Page 39 of A Christmas Auction

“Our phones are going off,” I groaned as she moved so that I could reach mine.

The display screen showed it was Alana calling.

“Fuck,” I let out a sharp breath and hit the answer button. “Hello?”

Holly shimmied out of my hold and crawled to her phone. Before she could reach it, a knock pounded on the door.

“Mr. Castellanos, it is Alana Toussaint,” my caller announced.

“Yeah, Alana, I know who it is,” I shucked off the covers and walked toward the door as Holly answered her phone. I glanced at the clock. “It’s seven in the morning. Why are you calling so early?”

“Mom? What? No…I’m okay. Yeah, I’m fine. You saw what on TV?” she murmured as I made my way sleepily to the door and to the nonstop knocking.

“Care to explain to me why I’m watching my candidate be manhandled and bludgeoned on national television?” Alana’s clipped tone revealed her fury.

“I’m sorry, what are you talking about?” I frowned and blinked a few times, trying to dispel the sleep still clinging to my consciousness.

“Are you going to tell me Holly and Colin weren’t attacked on the red-carpet last night? Because I assure you, the millions of photographs and videos that are all over the news, the internet, and social media, paint a pretty damning picture.”

The pounding at the door continued. “Hold on a moment. Someone’s at the door.”

“Mr. Castellanos, I want some answers,” Alana demanded as I opened the door.

Colin stopped mid-knock, his gaze traveling down my unclothed form and messy bedhead. I smiled like the cat that ate up all the cream.

“I’m sorry, I thought this was Holly’s room. I apologize for disturbing you,” he rushed to course correct.

“No, she’s here.” I let the door go and walked away, letting Colin choose to come in or not. He followed me in.

Holly was pacing the floor in front of the bed, wearing nothing but my dress shirt.

“Mom, I swear to God, I am fine. I’ll be home today. Yes, we can meet for dinner. No, I already went to the doctor’s. Yes, I was seen by a real doctor. I didn’t call you because I knew you’d overreact…”

“Holly, you have company,” I announced like the asshole I was.

Colin stopped in the middle of the small living space and stared at Holly. I was not prepared for how crestfallen his expression would be when he saw the two of us, neither wearing appropriate clothing.

“I came to check on you…” he pointed at her and then at me. “Obviously you’ve been taken great care of. I’ll just go.”

“Colin,” she reached out her hand, “No. Please. I can explain.”

“Why you just crawled out of bed with your bodyguard? Save it.” He bit out angrily.

“Mom, I have to go,” Holly said as Alana’s voice rose in my ear.

“Are you listening? You. Are. Fired. Mr. Castellanos. Escort Holly home and I’ll pay you for your services to date, but our contract moving forward is terminated.” Alana snapped.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. You’re firing me?” I scoffed.

“Oui!We’ll discuss more in person,” Alana stated flatly and then hung up.

“I can’t believe she fired me,” I chuckled. I’d never been fired from any job in my life.

“She’s firing you!” Holly cried.

“I’m outta here,” Colin said, shaking his head.

“No!” Holly chased after him, gripping his wrist while still holding onto her phone. “This isn’t what it seems. I didn’t sleep with him. Well, I mean, I did sleep with him, but only tosleep!” she attempted to placate the actor, while I did my best not to laugh. This whole scenario was right out of a comedy movie.

---