The Bachelor Auction

A bachelor auction. I was in an f-ing bachelor auction. I wasn’t a cow. A bull, definitely. When the ladies started to bid, it was looking rough. Until she placed the winning bid. The one I wanted. The woman who’d kneed me in the balls the other day. Yeah, I was hot for a woman who wanted nothing to do with me. I was a guy obsessed. She might be the teacher, but she was going to learn she was all mine - and I wasn’t letting her go.

I thought Sarah O’Banyon had been The One. I’d been f-ing wrong. I moved on, made something of myself. Became police chief. Even had a beautiful daughter. When Sarah buys me at the bachelor auction, I’m stunned. It’s been six years. She wants me for something now. When we end up in my bedroom, I know exactly what. Except I get cuffed to my headboard by the sexy mechanic - and left.

I can pretend all day long because I’m Thatcher Manning, the guy who doesn’t do relationships. I’ll give a woman a wild romp. Hell, I’ll give her anything. Anything but my heart. I decided a long time ago I’d never get serious with a woman. The fact that I’m leaving town in a few months only cements that decision. But then Astrid has to get under my skin. She hands over the reins in bed - and out - and now I’m catching feelings. The kind you can’t fake.