Playing to Win

tries to outbid you.”
    “I know how it works. Let’s take a look.”
    It reminded him of a garage sale, only more expensive. There was a lot of junk, mostly stuff he’d never want to own, like artworkand shit. Though there was other stuff here for the non–art lovers. The trips were nice. Too bad it was the beginning of the season for him. He’d have no time now to take any trips to these exotic locations. He remembered Mick had taken Tara on one of these short tropical vacations. Mick said it had been great. Private and secluded, though he hadn’t offered up much in the way of details—not that Cole had expected him to.
    Cole looked at Savannah, imagining her in a skimpy bikini swinging on a hammock in some hidden paradise. Yeah, he could definitely get into that.
    “What are you doing?”
    His gaze met hers. “Huh?”
    “Stop looking at me like that.”
    “Like what?”
    “Like…you know what.”
    His lips curved. “Can’t help it. I was checking out this private tropical getaway up for auction and imagined you lying naked on a hammock.”
    Her cheeks went pink. She leaned against him to whisper. “Well, quit imagining that because it isn’t going to happen.”
    “I know it isn’t going to happen, but you can’t control what I fantasize about, Peaches.”
    “You have to stop fantasizing about me. About us.”
    “And you need to quit leaning your sweet little breasts against me or I’m going to get hard.”
    She pulled back so fast he was sure she was going to topple over on those sexy high heels.
    “Look at this state-of-the-art barbecue instead,” she said, pointing out some stainless steel grill.
    He cocked a brow. “Seriously? I like my grill just fine.”
    “How about this art piece?”
    “It looks like two porcupines mating in Play-Doh.” He hoped she didn’t fall in love with it.
    She gave it a critical eye. “You’re right. It’s hideous.”
    “Good. Then I don’t have to worry about your taste level after all.”
    She laughed and moved on. It was more fun watching her examine the different pieces. She wrinkled her nose at some, spent time considering others. So far nothing seemed interesting enough for her to want to bid on anything.
    Until she picked up a box. Kind of an ordinary box, actually. It looked old—some kind of antique wood, would be his guess. It was worn, with a scrolled pattern over the top. Savannah opened it up and it started playing music, some song that sounded familiar to him but he couldn’t place the tune.
    Savannah obviously knew the melody though, because she sucked in her bottom lip and tears sprung to her eyes. She quickly shut the box, put it down, and moved on to the next item.
    Something about that song had affected her. He caught up to her and slid his hand in hers. She lifted her gaze to his and smiled.
    “See something you like?” she asked.
    “No. But you saw something that upset you.”
    Her smile died. “No, I didn’t.”
    “What song was playing on that music box?”
    “Oh. That? I don’t remember.”
    “Peaches. Don’t lie to me.”
    “Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata .”
    “I’ve heard it before. It’s pretty. Kind of sad.”
    She blinked several times and he could tell there was something about the song that bothered her. He squeezed her hand. “Talk to me.”
    She shook her hand. “It’s nothing. The song reminds me of my mother.”
    “Is it like one of her favorite songs?”
    “Something like that.”
    “Do you want to talk to me about your mom?”
    “Not at all.”
    She wasn’t just upset. She was shaking. “Okay. Hey, let’s go back and take a second look at that stainless steel grill.”
    The tension in her shoulders relaxed and she gave him a smile. “Sure.”
    But while they were looking over the grill, Savannah’s gaze drifted back to the music box. He wasn’t sure if what he saw in her eyes was regret or longing, but he did know he couldn’t leave it alone. He was going to have to do something about it.
    It took a good forty-five minutes to look over every item up for bid. Savannah ended up bidding on a pearl necklace, entering a bidding war with some older woman who claimed she wanted it for her niece.
    “She’s full of shit,” Savannah whispered to Cole as she hovered near the bidding sheet. “She’s eyeing it like it’s the last piece of prize pecan pie at the county fair and she hasn’t eaten in a month. She wants that necklace for herself and I know it.”
    Cole fought a grin, folded