“Six hundred thousand,” someone from the first row said.
“Seven hundred.”
Nassor clenched his paddle. Was he really going to do this? His throat knotted. Why not? He’d soon be traveling back to his kingdom and starting a life filled with responsibilities. A life he’d never asked for. This was the last opportunity he had to enjoy sexual indulgence, to dodge duties.
He lifted his paddle. “One million dollars.”
Miss L turned her face to him, parting her lips. That got her attention, didn’t it? She lifted her hand to her chest, as if touching it to pace her heartbeat. Was this part of a game, or did he affect her on some level?
Don’t forget you’re buying her.
He listened to his inside voice. Of course…he could never seriously date a woman from the United States, let alone marry her. Which was why he was buying her temporarily, and would enjoy every moment with her.
Chapter Two
A swarm of butterflies fluttered inside Izzy’s stomach.
She cleared her throat, feeling the hot pulse in her neck. She’d tried to detach herself from the awkward purchase transaction. The cooler she acted about this whole thing, the better.
She stole a glance in the direction of the hot black man on the first row. Each time she looked at him, she registered one more detail. Each time, blood pounded in her veins, warning her this man would be trouble.
If the red-haired guy won, she’d be safe with a much older and unattractive dude. It’d be easy to have sex with him, close her eyes and fantasize about Jason Momoa.
Easy money.
Now, First Row Hotness…was a completely different case. Her nipples tightened, her breasts grew full and heavy, pressing against the corset. God. Maybe Madame Alexa had planted the sexy man to get her all worked up and become more enticing to the bidders.
She darted her gaze around the room without fixing upon anywhere in particular. Madame Alexa had advised her to engage in eye contact with the bidders, but a part of her—clinging to her last shred of integrity—didn’t let her.
Even when she wasn’t looking at him, she felt him watching her. Awareness raced down her spine. Down, girl.
“One million and one hundred,” the red-haired man shouted, a smile on his lips.
Shit. That was crazy. She peered at him. Silence filled the large room.
Madame Alexa grabbed the hammer. “Nice. I’ll give you once…”
“One million and five hundred thousand,” said First Row Hotness.
A nauseating sensation floated up her throat, and she swallowed, pushing it down and willing it away. What the hell? She dared to look at him again, and her eyes found his. Flecks of silver flickered in the depths of his dark irises.
Fuck. She wanted to turn her face, to focus her attention elsewhere, but her body didn’t budge. The stranger had super broad shoulders, able to dwarf a professional football player. A black jacket with a white shirt underneath and jeans completed his look. His chest was wide, the kind a woman could rest her head against.
Izzy bit her inner cheek. She didn’t know how tall he was, but judging by his long legs, he was easily six foot three or taller. Not that it mattered, anyway. She wasn’t checking his online profile to go on a casual date.
He, quite the sinful man, had bid an indecent amount of money to have her in his bed for one month, to take her virginity.
The red-haired man put down his paddle, a pained look on his face.
“Sold!” Madame Alexa slammed the hammer, and the vibration reverberated through Izzy. “To number seventy-six.”
Seventy-six. She slapped on a half smile. After all, having sex with seventy-six would change her life in more ways than one.
As agreed, she turned away from the stage, disappearing behind the heavy curtains and shutting down the buzz of voices. Jackie brought her to a room, where she’d chat with the buyer for a few minutes. This was his last chance to back out of the deal—which she hoped he wouldn’t.
Then, he’d sign the contract and she’d get half the money, minus the 30 percent for House of Alexa, deposited in her bank account. The remaining would come after the thirty days or if the buyer decided to end the liaison before.
“Congratulations. You got a nice offer,” Jackie said.
