Page 42 of A Christmas Auction

“Are you offering me something different?” I looked at him with all the hope and love filling my heart. All he had to do was reach for it and take hold and never let go.

“I-I told you I’d give you the money.” Fire laced through my gut and must have shown on my face because he instantly corrected his statement. “I meantloanyou the money.”

I closed my eyes and shook my head. He didn’t get it and he never would. “It’s not about the money anymore, Bruno. And the fact that you think it is, is the real problem. I’ll find a way to make my dreams come true if the auction thing is no longer on the table. I’m a strong, independent, intelligent woman. I’m fully capable of pivoting and changing direction. What I’m not capable of is being in a physical relationship with you, without more.”

“What more do you want?” he pleaded, his voice strained.

“Strings. Attachment. Arealrelationship. One filled with love, support, and commitment.”

“I don’t even know what that means or what something like that would look like,” he admitted, his shoulders falling in defeat. “It’s not in my nature…”

I gave him a weak smile. “And that’s why this thing between us needs to end here.” I patted his chest and looked deeply into his eyes. “I love you, Bruno. You deserve happiness. True happiness. I hope you find it someday.”

And with tears in my eyes, I left him standing there as I approached Jade, Alana’s assistant. “I believe Alana wants to see me,” I swallowed down the heartache, lifted my chin, and reset my intention.

“Right this way,” Jade stood and gestured to the set of double doors down the hall.

I glanced over my shoulder to find Bruno still there, his tortured gaze on me. “Goodbye, Bruno.” I said and then followed Jade.

* * * *

“First and foremost,chérie, are you okay?” Alana winced as she looked at the black, blue, and green, bruise on my forehead. Most of the swelling had gone down but it did look pretty ugly.

I moved to touch it, then remembered how tender it was. “I’ll be fine. I’m not going to lie; it was pretty scary. I can’t imagine how anyone could live like that day after day. Did um, Colin have anything to share about it?”

“He did.” Alana said without a hint of what was said between them.

“I see. Does this mean I’m out of the auction?” Guilt and shame ate at my insides and my palms became clammy, ready for Alana to bring down the gauntlet.

Alana put her elbows to her desk, interlaced her fingers, and rested her chin on top of them. I waited for the bomb to drop.

“Why would you think I’m removing you from the auction? Does this have to do with Mr. Castellanos being fired? His egregious error in protecting you doesn’t reflect on your status within my company.”

“I’m sorry…” my mouth fell open in shock. “Did Colin speak with you? About what happened?”

“Of course,chérie. He did so when he pulled himself out of the bidding pool. Claimed his lifestyle was too dangerous for one of my candidates. He said he needed someone who knew the business and pitfalls of being with a celebrity. I’m going to have another meeting with him in the coming weeks to suggest a private auction and ensure that I will line up clients that are aware of the pros and cons of marrying a man of his caliber and fame.”

He didn’t say anything about finding Bruno and me together in a compromising position.

“Colin is a saint,” I gasped.

“Aw, that’s sweet, darling. Are you disappointed he won’t be bidding on you?” Her tone was concerned and completely unnecessary.

I shook my head. “Um, no. I’m just glad I’m still in the running.”

Alana smiled. “Me too. I wanted to see you today to not only make sure you were truly okay, but to tell you that I’ve terminated our contract with Mr. Castellanos’ firm. You will have a new bodyguard assigned for your next set of dates. If you are amenable, we’ll start them back-to-back for the next couple weeks. I didn’t want to say before, but many of my bidders chose you for a date prior to the auction.”

“Wow,” my heart sank while thoughts of Bruno twisted in my gut painfully. “That’s…great. When can we start?” I sighed and plastered on my fakest smile.

“Tomorrow evening. Rest tonight and meet me in the lobby bar tomorrow at six p.m. I’ll introduce you to your next bidder. If you need help covering that bruise, I can have our glam team see you at five.”

I nodded. “Thank you, Alana. I won’t let you down.”

What I really wanted to say was, I won’t let me down.

Now if my heart and my brain could work together, all would be well.

Chapter 15

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