Page 81 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 1

The woman knew her math. Interesting.

“Let’s just consider it an extra tip for the kindness the staff has shown you in the past.” I held out my arm, encouraging her to go first. “After you.”

She clutched whatever she’d wrapped in the napkin as though hiding it and high-tailed it out of the restaurant and into the bright flashing lights and roar of a busy casino.

I sidled up to her and placed my hand lightly at her lower back. She stiffened for a moment and then glanced over her shoulder.

“Let’s get back to the hotel. I need to meet up with my daughter before she takes off with Alana and Christophe for two weeks.”

“Alana is taking your daughter somewhere?”

“Yeah.” I sighed. “Purchasing a bride in the auction wasn’t part of my summer plans, or any future plan really. We need some time to figure things out, wouldn’t you agree?”

She nodded silently.

I led her into a waiting taxi then ducked in next to her. “The Alexandra, please.”

We were both quiet during the ride to our hotel. After I paid the driver, we visited the reception desk and got her room key. No surprise, Alana had secured Maia a room on the same floor as mine.

I walked her to room number 1820 and handed her one of the keys. I don’t know why, but for some reason, I pocketed the extra. “I’m in 1826, just down a couple doors on the same side.”I gestured with a chin lift down the hall. “If you need me for any reason, just call or knock, okay?” I dipped my head and made sure she looked me straight in the eyes.

“Okay. Thank you, um, for tonight. For dinner and you know, for the…uh auction.” She grimaced.

I reached out to grab her shoulder, but before I could lay a hand on her, she’d twisted away as though it were a natural reflex. I let my arm fall to my side. “I’m never going to hurt you, Maia.”

“That remains to be seen. People have told me the same and done the opposite,” she admitted and then her eyes widened, suggesting she didn’t mean to share that bit of information. Though I’m glad she did. It proved I needed to handle her with kid gloves in all things. Including my incessant desire to touch her.

“Another thing I’ll earn then.” I smiled.

She shrugged, disbelief written across her expression.

“Okay. Well, let’s connect for a late breakfast. Say, ten o’clock?” I asked.

“You’re the boss. I go where you say, right?”

I growled under my breath. “We’ll talk more tomorrow. Sleep well.”

She unlocked her door and slipped behind it. I waited until the lock clicked into place before heading to the elevator to chat with Emily.

* * * *

The door to Alana and Christophe’s penthouse apartment opened with a flourish.

“Dad! I love you so much!” Emily screeched and flung herself into my arms.

I caught her and held her tight, soaking up this shocking moment of pure affection from my normally surly teen.

“I love you too, Em. What’s got you so happy?”

“Aunt Alana and Uncle Christophe are taking me to France with them! She said you told her I could go. Auntie is going to take me shopping, and Uncle Christo is going to show me his favorite pieces of art. And get this!” She glued herself to my side, her spindly arm wrapped around my waist. “Uncle Christo said he’s going to teach me how to paint. Aaaaaand,” she drew out the word in her excitement. “Aunt Alana said we’d castle hop! Castles, Dad. Real life castles, like, from a hundred years ago.”

“More like several hundred years ago,chéri,” Christo corrected, his face all smiles as we entered the living space. Alana was already wrapped in a red satin robe, her hair tied into a pristine bun at the top of her head, a dainty teacup held aloft in her hand. Emily was dressed similarly, in a pale blue matching robe. Her long blonde waves captured in the messier bun I was used to seeing.

“That sounds very exciting. Are you sure you’re going to be okay being away from your old man for a couple weeks?”

Emily rolled her eyes. “Daaaaaad, I’m almost fourteen! I can handle being away from my parents. Besides, I’ll be with family. I even have my own room at their house, remember? Auntie says we can redecorate it to whatever I want now that I’m older.”

“You spoil her,” I addressed Alana, then Christo, who grinned and nodded, completely unashamed.

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