Page 114 of And Then Came You

A knock at the door startles us both, bringing us from our lust-infused haze.

“You expecting company?” I quirk a brow at him, but Sam laughs, shaking his head.

Popping out of the tub, I throw on a robe and pad to the door. Cracking open the door, I smile.

Room service. The man really has thought of everything.

“Good evening, I have room service for Mr. Bernard.”

“Right over here is fine.” I point to a dining area. “Thank you.”

The woman hesitates, and I rush to grab a tip, pressing it into her hands. “Sorry about that. My mind is occupied.”

The woman, Gail, according to her name tag, sends me an engaging smirk. “Totally understandable. I’d be more focused on Samuel Bernard, too.”

I grin, but feel an uncomfortable undercurrent pass through my body. Likely being paranoid. “Sam and I are very good friends. Have been for a while.”

She leans in, giving me a gentle nudge. “Looks like you’re more than that, judging by the…” Gail motions to my neck and I glimpse myself in the mirror.

Fabulous. Perhaps I can claim an argument with a vacuum?

“Your secret is safe with me. I’m not the gossip type. Besides, for fifteen grand, I think you’ve earned some playtime. No offense, of course.”

I bristle at her insinuation, especially since she doesn’t know me or my relationship with Sam. All she knows is what she sees—a woman who paid fifteen grand and is now the recipient of sex from the infamous supermodel.

My glow is gone, replaced by a thumping headache as I realize how bad this looks.

For both of us.

“I would appreciate your discretion. Outsiders don’t know the full story. I paid that money to keep him from being bought by a harpy.” A harpy intent on screwing him, likely in a similar fashion to what I just did.

“I heard about her, as well. I look at it this way. We work hard, and we damn well deserve to enjoy ourselves, too. Besides, he obviously had this in mind. Hell, he arranged all this days ago.”

A cold sweat breaks out over my skin. “What do you mean?”

Gail hands me the order, dated three days prior. “All the decorations, the set-up, the food. He ordered them days ago. So, don’t you dare feel bad. He planned to pamper the winner in this manner, and there are certainly worse ways to go. I’m just a bit jealous. Okay, I’m very jealous.”

But I’m in no mood to gloat. Instead, the sinking feeling in my stomach grows ever larger, weighing down any remaining happiness as my brain attempts to process what Gail told me.

Sam set this plan in motion days before the auction, on the scheduled day of the auction winner’s date. He ordered it before I laid down fifteen grand to claim him. Here I thought I was special, that all this was meant for me.

He meant it for whoever won him.

I swallow back my nausea, trying desperately to save face. It’s a lost cause. But, despite the ache in my heart and the blow to my ego, I won’t throw my friend to the wolves. I paid for a date, and he delivered.

What did I expect? A fairytale ending? That’s not how life works. At least, that’s notmylife works.

“He’s a wonderful man. Most don’t realize how smart and kind he is.” I don’t meet Gail’s gaze, and she seems to pick up on the change in mood, as she shifts her weight uncomfortably.

“I’m sure he is, and I meant no disrespect.”

Oh, hell. She thinks I plan to report her. It’s hardly her fault that I read into a situation what wasn’t there.

“None taken. Have a good evening.”

“One other thing. I have a message for Mr. Bernard. Shall I leave it here?”

I manage a nod, even forcing a smile as she closes the door behind her. Staring at the folded piece of paper, I contemplate not reading it. It’s wrong to read other peoples’ messages. I know this.

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