Hers to Keep: Sideswiped Series, #1

By Avery Samson

Can he let her go, or will he be hers to keep?

 

Friends don't let friends have boring birthdays. And Isabela's friends have gone above and beyond this year. While she's been focusing on her career and refusing every distraction, her besties planned an epic surprise. Now Isabella finds herself staring at the birthday present she never counted on. The one her well-meaning friends bought her at a charity auction. It's a present she knows will only cause problems, but who can resist tall, dark and handsome?

 

Grayson is a rising star in the financial world. Control, logic, and intellect dictate his every move. When he is recruited by a client as a bachelor in a charity auction, he assumes he will only have to spend one evening with an insipid rich woman. He never counted on the sultry, driven beauty he's been bought for by a mutual friend. He never acts on impulse but he can't resist her. Can he loosen his carefully guarded control for a chance at true love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Avery Samson
• Release date: Aug 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393944041

Book preview

1

ISABELA

Ihave no idea what my friends were thinking. Don’t get me wrong, I am always on board with supporting a fundraiser for a children’s charity, but an auction for bachelors?

I sit at the reserved table at the edge of the ballroom and watch as eligible, handsome single men are auctioned off for a date to desperate looking women. It all seems so frat-house-like.

It’s my birthday and I’ve made a questionable decision to let my friends decide how we should celebrate. I would have been more than happy to stay in, order pizza, drink some wine, and watch a rom-com. They had other ideas.

Now I find myself staring at a stage filled with the most eligible bachelors in the area. Each one is better looking than the last. That’s saying a lot, because the first one was pretty damn gorgeous.

I sigh, at least the food is better than pizza and the company has been great. I sit at a table with my four best friends and Lily’s parents. I met Lily, Maggie, Claire, and Dia during my first year of college.

I slip off my discount stiletto heels, stretching my toes. I already know my feet will be killing me while I’m working my ten-hour shift tomorrow. Heels are seriously the worst invention in the world. What was I thinking buying the discount pair? At least I have the evening shift and will be back in my comfy scrubs for the day.

After years of struggling to pay my way through college, I almost have everything I’ve worked so hard for. I’ve gotten the opportunity to work as an ER nurse. I love every exhausting, heart-pumping second. Now I’m focused on passing the RN boards early.

I sigh again, slipping my shoes back on. I could use some extra rest after my hectic week. With my RN boards looming ahead of me, when I’m not at work, I’m bent over a textbook studying.

If I’m being honest, this is the first night I’ve taken off in weeks. I’d like to think the exhaustion will stop after I pass my boards. But I’ve already decided to begin working toward my certification as a nurse practitioner.

Are you sure you’re going to make it? Maggie asks as I catch myself yawning into my hand again.

Just a little longer, I whisper to her. Then I’m heading home to catch up on my sleep. With a full belly of lobster and steak and a little bit of alcohol in my system, I should be asleep the moment my head hits the pillow.

The auction finally winds down and I stand, preparing to beat a hasty escape. Before I can get a single word of thanks out, Lily and Claire jump up offering to go for another round of drinks.

Come on, Iz, it’s your birthday. Just one more. It’s more of a command from Claire than a request.

Okay, I acquiesce. One more drink, but then I really have to go. I still have to finish unpacking my new apartment in the morning before my shift begins.

I sit back down to wait on another rum and Coke. After all, I don’t think I’ll have a lot of opportunities to get this dressed up for a while. At least the fundraiser looks to be a success. I also might be enjoying the eye candy a little too much to put up too much of a fuss about leaving.

I hear the master of ceremonies announce that they’ve saved the best for last, which elicits an excited round of applause. Based on what I’ve seen so far, if this guy is the best, he must be a god. I sigh in relief when I realize I might actually be able to make it out of here soon.

Turning to Maggie, I ask, Do you think you can give me a ride to my apartment on your way home?

Maggie smiles at me. Of course, if you want, we can stop for some... holy mackerel.

We’re going to stop for mackerel? I laugh. Maggie is staring at the stage where the last bachelor has just started the bidding. Laughing even harder, I turn to follow her gaze.

When I look up at the stage, I’m met with the sight of the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. He’s fully decked out in a stunning black tux.

His black hair is short and stands up artfully in that just fucked look. It appears naturally messy but probably took hours to perfect.

He’s tall, at least four inches taller than the MC. His shoulders are broad, running to narrow hips. Every inch of his body looks wound tight like a panther.

The MC announces that his name is Grayson Bennett. He’s a senior financial investment broker or something along those lines. I’m not sure what that is, but it’s a nice change of pace from the doctors that have been parading by.

His cheeks produce two dimples on each side. He has perfect white teeth and full kissable lips. But his smile never reaches his eyes.

His face is clean-shaven, exposing a square jaw. With his good looks, he looks more suited to the pages of a fashion magazine than the corporate world. There’s something mysterious about him that intrigues me.

