Page 46 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 2

“Oh, so you didn’t hear about all the drama. They, uh, got tangled up in some family business that went sideways with an ex-lover of Savannah’s who ended up pulling all kinds of hinky shit at their farm. Burning down barns filled with horses. Shooting and killing people. And then when they thought they had the right guy, they’d actually put the wrong one in jail. When we were all attending their first wedding, Savannah and Erik both ended up being shot.”

I gasped. “Lord have mercy, what in the world! That’s insanity! But they’re okay now if they’re on their honeymoon.”

He nodded with a grim expression. “They are but it was touch and go for a bit there. They waited to get married until after they both healed.”

“Wow. And you somehow ended up not being chosen in the last auction?” I surmised.

He shook his head. “Nah, I actually bailed on it. One of the other candidates, Jade Lee, you might remember her…”

“Alana’s new protégé?”

“That’s the one. She freaked out on stage. Bidders were yelling some garbage so I left the auction to help her through it.”

I reached out and looped my arms around his neck. “You took care of a damsel in distress?” His cheeks pinked. “My hero.”

He eased forward and took my mouth in a soft, slow kiss. I hummed and sighed into it, enjoying this quiet time with him. Tomorrow was going to likely bring a shitstorm of drama for us to deal with, especially with Malik on the premises.

“Soooo, you going to tell me what’s up with the suit, your ex-fiancé?” This was the one question I really didn’t want to deal with, but he deserved to know what he was up against. My father was already a mountain that was practically insurmountable, but paired with Malik? It was like climbing Mt. Everest with no tools or protective gear. Basically, a suicide mission.

“Malik and I were practically betrothed from birth. Our parents are longtime friends. From the very beginning, we were groomed with the knowledge that we should do what was best for our families’ businesses.”

“Meaning keep the rich blood running true blue for generations to come.”

“You’ve got it.”

“And at some point, you were on board with that decision?” He leaned an elbow on the counter and rested his head in his hand, his entire focus on what I had to say. I loved the way he gave me every ounce of his attention when I spoke. It was refreshing to say the least.

“When you’ve grown up every day of your life being told how amazing Malik Hendrickson is and how your families togetherwere going to run the world, you kind of get caught up in it. And Malik is good looking…”

Memphis made a scrunched up silly face.

“Not as handsome as you. Relax.”

“Go ahead. I’m listening.”

I let out an exhausted breath. “We started officially dating freshman year. We both attended the same private school. We broke up for a year in college because he was demanding I take classes that would benefit Shaw International. And he didn’t want to do anything fun. Just study and prepare to the be the best CFO in the business.”

“You didn’t attend frat parties or any ragers?”

“No, I did. Which is when I broke up with him. He was so pissed I wanted to go out and relax a little. Experience everything college had to offer. So, I cut him loose. Much to my family’s great dismay. I heard nothing but complaints from my parents. After about a year, and a thousand apologies from Malik, I caved and took him back. Things were fine all the way through college. It was graduation night that he asked me to marry him. I was completely unprepared. Our entire families were there, and the party had over a thousand people in attendance. So I had to accept.”

“Damn, he really put you on the spot.”

I nodded. “I was barely out of college and had already enrolled in a gem credentialing program. During my time at the university, I realized I didn’t want to be behind a desk. I wanted to create. I’ve always loved the sparkly things that came from my father’s mines. Not the mining business itself. I can put on my business hat, but I have highly educated people to do all of that for me. Now I get to create. Work directly with my clientele. And that’s what makes me happy. Not crunching numbers, hiring and firing, doing budget reports, meeting with the board of directors, marketing, admin…blech.” I made a gagging sound.

Memphis shook his head and laughed. “Deep down, Nay, I think you’re an artist. Most creative types can’t be shoved behind a desk or they’ll wither up and die.”

I pointed to him. “Exactly!”

He shrugged. “What happened after you accepted his very public proposal?”

I pressed my lips together in a little snarl. “I tried to give it a chance. But I couldn’t stand the fact that he never understood who I really was. What I really wanted for my life.” I reached for his hand and held it between both of mine. “You’ve known me a few days and understand me more deeply than anyone else in my entire life. Isn’t that messed up?” I whispered that last part, realizing how profound that bit of truth was.

Memphis Taylor was almost a stranger based on the length of time we’ve known one another, yet I was more comfortable with him than I ever was with anyone else I dated, including Malik, or my own family. Memphis sees me, not my family’s good name. He sees the woman I am, and that’s who he wants. Not the fame, fortune, or clout.

“I’m sorry, baby. That all sounds brutal. Just know I’m here now for as long as you’ll keep me.”

“You mean three years?” I pursed my lips and stared into his pretty eyes.

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