The Highest Bidder Read Online Free Page A

acting on her urge. And her urge was to kiss Nick. To touch him and kiss him and feel his hands on her. Like in her dream.
    So she’d done it. No thinking. She could think later.
    ‘Look, I know your situation, and I don’t want you to think that you have to–’ He stopped talking when she tugged her sweater over her head. It was misty outside, only bordering on outright rain, and her hair and clothes were damp. She toed off her Vans and realised he was watching her.
    ‘I know you know. And … can we not talk about that? Anything else. Say anything else to me,’ she said, and unbuttoned her jeans.
    His mouth worked for a moment but he didn’t really speak until she pushed her worn jeans over her hips, revealing small turquoise panties.
    ‘I think you are possibly the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen,’ he blurted.
    Casey felt heat rise in her cheeks. ‘Really? I mean …Christ, that sounded needy. It’s just been a while is all.’
    ‘Really.’ He moved toward her slowly like she might spook.
    Hell, for all Casey knew she might. But she did know this, Nick was the first guy who’d provoked any kind of lust or reaction or want from her in over a year. He was the first man who had made her think and dream and desire some kind of physical contact. And when she was still and quiet with herself, Casey realised she’d be a fool to let that go.
    Even if she felt some sadness.
    What was it that Annie always reminded her? And her own parents even, when they called from Michigan to check on her?
    The sad just means you’re human …
    Casey swallowed hard and took a step in to meet him. His hand felt warm on her chilled skin as he swept it from her chest to her belly. The muscles tingled and jumped when he stroked her and she bit her lip. She felt like she might cry and hoped not, she wanted this to be liberating and sexy, not embarrassing and over emotional. And yet …
    ‘You’re in my head,’ she confessed, feeling a little light headed.
    He kissed her between the breasts – mouth soft and seeking as he licked at her skin like he was tasting her own personal flavour. His hands cradled her waist and he tugged her even closer so he could kiss her mouth. ‘Am I? Hard to wrap my head around.’
    ‘Yes, you are. And please, please don’t pity me,’ she said. There was a tiny little burst of emotion in her voice, it bordered on a sob and she heard it. Hated it.
    ‘Hey,’ he said, pushing her chin up so she had to meet his gaze. ‘I don’t pity you. I’m in awe of you. And I’m … grateful to you.’
    Casey shook her head, fiercely, kissing him quiet, tugging his hair again as she pushed herself to him. His cock leapt at the small burst of pain she delivered and she smiled even as she felt like she might burst into tears. ‘God, don’t be super nice to me, please. You’ll make me cry. And I don’t want to cry. I want to–’
    She shook her head.
    Her panties slid lower as he pushed them, the seductive scrape of the soft cotton over her skin. The maddening heat of his palms on her. The way he cupped her ass. ‘If you cry, you cry. I don’t care. I just care that you want me. I just care that you think I’m good enough to–’
    ‘Hush, hush!’ she demanded and shoved him. Caught off guard Nick pin-wheeled and fell backward onto his caramel coloured sofa.
    Casey kicked off her jeans, still looped around one ankle. Her panties followed and she swept her hair – crazy and messy and wavy from the rain – back off her forehead.
    ‘I’m on the pill,’ she whispered. ‘And I’m safe and clean and–’
    ‘Ditto. Well not the pill.’
    He grinned and her heart cramped a little. God, he was pretty. And nice. And sexy as hell. A dangerous combo for a broken girl like her.
    ‘I trust you.’ She didn’t know why she did. Or why she should. But something in her told her she could.
    Casey didn’t question herself as she yanked his jeans down. He had on grey boxer briefs and his cock was hard and