Page 24 of Auction Time
Footsteps sounded on the pavement near us, and we both looked around to see Cindy Taylor,Sports Illustrated’slatest cover model. And just like the cover on the last issue, she left nothing to the imagination in whatever that was she was wearing. Could have been a top, but I was guessing it was a super short dress with a deep, deep V-line running down the front, stopping just under her belly button.
My eyes turned to saucers when she moved up to Denver, stilettos click-clacking against the ground, and full on kissed him.
Denver, who had Jayne. His serious girlfriend. Serious as in a six-year-relationship-that-started-in-college serious.
I looked at them, watching as they kissed, and Cindy started giggling when she released him and tugged on his shirt.
“You ready?” she cooed with seduction.
“Born ready, babe.” Denver smiled at her then glanced over his shoulder at me. “See you later, bro.”
I didn’t answer. I just watched them go, and something tugged on my heart.
I was a complete asshole, but I hated cheating. I didn’t get it. I didn’t get why you’d have the person you claimed to want to be with and then take another behind her back. I didn’t get it.
I lived my life as a free spirit. I was the perpetual playboy, and women knew not to expect anything serious from me. Just a good time. That was all.
It wasn’t the first time I’d seen one of my friends cheating; I just somehow thought Denver was different. When I first met him, he’d talked about Jayne non-stop. I admired him for it. He even showed off his pictures of them as a couple right from college. He was always respectful of her and almost found any excuse to talk about her in some way.
Now look at him. Gone off with Cindy and it was clear what he meant to do with her. He hadn’t even kept it under wraps.
It made me wonder if that was what Dad was like. Maybe in the beginning, before the fame got to his head, he’d loved my mother. No one could tell me, though, that he didn’t allow the fame to take him and in the end nothing mattered other than himself.
The sound of a car engine cut into my thoughts. I glanced over at the little car park just beyond the entrance. From here I could see who went in and out. It was the car park the public mainly used.
A yellow Porsche had pulled up, and my nerves scattered when I watched Vanessa Cartwright step out of the driver’s side with that gorgeous mass of velvet hair flowing out in the wind.
Today, her usual smart casual appearance looked a little more than the usual to me. It was a simple white gypsy top that hugged the edge of her shoulders and a blue wrap over a skirt that showed off her long golden legs, probably what she wore shopping, but she looked like a million dollars to me.
As I watched her, I was reminded of why I’d painted her as the naked fairy. It was this. Her ability to look sweet and pure like an angel but ooze sexiness all at the same time. I’d never seen anything like it.
She was the sexy angel who I’d caught more often than not watching me back in high school while she pretended to read, and watched me while I trained while she pretended to be looking at the trees.
I stared out ahead at her and noticed the shift in her mood and change in her composure as she spotted me.
I didn’t wait for her to reach me. I moved to her deciding I’d had enough of this shit.
“You’re late,” I stated, stopping just in front of her.
The blush crept up her neck and tickled her cheeks that color I loved. It was the same color as her lips. Her soft, full lips she’d used to kiss me last night. She’d kissed me and couldn’t even lie after about not feeling anything.
“For two questions, I think I’m just on time,” she answered, fiery. “And we can stay here.”
“No,” I answered, short and sweet, then I shocked her by taking her hand. I pulled her along, ushering her the way I’d come. Back to the changing room. I had an idea to speed things along.
“Cole, where are you taking me?”
“Somewhere private.”
“We don’t need private for the questions I have,” she huffed.
I didn’t answer. I just continued along the path with her. Thankfully, the changing room was empty.
I released her when we got to my locker.
“Cole, why am I in the changing room?”
“So I can change.” I started undoing my wrist supports and set them down.