I realize I’ve been staring. Hopefully, my mouth hasn’t been open with drool dripping out. I quickly look around the table, finding Lily’s mother smiling at me. Crap, I quite possibly am drooling.

It helps that Maggie is also, not that it matters. He’s so far out of our league, he might as well live on Mt. Olympus. He stops in the center of the stage, flashing that dazzling smile across the room.

I notice that we’re not the only ones he’s elicited drool from. There seems to be a lot of interest in him. I can already see knuckles turning white from clutching the bidding paddles so tight.

This should be an interesting frenzied bidding war similar to Shark Week. I’m not disappointed as the waters start to churn. Poor guy, I’m not sure he’ll survive this Great White attack.

The bidding starts at two thousand dollars with somewhere around thirty paddles flying into the air. I think Shark Week might be tame compared to this.

The bidding quickly flies up to seven thousand dollars and the number of bidders slowly starts to dwindle. All I know is I can’t take my eyes off of him. Where is that damn drink anyway?

I notice the master of ceremonies say something to him as the bidding starts to wane. Then all hell breaks loose. As if in slow motion, I watch as he unbuttons his jacket letting it slide down his shoulders.

The next to go are the suspenders as they drift from his shoulders to hang below his hips. With a wicked smile at the women clutching their paddles in front of him, he works the bottom of his shirt out of his pants revealing a washboard of muscle running from his chest to his belt.

Never, in all of my anatomy textbooks, have I seen anything that beautiful.

The muscles flex as he moves. I wonder what it would be like to run my hands down that stomach, the muscles quivering under my touch.

I realize I’ve been daydreaming when I hear an enthusiastic voice yell out, Ten thousand dollars. With a cheer from the crowd, the gavel bangs down declaring him sold.

I shake my head, coming back to reality when Maggie asks if I’m ready to leave.

I stand, thanking the Rhetts for a wonderful evening, when I hear the MC call out the name of the buyer. Wait, did I just hear my name? Is it possible there are two of us here with the same name?

I scan the room looking for the woman with my name. That’s the only logical explanation, but of course, life is never logical. I stand there dumbfounded as Lily waves to me to join her by the stage.

Oh no, Lily. What have you done? I mumble. In what feels like a fog, I slowly ease toward the man with the haunting smile standing next to my friends.

Happy Birthday! Lily and Claire scream as I get close.

We thought it would be fun to buy you a man for your birthday. It’s been forever since you’ve had one, Dia blasts out.

I feel myself turning red as I pray the floor will swallow me. But when I turn to look at him, all I see is a twitch of his lips as his eyes narrow.

Grayson Bennett, he says, holding out his hand. It’s a pleasure to meet you. His voice is a deep, soft bass. I f stare blankly into his beautiful hazel eyes. He slowly lowers his hand.

Wait, I say as I turn toward Lily. You paid ten thousand dollars for me to go on a date… with him? I motion vaguely in his direction.

Adam said he wanted to donate ten thousand dollars toward the foundation, Mrs. Rhett says stepping next to me. Lily volunteered to take care of it for us. Have fun! She winks at me.

Grayson, we’ll expect you next week for dinner, she adds.

Of course, I look forward to it, Mrs. Rhett. Can I have your number? he asks when I turn back to study him. I can contact you next week about our date, if that’s okay?

I stare at him blankly again for a second. When did he put his shirt and jacket back on?

Oh, yeah, my number, sure. Well, that sounded smooth. It would help if he didn’t keep looking at me. Seriously, where’s that fucking drink?

I’m thinking Saturday night would be good, he says. Will that work for you?

Will what work? I ask, completely distracted by the turn of events.

Is everything alright? he asks with a puzzled expression.

Wait, did he say something about Saturday? Why is he looking at me like I’m crazy?

Oh, yes, Saturday will be fine, I stammer. Holy crap, get your shit together; you’re not some awkward teenager. I’m Isabela Wright. Sorry, it’s just a little hot in here with all the people.

Then maybe I should get you home. He smiles at me, but it’s not the same disinterested smile from the stage. I quickly find myself by his side with my arm through his as we head toward the table.

I think Isabela is ready to head home, Grayson says.

I’ll give you a ride, I was just heading out anyway, Maggie says. Is that disappointment I see in Grayson’s face?

I still need your number, he says quickly. I pull some paper out of my purse, hastily scribbling my information on it. He takes it from my hand, stares at it for a few minutes, and then he smiles back at me. This time there’s no sign of the bored look from earlier.

Isabela Wright. He winks. I’ll see you on Saturday.

Maggie, Claire, and I watch as he walks away. Holy crap! Maggie mumbles what we’re all thinking. He’s beautiful.

I hope Saturday is a really, really good night. If anybody deserves it, it’s you. Claire winks at me. I laugh at her innuendo

You know that isn’t me. I mean, I fooled around some in college but nothing too serious. I’m still a virgin. It wasn’t that I wasn’t game; I just didn’t want to take a chance on anything derailing my plans for my future.

