I rolled my eyes. “Ugh! You were doing so well! Now we’re back to square one!”
 
 He laughed and I wanted to leave more than ever. I wanted to leave with Owen. Let him do things to me. Break my out of this funk I had been in. We could get out of here and get drinks like normal people, without auctions and shady nightclubs…
 
 But I had to stay on target. For Declan.
 
 And that was exactly what I was going to do. No matter how sexy Owen was, this wasn’t the place to think about myself. Unless…
 
 “The better question is – what are you doing in this dump? You don’t look like these other guys.”
 
 “Oh, I’m just meeting an old friend. Well, not a friend, really. Just someone I know.”
 
 Yup, there you go, mystery solved, I thought. He’s here on business.
 
 “Well I ne
 
 ed more than that,” I said, putting my glass on the bar.
 
 He looked at me, then said, with a smile, “It’s someone I have a proposition for.”
 
 “Ooh. And what kind of proposition would that be?” I picked the glass back up.
 
 “Something that would help me in the long run, but right now I would rather be talking to you.”
 
 Oh shit. I couldn’t breathe. I just wanted him, and now.
 
 “Do you like it here?” I asked as I felt a blush creeping up my skin.
 
 “Not really. It’s a little overwhelming.”
 
 “Yeah. Then why are you still here?” I had to figure out if he was going to be participating in the auction or not.
 
 “Do you want me to stay?” he said.
 
 Yes. But I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
 
 He grinned. I took notice of his lips, pink and full. I thought he was probably amazing in bed. I wanted to test that theory.
 
 But then I saw Isabell across the room, waving at me, calling me to come over. She was heading for the curtained-off area where we had first met. I saw Ava and other girls were already there.
 
 This was the worst time. What if I didn’t go? Maybe I could just stay with Owen and maybe even leave with him?
 
 But I was only biding my time. I was on a mission.
 
 “Is everything okay? You look distracted.”
 
 “Yeah, um, it’s just that my friend is taking her time at the restroom. I’m worried she might be in trouble. I better go check.”
 
 He was immediately concerned. His posture changed. He was ready to spring into action. “Do you want me to come with you? I know most of these guys, if they’re out of line, I can take care of them.”
 
 I was impressed, but couldn’t say yes as much as I wanted to.
 
 “No, thanks. I’ll be fine. Can you wait here?”
 
 “If you’re sure. I hope your friend is okay.”
 
 I smiled and hopped off the stool and headed towards the crowd of girls, ready to tell Ava and Isabell that I’d changed my mind.
 
 Owen was my new goal.