Highest Bidder (A Bad Boy Romance)

by Mia Carson

  “What did you do with our Mr. Wolf?” she asked, resting her elbows on the counter.

  “He was quite fascinated with the old gun collection that came in a few days ago,” Joe said, pointing down the aisle. “Hey, you could make your first sale today.”

  She hopped off the stool and went to find Alec. As she walked, she noticed the old photograph Joe had showed her the other day of the Lundys. She slowed as her eyes met the woman’s in the photograph, and she smiled. Her fingers reached out and ran down the glass, wondering what this woman had been like. Steps sounded behind her, and she turned to see Alec holding an old wooden sign in one hand, an excited look on his face. He was going to ask Joe to open the gun case.

  “Who were they?” Alec asked.

  Iris turned back around. “The founders of Lundy, Gyda and Boden Lundy,” she told him. “Joe’s had this photo in here for years.”

  Alec moved closer, his eyes narrowed at the photo. He frowned, looked at Iris, and back to the photo. “Are you related to them?”

  “No,” she said with a laugh. “Why would you think that?”

  “Gyda… She has the same look in her eyes I’ve seen in yours,” he said quietly.

  Iris looked at the photo, tilting her head as she stared at Gyda wearing the same necklace she’d brought in yesterday to sell. “Maybe, but trust me, I’d know if we were related. Did you find a few things to buy?”

  He held up the sign. “I moved into a house and have no furniture and no decorations whatsoever. I think this is a nice first piece.”

  She took it from him so she could see it better and read the words aloud. “'Here on this day was the town of Lundy established, a town for new beginnings and love.’” She smiled sadly and ran her fingers over the painted words. “You know this isn’t the town motto at all, right?”

  “I had a feeling, but someone made it out of an old whiskey barrel. That, in itself, is pretty nifty.”

  “You could just buy a barrel and do it yourself,” she told him as she handed it back.

  “You’re killing my excited buzz here,” he said, and she led the way back to the counter.

  “I was wondering if you would find something you liked,” Joe said as Alec laid the sign on the counter. “And I wanted to tell you, that piece you brought in yesterday has already been sold.”

  Iris watched Alec’s face closely, but he gave nothing away. “What did you sell?”

  He turned to her with a bright grin and rested his elbows on the counter so he was at eye-level. “I'm not going to tell, at least not yet. Joe? Do you mind if I put a hold on that old double barrel in the case? I don’t want to cart it around town.”

  “You can hold this here, too, if you like,” he said and winked at Iris. “See? You’re not even on the clock yet and you’re making me money.”

  “I guess I’ll just have to flirt with all your customers,” Iris teased, but Joe barked a laugh and she glared at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You remind me so much of your mother,” Joe said through his laughter, wiping the mirth from his eyes. “She used to think she was so suave with your dad all the time, but she couldn’t flirt to save her life.”

  Alec nudged her with his elbow. “I bet the story about their meeting is pretty funny?”

  “Another time,” she groaned and tugged on his arm. “We have to go the hospital now.”

  “You going to introduce Sam to Alec?” Joe asked skeptically.

  “If he wants to meet my brother, I don’t see why not,” Iris said. “Why?”

  Joe shrugged and bent down to fiddle with the smaller items in the glass case. “No reason. Good luck, Alec. You’ll need it.”

  Iris thanked Joe again for the job, but he waved her away with an annoyed snort. She and Alec reached the sidewalk and turned in the direction of the hospital. Without even thinking about it, she leaned against his side, and his arm circled her shoulders. When she’d dated Jenson for two years, it never felt this comfortable, this natural, to be by his side. With Alec, Iris felt as if they had been friends for years, maybe more.

  They didn’t talk much on the way to the hospital, but it was far from awkward. He asked a few questions about the town and her life growing up there, and she told him stories about her and Sam finding ways to get in trouble during the festivals that visited in the fall and winter. Building inappropriate snowmen had always been their favorite.

  “Mom would scold us in public,” she told him as they reached the hospital doors, “but she’d sneak a pic and put them all together in a photo album afterwards.”

