Page 82 of Shared By the Highest Bidder

Even though he was inside me this time yesterday...

“He’s protecting you. He knows how determined I am when I see something I want.” Ash clears his throat. “And you deserve better than to be groped in the park.”

I take that as some kind of compliment.

“What happened with you and Ford?” I ask.

“I didn’t cheat on him.” Ashton hugs me and rests his jaw on top of my head. “He thinks I did. I let some inappropriate texts from another man get to me.Thatwas wrong. But I ended it with Ford before anything happened. Does he hate me?”

“You hurt Ford. You need to talk to him about it.”

“I wanted some space before starting anything with the other guy. Ford’s hard to get over.” He doesn’t tell me the man’s name. “That other guy didn’t want to wait. He showed up at my place before I was ready. Ford came by trying to patch things up. It got ugly.”

I wonder if Ford’s ego was hurt more than anything. I bet it’s as big as him.

“And how long did that last? The other relationship.”

“Not long. He turned out to be a jerk.” Ash’s voice gets low, regretful.

“Does Ford know that?”

“No, I never told him. We didn’t speak for months.”

“But you’re both members of Club Dare?”

“He avoided me. I felt bad for Emery. Making himchoose sometimes.”

Choose. No one asked me to choose. Not sure I could, not between these three.

I technically belong to Emery and Ashton. But Ford claimed me first. And looks at me like I’m his.

“I don’t want to talk about Ford.” Ash kisses me again. “That’s not who I want right now. I’m enjoying getting to know you. Come home with me.”

“I can’t. I shouldn’t. It’s too soon.” Words that should have come out of my mouth last night.

But Ford and I were crazy. I’m living with him, but I can stay in my room, avoid him since the place is so big.

Ash and I are stuck with each other for the month. I don’t want to mess this up or make things awkward between us if he changes his mind about me.

“I bid on you because I wanted you. Not just because Ford told me to,” he says wryly. “These auction relationships are meant to jump into the fast lane. It gives us permission to not tap the brakes. Don’t you want to see how hot we can get?”

I have an idea by how your ex-boyfriend screwed me...

“Fast matches burn out,” I say, hearing Ford telling me about keeping a man waiting and wanting.

Clearly, that doesn’t apply to him!

“I don’t see this burning out,” Ash persuades me with his pearly smile that reaches golden eyes. “I haven’t felt like this in a long time.”

“Do you bid on women at the auctions often?”

Even at night, I can see him blush.

“Auctions keep things simple. No complications. No one to explain my family to.”

“I know all about your family. I’m still here. I’m proud to be your date to these events.”

“That’s why I like you. You knoweverythingabout me. All my secrets. And you’re kissing me like I’m the only man in the world.”

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