Brody: One Night with a Soldier

Samantha

I wasn’t expecting to see my brother’s best friend on the auction block. But there he is, his chiseled muscles and surly attitude on full display. He’s only home for a few days on leave from the military, but that should be plenty of time to find out if there’s anything more to the childhood crush I’ve had on him for years.

Brody

When a mystery woman buys a date with me at the charity auction, I’m prepared to deliver. Until I find out the winning bidder is my best friend’s little sister. I’ve never struggled with keeping my hands to myself in the past. But Samantha’s all grown up. Her pouty lips and captivating curves might be too hard to resist.

Ever wanted to spend a single night with the bachelor of your dreams? The men of Broken Bend are going on the auction block for a great cause. Find out what happens when the winning bidders claim their prize in the One Night Series. Each book is a complete story and can be read alone.

How the hell had I let my brother talk me into this? I shook my head as my old high school gym came into view. It had been eleven years since I’d entered this building. Eleven years since I’d graduated and left the only family I’d ever known behind. I’d changed since then... enlisted in the Army and spent the past ten years serving overseas. Being back in Broken Bend made me feel like the kid who’d first shown up in town with nothing to his name but a backpack and a hardened heart.

“Can you give me a hand, Brody?” Mama Mae reached out so I could help her down from the running board of my brother’s truck.

“Sure thing.” I held her hand, helping her step down onto the pavement. She’d been more than just a foster mother to me. Mama Mae was the only one who’d ever believed I could leave my past behind and make something out of myself. Too bad she’d only been half right about that. I’d received a chest full of medals for my service, but still hadn’t been able to shake the shackles of my past.

“Looks like a good turnout tonight.” She smiled up at me, her eyes twinkling. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

“Of course.” I tucked her hand into the crook of my elbow and escorted her into the gym. We had a lot to celebrate tonight. She was retiring as the Executive Director of Pups For Progress, a non-profit that paired rescue dogs with troubled youth. Most of my foster brothers and I had benefitted by participating in the program. My experience working with the dogs back then steered me into becoming a canine handler in the Army.

“When do you have to go back?” Mama Mae asked.

“A week from Wednesday.” I’d been overdue for a couple of weeks of leave and was glad it worked out so I could be in Broken Bend for her retirement party.

What hadn’t worked out so well was that my foster brother Owen had wrangled me into going on the auction block to raise money for the charity. If it had been for anything other than Mama Mae and Pups For Progress, my answer would have been a “No fucking way.” But there I was, ready to sell an evening of my time to the highest bidder so they could add onto the shelter.

Mama Mae wanted to hold her retirement party with the fundraiser so she could leave the rescue with a parting gift. I admired her generosity and kind heart. I just wished I didn’t have to be part of it.

“I need to go make sure everything’s set. Why don’t you head over to where your brothers are so Owen can fill you in on how tonight’s going to work?” Mama Mae patted my arm. “It makes my heart so happy to have you home.”

Home.

Broken Bend was the only home I’d ever known. Prior to Mama Mae taking me in, I’d lived in shelters, cars, and even spent six months in a tent my dad pitched in the deserts of west Texas before the state took me away from him and sent me to live with Mama Mae. I didn’t like to think about those days. If I could forget them altogether, I’d be better for it.

“Yes, ma’am.” I turned to head over to where my foster brother Owen stood at the side of the gym, but stopped in my tracks at the vision in white, heading in my direction.

“Hi, Mama Mae. We’ve got a spot for you right in front.” The woman stepped closer.

“Samantha, you remember my son Brody, don’t you?” Mama Mae glanced back and forth between us.

“Of course.” Samantha Reynolds offered her hand. “I’m glad you could make it.”

Damn, my best friend’s little sister was all grown up. She didn’t look like the twerpy kid who’d tagged along behind us over the years. Words stuck in my chest. I cleared my throat, trying to force them out as I slid my palm against hers.

“I’m glad I could make it, too.” Warmth traveled through my fingers and up my arm at the contact.

Samantha tilted her head, making me wonder if she felt the same heat. To say she’d changed over the years was a massive understatement. She used to be all knees and elbows and awkward as hell. And when she wasn’t spying on us or begging us to let her join in whatever we were doing, she always had her nose stuck in a book.

The awkwardness was gone. Her spindly limbs had given way to soft curves that begged to be caressed. The long red hair she used to wear in two tight braids flowed over her shoulders, and a dusting of freckles danced across her cheeks.

She pulled her hand away first, her blue eyes squinting up at me like she wasn’t sure what had just happened. “Mama Mae, do you want to come with me, and I’ll help you get settled?”

“Sure, sugar.” Mama Mae put a palm on my arm and gave me a gentle push toward my foster brothers. “Try to smile when you’re up on stage tonight, will you? If these women want a broody fellow, they’ll bid on your brother Kane.”

I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ve missed you, Mama Mae.”

“Go on.” Mama Mae playfully shooed me away.

Before I turned away, I took a last look at Samantha. There was something about her… the way her smile lit up her entire face… the way she glowed from some fire within… the way looking at her made my fingers ache to touch her. I didn’t know what it was, but I knew one thing—I wanted more of it.

Samantha’s cheeks flushed with the faintest shade of pink as she gave me another shy grin. “It’s good to have you back, Brody.”