  “I think I would’ve liked your mom,” he said.

  Iris waved at Lisa sitting at the front desk today and guided Alec towards the stairs. “I think so, too. What about your parents?”

  “Dad died a couple years ago,” he told her.

  “I’m so sorry,” she said, but he shrugged. “You didn’t get along?”

  “We did, but I’ve moved on. We had a good relationship and it was hard, but other events have put my life into better perspective lately. My mom’s a piece of work, though.”

  Iris hoped she didn’t cringe as she said, “I’m sure I’ll have a good time when I meet her.”

  She glanced up at him and something in his eyes said he hoped she never would. Iris’s brow furrowed, wondering if she should be worried about him not wanting her to meet his mom, but then they were down the hall and at Sam’s door. Her brother had never liked Jenson and had bugged Iris to go out and meet someone else. Since their dad died, he’d also taken it upon himself to be the over-protective man in her life.

  “Sam?” she said as she entered to find her brother and Brad, his nurse, playing cards on his bed. “You two busy?”

  “Not too busy for a visit,” Sam said excitedly.

  Brad scooped the cards up. “Time for his dinner, anyway. I’ll be back in twenty.”

  Iris squeezed his shoulder in thanks on his way out. “You happy to be going home tomorrow?” she asked and plopped down on the edge of Sam’s bed. “I’m even going to clean your room in the morning. It won’t even feel like you left.”

  “Yeah, I’m ready for my bed. I miss my bed.”

  Iris smiled and patted his hand. “You up for meeting someone?”

  Sam gave her the same quizzical look their dad always had when he wasn’t sure how to answer a question. “Am I going to like this person?”

  “Maybe. I like him so far.”

  Sam’s face brightened, then his eyes narrowed at the door. “It’s a guy? Are you dating? Boyfriend?”

  “Alright, slow down, kiddo,” she said, laughing even though the sudden image of Alec being her boyfriend was really hard to get rid of. “His name’s Alec Wolf, and he’s new in town. I met him last night and was giving him a tour of the town.”

  “Right, tour of the town,” Sam said and leaned back against the pillow, crossing his arms. “Well then, let’s meet this Alec Wolf.”

  Instantly, Iris regretted bringing Alec, but it was too late now. She called for him to come in. He strolled into the room, walked straight to Sam’s bed, and held out his hand to shake. “Sam, a pleasure to meet you.”

  Sam held his hand tightly—or as tightly as he could. Iris saw the strain on his face and wanted to tell him to stop acting macho, but she knew he’d get upset at her for pointing out the weakness that plagued his body.

  “You too,” he said, but didn’t let go of Alec’s hand right away. “You’re new in town?”

  “Yes, I am,” he said, and to his credit, kept a serious face. Iris knew what was coming and sighed, moving away from the bed as Sam sucked in a breath to start playing twenty questions.

  “What do you do?”

  “Can’t tell you that,” Alec said, “not yet.”

  Sam’s eyes narrowed. “You a spy or something?”

  Alec’s deep, throaty laugh filled the room and warmed Iris. “No, but it’s a surprise for your sister.” He leaned closer and whispered something in Sam’s ear
that made him glance at Iris. He laughed brightly, nodding in approval. “Good. I was hoping she’d have a good time.”

  “What’s going on now?” Iris asked, walking over to stare at them. They grinned at each other, enjoying their secret, and now she wished she hadn’t introduced them for a very different reason. “Sam, where’s he taking me?”

  “You’ll like it, I promise,” Sam smiled. “But I should warn you, she’s damn good.”

  Iris’s hands balled at her hips as she scowled at Sam, but he scowled back at her. When she turned to Alec, he smirked. “I hate you both right now.”

  “We know,” Sam said cheerfully, “but not for long.”

  Alec shifted forward as if to wrap his arm around her again, but his cell rang and he frowned. “Sorry, have to take this. I’ll just be outside,” he said and walked out, leaving Iris alone with Sam.

  “I like him,” Sam said the second Alec was gone. “You should just make him your new boyfriend and be done with it.”

  Iris sighed and messed up his hair. “It's not that easy. We only met last night.”

