Cuffing The Law Book 2 in The Willowbrook Series

Chapter 20

Daisy

When we arrive at the auction place it is busy. There are people literally everywhere. "Parking is tight, right?" I say. Maxine and Deacon both nod.

"Sure will be. It's best to get to these things early." He says not taking his eyes from in front, as he looks for a spot. "Over there." He tells Maxine.

We park and step out of the vehicle. The aroma of bacon and BBQ fills my nostrils. My stomach churns again, why am I so hungry? I just ate not that long ago. But the smells are mouthwatering.

I see some pretty handsome looking cowboys pass by, mm, maybe I'll have to bag me one. It makes me smile, Deacon glares at me his eyes narrow as he watches me watching the two hunky fellas that have just walked passed me. One tips his hat. "Let's go." Deacon says and takes my arm. I shrug him off.

"I do know how to walk, thanks Deacon. Stop acting like a jealous brat."

"Me? You've got to be kidding. I'm not jealous. Why would I be jealous?"

Right, exactly why would he be jealous, we're not dating? Oh yeah, I forgot I'm his best friend's kid sister and that is just how he sees me. More is the shame.

"Stop it you two, will you." Maxine pipes up as she throws her shoulder bag over her shoulder and starts to stride to the main entrance gates. There are so many girls too, all wearing tight jeans, shorts even though it's cool at this time of year and some with their butts hanging out. I glance at Deacon. He doesn't seem to notice, unless of course he is doing a good job of not checking them out.

My cheeks flush. Why do I care who he looks at? It's nothing to do with me but it does make me have a pit of fire in my stomach. Dammit this crush I've had on him since high school is getting out of hand.

"This way. Let's go through. Are you excited, Daisy?" Maxine turns to glance at me.

"Sure am. I can't wait to see the horses. What happens to the ones that don't get sold?" I ask as we show our tickets and go through the five bar, iron gates.

"You don't want to know, sweetie. Some are kept for the next auction wherever that may be, some are left out to pasture and others." I stop her right there by putting my right hand up.

"I don't want to know, you're right." You see, I'm partial to animals, always have been. At one point I wanted to be a vet but then I liked the idea of being a fashion designer, hence opening my own business in Willowbrook and all sights of being a veterinarian flew right out the window. That and I don't think I'd have been able to cope with having to put animals to sleep and losing them when they got sick.

Deacon strides in front, I see a couple of girls looking at him and nudging each other. They're giggling. One has very blonde hair, yeah, it doesn't look too natural to me and large breasts which she isn't covering up too well in a crop top. I mean, a crop top in this weather. It's a sunny but brisk day, not the height of spring or summer even. There, my little jealous green monster has raised its ugly head again.

"Ladies." He tips his hat at them. It angers me, why couldn't he just bypass them and have ignored them. I huff. "Something up, Daisy?" He asks as he turns to me.

"Nope."

"Good. Glad we're settled on that. How long is this charade going on for where you're not talking to me?"

"Forever."

"So adult of you."

"Guys, give it a rest." Maxine interjects. Honestly, you both need your heads banging together. "Come on. Let's go grab some seats and wait for the auction to start." She pushes her way in front of Deacon and makes for some seating right down by the front. I trail behind her and Deacon goes behind. "Here will be perfect." She sits herself down three seats in. Leaving Deacon and I to have to sit next to one another, since there is a burly looking fella sitting on her other side.

"Can't you sit between us?" I ask her. She looks at me like I've grown a second head.

"For goodness sake, no way. Deal with it." Wow, that affronts me a bit, I didn't realize that Maxine could be so, well, direct. She grins. Ah, I see, she is using subtle manipulation of the situation. Now I know why she has invited me not because I had even thought of buying a horse but to get Deacon and I in one place, close together at the same time.

"Sneaky." I say and plonk myself down next to her.

Deacon sits down next to me, his legs wide apart and I can't help but look between them at his crotch. Heat intensifies within me. I catch him watching me with a smirk on his face.

"Anything you like?" He grins. I could slap him here and now. I don't.

"You have got to be kidding me." I fold my arms in front of my chest and stare in front of me waiting for the horse auction to begin. Only, it's very distracting because I can feel the heat from his strong thighs against my own legs. The seating isn't exactly wide spaced to say the least. My stomach has butterflies floating around as I move my leg just a fraction closer. What the hell am I doing?

He is still smiling then winks. I flick him my finger discreetly. "You're so childish." He whispers in my ear sending a heat wave through my entire body, causing those nice kind of shivers up and down my spine. His warm lips just brushing my ear. I lean into him and inhale his woodsy and shower fragrance. I have to stop from inhaling because right now, I just can't get enough of him. Even though I'm still mad at him about Saunder and whole carrying me of his shoulder thing. But oh my, being this close to him is heavenly.

"And you're not." I retort. He chuckles, his head goes back and dammit even his Adam's apple as it bobs up and down is so sexy. His skin is smooth and tan, his strong, square jawline has just enough stubble on it, that gives him that extremely rugged and sexy look. My fingers are itching to touch it and stroke it. Instead, I unfold them from across my chest and place my hands under my thighs, you know, just in case I do something downright stupid like run my fingers across his chin.

The auction starts with the host welcoming us all and telling us to have a good time and to be generous with our bids. I hope I find the right horse for me today, I can see myself riding through the fields and forestland trails of Willowbrook. Sitting side by side with Deacon on his horse as we ride off into the sunset, holding hands. Right, I seriously need to get a grip. For a start, I know Deacon has a woman he sees every now and then in the other town.

He moves in his seat, his arm brushes mine and the heat intensifies in my body. Has he also just moved his muscular thigh closer into mine? It feels like it. Warmth pools in my lower stomach and between my legs. I wonder what he'd feel like being over me, cupping the back of my head in his hand whilst he kisses me. I cross one leg over the other and squeeze my legs together.

If only.