Bid on love, p.1
Bid on Love, page 1
Bid On Love
Jenkins & Sons Construction
Sharon C. Cooper
Amaris Publishing LLC
Contents
Blurb
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Epilogue
Next Book In The Series
Excerpt from: MORE THAN LOVE
Other Titles By Sharon
Join Sharon’s Newsletter Mailing List
About the Author
BID ON LOVE
By
Sharon C. Cooper
* * *
Copyright © 2023 Sharon C. Cooper
Amaris Publishing LLC
* * *
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For permission, contact the author at www.sharoncooper.net
* * *
Smashwords Edition
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
* * *
This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Blurb
The plan was simple. One night. No commitment. No regrets.
Single dad, Benjamin Jenkins Jr. learned the hard way that women can’t be trusted. But the moment Mahogany Rowsey hits his radar, he’s captivated and unable to resist her magnetic pull.
Mahogany can spot a player a mile away, and she’s managed to dodge every single one… until Ben. He charms her into a one-night fling that leaves her panting for more. But it won’t happen again. She lives in Chicago. He lives in Cincinnati. Still, that doesn’t stop her from wanting what she can’t have.
But when Ben shows up to bid on a project Mahogany is overseeing, what began as one night of passion becomes so much more. Can these two get on the same page long enough to turn one night into forever?
Chapter One
With a glass of whiskey in hand, Benjamin Jenkins Jr. carefully skirted around family members as he moved through the crowded ballroom. It was the night of the banquet and the last day of the Jenkins’ family reunion. In a couple of hours, everyone would say their goodbyes and head home to various parts of the country.
Though the festivities had been a little chaotic to pull together, Ben had to admit that the weekend had turned out great. Everything from the family game night on Friday to the sack race and other games at the picnic on Saturday. The weekend had been packed with fun activities. Even tonight, the banquet being held at his grandparents’ estate in their ballroom was a perfect ending to a fun-filled reunion.
He took in the huge ballroom, surprised at how his cousins transformed the space into a magical Fourth of July celebration. Vases of red and white roses in the center of the round tables stood out against blue satin tablecloths. Even the ceiling was eye-catching. The twinkling lights overhead made him feel as if he was outside stargazing.
Ben took a sip of his drink as he sidled up next to his cousin, Peyton Jenkins-Cutter. “I have to say, Cuz, I’m impressed.” He glanced over the crowd just as numerous people made a mass exodus toward the dance floor when a popular line dance song boomed through the speakers. “You guys did a good job with the reunion.”
“Thanks. Did you have a favorite part?” she yelled over the music.
Ben thought about some of the festivities, including poker the night before, as well as some of the games at the picnic. “That’s a tough one, but I’d have to say the off-roading we did yesterday morning. That was fun. We’re going to have to do that again.”
Peyton said something else to him, but he was suddenly distracted when one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen came into view. She was at least twenty-five feet away, and even with the dimmed lighting in the room, he could see her features clearly.
Her micro braids were gathered on top of her head in an intricate twist. The style gave him a clear view of her reddish-brown skin, flirty dark eyes, and bow-shaped lips painted in a deep berry color that screamed—kiss me.
She was of average height with an hourglass figure that would make any man with a pulse take a second look. Unlike the others in the room, decked out in formal wear, this woman was dressed in a white button-up shirt, black pants, and low black heels. That let him know she wasn’t part of the family. Well, that and the fact that she held a fancy camera in her hands. She must’ve been one of the photographers who Peyton had hired to take photos during the weekend’s events.
“Sooo, BJ,” Peyton said, using the nickname his family had given him as a kid. “Do you think she’s cute?”
Instead of responding, Ben’s attention stayed on the beauty as she fiddled with some knobs on the camera. As a painter by trade, he could appreciate beautiful things, especially gorgeous women, and this sister had piqued his interest.
She eventually lifted the camera to her eye, still trying to focus it or zoom in or something. He wasn’t sure, but then she started snapping a couple of pictures… of him.
Ben couldn’t stop the grin from spreading across his face. Might as well give the woman what she wanted. He had never been shy, and depending on who in his family was asked, he might even be considered arrogant or cocky.
He couldn’t help it.
He knew he was a catch, and there was no sense in acting like he wasn’t.
Switching his drink to his left hand, he unbuttoned his tuxedo jacket. Then he lifted his right arm, flexed his bicep, and broke out into a few other poses.