  “Really? You don’t act like it,” he said with a glance towards the door. “Huh, just like Mom and Dad.”

  “No, not just like Mom and Dad,” she argued and paced around the room, picking up his clothes and refolding them on the small couch in the room. “We’re just friends—acquaintances, really.”

  Sam cackled, and she glanced over her shoulder to see him leaning back on the bed with his hands behind his head. “You were always a shitty liar.”

  “Language,” she muttered halfheartedly. “Mom would chuck something at you if you spoke like that.” She put his clothes in a pile so they’d be ready to go tomorrow when she came to pick him up. “What did he tell you?”

  “I’m not going to ruin the surprise,” he said. “It’ll give you a chance to blow off some steam.”

  She wanted to keep bugging him, but Alec walked back in. The flash of anger in his eyes was brief, but it was there all the same. “Alec, everything okay?”

  “Sorry,” he said and smiled, instantly transforming his whole face. “Nothing to worry about. Ready to go? I want to get where we’re going before it’s too late.”

  “And you still won’t tell me?” she pushed, but he laughed as he held out his hand.

  “Not a chance. Sam, it was very nice to meet you and I’m happy you’re in remission.”

  “Thanks!” he said and waved. “Just remember, I’m watching you.”

  Alec held up his hands and placed one over his chest. “Promise I won’t break her heart.”

  The words caught Iris off-guard. She let him pull her out the door, knowing full well he was kidding, but the tone of his voice said there was more to it than that. Did he really like her that much after one day together? They barely knew each other. His hand slipped into hers, and Iris was drawn into his warmth. She turned to face him, wanting to ask him but not sure how to do it without coming across as desperate. Alec stared into her eyes intently, his lips parting on a breath, and Iris worried about what he saw when he looked at her. She was broken, tattered, and reaching the edge of what she could handle every day. She was not date-able, yet Alec had taken care of her last night—a perfect stranger—without question. He comforted her without even knowing it, simply by walking with her through the town filled with so many people who hated her.

  “Alec,” she whispered, but the next words failed her.

  He brushed his thumb over her lip again and leaned down. His lips slanted sweetly over hers, and she relaxed into him, kissing him in the hallway of the hospital. She reached up, running her hands through his hair before they latched behind his neck, dragging him closer, when someone cleared his throat behind her, and she jumped back. Dr. Wallace stood nearby with Brad by his side. Both men smirked as she hurried to fix her hair and introduced them to Alec.

  “Pleasure to meet you,” Dr. Wallace said and shook his hand. His gaze slid to Iris from behind his glasses, and his smile widened. “Nice to see Iris smiling for a change. Keep it up,” he added and patted Alec on the back.

  “Oh no, we’re not… It’s not like that…” Iris gave up and her head fell back as she shook it, staring in annoyance at the ceiling. “Never mind.”

  Laughing, Alec reached out for her hand. “Come on. Time to really get this date started.”

  She could only imagine what Alec had in store for them, but after that kiss, there was no hiding her excitement over his sudden appearance in her life.

  Chapter 6

  Alec didn’t want to let go of Iris’s hand as they walked towards the outskirts of Lundy and the shooting range. All day, he caught glimpses of her pain, even though she tried to hide it behind strength. He knew the look well enough, had seen it plenty of times when he looked in the mirror. Now, though, his pain was fading the more he was around her, and the idea that Nikki had brought him to his knees pissed him off. She wasn’t worth his anger, not anymore. He was going to move on in this small town with Iris right by his side. If he could convince her to call this an actual date.

  “It’s a date,” he argued again. “Our second date, to be precise.”

  “That was not a date,” she said, exasperated. “Last night was a rescue mission, if anything, and you’re still not telling me everything that happened.”

  He nodded and laughed. “Nor am I going to, not until I drop you safely off back home.”

  “I can take care of myself, you know,” she muttered.

  “Right. I saw that last night when I carried you halfway to your house,” he teased, and she stopped so suddenly, his arm was jerked back.

  “You had to carry me? Jesus, how much did I drink?”

