Page 29 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 1

“Exactly what I’m looking for. I need a man who would be interested in teaching me how to be a better businesswoman. A man who has been successful running one already would know the ins and outs. I figured three years with someone like that would be a one-on-one, hands-on approach to learning everything.”

“And could you see yourself committing to this person for more than three years?” she asked.

“If the connection is there, rock on!” I blurted, getting more and more excited about the idea. “That would be best case scenario for sure. Oh man, my parents would be thrilled. As it is, this was their unorthodox idea for me to find a mate and business partner. They worry about me being alone and having a lousy sex life.”

Madam Alana’s eyebrows rose into her hairline. “Your parents are worried about your sexual relations?”

I grinned. “Yeah. We have a very open relationship. We talk about everything. No subject is off-limits or too personal. My mother is deeply worried I’m not getting an appropriate number of orgasms to offset my hormones and other important chemical levels within my body. Getting married and being intimate with my bidder means I’ll be getting properly laid, God willing, which was another reason my parents thought this was a good idea. Honestly, I agree with them. Finding a man to take home from a bar is all kinds of uncomfortable most of the time.”

“I see how that could be difficult,” Alana agreed. “To clarify, you want a businessman who is willing to teach you how to lead, or at the very least allow you the opportunity to shadow him in a business environment?”

I nodded avidly.

“And you’re looking for regular sexual intercourse,” she stated smoothly, not a hint of emotion in her expression, though it almost sounded a little racy when she said it with that melodic accent.

“Mmm-hmmm. You’ve got it.”

Madam Alana smiled and eased back into her chair. “This is a very interesting reason to be putting oneself up for auction.”

“If you say so. I’m used to being the quirky girl in pretty much any situation, but my parents taught me that I shouldn’t change for anyone. That I was good enough just being me.”

“They are one hundred percent correct,chéri. Don’t make yourself less so others can feel like more.”

I laughed. “That’s an excellent way to put it. I’m going to remember that.”

Alana dipped her head. “If you are certain, I will put you in the auction. I know of a couple men right off the top of my head who may be very interested in a woman like you. One just recently requested a woman who has a great family and wants kids. He’s truly looking for a love match.”

“Is he hot? I mean, not that it matters, but it does a little if I’m going to be having sex with him for the next three to fifty years.”

“The man she’s thinking of could be a fashion model but has a rugged edge and an accent,” Jade said, speaking for the first time.

Madam Alana’s lips twitched. “Jade is correct. He even requested I give him a hint during the auction.”

“Okay, so he’s hot. Is he a businessman?” I asked, feeling excitement thread through my solar plexus.

“He’s the CEO of one of the most successful alcoholic beverage companies in the world,” Madam Alana confirmed.

“Girl, hook a sister up! Buds and booze! It’s a perfect match!” I started to dance in my chair, getting even more enthusiastic about the idea now that I’d chatted with these two ladies about it.

“I too couldn’t imagine a better pairing.” Alana pressed a red-tipped nail to her chin, her gaze out the window as though deep in thought. “Perhaps I will break the rules tomorrow and give the bidder a sign.”

I sat up and put my hands together in a prayer position. “Please do. My future depends on it.”

Alana suddenly stood up. “Well, I have much to consider. Please follow Jade to the conference room and she’ll have you sign everything. Then be here tomorrow morning at eight a.m. sharp. All the candidates go through the makeover process the day of the auction.”

“A makeover! How fun. Do you mean someone is going to do my hair and makeup and put me in a swanky outfit?”

Madam Alana smiled in a way that you would at an overactive child. “Yes, Summer. It’s a long process, but the results are always appreciated by the bidders.”

“I am soooooo down with this plan. If all I have to do is show up, and someone else gets to make me look worthy of three million dollars, I’ll be living my best life.” I stood up and dashed over to Alana, pulling her into a hug.

She stiffened at first, then relaxed a bit and patted my back. I turned from her and then did the same to Jade who stayed perfectly still. “Thank you for your help!” I gushed, then went over to the couch to grab my shoes. I looped them around a finger letting them dangle. “You guys are awesome. Thank you for the talk and for including me. I’m super pumped about the auction tomorrow. I can’t wait to call and tell my parents that I’m in.”

I walked to the door and grabbed the handle, turning around to look at the two gorgeous women. “Thanks, ladies. This has been amazing.” I lifted my hand and gave them the international rock symbol with my index finger, pinky and thumb sticking up and my middle fingers tucked in.

“Buds and booze for the win!”

Episode 12

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