Forever Wishes (Montana Brides Book 4) Read Online Free

corruption to fix the outcome of the auction.
    Moving in front of the stage, he waved to the audience. The room erupted in good natured wolf whistles and cheers as every eye in the room followed his progress. He didn’t let his gaze rest on anyone in the audience for too long. Erin smiled to herself. He probably didn’t want any eager females thinking he was open for business.  
    As Stan called for an opening bid, Jake sent a pointed look Erin’s way. Turning in her seat, she watched the first bid came in on her left. Hands rose in all directions around the ballroom. One thing was obvious; the women of Bozeman had discerning taste.  
    The blonde bombshell at the next table lifted her arm, yet again, to try and knock the competition out of the game.
    Erin’s head swam as she tried to keep up with the bidding war. Jake kept glancing down, waiting for her counter-bid. Buying a thirty dollar mystery box from the second hand dealers’ sale last summer was the only auction experience she had. But she’d learned one thing from that night. Never show your hand too soon, otherwise you let the competition know you were dead keen for what was on offer.  
    And she was more than dead keen. Erin planned to win. If there was ever a mission worthy of the underhand tactics they’d agreed on, this was it.  
    Jake sent another glance her way as she considered different auction strategies. It was just as well he didn’t know about her limited experience, otherwise he might not be looking quite so confident. As the first bidders ran out of steam, she did a quick scan of the crowd. Blondie kept raising her hand, countering all bids. Erin rolled her shoulders, flexing her fingers under the table.
    It was now or never. Erin stuck her hand in the air. Notching up her first bid was nerve-racking. As her hand dropped back to the table, Blondie turned and gave her the meanest glare she’d seen in a long time.  
    Countering the woman’s next bid with a cheeky grin, she stuck her hand in the air for the third time as Blondie upped the stakes even higher.  
    Jake looked profoundly grateful as she energetically kept on top of the bidding war. She was so absorbed in making sure Blondie didn’t win, that she didn’t pay attention to the amount of money flying off the auctioneer’s tongue.  
    She was stunned when she realized the date with Jake had reached astronomical proportions. At three thousand dollars, even she was a little concerned that this would have to be the Rolls Royce of all dates. Crossing her fingers, she paused in mid-bidding stream.
    Drawing in a gulp of air, she looked Jake straight in the eye. She sat back, arms folded across her chest, with a look of what she hoped was resignation plastered across her face.  
    His expression faltered as she pretended not to be interested in placing more bids. A smug look of satisfaction curdled Blondie’s face, and she gave a triumphant whoop of delight at the prospect of getting her manicured nails into Jake’s anatomy.  
    “Think again,” Erin muttered. If Jake wanted to make a donation to Camp Discovery, then she’d make sure it was something everyone would remember. Throwing her arm in the air, she yelled, “Four thousand dollars.”
    Nicky gasped, Sam’s jaw dropped open, and Jake looked so relieved that she felt guilty about calling Blondie’s bluff. Poor man. He’d really thought she was leaving him out for the she-wolf to devour.
    Blondie turned her back on Erin as Stan declared her the winner.  
    Jake vaulted off the stage, heading straight toward her. His grin was infectious as the audience clapped and cheered at the generous donation. Reaching down, he drew her into his arms. “Thanks,” he whispered. “I owe you big time.” Cradling the back of her head, he gently brushed his lips against hers.  
    To a woman who wanted to live dangerously, his mouth felt soft, and sexy, and oh so kissable. So she did. Kiss him.  
    She kissed him for so long that a deafening