Page 58 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 1

She did so without peeking.

I took hold of her hand and looked at the answer to every last one of my prayers.

My gift from God.

Naomi.

“Okay. Open them.”

She did so and her hand gripped my fingers tight, clearly surprised at the gesture of me down on my knees before her.

“Naomi, my queen, would you do me the great honor of making me the happiest brotha on the planet by marrying me…in a month…for ten million dollars?” I gave her my best cheeky grin.

“Memphis, I will marry you.” She laughed as I put the diamond ring on her finger.

I jumped up, grabbed her cheeks, and kissed her hard and fast then rested my forehead against hers. “Are you sure you want to do this? And for all that money?” I couldn’t help but give her one last out. This was all happening so fast and even though it was supposed to be like this, she was a person I actually cared about more than the money. Someone who I could truly see myself with long-term.

Her hands slid up and around the back of my head as we breathed one another in, faces so close our breaths intermingled. Which was why I heard it clear as day when she said, “I would have paid twenty million for you.”

“Woman,” I chastised teasingly as my throat once again gave out and the emotions swelled between us in large, earth-shattering waves.

She wasn’t finished blowing my mind.

Not even close.

With her forehead to mine, her hands cupping my cheeks she whispered, “Hell, I might have even given it all up to have a man like you as my husband.”

Episode 22

Elevator Jack

SUMMER

Waiting was the worst. Anticipation sizzled like live electricity across the surface of my skin while I paced the small signing room. The room was pretty bare. Only four walls, one exit, a bar top table with the contract on it and a pretty chandelier hanging from the center. There was some nice crown molding but absolutely nothing else to look at. Not a single thing to hold my attention until my husband-to-be arrived.

I sighed, dug through my small purse, and pulled out my phone. There were already a handful of texts waiting for me. The first three were from my mother. Not at all surprising since she was heavily invested in the idea of me entering The Marriage Auction. She wouldn’t let it go until I agreed to do it. I scanned her messages and chuckled at her obvious eagerness.

From:Mom

Did you win a husband?

Ignore that last message. Of course you got a man. My girl is stunning, smart, and a good human.

Sunny, it’s been forever. Are you okay? I’m sure you’re okay. I’m worrying too much. Send me photo proof you’re alive.

I snort-laughed as I went to the camera app and snapped a selfie, then responded to her last message with it. Next, I read my dad’s text.

From: Dad

Your mom’s worried. I told her you’re a grown woman who can take care of herself, but you know how she is. Let us know how everything is going. We’re on pins and needles over here.

I rolled my eyes and read my sister’s note next.

From: Autumn

Mom’s going nuts. She’s reaching out to her spirit guides and our ancestors to keep an eye on you. I already had a vision of you sucking face with a hottie. Has that happened yet?

Immediately I started responding, my fingers flying over the keys. When my sister had a detailed vision, it usually was a snapshot of the future. Her visions have never been wrong.

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