The first item was unveiled and the bidding process ensued. I treasured the exhilaration in Gabriela’s eyes as she watched the scene unfold. When an item she wanted was up for grabs, she whispered in my ear and like a dutiful boyfriend, I outbid everyone in the room.
A wine-tasting tour.
A pair of tickets to an upcoming pop star’s concert.
A signed hockey jersey from one of her favourite players on the Montardor’s Ravens.
And then came an arresting painting, a beautiful rendition of Hero and Leander. It depicted the priestess in her light tower, watching her mortal lover swim to her before tragedy fell upon them. Save for a singleRsigned at the bottom of the anonymously donated canvas, the artist was unknown.
Gabriela gasped and clasped my wrist, giving me a pleading look. “Hunter, I want it. Please. It’ll mean so much to me.”
I’d have bought it without her even asking me. It was a tangible piece of our history.
The auction started at a mere five thousand dollars. I raised my paddle with my bid.
Gabriela waited with bated breath.
“Five thousand dollars for Mr. Warren,” the auctioneer said in the microphone with an upbeat tone. “Anyone else for—”
“Ten thousand dollars,” Dacia bid out loud, raising her paddle.
I remained calm, upping my bid to, “Fifteen thousand dollars.”
“Twenty-five thousand dollars.” Dacia tried to appear her usual ice princess cool, but I caught the subtle hint of worry in her frame.
Unfortunately for her, I would be taking this piece home. “Fifty thousand dollars.”
The auctioneer’s voice sparked with jubilance. “Wow. Fifty thousand dollars. Does anyone want to top that? Going once, going twice—”
Darla frowned and grabbed her sister’s wrist, speaking to her in a quiet tone. Dacia mumbled back something inaudible. I was ready to up my bid as high as needed, but it was too late. The Hill sisters missed their window and I was declared the recipient of the painting.
“Sold! For fifty thousand dollars to Mr. Warren.”
The little squeal Gabriela emitted filled my insides with pure joy. I grinned as she turned my head towards hers for a series of kisses. “Oh, Hunter.”Kiss. “Thank you.”Kiss. “Thank you.”Kiss. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Gabby. It was my pleasure.”
Gabriela ran her fingers over my stubble in adoration. I knew how much she liked the trimmed beard I sported. “God, you’re so handsome.” She planted kisses all over my jaw. “And sweet. And cute. And I can’t wait to go home and show you my appreciation,bello mio.”
Fuck, I melted at her praise even as I chuckled at her cute aggression. “Is that so?”
“Yeah. We have other plans for tonight, don’t we?”
Like her sitting on my face for starters.
I kissed her again. “Yes, we do, baby.”
CHAPTER 32
Teaching A Lesson
Gabriela
After the auction came to an end, I was ready to call it a night and head home with Hunter. But we lingered a little longer, talking with our friends by the bar and trying to pretend like we weren’t moments away from tearing the clothes off one another.
The energy between us crackled with tension. It was nearly tangible. I could practically feel its tendrils weaving themselves around every muscle and bone until I reverberated with need like the plucked strings of a guitar.
I wanted Hunter so bad that every fiber of my being ached.
