Page 26 of Deception & Daylight (Oak Ridge #3)

Finding a seat on the edge of the middle row, I watch as she places her bag over the back of the chair, then strips off her button down to reveal…

fuck m e sideways . She’s wearing a white tee with “Miles Barlow’s girlfriend” written in a bold font with hearts dotting the ‘i’s.

She catches me staring and smirks, her hands joining to form a heart.

Her melodic laughter reaches the stage, and it takes everything in me to stay rooted to the spot.

The hint of amusement in her eyes betrays her devious intentions, but I don’t think she understands the gravity of her claim.

My entire hometown just witnessed her downfall, and she has no idea.

Maggie Watson fucking owns me, body and soul, whether she likes it or not.

It just became my sole purpose in life to change the word girlfriend to wife.

I catch Paige’s bemused expression as she and Cade approach, Sofia’s tiny hand gripping Cade’s shirt from the baby carrier strapped to his chest. As Maggie coos over our adorable niece, Paige’s attention is drawn to the front row, a scowl settling upon her normally pleasant features.

Two years ago, Cade went on a blind date with Jen that imploded spectacularly.

A short while later, after Cade and Paige stopped dancing around each other, Jen approached them at The Ridge and said some truly vile shit to his girl.

She left with her tail tucked between her legs and a vendetta against Paige that’s only festered over time.

These days they keep their distance, but Paige’s protective stance tells me she’s ready to jump in to defend her bestie should Jen get any bright ideas.

Truthfully, I think Paige is underestimating Maggie — most people do — but my girl can hold her own.

I’ve been on the receiving end of more than one of her well-placed jabs.

Before long, Russell Hayes steps up to the podium, announcing the beneficiaries of the bachelor auction along with the rules.

“Proceeds from your bids will go to Ruby’s Cause in conjunction with the local elementary school, providing mental health services for children in need.

In a few moments, I’ll introduce our eligible bac helors one by one.

Prior to the event, each participant filled out a questionnaire, and their answers are available to you in the brochure.

I’ll call out bids as they come in. The highest bid will win a date with the bachelor you’ve chosen.

The terms of the date have been laid out in the brochure along with their stats. Happy bidding!”

“Good luck, brother,” Matty says, nostrils flaring as his eyes scan the crowd, his jaw clenched when he finds Maggie in the crowd. I can’t contain my smirk when he notices her newly revealed t-shirt, cursing under his breath.

“Rein it in, Matty. Wouldn’t want to put off your potential dates by showing them what a walking red flag you are.” Goading him probably isn't the best choice, but there’s no way in hell he’s getting Maggie to bid on him, so she’s not in any danger should he decide to retaliate.

With a flourish and a shit-eating grin, Russell calls up Jaxon Hayes to kick off the event.

He gives his son a nod as he lists off a few of his attributes.

I can’t imagine how awkward it must be to auction off your own kid to the highest bidder.

Taking over from Russell, Jax is now the ranch manager at Whispering Oaks.

His winning bid of $1000 comes from a pretty redhead I don’t recognize.

He hops off the stage and pulls her into a friendly hug.

Next up is Griffin, the second Hayes brother.

He’s the horse trainer at the ranch, and his date comes with a trail ride and a picnic catered by Rosie’s Diner.

He goes for a whopping $1500 to none other than Ivy Roberts, who’s like an unofficial member of their family.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they made some kind of deal to get Griffin out of a date.

I furrow my brow in silent question at Luca, who catches the movement and shrugs, wrapping his arms around Ivy’s baby bump.

I’m preparing to take center stage as the next bachelor in line when, at the last second, the oldest Hayes brother is called up to shocked gasps and hushed whispers from the crowd.

Wilder hasn’t been seen in Oak Ridge for several years.

He married his high school sweetheart and took off to Colorado shortly after they married.

She passed away suddenly last year, leaving him alone to raise their now two-year-old daughter.

I can only assume that’s why he’s back in town.

His family would have insisted he come home so they can support them.

With flushed cheeks and anxiety radiating off her in waves, Rosie’s granddaughter Olivia, places the winning bid, but I can’t hear the final price tag over the hushed murmurs of the crowd.

She doesn’t even spare Matty a passing glance, and I can feel his anger is palpable.