  “I think you snuck a few shots when I wasn’t looking, but you had your reasons,” he assured her and cupped her cheek in his hand. “Why are you so against dates?”

  She shrugged and tried to pull her hand from Alec’s, but he swung her around instead so she was pressed against his chest. He held her loosely in his arms as she stared up at him with those dark gray eyes, and he wondered exactly what she was thinking about.

  “It’s not the dating I worry about,” she finally answered quietly. “It’s what might happen afterwards. It’s not like I have the greatest experience with men. Jenson’s about it.”

  “You think I’m like him?” Alec asked seriously.

  “No,” she said immediately, and from her firm tone, he knew she was speaking truthfully. “No, but my life isn’t a happy fairytale someone can just hop into and know everything’s going to be fine. I’m a bit of a mess, if you hadn’t figured that out yet.”

  Alec kissed her forehead and hugged her tightly to him. When she wrapped her arms around him, pressing her palms against his back, he grinned and closed his eyes on a sigh. “You’re not the only one who has issues.”

  “Oh, yeah? Like what? You’ve been nothing but perfect.”

  “Ha! They’re there, don’t worry.” He stepped back and took her hand, leading her straight to the gun range. “Ready for the fun part of our date?”

  She glanced at the shooting range and back at him, and her face lit up. “You’re taking me shooting? For a date? Damn it, Sam was right,” she muttered and rolled her eyes. “I’ll never hear the end of it later.”

  Alec smirked as he held open the door for her. “I thought I read you right.”

  They stepped inside his new, state-of-the-art shooting range, complete with a shop in the front part, four fifty-yard lanes, two one-hundred-yard lanes, and more out back. The room was complete with exposed, dark wooden beams, hardwood floors, and a hearth on the far side by the small café he’d opened as well. Iris hurried inside, going to the counters and eyeing the guns inside with a critical eye. She moved down the row, and he planted his hands on his hips, happy to see her smile—really smile.

  “Hey, Mac,” he called out to the guy behind the far counter. “Seen August around?”

  Iris turned around with a curious stare as Mac nodded. �
��He was cleaning up lanes five and six a while ago.”

  “Thanks,” Alec said and sauntered over. “Mind getting me some targets ready?”

  “Sure thing, boss,” he said and saluted him with a grin before heading towards the back room where they kept the targets laid out.

  “Boss?” Iris asked. “He called you boss.”

  “I tell him he doesn’t have to, but they all insist on doing it anyway,” he said and nudged her arm. “Pick one, and we’ll go shooting. Your brother said you’d like it, so I’m assuming you have a favorite.”

  Iris shook her head. “Why didn’t you tell me you owned the gun range?”

  “I thought it was obvious,” he said and turned around, leaning back against the case. “It’s called Wolf Gun and Archery Range.”

  She smacked his arm playfully, and he smiled widely. “So that’s why Sam said I was good.”

  “Was he kidding?”

  Iris walked slowly down the cases to the rifles and knelt to peer inside. “Nope. No, he wasn’t. Bet I can even best you, cowboy,” she said with wicked glint in her eyes as her lips curled in a smile.

  “A bet, is it?” he asked and followed her. “I’ll take that bet. What are we laying on the table?”

  “Good question. What is your heart’s desire?” she said lightly, fluttering her eyelashes at him and placing a hand over her heart.

  He crossed his arms over his chest and pressed his tongue into his cheek as he thought it over. “A third date with you.” When her eyes darkened and her lips twitched in a smile before she quickly covered it up, he nodded. “Yep, a third date. That’s what I want if I win.”

  “Fine,” she said and straightened. “If I win—which I’m going to—I get to come here for free whenever I want.”

  “You do realize if you do that, I will make sure each time is a date with me,” he warned her and sidled closer, watching her breathing accelerate and her eyes narrow. Her lips parted as she licked them slowly. He followed the motion with his eyes, thinking of their kiss and how he’d wanted to go further. She had too, if her kiss was any indication. When he was barely an inch from her, he lowered his head, ready to kiss her again to prove this was not going to end as she and Jenson had, when someone knocked on the glass counter.