced smile, one that clearly said thanks for the information. Now shut the hell up! Blondie seemed to get it. She averted her gaze, breaking eye contact.
Ally hadn't come to the auction to make friends, nor was she here to help the library ... or hospital, as the case may be. She had a single motive in mind. She intended to have Randy Gallagher all to herself for one night.
Hell, she probably wouldn't need the entire night; just a few hours would suffice. And she was willing to pay handsomely for the privilege to exact the long-overdue revenge.
It had been fifteen years since she'd been face to face with Randy Gallagher. From what she'd heard, he'd changed little from the self-centered jock he was in high school. While Wilbur hailed him a local hero, a hometown boy who'd made good, all Ally remembered was that fateful night at Lake Sherwood and the title she'd earned for her stupidity.
Sure-she-would. Even now, so many years later, the memory rankled. And Randy, who had acted so kind and thoughtful during the high school prom, had set her up for it.
Her gaze slid to Blondie. Breasts the size of small mountains and very few brains, Ally supposed. She was the type of woman Randy would enjoy keeping company with.
It wasn't that Ally hadn't moved on from the humiliating experience. In fact, she had and done very well. But now that she was planning her wedding, she felt the need to wipe the slate clean. She didn't want to go into her marriage holding a grudge from the past. She hoped to finally break free of it tonight.
Ally felt a twinge of guilt when she thought of her fiancé, Sam Ryan. He was a good man, one with common sense. He'd moved to Wilbur four years ago and became the small town's only lawyer. Staid, stoic and steady were the words people used to describe him. Her family loved him instantly. And Ally, well, she grew to love him over time.
Sex with Sam was never what she'd call exciting but it was adequate. He'd provide for her, make her a good husband and ultimately, be a good father to their children. What more could I want?
Ally learned long ago that men who offered excitement and adventure weren't the type a woman could settle down and raise a family with. Ally needed stability, someone she could count on being home every night. Sam fit the bill.
She winced when she thought of the elaborate lie she'd concocted to appease Sam's curiosity about her trip to Toronto.
"I want to check out the wedding boutiques,” she'd said.
"But you already have everything picked out for the wedding,” he'd replied.
"Yes, but it can't hurt to look around a bit.” She'd placed her hands on his chest and smiled up at him. “I want our wedding to be perfect in every way. After all, it's the beginning of our life together."
Ally squelched the guilt that twisted in her stomach. She'd made sure to check a few boutiques when she arrived in the city that morning just so she wouldn't have to lie to Sam when he asked.
Besides, she reasoned, she wasn't lying when she said she wanted their wedding to be perfect. She really did want to marry Sam knowing she had no regrets. Ridding herself of the one grudge she had was a way of doing so.
Blondi
e wiggled in her seat, drawing Ally's attention. “They're about to start!” Blondie giggled with the anticipation of a little girl about to get her first taste of a prized lollipop. Her mega-breasts jiggled while she clapped her hands. “Isn't this exciting?"
"Yeah, I can barely contain myself,” Ally said sarcastically as she leaned back in her chair. She pulled the program out of her purse and gazed at it. Randy was the last bachelor being auctioned. She'd have to sit through fourteen sales before the one she'd come for came up.
Ally rose and glanced at Blondie. “I'm gonna get a coffee."
"Aren't you afraid to lose your seat?"
Ally looked around the auditorium and noticed there was standing room only. “Will you save it for me?"
Blondie's blue eyes sparkled. “Only if you get me a double latté."
Okay, so maybe she wasn't all bad. She knew how to drive a bargain. “Deal."
* * * *
Randy Gallagher paced nervously backstage. What the fuck possessed me to agree to this damn auction?
He'd always managed to duck out of the annual bachelor auction by volunteering to recruit eligible firemen in the greater Toronto area. He'd always ignored the comments that he was probably the most eligible fireman of any.