Shortly after I dissevered his catfishing scheme, I contacted Livie to fill her in.

She confronted the bastard, and he didn’t even try to deny it.

She left town not long after the incident, and only recently returned.

“You’re up, brother,” Matty says, giving my shoulder a shove.

I step to the front of the stage to a chorus of whoops and hollers from my friends, and a very enthusiastic Paige snapping photos in my periphery.

“Up next, we have Oak Ridge’s favorite playboy, Miles Barlow.

Rumor has it this one has his sights set on Tennessee’s own Maggie Watson, but don’t let that deter you.

Miles comes with an intimate tailgate dinner down by the lake, followed by a night out at the Ridge for drinks and dancing. Starting bid is $200.”

With a mischievous wink, Rosie raises her paddle, placing the first bid.

“Stirring the pot, Ro?” Russell teases. “We have $200, can I get $250?” Paddles start to shoot up every which way and it’s getting harder to keep up as Russ calls out bid after bid. Rosie dropped out around the $600 mark, and a fe w townies are fighting it out now. “Can I get $900?”

Jen raises her arm, and my stomach plummets when she locks eyes with my girl in the crowd. “I have $900. Can I get $950?”

Not breaking eye contact, Maggie plants her hands on her hips, her chin jutting out in challenge. “$1000,” she calls. That’s my girl.

Before Russell can confirm, Jen is on her feet, shouting over the stunned crowd, “$1200.”

“$1200 to the lady in the front row. Do I have —”

Maggie barrels down the center aisle, standing defiantly next to Jen. “$2000.”

“Your girl’s got spirit, Barlow,” Russell mutters, hand cupped over the mic to muffle his voice. “I have $2000, going once… twice… sold to the very lovely Maggie Watson.” Pulling the mic away from his face, he says, “Go get your girl before she tries to take out the competition.”

“There’s no competition. I only have eyes for Maggie.” The admission slips off my tongue in a moment of stunning clarity. Eyes, heart, body and fucking soul. It’s all hers.

Hopping off the stage, I pull her into my arms, spinning us as I kiss her thoroughly for everyone to see. “Jealousy looks good on you, baby.”

“Fuck off, Miles. I was just saving you from a far worse fate,” she says, pulling out of my hold as she tosses a middle finger over her shoulder towards a very pissed off Jen. Raucous laughter erupts from my cheering section as we approach.

“Well played, Mags,” Cade says, offering his hand in a high five.

While he’s distracted, I pluck a wide eyed Sofia from his chest and hold her up in the air as she giggles wildly with her nearly toothless smile.

My childhood was far too fucked up for me to consider fatherhood.

But Cade was born for the role; watching my best friend become the dad I n ever had has been cathartic.

When Sofia’s old enough to recognize who I am, Uncle Miles is going to be her favorite person. “Hey there, sweet girl. Is your dad spoiling you rotten today?”

“Every day,” Paige corrects.

“Can’t say I blame him, Sunshine. How could anyone say no to this sweet face?” At that moment, a long string of saliva landed on my cheek. “Not nice, Sof,” I say, snagging the proffered baby wipe from Paige’s hand as Maggie giggles behind me.

“Heads up. It’s Matty’s turn.” Cade says, gesturing to the stage.

Maggie’s laughter dies on her tongue as Russell introduces my brother, who’s got his menacing gaze fixed on my girl, his lips turned down into a frown.

Handing the little drool monster back to her dad, I wrap a protective arm around Maggie’s shoulders, pulling her body flush against mine.

I half expect her to pull away. Instead, she wiggles her ass against my erection and I release a strangled groan.

She turns her face, a smirk playing on her lips. “Careful, Wildcat.”

Our heated moment is interrupted when Matty hops off the stage and joins Jen in the front row, who’s no doubt disappointed in her consolation prize.

But I guess she wanted a Barlow, one way or another.

Matty’s date comes with a fancy dinner at a French restaurant in Willow Valley, and a shopping trip at the strip mall.

As vapid and self-indulgent as she is, it’s no surprise Jen would pick the guy with the deep pockets, though I’m not sure where he’s getting his money unless he’s still in touch with our piece of shit dad.