Ben laughed out loud when the cutie-pie smiled while she took one photo after another.
“Oh, good grief. You need to stop,” Peyton said with mock disgust and nudged him hard with her elbow. “She’s going to mess around and break her camera if she keeps snapping shots of you.”
Ben chuckled. “Shut up.” He slammed back the rest of his drink and handed his empty glass to Peyton. “I’m going over to introduce myself. Who knows, maybe she’ll let me snap a few pictures of her. Or better yet, maybe I’ll get her digits. She might just be the future Mrs. Jenkins. Wish me luck. Oh, wait, I don’t need luck.”
Peyton burst out laughing. “Yeah, keep telling yourself that,” she called after him.
The last thing Ben was looking for was a Mrs. Jenkins. Bachelor for Life was his motto. He had no idea why he even joked about getting a wife when he knew that wasn’t what he wanted. Right now, his focus was on raising his seven-year-old son. As a single parent, there was no room in his life for serious relationships with the opposite sex.
Besides, he didn’t trust women enough to let them get that close. If he did, it would be too easy to let them chip away at the wall around his heart. Then they’d do something unforgivable like leave, and he had no tolerance for any of it.
Rationally, he knew everyone wasn’t like his birth mother—having kids, then deciding that she didn’t want to be a mom. But when the same thing happened with his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his son, he couldn’t help but lump women in the same category—untrustworthy and unreliable.
Since then, to his father and extended family’s horror, hit it and quit it had become Ben’s M.O. And he planned to keep it that way for the foreseeable future.
But the closer he got to the photographer, the more interested he became. He might not be looking for anything long-term, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t up for having a hot and sweaty one-time fling with the stunning temptress. Especially since he was kid-free tonight.
Let the fun begin.
Oh, crap! He’s heading this way.
Mahogany Rowsey swallowed hard as the man she’d been admiring weaved around a couple of round tables, sidestepped a few family members, and moved in her direction.
The last thing she needed or wanted was to capture the attention of a bad boy, and yes, she already knew he was one. It was written all over him, from his confident stride to his chiseled features.
She might not be a professional photographer, but she knew beauty when she saw it. And the tall drink of water walking toward her had it in spades. He also didn’t look like a man who heard the
Too bad he set his sights on the wrong woman. She was what some would refer to as a “good girl.” A woman who didn’t take a walk on the wild side. Ever. Yet, Mahogany had to admit that the man’s antics from a moment ago had sparked her interest. Considering the way he had posed for her, one thing was for sure—he wasn’t shy.
She assumed this guy was one of the Jenkins men. Not just because he was tall, dark, and gorgeous, but he also favored several others in attendance. The moment she had arrived, one thing was clear. The Jenkins family definitely had some nice-looking men. This guy was no exception.
Six feet tall.
Sienna-brown skin.
Chiseled jaw.
Kissable lips.
Broad shoulders that looked amazing in a tuxedo.
Everyone in attendance was dressed to the nines, but this man stood out from all the rest. The dark, slim-fit tux with a white shirt, black cummerbund, and bowtie had him looking as if the garment had been tailored specifically for his body.
And after that one pose, when he flexed his biceps, there was no doubt he worked out. The man was physically fit and downright fiiine.
He stopped walking when someone tugged on his arm, and Mahogany breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe he’d change his mind and go in a different direction. But despite the delay, his gaze was still on her as if to say don’t move, and she didn’t.
Call her crazy, but he had piqued her curiosity. He might end up being the highlight of this assignment.
When her sister, Scarlett, the photographer hired for the event, learned her assistant was sick, she begged for Mahogany’s help. Mahogany had hesitated. Taking pictures was just something she did as a hobby since they were kids. That hadn’t been the only reason she’d almost said no, though. It was the Fourth of July weekend, and she had come to Cincinnati to visit family and to relax—not to work.
But Scarlett didn’t ask for much. She claimed taking on the Jenkins’ family reunion job would open doors to many other opportunities. Knowing that, Mahogany couldn’t say no.
Her attention went back to the hunk, and her body stiffened when he restarted his trek toward her again. She gripped the camera tighter as anxiousness swirled inside of her. This was the first time in months that a man caught her attention, and that was saying a lot. As a real estate acquisitions manager for an investor, Mahogany’s career took her all around the country. She met plenty of nice-looking men.
