Page 18 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 2

He nodded, his eyes lighting up when he noticed Memphis hovering close.

“And who is this strapping young man?” He smiled kindly.

“This is Memphis Taylor, my fiancé.”

His eyes widened. “Well then, it seems congratulations are in order to you both.”

I slid my arm around Memphis’ waist and leaned my head against his chest. “Thank you. We’re excited too.”

Memphis reached out and shook the man’s hand. “Good to meet ya, Rupert.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Taylor.” Rupert responded. “I’ll have your bags brought to your room. I imagine you will want to head to the hospital soon.”

I nodded.

“I’ll have a car brought around to take you where you need to go. It will be waiting when you’re ready.”

“That would be lovely. Thank you, Rupert.” I tugged on my man’s hand and gestured to the open entrance. “Come on, I’ll show you where we’ll be sleeping.”

We stepped into the grand foyer, and Memphis whistled. “So this is how the other half lives. My folks would never believe this. It’s almost like a museum,” he gushed, and I winced.

The home was nice but very cold. “My father loves art and anything that gives him more status among his circle of associates.”

Memphis sucked his bottom lip between his teeth and nodded silently as I led him up the sprawling staircase to my room. It was at the opposite wing of the house from where my parents’ rooms were, which I now realized was a blessing in disguise. Because I had no plans to keep my hands off my fiancé once the lights went out. But first, I had to see my mom. I’d checked my phone when we landed and my father had texted that she would be released tomorrow. Still, I wanted to see her myself.

“Let’s get situated and then head to the hospital. Unless you want to stay here and take a nap while I go.” I swallowed down the fear that he might accept the offer. I really wanted him by my side for support, but we were still new. This wasn’t the ideal scenario for meeting one’s future in-laws.

His head jolted back in offense. “Naomi, I would never leave you hanging to handle such a stressful situation without me. What kind of man do you think I am?” He scowled, a hurt timbre to his voice.

I quickly approached where he stood ramrod straight and wrapped my arms around his middle, resting my chin on his chest and staring up at him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend, but I also didn’t want to assume anything. We’re new…”

His jaw hardened. “We’re going to be a family soon. Family takes care of one another.”

I almost laughed because that was not at all the type of family I had. Sure, we put on an air of the perfect family for my father’s precious reputation, but it wasn’t real. I hadn’t seen my family since they donated a bunch of money to a charity event they demanded I attend. That was eight months ago and most of the time we lived in the same city. I certainly didn’t go over and help with manual labor like Memphis did, pitching in with his mom’s garden before coming to Las Vegas. And the fact that he selflessly entered into the auction to provide monetary assistance for his sister’s schooling so they’d have a better life, proved how close knit they were.

That was not how my family showed their love.

“You’re right. Forgive me?” I pouted and fluttered my lashes.

He smiled, dipped his head and took my mouth in a slow, gentle, luxurious kiss. “Always, Nay. Let’s go see your mom. I’ll bet you’re itching to check on her.” Then he pecked me on the lips once more.

* * * *

We approached the hospital suite hand in hand. I squeezed his tight as I knocked and pushed open the door to the room the person at the nurses’ station gave us.

I entered first, Memphis trailing behind.

My mother was sitting up in bed, a deep scowl on her face, her arms crossed. “I want to go home…NOW!” She snapped at a man wearing a white coat.

“We advise against that, Mrs. Shaw. We need to monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and we are still keeping an eye on several of your lab values…”

My father interrupted the doctor. “Couldn’t we just hire an in-home nurse?”

The door shut behind us, making a loud noise.

Three heads turned to take in Memphis and me.

“Thank God, Naomi!” My mother held out her arms and wiggled her fingers.

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