Page 14 of A Christmas Auction

I inhaled deeply and let it out slowly, desperately trying to calm my own frayed nerves.

“Whatever. It’s your life,” I snapped through clenched teeth.

“You’re damn right it is. And I don’t need you or anyone else telling me what to do. I have parents who love to do that already.” She nodded as though she’d given me some kind of what-for. It was cute that this precious woman thought this conversation was over. I just needed more time to change her mind and help her find another way.

But why the fuck did I even care?

“Well, now that we’ve got all of that out of the way,” Alana interrupted, “I brought Holly in to explain to you both that you will be working together for the duration of this auction. Apparently, you’ve been rather forthright with your feelings on the marriage auction with the other candidate you guarded this week.” Her gaze turned into a glare. “Lisa no longer wants you as her guard. She feels as though you are a deterrent to her finding her best match.”

“A deterrent? That last guy would have had his hands all over her if I hadn’t pushed him away.”

“According to Lisa, and my bidder, you bent back his pinky finger, almost breaking it, when he tried to guide her into the limo after their dinner.”

“Pfft. This is unbelievable. He’s lying. I purposely sprained the man’s pinky finger when he went to grab her ass, without her consent I might add, after repeatedly telling her he couldn’t wait to bid on her, so he could fuck her into next week.”

Alana’s eyes widened for a brief second. “My apologies. I shall instead thank you for intervening. However, you could have reminded the bidder that touching intimately is off limits. You didn’t need to resort to violence.”

“Spraining his finger is not violence,” I deadpanned. “The atrocity that Holly experienced last week was violence. Me beating his face to a bloody pulp like I wanted to, like I did do to one of the Baskin brothers, would be considered violent.”

“Be that as it may, Mr. Castellanos, I’d like to see you refrain from your baser instincts when possible. Use your words, not your fists, unless you believe the situation is dire.”

“Now you’re telling me how to do my job?” I grinned then allowed myself a full-throated laugh.

“I’m paying you handsomely to guard my candidates, not to threaten or maim my bidders.” She cocked a saucy black eyebrow.

“Well, if your bidders had better manners, perhaps we wouldn’t be having this discussion in the first place.”

Alana pursed her lips. “Touché. I will have my protégé, Jade, send out a reminder to all candidates and bidders about what type of conduct is appropriate for our dates prior to the auction. Usually, we just have the auction with no prior contact. This is new territory for me, and we are learning as we go. Iappreciate your candor and will take your feedback to heart. Is that acceptable?”

Damn, the woman was good. Within a short conversation she’s already dampened my anger with her annoyingly reasonable response.

“Yes,” I grated.

“Excellent.” She smiled. “Let’s continue.” She swiped her fingers over an electronic tablet. “Holly’s first date is with Colin Omstead—”

“The actor!” Holly gasped. “Colin Omstead, the guy that played inDrifter 1, 2,and3!” she half-screeched. “Oh my god! Are you shitting me?”

“I do not understand this American colloquialismshitting me,chérie, but my guess is you are asking if I am being truthful?” Alana queried.

“Um, yeah. Am I really going to go on a date with stud muffin Colin Omstead?” She started to dance in her chair like a tween about to meet her favorite Hollywood crush.

Alana smiled wide. “I see you like the idea of this pairing.”

“Hell yeah, I do! Sign me up! Not in a million years did I believe I’d be going on a date with one of the hottest action flick actors of all time. You should have led with that when pitching the idea of the auction, and I would have agreed the same night you made the offer.”

“Duly noted for future negotiations,” Alana preened. “I am elated you are excited. The date is slated for tomorrow evening. We will have you go through the entire makeover and clothing fitting today and tomorrow morning, if that is agreeable.”

“You’re going to give me a makeover too? And I don’t have to pay for it?” She pulled on her gorgeous locks, twirling a chunk around her finger absently.

I couldn’t help staring at her. Holly Knight was uniquely beautiful, but it was her mannerisms that I enjoyed watchingmost. The woman didn’t pretend or play games. She reacted and responded naturally and with gusto, whereas the other candidates I met were more shy, quiet, and seemed content to observe, rather than participate. It was refreshing to meet a woman who was herself so openly.

Alana smiled and noted something on her device. “Everything is set. If you’ll follow me, Holly, I’ll take you to meet your glam team.”

“I have a glam team?” she breathed, clearly awed.

I rolled my eyes and clamped my mouth shut.

“Only the best for my candidates and bidders as promised. Now, let’s see if we can pick out an outfit that will have Mr. Omstead drooling to bid on you.”

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