Ford Harden just paid twelve thousand dollars for a date with me.

Me. And I have no idea why.

Ford is bad news.

He handles the money for his family's underground gambling ring, and weaponizes his smirk on every girl who looks his way.

Not that I'm paying attention.

I'm just trying to pass math, keep my sourdough starter alive, figure out my "sort of" thing with a very nice firefighter, and stay out of Ford's orbit entirely. Easy, right?

Except his brother is dating my best friend.

And I showed up to a tutoring session and got a half-naked Ford instead.

And I caught something in his eyes I wasn't supposed to see hidden beneath the smirk and the lime-green Jaguar.

And I let my best friend talk me into a dating auction… which is for charity. Okay?

Now, here I am. On a stage. In a slinky black dress. Watching the billionaire prince of Harden Heights raise his hand and outbid every guy in the room.

Me. June Withers. The curvy, working-class girl-next-door who's best friends with his brother's girlfriend.

Twelve thousand dollars.

For one night.

He's an experienced player.

I'm in over my head.

And the way he's looking at me isn't a dare anymore.

It's a promise.

The question isn't whether Ford Harden is trouble.

The question is why a guy who's had everyone is suddenly only looking at me.

And whether I'm reckless enough to find out.