Page 10 of The Bride Auction

“Excuse me?” I dropped my food on the table, uncaring if it splattered. I’d never considered myself a violent male until that moment. She was mine. I tamped down the feral growl I’d learned to do from the Temerlans I’d served with for so many revolutions. Somehow, I managed to keep my temper under control.

“What are you talking about?” Arik asked, walking over, sensing my simmering rage.

“I’m Summer, your bride.”

His eyes widened. “I didn’t order a bride,” he said.

“You did. You bid five million dollars on me.”

“I did no such thing,” Arik countered. “I don’t even have that much!” Arik looked at me. “How much?” he gasped.

“You did. I saw your picture on the screen,” she explained.

“No, I encouraged my friend to pick a bride.”

Summer put her hands on her hips and huffed indignantly. “I will not be shared. Do your people share?” I have to call the GBA right now.” She fumbled in a small bag I hadn’t noticed before, the strap hanging on her shoulder and removed a small communication tablet. Before she could press the send button, I groaned and her finger stopped its descent, hovering over the screen. “What?” she snapped.

“We seem to have a misunderstanding. I am your groom; your mate.”

She shook her head. “Nope. The alien who purchased me is Arik.”

“No, I did,” I explained.

She walked over to me and poked a finger in my chest. “Listen, I don't know who you think you are, but the male I saw on the screen looked just like him.”

A damning realization hit me. “Arik, I used your account to bid on my bride.” I slapped my hand against my forehead.

“Oh,” Arik said. “I understand.”

“Would someone care to explain it to me?” Summer fumed.

Arik stood back, allowing me to take charge.

“Come on board, we will explain everything. Some things are best left for private conversation and not a public station.” I held my hand out to her. She hesitated a moment before placing her hand in mine.

Chapter 9

Summer

Arik and Renick sat down and explained that Renick used Arik’s GBA account to bid on me.

“Why couldn’t you have used your own account?” I asked. “I know we don’t know each other at all, but there’s one thing I need to get straight right now. Don’t ever lie to me.”

Renick looked miserable, and it broke my heart. “It wasn’t my intention. There’s a reason,” he hedged.

“I won't be lied to.”

“I,” he began.

“Listen, if the next thing out of your mouth is going to be a lie, I’ll get right back out of this ship and find my way to the GBA and go back to Earth. I don’t need this.” A part of me hoped it wasn’t true.

“Explain it to me,” I demanded. I wasn’t sure where this defiance came from; I’d always been more meek, more go with the flow, but this time, because I was in the middle of God knows where in space and I’d apparently grown a set of balls.

Arik brought out three steaming mugs of what I assumed was tea. “I’m listening,” I said, blowing on my cup’s contents. I brought the cup to my lips and tasted a spiced hot chocolate. “This is delicious. Does everything taste like chocolate in space?” I asked. “I could get used to that.”

“Not everything, but corul, the drink, seems to be immensely popular among humans. If you tire of chocolate, there’s plenty of military rations on this ship.” Arik gestured to the cabinets behind Renick and me. “I’ll see my way out. You’ve got a lot to talk about.”

“Stay,” I said. “I’ve got a feeling you’re up to your eyeballs in whatever Renick’s reasoning is.”

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