Page 44 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 1

My nostrils flared as her sweet strawberries-and-cream scent filled my nose, making my pants tight once more.

“When I get married, Julianne, I want it to be real. That means sharing our secrets, our highs and lows. It means sharing a life and...a bed.” I watched her eyes light with excitement but tried to ignore it. “I won’t enter into a sexless marriage with you or a loveless marriage like I was headed into with Bianca.”

Suddenly, Jules licked her lips, hiked up her dress, and promptly straddled my lap.

“Oomph!” I let out a surprised breath when her lush, round ass hit my thighs. Before I could speak, she cupped my cheeks, lowered her head, and kissed me. Hard.

I went completely still, until the heat of her body, and the plump, delicious press of her lips to mine, wove through my mind informing me of what was happening. I moaned as I wrapped my arms around her body tightly and kissed her back, glorying in her minty taste.

She teased the seam of my lips with her nimble tongue and I opened instantly. Our tongues tangled and danced, flicking delicately one moment and sinking deep the next. Before I knew what was happening, one of my hands was cupping her breast, the other gripping her ass as she wantonly ground against my erection.

I ripped my mouth away. “Jesus!” I let out a harsh breath and rested my face against the tops of her heaving, beautiful tits.

Julianne ran her fingers through my hair, scraping her nails down my scalp. I arched toward her and the blissful sensation as I lifted my face and traced every last one of her gorgeous features with my eyes.

She smiled from her perch in my lap. “I never said there’d be no sex, Gio. And based on Mr. Happy I feel prodding my ass, I don’t see desire being a problem between us. And I already care for you. I’ve loved you my entire life.”

Love. A fickle, meaningless word if not said with the right intention and breadth of meaning behind it.

“Yeah, as extended family.” I removed the hand from her breast and placed both to her hips. They were so plush I couldn’t help kneading the curves there.

“I have never looked at you as family. Remember back when we were kids? You were my first kiss. A girl doesn’t kiss her extended family, Gio. Then Brenden caught us and made a big deal of me being ‘off limits’ and you backed off right away. I just assumed you didn’t truly like me that way. At the time, it actually hurt my feelings.”

“Really?” I asked, hope and shock threading through the single word.

“Yeah, really. I was into you big time.” She smiled and then stood, pushing off my lap and putting some much-needed space between us.

“I-I don’t know what to say,” I blustered, not having any idea how to respond after everything she’d shared.

“Say you’ll work with me on getting revenge against Brenden and Bianca.” Her gaze was pleading as she held out her hand. “Say yes to marrying me.”

Episode 17

One of the Good Ones

MEMPHIS

Jade led the group of candidates to the auction room and showed us where to line up behind the stage. I’d done this before, but had never made it onto the actual stage, having left my spot to help Jade when she ran off the last time we were here. Now she was working for Madam Alana and seemed to enjoy it. The woman was definitely in her element. She walked down the line of people, checking in with them and ensuring their comfort. I watched as she tutted over each woman and man until she got to me.

“Second time’s a charm, eh?” Her lips twitched in amusement as she reached out to readjust my tie into position.

I grinned. “Let’s hope.”

“I know I’ve said it before, but what you did for me—leaving the auction and helping me through my meltdown—was incredibly kind. No other man has ever been that chivalrous.”

“Well that’s a damn shame, Jade. You deserve a man who will treat you well and support you through all of life’s challenges.” I reached out and grabbed her hand and gave it a little squeeze.

“You deserve all of that too, you know. You’re one of the good ones, Memphis. Never forget that. And if the woman who purchases you tonight doesn’t treat you as such, we are here foryou. Madam Alana has made it very clear that her candidates come first, no matter what.”

I chuckled. “I heard that, sister. Definitely. She drilled it into our heads when we signed on the dotted lines. And I appreciate it, I do. Though I certainly can handle myself. I’m going to make the most of this experience. Let’s just hope the woman who chooses me tonight has a great personality and a whole lotta fire within her.”

Jade grinned. “I think you’re going to be very surprised this evening. There’s one woman in particular who I think will absolutely adore you.”

“Oh yeah?” I nudged her shoulder. “Is she fine?”

“Stunning. Elegant. Smart and very wealthy.” She lifted her chin in a knowing manner she’d likely picked up from Alana because it was smooth as butter and just as rich.

“All right.” I rubbed my hands together, anticipation and adrenaline swirling in my gut. “And you think this queen is going to bid on me?”

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