Page 1 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 2

Episode 31

The Heart of the Issue

MEMPHIS

Something icy cold slid across the surface of my bare abdomen waking me from a dead sleep. I snapped one eye open to assess where I was. White walls with unfamiliar artwork greeted me. The hotel room was chilly as shit because during our sex marathon, Naomi asked me to hike up the air conditioner. However, at this moment, I was toasty warm all over, but especially down my right side where Naomi had curled her beautiful body. I glanced down and realized it was her hand that chilled my stomach. I put my hand over hers to warm the top as I took in my fiancée. Little puffs of air left her mouth and teased against my chest as she slept. I didn’t have chest hair because I waxed regularly, preferring smooth skin, which made it easier to see how my muscles flexed and moved when I worked out. It helped keep my focus on the particular muscles I wanted to manipulate during my workouts.

Her face was peaceful and angelic. She had perfectly arched black eyebrows that matched her hair. A long, slim nose that turned up just a tad at the tip. Her lips were just the right amount of plump for kissing, nipping, and biting. Her face was oval shaped, her cheeks high and rounded, complimenting her deep-set eyes. Tiny baby hairs curled around the edge of herhairline and stuck up in every direction, making this normally put-together goddess even more adorable.

I was about to lean down and kiss her awake, and maybe continue our marathon for another day when a buzzing sound interrupted me. I glanced over at the end table where we’d set our phones to charge. Hers was ringing. She didn’t so much as stir at the sound. My woman was wiped out. I grinned, proud that I was the reason she was so exhausted. I rose onto an elbow, and Naomi slid off my chest, mumbling something incoherent before cuddling back up to my side, still fast asleep.

I grabbed the phone and read the display: “The King.”

The fuck.

Who could possibly be listed asThe Kingin her phone? Instantly I thought back to when we’d met at the bar. She’d just been shafted by some loser who’d used her to get into her pants. Irritation clouded my exhausted brain, and my protective side came roaring to the surface.

I clicked the answer button and barked, “Hello.”

“I’m sorry. I must have accidentally dialed the wrong number,” a cultured male voice responded.

“You lookin’ for Naomi?” I asked, adding a hint of authority to my tone.

“I am. And who, may I ask, is this?” The caller’s snooty tone a poor attempt to express a sense of superiority.

Looked like this “King” was about to get a lesson in exactly who I was to this woman.

“Memphis Taylor. Her fiancé.” I added the last bit to clarify my position in her life.

“Don’t be absurd,” the man huffed. “I’d know if Naomi was engaged. Now let me speak to her. Right this instant.” The superiority vibe went straight to arrogant.

Who the hell does this guy think he is?

“Look man, I don’t know who you are, or who you think you are, but my woman is sleeping. Whatever you need to say to her, you can say to me, and I’ll be happy to relay that message.” I was ready to end this call and go back to starting my day by waking up my Queen…with my mouth, possibly between her pretty thighs.

“Excuse me,Memphis Taylor,” he repeated my whole name as if he was recording it to memory. “Whenmy daughteris awake, please tell her to call her father immediately. Her mother is in the hospital after suffering a heart attack,” he snapped and then hung up abruptly.

“Ah hell!” I croaked and slapped my forehead with my palm, knowing I’d just fucked up royally.

Naomi stirred, her eyes opening drowsily. “Hey, baby, what’s got you lookin’ so pale? You feelin’ okay?” She pushed up to her waist, her gorgeous, rounded tits on full display.

I closed my eyes, hating that I had to give her such bad news after we had the best day yesterday.

“Nay, that was your dad on the phone.” I swallowed as her eyes widened.

“And you answered?” she responded with a nervous note in her tone.

“Uh, yeah. And I may have told him I was your fiancé,” I admitted, ripping the bandage off my major error so we could deal with the problem.

“Did he freak out?” She reached for the blanket and pulled it up over her chest. The protective need to cover herself made me feel even worse.

“Yeah, but, baby, that’s not the problem.” I tried to figure out the best way to give her such bad news.

She reached out and took my hand. “What is it? Did he yell at you? Let me guess, he ripped you a new one, huh? I’m sorry,Memphis, my father is a difficult man and so hard to please you wouldn’t believe…”

“Naomi!” I said her name, adding a serious edge to it. “Baby, forget about your dad. He called to say your mom had a heart attack and is in the hospital.”

Her eyes widened. “What? My mother?”

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