Page 49 of Auctioned to the Billionaire Stalker

“So, dance with your clothes on. I mean a revealing costume, of course, but you don’t have to be naked to be sexy.”

Carmen’s eyes widened. “God, Enzo, you’re fuckingbrilliant.”

“I know.” He straightened his tie with a smirk.

“You’re totally right. She can dance to a sexy song and do a mock lap dance to someone in the crowd. That’ll sex her right up before the auction.” She looked at me. “What do you think, Daze?”

“I love it! I have no problem performing in front of a lot of people as long as I have my clothes on. But let’s go back to that mock lap dance suggestion…” I wasn’t sure I could do that.

“Use Enzo,” she suggested gesturing at her brother.

“Fuck, yes, use me,” Enzo said, smiling. “Though I don’t know why it has to be a ‘mock’ lap dance. I want the real thing.” The smile left his face. He was serious.

Carmen narrowed her eyes, thinking about it. Finally, she nodded her head slowly. “Yeah. That works even better. Give him the real thing. I’ll have Madeline work with you ahead of time to show you how to do it well.”

Oh wow. Just the thought of giving Enzo a lap dance was making me hot as fire.

“You two have a… certain chemistry I didn’t realize existed,” Carmen said, grinning as the two of us stared at each other. “The way y’all are looking at each other is making me want to fan myself.”

“Believe me, if I was able, I’d overturn that rule about Salazar boys not being allowed to bid in the auction and keep you for myself.”

His eyes locked on mine, and I couldn’t look away. I was starting to breathe heavily. This guy was too much. Was I more than halfway gone over Jack Lancaster? Absolutely. But Jack had let me down. And Enzo Salazar… well, any girl would be into him.

“That would, um, be nice,” I said, my voice coming out in a breathy tone I hadn’t intended.

Carmen’s eyes widened. “Okay, y’all are starting to be too much. Remember, he is my brother. So, ew.”

Enzo laughed, breaking the spell between us. “Just tell me when and what I’m supposed to do, and I’ll be there.” He gave me one more sexy smile, then turned to leave. He was halfway out the door when he stuck his head back in. “Just don’t expect me not to touch,” he said casting one more intense look back at me.

“Gross, Enzo, get out.”

I could hear him laughing as he walked down the hall away from her office. I looked after him, trying to catch one more glimpse of him.

“Let me give you a little word to the wise,” Carmen said gently.

I snapped my head around to look at her.

“Don’t fall for my brother.” I started to protest, but she held up her hand. “Please spare me. I saw how you just looked at him. He’s in love with someone else. Has been for years and years.” She looked sad as she said it. “So, as much as I’d love to think you could cure him of that fixation, I’ve seen others try and fail too many times.” She cocked her head a little as she stared at me. “You know, you remind me of the woman he’s in love with. You don’t look like her, but there’s something there…” She narrowed her eyes. “I think it’s the ‘girl next door’ thing. Ella has that quality, too.”

She looked at me, as if expecting something. I nodded, finally. “I understand. I won’t fall for him.” There was no way I was going to tell her that while Enzo was hot and the two of us had extreme chemistry, I was more than halfway in love with someone else myself. Even if I didn’t want to be. Even if I was doing my best to put him out of my mind.

Jack Lancaster wasn’t easy to forget.

“Well, that’s settled. Now all we need is a routine.” She tapped her finger on her cheek. “I’ll get Madeline to put something together…”

“No, I’ve got it. I helped choreograph the routines for the dance team. I already have a plan.”

“Want to clue me in?”

“Nope,” I grinned. “Just trust me.”

She paused, unsure. Then she smiled at me. “Fine. I trust you,” she said. “I really think this will work. Anyone who saw you as too nice or the girl next door will get over it real quick once they see you fake fucking Enzo.”

Carmen wasn’t subtle about the way she said things. But she was also right. With the routine I was already picturing in my mind, no one would be left with the impression I was just the sweet girl next door.

***

“Right.” Carmen opened one of the drawers in her desk and pulled out a folder. “If you’re going to be in the auction, there’s something else we have to discuss.”