Page 15 of A Christmas Auction

“Fucking hell,” I grumbled under my breath. I hated the idea that a woman like Holly was going to be a part of this.

“What was that Mr. Castellanos? I didn’t quite hear you.” Alana had cocked one eyebrow as her gaze narrowed with the question.

“Lead the way. I’ll just be keeping an eye on my girl.”

Alana canted her head to the side as I realized what I’d just said.

“I mean,your…candidate.”

“That is what I thought you said. Come, Holly. A man like Colin Omstead will be a perfect pairing. Two turtledoves finding one another,” she cooed.

On that note, I clenched my teeth and followed the two women, hating every last second of watching Holly prepare to be wooed by another man.

I needed a fucking drink.

Chapter 6

A Christmas Affair

HOLLY

The hairstylist just finished giving me a fresh haircut, blowout, and style. My hair had never looked shiner or healthier.

“Wow, you are an artist,” I gushed while fluffing my hair on either side. I glanced at the grumpy brooding man sitting not ten feet away.

“I know,” Henrietta agreed with zero humility and a saucy purse of her lips.

Henrietta was a stunning trans woman who confided that she used to go by the name Henry, after I mentioned I’d never met a Henrietta before. Apparently, her momma was none too happy that there would be a name change along with her child’s transition. And not because she had a problem with her child’s choice to identify as a woman. That actually did not factor in her mother’s reaction at all. It had everything to do with the fact that Henrietta’s grandfather was named Henry, and mom wanted to keep the name in the family. Together, they came up with Henrietta, because it was closest to the grandfather’s name, and it also felt more genuine to Henrietta in her transition. I found this all incredibly sweet and hilarious, because when she told the story, she acted each person out with hand movements and gestures to boot—a one-person stage show.

She played with my hair and smiled wide. “Alana scooped me up and added me to her glam team when I filled in for one of her regulars. It’s been true love and beauty between us ever since.Right, Big A?” she hollered loud enough for Alana to hear where she stood across the room going through a rack of extraordinary designer dresses.

“Of course,ma petite fleur. When I see a unique talent such as yours, I must have it for my team,” Alana confirmed without taking her eyes off the clothing. “This ismagnifique!” Alana gasped. “Holly, what do you think?”

I turned my head, and my mouth dropped open. It was my favorite color, forest green and made entirely out of beads and sequins. The dress had spaghetti straps and a heart-shaped neckline that would make my girls look fabulous. The top was interspersed with beads, sequins, and illusion mesh, making it ultra-sexy. The bottom was draped with fabric sequins all the way to the floor that came together at the hip where a daring slit pulled away.

It was phenomenal.

“Holy shit, Alana,” I breathed then popped out of the stylist chair and dashed to her side. I touched and petted the dress as though it were a living breathing thing. And after I saw the $10,000 price tag, I was sure I’d have to feed and water the damn thing before touching it again.

“She can’t wear that,” Bruno announced at the same time I said, “I can’t wear that.”

Alana looked at Bruno with daggers in her gaze before it softened when she addressed me. “Do you not like it,chérie?”

I shook my head repeatedly. “No, I do.” I reached out but thought better of it and dropped my hand to my side. I’d never owned anything that expensive outside of my car and even that was a hand-me-down my dad gave me when they upgraded one of their cars several years ago. “I mean, it’s beautiful, but far too expensive.”

“Not to mention completelyinappropriatefor a first date,” Bruno grumbled.

I spun around and braced my hands to my hips and glared at the man. “Is this how you’re going to be all the time? Opinionated and combative? Because if you are, I have no problem requesting a new guard like that other candidate did. Just because you saved my life doesn’t mean you get to dictate how I live it.”

Bruno’s jaw flexed and his lips twisted into a snarl. “Duly noted. I apologize. I just meant that it’s rather revealing and—”

“Pssshttt!” I snorted. “Revealing is the point, is it not, Alana? The bidders need a sample of the merchandise. I know I would want to see the goods before I paid millions for something.”

Alana smiled. “I’m glad you feel that way, Holly, because as a reminder, at the auction, we have a lingerie portion where you will be wearing very little.”

“Makes sense,” I said at the same time Bruno said, “The fuck you are!”

Once again, I rounded on Bruno, but this time I stomped over to him and stood toe-to-toe. He was a solid six inches taller than my five feet eight inches, but that didn’t deter me in the least. Fire raced down my spine as my frustration boiled over.

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