Page 36 of Another Man’s Treasure

I point toward the large sign next to the stage, explaining the auction and its proceeds. “Vaccinations for our mustang herd, obviously. Five thousand bucks will go a long way, and we can’t thank you enough for that.”

He opens his mouth to say something else, but Wilder and Willa appear next to me. Wilder’s eyes flash with an emotion I’d think was anger, but there’s no reason for him to be pissed at this situation, not really. I give him a look I hope tells him I’ve got this, but he looks at me.

“You’re doing this date tonight?”

I wave at Saint. “Yep. Don’t know where, but I won’t be home late.”

Saint mutters something unintelligible under his breath.

“See that you’re not,” Wilder growls, pulling closer as he wraps an arm around me. He doesn’t stop until my body hits his. Then he slides his left hand up my spine, curling his fingers around my neck. The look in his eyes is pure possession as he presses his forehead to mine, his breath warm over my face.

All for show. This is all for show. So I’ve got to give as good as I get. His ranch and my twenty K are on the line.

“Won’t be any later than ten,” I promise.

His warning growl sends a trill of need down my spine, and everything inside me tightens. But when his mouth closes softly over mine, his tongue delving between my lips to taste me, it all unravels. Groaning, I wrap my arms around his neck, and everything disappears. I don’t notice Willa or the Gulchers. I certainly don’t notice fucking Saint Ashbourne right next to us.

The only thing that exists is that hot mouth as he takes my lips with such expertise, I’m utterly lost to it. His mouth is hungry, possessive, commanding in a way that promises so much fucking dominance. His right hand comes to my throat, and he strokes a big thumb along my jawline as he cocks his head to the other side and takes my mouth with a deep groan.

When we part, I can’t tear my eyes from him. Pupils blown, he’s staring at me like he wants to eat me alive right here in front of our friends and neighbors.

Popping onto my tiptoes, I peck him on the mouth, determined to keep up the farce, even though that kiss felt real. “Ten is a promise, mate,” I whisper.

Somewhere, someone catcalls our names, and a warm blush overtakes me.

Wilder strokes my chin again. “Don’t break that promise, Oz, or I’ll come lookin’ for you and drag you home by the wings.”

“Ha!” I slap him playfully on the chest. “Don’t threaten me with a good time, sir!”

“Call us if you need us.” Willa gives me a look that says she’ll throw down if she has to. I’m guessing she’s a Sagittarius based on the immediate loyalty and willingness to throw hands when she detects an injustice. I make a mental note to ask her about it later.

Smiling, I turn to Saint. He stands there looking absolutely livid, scowling at me with his fists balled by his side.

“Ready to go, Saint?” I refuse to gift him one of my smiles. “Betty’s Burger Bar makes a great burger, and they’re probably empty right about now.”

He snorts. “A burger? Are you fucking kidding me? We’re going back to the wraith hotel where I can get a decent martini.”

I shrug. “Suit yourself. Oh, wait. You need to pay up before we can go.”

He reaches for me, but when I step back, he looks confused.

“I don’t need you to carry me,” I say softly. “I’ll fly myself, thank you. Pay your bill and then we’ll go.”

Snarling, he unfurls giant black shadow wings and spins toward the checkout stand.

Wilder grabs my hip and spins me around. When I turn, he still wears that same possessive look despite Saint being gone.

“Be careful with him,” he says on a growl. “I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him.”

“Which is probably pretty far,” I say agreeably, patting his chest. “I promise it’ll be fine. I’ve known Saint for years. I can handle him, which is to say drive him crazy until he can’t wait to be rid of me.”

“Good,” Wilder growls. “Come home fast.”

“I will. I promise.” And I really mean that.

But as I leave, all I can think about is how he could have bid but didn’t.

Wilder