Page 46 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 1

Memphis Taylor would be mine.

This was the exact sign I needed. Memphis and I had connected in a way that I hadn’t experienced ever. It was asif our souls sighed when we’d kissed last night. I wouldn’t let something so beautiful between us slip away a third time.

And I simply couldn’t wait to see his face when I walked into the room to sign off on the final bid. He’d be shocked silly.

I smirked to myself as Madam Alana asked for the bidders to use their remote to show their interest. I clicked “Yes” so fast my thumb smarted against the painful amount of pressure I used to make my selection. Unfortunately, there were fifteen of us interested.

I tapped my foot as Madam Alana asked him to exit the stage and come back for the second round. I had no idea what the second round entailed. After he left, I watched each candidate come out and go through the same process of giving the bidders an opportunity to show their interest. The longer it took to get back to Memphis, the more irritated I became.

Listening to this woman next to me go on and on about what she was going to do in the bedroom with Memphis once she got her hooks into him made me want to pull on her blonde hair and rip her extensions right off her head. Instead, I minded my manners, sipped on my second martini, and tried my damnedest to wait patiently formy manto return—but it took Herculean effort.

Finally, the second half of the event started, and Alana called his name. He strutted through the dark curtains like a man on a mission. He was barefoot and dressed in a navy-blue satin robe tied at the waist.

I perched on the edge of my seat, my auction paddle ready to go.

“Memphis, darling, please remove your robe,” Madam Alana cooed in that sultry, elegant French lilt of hers.

He smiled wide, undid the tie, and let the satin fall to the floor.

My mouth went completely dry as his massive, well-built muscular frame appeared. He was cut...everywhere.He had toned pecs that were squared off and led down to a six, or was that an eight-pack, stomach. His dark skin glistened, making every dip and curve shine under the spotlights. He looked like the sun god Ra with his hands on his trim waist, his form seeming unbreakable, as we all looked our fill.

I gripped my paddle so hard my hand ached as I licked my lips. Damn, how I wanted to run my tongue all over his fine body. Press my nose to his neck and inhale his very essence directly from the source.

I used my paddle to fan my suddenly heated face. Hot damn! That man would make a nun wet between the thighs. Every inch of him was utter perfection.

“I’m going to pass out! He’s gorgeous,” the blonde gasped.

“Wow. You are not kidding. And look at that bulge,” her friend whispered loud enough for pretty much everyone to hear.

I scowled but stupidly looked at the bulge. The sassy bitches were not wrong. He was absolutely packing some serious heat down below. I clenched my legs together as arousal flooded my system.

“I’ll start the bidding at three million,” Madam Alana announced.

Before I could even move, the blonde waved her lit paddle.

I narrowed my gaze at her as another woman closer to the stage waved hers and upped the bid to four million.

I was stunned as paddles went flying. Still, I didn’t care. I not only was extremely wealthy, I had family money going back generations. There was no number too high. Especially since I believed Memphis and I had shared something truly special.

When the bids slowed to eight and a half million, and Memphis had turned his body around giving a nice view ofhis rounded, toned ass which he flexed so his cheeks bounced deliciously behind his boxer briefs, I finally raised my paddle.

“Ten million dollars,” I stated coolly, raising the bid another million and a half.

Madam Alana smiled for the first time and winked in my direction. That small display showing her approval in my choice this evening made me grin happily. Not that I needed her encouragement. She didn’t know what had occurred between Memphis and me before now. Still, having what I thought was her blessing at my choice didn’t hurt in the least. She knew what I wanted and that wink expressed her agreement that I’d chosen wisely.

“Bitch!” the blonde grumbled.

I turned my head toward her as Madam Alana said, “Ten million going once...”

“Sorry, ladies, you simply never had a chance. He’s far too much man for the likes of either of you,” I tutted and waved my hand nonchalantly.

The blonde glared and sucked down a full glass of champagne, practically choking on it as she did so.

I laughed heartily at her frustration as she promptly stood. “Well, you can have him.”

“Ten million going twice,” Alana continued.

“I surely will. In every way possible.” I lifted my martini up in salute. “Better luck next time.”

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