Page 25 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 1

I’d literally been dreaming of him all night. Our non-date yesterday had been the stuff of a fluffy, made-for-TV movie. And it all came crashing down when he’d admitted that he was waiting to meet his soon-to-be wife. Even though we’d continued our time together, cracking jokes and getting to know one another, it was all very innocent. Until of course that blistering, life-altering kiss. I’d never had a more bittersweet kiss because essentially it was a stolen moment never to be repeated. At least that’s what I told myself every time I thought about Memphis while I got ready this morning.

And there he was. Looking magnificent in a midnight-colored suit and a pristine white dress shirt that made his dark skin glow in contrast.

“Well, I’ll be damned. What a coincidence.” I grinned, trying to play it cool.

“Naw, I don’t believe in coincidences.” He had plenty of room to stand but chose to invade my personal space by stepping closer.

“No?” I swallowed and took a step back.

He stepped forward, coming so near that I instantly put both of my hands to his broad, muscular, brick-like chest. It was a valiant effort to keep him at a distance—something he was not having. My heartbeat sped up and my knees shook, but I wouldn’t let him see the hurricane of emotions invading my mind and body.

“No, pretty lady, I don’t believe in coincidences. I believe in fate. And that bitch has the worst timing ever,” he grumbled, sounding put out.

“Oh, you think it’s fate that you entered my elevator car this morning?” I asked, buying time so I could think of how to best respond.

My body wanted to wrap around this hunk of a man and give into the sexual chemistry coasting between us. Though my brain and heart knew better. There was a third person not invited to this party, and I would not be the reason a sister was brought low.

His nostrils flared, his breathing audible as he pressed even closer. I swear he became a fire-breathing dragon who’d cornered his prey and was about to feast. And I wanted that...badly. But I wouldn’t give in.

I pushed more firmly against his chest. “What does your fiancée think about you talking to me about fate? I’d bet she’d be pretty pissed off if she knew her man was standing so close to another woman and looking at said woman as though he wanted to eat her whole and lick the bones clean.” I showed my teeth on a hiss.

Memphis inhaled sharply, his wild gaze softening as he took a step back, and then another, and again until he was resting his body against the far wall.

I nodded curtly. “Smart move.” I crossed my arms over one another. “So, when are you meeting up with the lucky lady?” I changed the subject to his woman. It was best for us bothto remember that she existed and wasn’t a figment of our imagination.

His jaw firmed and his lips compressed together. “Soon,” he bit out, which was an interesting response from someone who would be seeing who I had to assume was the love of his life, the person he planned to commit his future to. I mean, he was marrying her after all.

The elevator dinged at the floor I needed. I made to leave but in the last moment I put my hand to the doors preventing them from closing and focused on the man who I had to let walk away.

“You know, Memphis, maybe instead of believing in fate, you should think about what your destiny entails.”

“How do you mean?” His voice was a low rumble I wanted to listen to for eons.

“Well, I believe your destiny is what you make it. You drive where your destiny leads and there are many different paths you can take. There’s choice in it. All the hills and valleys of your life are of your own making. I guess it’s a matter of thinking. Do you want to drive toward your destiny or fall into your fate? One way or another, the choice is yours. I wish you all the blessings in your future marriage. Take care of yourself. You’re one of the good ones.” I winked and backed away, allowing the doors to close on a future that wasn’t meant for me.

“Ms. Shaw?” a feminine voice spoke from behind me.

I turned around and was greeted by a young woman of Asian descent. She wore a perfectly tailored black suit jacket and short pleated skirt that showed off a nice pair of legs. She had her hair slicked back into a small bun at the nape of her neck, making her appearance a bit more severe.

She held her hand out. “I’m Jade Lee, Madam Alana’s protégé. We have been expecting you.”

I shook her cool hand and then followed her down a corridor to a set of double doors. She opened one side and gestured for me to precede her.

Madam Alana was sitting at a glass desk wearing an eggplant-colored suit with a slim line of black satin edging the lapel. The purple tone was magic against her skin tone. She too had pitch-black hair but hers was parted straight down the center, the long lengths pressed behind her ears and lying in a flat sheet down her back. What I wouldn’t give to have such ease with my hair. I, however, preferred the bigger-is-better approach and let my curls flow where they wanted to. Of course, I kept them in line with heaps of expensive hair product, but the fine results couldn’t be denied.

I reached my hand over the desk, greeting the woman with a handshake.

“Pleased to meet you, Ms. Shaw. Please take a seat.” Alana gestured to one of the empty chairs. When I’d chosen one, Jade sat in the other one, an electronic device in her lap.

I glanced at the woman and then at the Madam.

Madam Alana smiled coyly. “Jade is tutoring under me in order to learn the business. We are growing at an astronomical pace. There seems to be an increasing need for marriages of convenience these days.”

“It’s definitely not easy to meet the right person.” I thought of my chance encounter with Memphis once more. If only…

“Let’s get right to business, shall we?” She interlaced her fingers and rested her hands on her desk.

I nodded.

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