Page 10 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 1

I held my tongue and waited.

“You smell like a summer’s day…” He dipped forward again and inhaled boldly. “If you were sitting on the beach smoking a joint.” He grinned and stood straight again.

Technically, I had partaken in my hotel bathroom while I was getting ready. My anxiety had been off the charts as I prepped for the last meeting to determine if I’d be chosen as a candidate in the auction happening tomorrow night. And I really wanted to be added to the lineup.

I frowned and crossed my arms over my chest. “And that’s a problem because…” I was so tired of the stigma around cannabis use recreationally and, more importantly, medically. The medicinal properties being my primary reason for regular use. I took advantage of my rights as a Californian to use as I desired. And it was also legal in Nevada, where we were now. Not to mention my opinions on the matter were intense due towhat I did for a living, and the entire reason I wanted to be a part of the auction.

“Did I say it was a problem?” he challenged.

I glared. “Your tone insinuated there was something wrong with me smelling of weed. And frankly, I don’t give a rat’s ass what a highfalutin, dressed-to-the nines,on a weekday,” I added as a burn that probably wouldn’t hit the target, “feels about my scent. As a matter of fact, I take back what I said. You smell like shit.” I took a couple steps closer, inhaling his magical scent once more in order to make a statement. “Horse shit, specifically.” I pointed at his chest, my finger dangerously close to making contact.

The man’s eyebrows rose toward his hairline. “Is that right? I believe you said I smelled fantastic. You can’t take that back…”

Before I could respond with a pissy retort, the world around us shook.

Not the world, the elevator.

I screamed and grabbed for the man. His arms wrapped around my body, flattening me to his broad chest. I clung to the lapels of his pristine suit, digging my fingernails in as the elevator swayed and rocked, dropping down several feet at a shocking speed, before it rumbled, then came to a screeching halt, jolting us both.

He kept me pressed to him, one arm tightly wrapped around my back, the other in a vise-like grip around the bar attached to the walls.

“Jesus Kristus!” he swore in that sultry accent.

My knees shook as I stared up into his gorgeous face. Fear clogged my throat and my eyes started to tear.

He lifted his hand and cupped my cheek. “Don’t cry. I’ll keep you safe.”

My nose tingled and the tip likely turned a bright pink as I opened and closed my mouth, wanting to speak, but nothing came out.

“You’re white as a ghost.” He rubbed his thumb along my cheek tenderly.

My bottom lip trembled as a couple of pesky tears fell.

“It’s going to be okay,solskinn,” he whispered the last part in a language I didn’t understand.

I nodded, keeping hold of him as though my very life depended on it. Maybe because it did.

“I’m going to press the emergency button,” he said calmly.

I nodded, but didn’t let him go.

He smiled sweetly and wrapped his hands around mine, lightly tugging them free of his clothing. “It’s okay. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere,” he murmured and interlaced the fingers of one hand, while he reached out and pressed a big red button.

Alarms trilled around us, and I jumped closer to him, pressing my body to his side as I wrapped my arms around him completely and put my face exactly where I’d wanted to from the second he entered. His chest.

I sighed against the warm, safe space.

He didn’t move, allowing me to soak in the comfort of his presence and body. Even after I’d been bitchy toward him.

“I’m sorry about before,” I whispered against his skin.

He rubbed a hand up and down my spine. “It’s okay. Everything is okay.”

I gripped his waist and held on. The alarm quieted as a staticky voice split through the tension and fear building in the small space.

“This is the hotel maintenance. We have received your request for help. The power shorted and the elevator mechanics glitched. I assure you we are doing everything we can to free youas soon as possible. The elevator is locked in place as we assess the damage and determine the best way to extricate you from the car. It may take a little time, but help is on the way. We can see you in the cameras.”

I untucked my face and glanced up to the corner where a red light was blinking next to a small globe. Stupidly, I waved at the item, and the voice chuckled.

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