Maybe I’d make time on Saturday, for once. A one-night stand for a first time wasn’t such a bad idea, no emotional ties or making continual concessions to fit in a boyfriend. I smile to myself. Yeah, that sounds like the perfect plan.

So, Maggie says as we pull away from the curb.

Yeah, so, I respond, slumped into the passenger side.

He was not happy I insisted on taking you home, she points out.

So where the hell did he come from? I ask what seems like to me, a valid question.

I think I remember seeing him at one of the Christmas parties at the Rhett’s house. I’m sure you had already left for home during the break. We ride in silence for a few minutes. So I would tap the hell out of that if it were me.

Maggie! You’re supposed to be the nice one, I say, laughing.

Well, sometimes nice is overrated.

Iwake the next morning to the phone ringing. I’m surprised I slept at all with visions of Grayson’s perfect body floating through my dreams. I must have been more tired than I thought. With a sigh, I reach for my phone.

Izzy, don’t be mad at me. It’s a thoroughly chipper Lily at eight in the morning. Seriously? I thought it would be a blast to buy Grayson for your birthday. I needed to give a donation anyway. Besides, he was Colin’s roommate at Rice so we’ve known him for a while. You’ll be totally safe.

Safe? Safe from what?

Colin was the gorgeous older brother of Lily that we all had a crush on in college. He’s five years older and a real flirt with the looks to pull it off.

He has the same blond hair as Lily, a natural tan, and an easy smile. He always looks like he just walked off a beach in California. The best thing about him, is how much he adores his sister, and by extension, us.

I sure don’t remember his old college roommate hanging around, though. Pretty sure I would have noticed.

Lily and I met when we were paired up our freshman year at college as roommates. We were both there on scholarship, she for soccer and me for academics. She is one of the kindest, sweetest people I know, if not a bit bossy at times.

He stayed in Houston after graduation, Lily continues. I guess he’s here now. I haven’t seen him in a while. I’ve heard he and Colin still get together occasionally for poker night. He sure did age well.

I laugh. If Colin is twenty-eight, then his college roommate would be the same age. Not exactly silver fox age yet.

He seemed to like you. I can’t remember ever seeing him smile voluntarily like that. He’s not quite the player Colin is, so that’s good. Lily chats away like she’s been up for hours. All I can think about is the sleep I’m missing.

I guess I can appreciate you worrying about my inability to find men on my own. Besides, the money does go to a good cause, I chide her.

It’s not that I think you can’t find a man. I just know you won’t bother to try, she teases back. Besides, did you see those abs? It definitely goes to the top of my things-I’d-like-to-lick list.

We both laugh. It was a ridiculous list we started our freshman year after one too many tequila shots.

He’s supposed to plan something for Saturday, I tell her.

I’ll need every detail Sunday morning, you know that, right? she asks. I roll my eyes.

I’m going back to sleep now. Goodbye, Lily. I hang up with a smile on my face. I don’t know how I’ll make it a week until Saturday. I already feel an anxious knot starting to form somewhere in my stomach.

2

GRAYSON

Same night

Idon’t even remember being roped into this. It must have been a moment of weakness. It’s not like I had a choice.

The event is being headed up by the wife of one of my top clients. The Garcias are good people and I’m all for the cause, but I truly don’t look forward to being bid on like a piece of meat.

Then I get the joy of spending a whole fucking evening with a pampered, self-absorbed woman. They’re all equally boring. I’ve tried dating a few of the trophy wife types. I usually find an excuse pretty quick to stop seeing them.

I have yet to find a single one that I think would want to watch a game and drink a beer with me. Someone who brings something to the conversation. Maybe someone with ambition who gives a fuck about someone other than themselves.

I’ve recently decided to remain a confirmed bachelor. The only good part of this deal is it’s only for one evening. It’s been a while since I got laid. Surely I’ll at least get that much out of tonight.

I drag my mind back to the table conversation. Nope, didn’t miss a thing, except the woman sitting across the table looking at me like I’m the main course. Great.

If you’ll excuse me, I see someone I need to say hello to. I make a hasty exit from the table. Maybe there’s a slim chance of some quality scotch at the bar.

Grayson Bennett? I hear a familiar voice call out. I turn to see my old college roommate’s mother.

Mrs. Rhett, how nice to see you, I say, giving her a quick embrace.

I always liked Colin’s parents, they frequently welcomed me to their home for holidays during college when I had nowhere else to go.

I attended college on an academic scholarship and worked for any extra money I needed for living expenses. There was never enough to splurge on a hotel when campus closed for a holiday.

How wonderful to run into you. Are you in town visiting? We would love to have you over one evening.

I’ve just moved here, I say. I was offered a position as a senior investment advisor at Gold and Associates that I couldn’t refuse. I’ve been really busy trying to get my office and apartment set up.

It’s a lie, but I don’t want to offend them by saying I just didn’t want to bother with