It wasn't until Pearl Hanson begged him to be a bachelor on the auction block this year that he finally gave in. After all, the funds were going to the Children's Hospital, where her six year old daughter had spent several weeks recovering from injuries she'd sustained during a fire in her apartment building. Randy happened to be the fireman who'd brought the child to safety.
He had to admit the recently divorced Pearl was sexier than most women he'd met over the years. In spite of the fact he was attracted to her sexually at first, after days of sitting in the waiting room while her daughter endured reconstructive surgery, Pearl now felt more like a sibling than a woman he wanted to screw.
"Thank you for your generosity!” the auctioneer called over the cheering crowd as the fourteenth bachelor walked off the stage.
Randy stopped pacing and took a deep breath.
"And now,” the auctioneer said, “I'd like to present our last bachelor of the evening."
Randy swallowed hard as his heart pumped heavily in his chest. He hoped Pearl would come through for him.
"Ladies,” the auctioneer said amid the cheers of the crowd, “the man you've all been waiting for! Mr. Randy Gallagher!"
The crowd went ballistic, clapping, cheering and stomping their feet on the auditorium floor as Randy pushed through the glittery curtains and walked onto the stage. Bright lights almost blinded him as he pasted a smile on his face and walked down the catwalk.
When he reached the end of the catwalk, he scanned the front row and caught sight of Pearl. She waved at him enthusiastically, her bleach-blond hair gleaming under the lights.
"Let's start the bidding at one hundred dollars,” the auctioneer called.
Pearl waved her hand only to be outbid several times by women out of his sight. The bidding quickly reached a thousand dollars and kept climbing. Pearl's bid for twelve hundred dollars was quickly acknowledged. The crowd went silent and Randy breathed a sigh of relief.
"One thousand, two hundred going once,” the auctioneer said.
Randy held his breath.
"One thousand, two hundred going twice."
Randy expelled his breath in cautious relief. It seemed Pearl was the winning bidder. Thank God!
"Two thousand dollars!"
What the fuck? Randy peered at Pearl only to see her glance at the woman beside her and then look up at him with disdain. He'd given her fifteen hundred dollars. She was tapped out.
"Two thousand going once,” the auctioneer called.
Randy peered at Pearl, trying to convey he'd give her the rest of the money, whatever it took.
"Two thousand going twice!"
Pearl continued to gaze at him helplessly. She mouthed the words, I'm sorry.
And then the auctioneer's gavel smashed down, vibrating in Randy's ears. “Sold!"
As the crowd burst into applause, Randy stared at the woman sitting beside Pearl. With the bright stage lights glaring in his eyes, he couldn't quite make her out. What the hell did I get myself into? Who knew I'd sell for more than the fifteen hundred dollars? And who the hell is willing to pay two thousand dollars to spend an evening with me?
He wasn't sure he wanted to know. In fact, it occurred to him that he didn't need to find out. He could walk off the stage right now and keep going ... right out the door to his car and get the hell away from the entire situation. Shit, he could afford to pay the two thousand dollars himself. Maybe even toss a few bills to the woman who'd won the right to spend a romantic evening with him.
Yes! That was it. As soon as he got home, he'd find out who the winning bidder was. He'd send her flowers along with an apologetic note and a couple hundred dollars to cover her inconvenience.
Gallagher, you're brilliant.
Randy smiled and waved at the crowd. As he turned to leave the stage the auctioneer quickly grabbed his arm. “Don't go just yet,” he said. Randy stopped as the auctioneer spoke into the microphone. “Now we'd like all the bachelors and the winning bidders on the stage for final announcements and photos."
Damn! So much for a smooth escape.
Randy was vaguely aware of cameras flashing as the bachelors came back onto the stage. The buyers lined up and walked up the steps. Tall women, short ones, slender and stout, young and old, they slowly dispersed to stand beside their purchased bachelor. Yet he continued to stand alone.
So where is she?
