Second Dive (Kings of the Water #3) - Jasmin Miller Page 0,2
“Never mind. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
His gaze holds mine for another heated moment, and this time, my body reacts. It’s buzzing, like someone just coated my whole skin with a light sheen of electricity.
How the hell is that possible from one glance? Who is he?
The woman gives me one more look, her eyes wide, before she grimaces and mouths “Sorry.” Then they spin around and leave, pulling and tugging at each other’s arms as they disappear into the crowd.
Oookay.
Welcome home, Chloe.
From douchebag, to saved by a stranger, to lover’s quarrel?
All in less than ten minutes.
“What did I miss?” Eadie stops beside me, a fresh glass of champagne in her hand and a gorgeous smile on her face.
My mouth opens and closes as I try to find the right words.
I’m not sure what she sees on my face—the little she can see—but her expression falters in response. “Hey, is everything okay?”
I nod as I try to make sense of my body’s reaction to this stranger. There was a definite sense of familiarity. Which is bizarre. The only person I’ve ever felt this with is . . . No, that’s impossible.
Wouldn’t I have recognized his voice?
Not if it’s been ten years since you last heard it.
My mind is spinning when the host steps onto the small stage on the side of the room.
He used to be a popular TV host and is still handsome with silver hair and a charming smile. “Who’s ready for our auction?”
Eadie leans in. “Ooooh finally.”
The host walks to the other side of the stage. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our bachelor auction.”
I snort. Thankfully, the applause covers that up.
“You brought me to a bachelor auction? Eadie . . .” I moan. My best friend shrugs.
“You know I had no clue either.” She smiles. “But what better way to welcome you home than with some eye candy to enjoy?”
I chuckle. She has a point. Why not be here? “And free drinks. Let’s not forget about those.”
“There you go. Here’s to a fun night of hot bachelors.” She holds her glass up for a toast.
With a shrug, I tap mine against hers. “And watching women trying to outbid each other.”
Especially knowing I won’t be one of them.
Two
Noah
I have no one but myself to blame for this shitshow. I should have known better and listened to my gut when I thought my sister, Daisy, was up to something.
Instead, I kept quiet and now I have to look into her pleading doe eyes.
"Please don't be mad. It’ll be good for you . . . and fun."
I close my eyes and count to three. She's just gone through a divorce. She's bound to be emotionally unstable. She's a single mom of two boys.
I . . . cannot . . . kill . . . her.
Damn it, I still have the urge to, because I don't want to participate in this fucking bachelor auction she signed me up for without telling me. But if I back out now, I’ll look like a total ass. So, to go back to our mom’s favorite childhood mantra: It is what it is, and we’ll make the best of it.
Or suck it up and eat that fucking lemon with a smile on your face as Daisy and I liked to call it as we got older. Only behind our mom’s back, of course.
Fucking hell.
The proceeds go to the children’s hospital. The proceeds go to the children’s hospital.
I close my eyes and repeat it a few more times.
Shooting the reason for my current misery a narrowed look, I straighten my suit jacket. "We'll talk about this later."
"Sure thing." She stands taller, tilting her chin at me defiantly, and I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling like I want to.
Despite everything going on in her life, and all the necessary adjustments, she's still got a backbone made of steel. Sometimes I have to remind myself that she's four years older than my twenty-nine and that she can take care of herself. I doubt the need to help her, in whatever way I can, will ever fade. Younger brother or not. We’ve always been a great team.
Someone walks up behind me and claps me on the shoulder. When I turn my head, I’m faced with a cocky grin I’d recognize anywhere.
Hunter Kinney, my Olympic swim teammate and one of my best friends—along with Ryan and Jace—winks at me. "Hey, dude. I didn't know you’re going to participate too."