But there was something besides this guy’s gorgeous face that held her captive. She just couldn’t pinpoint what. Maybe it was his swagger that made it clear he knew he was the shit. Or maybe loneliness was getting the best of her. Any male appreciation had her needy body begging for attention.
As the stranger grew nearer, his self-confidence stood out like a blinking neon sign. Add that to his crooked grin and the arrogance shining through, and she suddenly wasn’t interested.
Then again, maybe she shouldn’t prejudge.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said and extended his hand to her. “I’m Ben Jenkins Jr., but my family calls me BJ, and you are?”
Damn, he was even more gorgeous up close. He had the prettiest light-brown hazel eyes that she could easily get lost in. Hell, the man’s face was perfectly sculpted, as if God had decided to give him all the best parts. That included a well-defined straight nose and full kissable lips to go along with the stunning eyes.
Feigning disinterest wasn’t going to be as easy as she originally thought. Especially considering his tantalizing scent—cedarwood with a hint of citrus. The fragrance swirled around Mahogany and had her wanting to lean in for a better whiff.
She switched her camera to her left hand and shook his hand. “I’m Mahogany. The help.”
He laughed, and the deep, silky sound captivated her even more.
“Somehow, I have a feeling that you’re a lot more than just the help.”
He flashed her a devilish grin just before kissing the back of her hand. A delicious tingle scurried up her arm, and she had to keep herself from visibly shivering.
“How about we get out of here, so I can get to know you better?” he suggested.
Now Mahogany was the one laughing. She had to give him points for being smooth. No doubt that was one of many pickup lines he used on unsuspecting women. He’ll soon learn she wasn’t one of those women who fell for everything a handsome man dished out.
After being with her ex for eight years—dating for six and engaged for two—then breaking off their engagement a few months ago, she wasn’t looking to get with a man just for the hell of it. At almost thirty, Mahogany wanted her happy-ever-after, which included marriage and at least two kids. No longer would she settle for less than that, and her first impression of this guy screamed player.
“Sorry, I can’t,” she said, easing out of his light grip. But when she pulled her hand from his, her elbow accidentally bumped something behind her.
She heard a soft curse, and Mahogany spun around in time to see a server trying to steady the tray of champagne flutes, precariously tottering in his grip.
Oh, no! She reached out with one hand, hoping to stop the catastrophe that seemed to be playing out in slow motion. Too late, a glass tipped on the tray, followed by another. Ben pulled her back just before the bubbly liquid splashed onto the floor.
“Oh, crap,” she cried. “I am so sorry!”
“No problem,” the server mumbled as he gave her a scowl while setting the tray on a nearby table. Several servers showed up at once and started sweeping and wiping up the mess.
Misstep Mahogany strikes again, Mahogany thought. From a young age, clumsiness had been a constant companion, thus earning her the mean-spirited moniker that kids used to call her.
“I can’t believe this,” she murmured under her breath.
“Don’t worry about it. It’ll be cleaned up in no time,” Ben said. Mahogany had temporarily forgotten he was standing next to her. “Now, as I was saying,” he continued, “how about we get out of here?”
Mahogany caught the attention of a few people in attendance, and her cheeks burned with mortification. If only a black hole would swallow her up. Not only had she embarrassed herself in front of this gorgeous man, but her sister was going to kill her if she found out about this.
Mahogany held up the camera, grateful that it hadn’t gotten wet. “Thanks for your help a minute ago,” she said to Ben. “As for leaving, I can’t. I’m working. Hence, the help.”
Ben nodded, and those gorgeous, intense eyes bore into her as he gave her body another once over. Mahogany felt his heated gaze to the depths of her soul, and it was taking everything within her not to fan herself.
Good Lord. This man’s hands weren’t even on her. Yet, she felt as if he had made love to her body with just his eyes.
Her first order of business when she got back to her sister’s house would be to take a cold shower. She’d much rather whip out her B.O.B, battery-operated boyfriend, but since she had decided not to stay at a hotel during this visit, she hadn’t packed it. Big mistake.
“Okay,” Ben said, cutting into her thoughts. “How about if I catch up with you when the banquet is over? Maybe I can take you out for a drink… or we can indulge in some dessert.”
Damn his charming ass. He was smooth, too gorgeous, and too tempting for his own good. And she had a feeling that dessert had nothing to do with cake, ice cream, or cookies.