Barring leaving, the best thing that man ever did was hand over control of Barlow Construction.

It came at a hefty sum, but it was always meant to be mine, and that’s never sat well with Matty.

Barlow Construction is my great-grandfather’s legacy, one I ref use to let my heartless father or my equally callous brother sink into oblivion.

“Let’s go back to the festival and leave Jen to the consequences of her own greed,” Paige suggests. It’s clear she’s getting an immense amount of satisfaction out of today’s events. “I’m hoping there’s another cupcake with my name on it.”

In a move I don’t see coming, Maggie skates her hand along my forearm, interlocking our fingers.

My body instantly responds as she tugs me along with her.

My eyes fell upon the woman who, a short time ago, couldn’t even bring herself to utter my name, let alone hold my hand.

This all feels like a fever dream, and fuck if I don’t want to stay locked in it forever.

“When do you leave?” I ask, hopeful I can stretch this arrangement out for a while longer. Since the shattered moment on the porch, we haven’t broached the topic of our fake dating with benefits arrangement, and I’m eager to get to the benefits.

“I’m staying for another week. I need to get a few new chapters to my editor, and there’s something about the inn that finally has the words flowing again.” Thank fuck.

A smile tugs at my lips. “Does that mean you get to be Miles Barlow’s girlfriend for another week?”

She huffs out a laugh. “Yeah. I, uh… I guess it does.”

The sun is sinking below the horizon, bringing to life the string lights overhead as we wander down the dimly lit cobblestone street.

Before I can change my mind, I pull Maggie into an alley just far enough away from the crowd that we won’t be seen.

I push her up against the brick wall, caging her in as I inhale the delicate floral scent that blends in perfectly with the fresh blooms scattered up and down the streets of my hometown.

She fits in seamlessly, like she was always meant to be here — how can I make her see that? H ow can I make her stay?

I run my nose along hers, my mouth gently brushing against her soft skin. “Tell me to stop.”

There’s a moment of hesitation where I think she might run. Instead, she shocks me to my core, pulling my lips down to meet hers. The kiss is gentle at first as her fingers toy with the hair at the nape of my neck, sending shivers racing down my spine.

Needing more of her, I tenderly cup her cheek, deepening the kiss, my tongue gliding along her bottom lip, begging for entry.

She opens willingly, giving me a taste, and the dam breaks.

Energy courses between us, the kiss turning messy and frantic — fucking perfection. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough.

“Mags,” I groan, coming up for air for the first time in what feels like hours, though it’s only been minutes, if not seconds, since we collided. “Baby, if we don’t stop, I’m gonna fuck you in the middle of the festival.”

She whimpers and the sound goes straight to my dick. I gently grip her neck, my thumb skating along the underside of her chin as I bring her eyes to mine.

“Is that what you want, Maggie? You want me to claim you in front of every goddamn person in this town?” I can feel her heartbeat thrumming beneath my palm.

“Fucking hell, you like that idea, don’t you?

You wanna be watched, Wildcat? You like the idea of everyone knowing you’re mine?

Of course you do, or you never would’ve worn my name across this gorgeous fucking body, would you? You’re mine Mags. Always have been.”

I continue devouring her mouth, my hands teasing along the exposed flesh at her back as she reaches between us, cupping my erection. “Always so mouthy,” she teases. “Maybe I can give you something better to do with that mouth, Barlow.”

“Don’t tempt me with a good time, baby.” Before she can protest, I drop to my knees, playing with the slit in her skirt that’s been testing my restraint since the moment I laid eyes on her across the crowd. You could’ve hit me over the head with a brick for how distracted I’ve been.

Her hand fists in my mussed hair, a strangled moan escaping between her kiss-swollen lips. This is every fucking fantasy I’ve had for the last two years, and I intend to savor this moment with each soft kiss I lay over every part of her I can reach.

“Miles, please,” she pleads, a smug satisfaction taking over me as my fingers trail under her skirt, over the band of her panties.

I tug them down her legs, bringing them up to her mouth.

“Be a good girl and keep quiet,” I command, shoving the lacy fabric between her lips.

“As much as I want to hear you moan my name, I’m the only one who gets to hear you come.

And trust me baby girl, this time, you will come. ”