The sound of Pearl's excited voice drew his attention to the stage steps. “You have to go up!"
The woman with her continued to struggle until Pearl finally gave her a shove up the stairs. Randy caught sight of a riot of rich ruby curls as the woman slowly made her way onto the stage. A good foot under his six foot four height, she was short and slender, dressed in a plain white t-shirt and tight blue jeans. She kept her face averted as she stood beside him. His eyes were instantly drawn to her breasts, tight against her shirt and heaving lightly. Just the way he liked them.
Randy grinned. Maybe signing up for the auction wasn't such a bad idea after all.
As the cameras continued to flash, Randy wrapped an arm around her shoulder and drew her against him. She trembled and made a feeble attempt to step away. But Randy held her firmly against him as he gazed down at her. Long red curls cascaded over her shoulders as she continued to stare at the floor.
So she's shy, is she?
Randy didn't like shy women. In fact, he liked the women in his life adventurous, ready for anything—both in and out of the bedroom. But he had to admit, mostly in.
If he was stuck with this mystery woman for the evening, she'd have to get over the bashfulness. As far as he was concerned, there was no time like the present to get started.
As the auctioneer slowly read from a list, the spotlights focused on each couple. Randy bided his time, waiting for his name and that of his lady to be announced.
"And last, but by no means least,” the auctioneer said into his microphone, “our last couple of the auction, Mr. Randy Gallagher and Ms. Betty Smith."
As the spotlight focused on them, Randy's arm tightened around her waist and pulled her toward him. With his hand on the small of her back, he tilted her back. Cameras continued to flash as the long curly hair fell away from her face.
"Pucker up, babe,” he said as he leaned over her. He had a brief glimpse of her heart-shaped face and startled emerald eyes as he lowered his mouth to hers.
He heard her muffled cry as his mouth closed over her full red lips. A delicate hand pushed at his chest in a feeble attempt to push him away.
Her subtle scent reminded him of lilacs and sunshine, of the long summer days he'd spent by the lake near his hometown when he was a kid.
Heat flared in his loins as he explored her mouth. Her scent might have reminded him
of hot summer days but her lips, lush and so damn sweet, made him think of hot summer nights, damp skin and sinking his cock into her moist, delicate folds.
When the auctioneer made a comment about getting a room for them as soon as possible, Randy instantly remembered where he was. The crowd cheered heartily as he slowly rose and pulled her against him. She quickly pressed her face into his chest as the cameras continued to flash. His arm circled her protectively, enjoying the feel of her body pressed against his.
Maybe shy women aren't so bad after all. He grinned at the crowd in the auditorium. He had to admit he was looking very forward to the next few hours with his lady.
Chapter 2
"Your wish is my command."
"Oh shut the hell up!” Ally cried as she led the way to her car.
Randy had been playing the slave from the moment they'd stepped off the stage and it was wearing pretty damn thin. The guy was having way too much fun with the predicament Ally was in.
Jesus. Who the hell knew they'd be taking pictures after the auction? If any of them made its way to the Wilbur Crier, her goose would not only be cooked, it'd be consumed whole.
Her father was one of the most influential businessmen in town, not to mention a former mayor. Her mother would faint dead away; a scandal she'd never recover from.
And Sam. Precious, loving—well, as loving as possible—Sam. Would it ruin his budding career? Would he still want to make her his bride?
When she got to her car, she turned and looked up at Randy. He didn't seem recognize her. So at least one of her carefully laid-out plans had gone the way it was intended to.
She unlocked the passenger door. “Get in,” she said briskly as she walked to the other side of the car.
Randy's rich baritone filtered through the still night air. “You're kidding me, right?"
Ally peered at him over the top of her car. Holy shit, he was a big galoot. He'd bulked up even more since high school. No matter. Her compact car was the only means of transportation for the evening. “No, I'm not kidding,” she said sourly. “Stretch out in the backseat if you think there isn't enough leg room in front."
