Free Bidding on Brooks: The Winslow Brothers #1 by Katy Regnery Page A

Brooks, his mind shifting effortlessly to Skye and wondering if the kiss that just rocked his world was going to cost him Skye as crew. He’d have to think about what he could do to win her back. He’d already promised that he wouldn’t touch her again, but he had a sinking feeling it would take more than promises to win back her trust.
    “Listen, I may not be interested in a girlfriend hanging around my neck, but I will say this,” said Preston, his characteristic teasing smile back in place. “ She was a beauty. If I was the type of guy who wanted a lasso on his balls, I wouldn’t mind if she was the one holding the rope.”
    “No one wants to hear about your demented sex life,” said Christopher, shaking his head and turning back to Brooks. “So, I’m interested…how come your sailing partner friend just hurried across the ballroom swiping at her eyes and bee-lining for the exit alone after being out here with you for ten minutes?”
    “Great question, Chris,” piped up Preston, raising his eyebrows and leaning his elbow on Christopher’s shoulder. “I noticed that too.”
    She was crying? Crap. If she was crying it was definitely going to take a lot more than promises to get her to sail with him. Brooks shook his head, looking back up at his brothers. “I… damn it, I kissed her.”
    “Dude!” exclaimed Christopher, his age showing with his surprise. “You kissed her? What the hell? What about the boyfriend?”
    Brooks took a deep breath and released it slowly, giving his little brother a sour look. “Obviously I wasn’t thinking about the boyfriend at the time.”
    Preston’s shoulder were shaking from laughing. “Oh, man, you’re screwed. If she withdraws her bid, the auction winner will default to the next highest bidder.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Fine print,” said Preston, who was the most popular sports lawyer in Philly. “You probably should have read it before you let Jessica talk you into this whole thing.”
    “Talk me into it? I wish! I was railroaded!” yelled Brooks. “Tell me about the fine print.”
    “Your friend ,” said Preston, using annoying air quotes, just as Jessica had earlier, “has a week to pay. If she doesn’t, she defaults, and Felicity Atwell will be given a chance to win you with her last bid.”
    Brooks’ nostrils flared as the full meaning of this settled in his mind. If Skye didn’t follow through with their agreement—which was looking tenuous at best, after the haunted look in her eyes—he’d be stuck at sea for a week with Felicity.
    Christopher clapped him on the back, stifling a chuckle. “Tough break.”
    “Maybe grovel?” Preston’s eyes were still sparkling with glee. “Sometimes groveling works.” He adopted a high-pitched, pitiful-sounding voice. “I’m so sorry I kissed you, Skye…”
    As his two younger brothers headed back into the ballroom cackling with laughter, Brooks cursed loudly, running both hands through his hair in frustration. Begging for forgiveness was not his strongest suit. In fact, Brooks purposely compartmentalized his life so that he didn’t make emotional decisions that required contrition and apologies. He didn’t like impulsive behavior. Impulsiveness scared him because it represented a lack of control, and Brooks much preferred a controlled, orderly existence.
    What the hell had gotten into him tonight?
    He grimaced as his mind flashed to Felicity’s over-eager smile, and groveling suddenly didn’t sound so terrible. Unless, he thought, his mouth dropping open as his brain came up with an alternative solution, he could offer her something even better.
    ***
    “Honey!” said Clay, “ All the details. I want every. single. one. How tall is he up close? What does he smell like? Was his tux Armani? No! He’s Main Line all the way. I bet it was Brooks Brothers!”
    Because Skye had never been particularly adept at making female friends—her clothes had always been unfashionable and her