“Ninety-five hundred,” she finally says, but I can tell she’s at her spending limit by the way worry crosses her features, that she may not get what she wants.
“Ten thousand dollars,” I say without hesitation.
The room goes silent as I hold my breath for any more bidding. I’m not sure how high I should go, considering it’s not mine to spend in the first place.
“Ten thousand, going once…going twice. Sold to the beautiful lady in the back,” he yells happily. “I’m now going to turn it over to Mr. Stone himself as he says a few words before the dancing and fun begin!”
He passes the microphone to Knox and steps off the stage.
“Well, that was interesting,” he laughs, and the crowd joins in. “I need to step up my dancing game for that kind of money.” He meets my eyes, and I bite back a laugh.
He briefly thanks everyone for coming and tells them again how much each donation can make a huge difference in a kid’s life, going into more detail about the summer camps and the other funding the foundation does for the children, before he turns it over to the DJ.
His eyes hold mine as he walks over to our table and holds out his hand.
“I believe you won this dance.” His eyes dance with amusement, but there’s an underlying energy coming off his body that I can feel deep in my bones.
“I believe I did,” I smile, walking with him to the dance floor.
The other players are getting their girls from that table, and I can’t help but smile when I see the dark-haired girl left all by her lonesome.
“You are enjoying this way too much,” he chuckles softly.
“Yes, I am,” I grin.
“I have to say, watching you fight for me was quite the turn-on.” He pulls me close as the music starts, and I melt into his arms.
“Did you see how she was looking at you? It was like a cougar about to pounce on her prey.”
“She couldn’t have caught me,” he says quietly into my hair as his lips brush my temple.
His body sways against mine, and I smile against his chest.
“This is our first dance,” I whisper, realizing we’ve never done this before.
“Yes, it is,” he smiles, kissing the underside of my wrist where our hands are joined. “Only cost me ten thousand dollars too,” he says with amusement flashing in those ocean blues, knowing damn well I was using his money as some sort of punishment for being up on stage in the first place—especially when I saw who was bidding on him.
“I couldn’t let her win,” I wince. “It’s my stupid jealousy that took over my hand raising that paddle, so it’s not fair to have you pay. I don’t know what I was thinking,” I laugh softly. It’s not the first time my mouth has gotten me into trouble, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
“If the roles were reversed, I would have done the same thing,” he shakes his head and chuckles. “I’ll happily pay it. It’s the best damn money I’ve ever spent.” Bending close to my ear, his breath fans my skin. “Just so you know, I would have paid double to have this dance with you.”
He brings his lips to mine and kisses me softly. His hand tightens on my waist as his body presses into mine. I feel him grow hard against my stomach, and a soft moan escapes me.
Knowing how many eyes we have on us, he keeps the kiss PG and breaks away far earlier than we both would like.
“Hold that thought,” he quietly growls, keeping me close to him as the last notes are played.
The DJ immediately picks up the beat, ending the first dance as others join us. The dance floor is crowded within seconds as bodies start to move to the music.
Taking my hand, he leads us to the side door, and a cool breeze caresses my skin as we step out onto the balcony. There’s an outdoor bar to the left, and a view of the downtown city of Bayside. Beyond all the buildings, you can see the lights reflect on the water in the bay.
The crescent moon is surrounded by a sky full of stars, giving a beautiful backdrop to an already beautiful night.
Keeping my hand in his, he walks to the far end of the balcony, where it wraps around the side. Away from the balcony string lights, we are hidden in the shadows as he covers me with his body, keeping my back pressed against the building.
“Now I can kiss you like you should be kissed,” he says with an edge of desperation to his voice. His hand cups my neck as he dives in seeking my tongue with his. Grasping his suit lapel, I hold on as he kisses me with a passion that leaves my knees weak and my heart wildly pounding.
His other hand slides up my slit as he lifts my leg and palms my ass, bringing me flush against him. He’s swollen and rock hard when our bodies connect, igniting a fire in me that only he can douse.
