The Highest Bidder

❊ Cʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ Oɴᴇ ❊

IMPORTANT NOTE: READ BEFORE CONTINUING
(just in case you skipped the copyright/note section)

I've edited parts of this book that don't make sense/have grammar mistakes, and I've added an epilogue. But this is NOT the full publishable edit.  Constructive criticism is still welcome.

SOME OF YOU WILL HATE THE MAIN CHARACTER. I get that, I do. She's a hard ass and sarcastic as hell. But keep in mind, if I see a rude or derogatory comment, it's getting deleted and you'll be muted. I don't have the time or energy to deal with petty, insolent people. If you don't like the book, or my characters, you can move on quietly, without coming at me or my story.

There are parts of this book that have implications of RAPE. Do NOT read if this is a trigger for you. I want readers, but I have other books that are available to read that do not have rape aspects. I do have trigger warnings at the beginning of those chapters, but I do advise you to read at your own risk.

Update 6/3/21 - There are no detailed sex scenes in this book. Just keep that in mind since apparently people get angry if I don't voice that at the beginning 😂
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My breathing was labored as I ran through the streets, attempting to push off the chill of the rain drenching my running clothes and weighing me down. I only had a few more blocks until I reached my apartment, and it seemed like the rain was only getting harder the closer I got.

Lightning lit up the sky in the distance and I puffed out an irritated breath. It wasn't supposed to rain until much later. I was just glad that the storm seemed far enough away that it probably wouldn't reach me until I was inside my apartment and getting into dry clothes. The thought of warm, dry clothes forced my feet faster.

I turned and looked behind me - something that I did quite frequently since I had my earphones in while I ran nine times out of ten. I wanted to make sure that there weren't any cars driving my way, unaware of the strawberry blonde taking her normal evening run. I wouldn't have minded so much if there were sidewalks. But alas, there weren't. Therefore I had to run in the streets unless I wanted to run on a treadmill. But nothing beat running outside.

There wasn't anyone or anything behind me, so I turned my attention back to the front. Just in time to run straight into someone.

I fell back onto the concrete with a wince and a grunt when I landed. Electric bolts of pain shot through my tailbone and up my back when I landed, and I immediately tore my earbuds out of my ears, an apology already on my lips.

I looked up. "Shit! I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention. Are you okay?"

The man was still standing tall and straight, his honey colored eyes concerned as he looked down at me. He stretched out his hand. "I'm fine. Are you?"

His voice was deep and husky, vibrating the air between us. He had jet black hair, cropped close to his head, and he had to have been, at least, six feet five inches. Even to me, the guy was huge, with the tell-tale signs of muscles beneath his jacket.

I laughed and grabbed his hand in mine. As he pulled me to my feet, I marveled at the fact that his hand enveloped mine completely.

I wiped at my now-wet butt with my hands when I finally got my footing. "I'm fine. I really am sorry."

"You should probably keep one earbud out." He motioned to the offending buds with a long finger, a small curve gracing his full lips.

I shrugged one shoulder. "Usually people move out of my way when I'm running. Well, you know...other than cars. I've almost been hit so many times on this damn road. Can you believe that? People are so rude and..."