Page 7 of Highest Bidder

She’d better hope she’s grabbed everything she needs. Because she’s not coming back.

I fly from the apartment and take the stairs fast enough that my feet blur. She’s not going to manage the fire escape quickly in those heels she’s wearing, so I have that working in my favor. By the time I burst out from the door leading to the lot, she’s barely reached the bottom of the ladder.

Fuck me, she’s like something out of a wet dream, climbing that ladder in a short dress and stilettos, those legs of hers on display. Almost enough to make me forget I have a job to do.

Our eyes locked and her mouth falls open. “Okay, wait a second—” I cut her off before she can offer any bullshit excuses, wrapping an arm around her waist and carrying her to the car.

“This is the way you want it?” I ask, putting her down to open the car door. “So be it.”

“Let go of me, damn it. I’ll go along with you.” When she tries to wiggle free, I hold her in place with my body, tossing her bags inside.

And then it’s just the two of us, with me pressing her up against the car door. With her firm, lush body fitted against mine. Tits heaving, cheeks flushed, glossy lips parted for her heavy breathing.

Her blue eyes dart over my face. “Tell me the truth,” she breathes. “Why did you bid on me tonight?”

“It was my job. What, did you think I would let some random guy fuck you tonight?”

Her mouth curves in a devilish smile. “Are you sure there isn’t a tiny part of you that wants to claim what’s yours?”

In every way possible, for as long as possible, until she begs me to stop because she doesn’t believe her body can handle any more pleasure. Those lips of hers draw me in, promising sweetness. Heat. The way I could make her moan and writhe underneath me—she has no idea who she’s fucking with.

Except she very much does, which is the only thing that keeps me from claiming her mouth along with the rest of her body, right here in this poorly lit parking lot. “Do you wish I would?” I murmur, leaning in until our mouths nearly touch. Her tiny gasp eggs me on, leaves me running a hand up her side. She shivers, and now her pulse is slamming in her throat, clearly visible.

“Keep wishing, Princess,” I murmur, grinning, before opening the door and practically shoving her into the car. “Next time you want to lure me into getting myself killed, try to at least be a little less obvious about it.” Because we both know the truth. If I fuck her, I might as well kiss my life goodbye. The boss might rely on me, trust me, even respect me. But he’s still my boss, and she’s still his precious, untouchable daughter. And I’m still nobody.

There better not be any traffic on the way. I’m not sure how strong I can be.

Chapter Five – Olivia

I can’t believe it. After everything I went through, I’m going home. Stupid tears keep threatening to run down my cheeks, but I fight them back. I’m not going to give him the satisfaction.

“You realize you have it better than a lot of people, don’t you?”

This smug, arrogant prick. I keep my face turned away from him—I have to, or else I’ll risk him seeing how this is getting to me. “Your father would give you anything you want.”

“Except my freedom. I’ll never have that.”

“Were you free back there? Was that a happy time for you? You didn’t seem so happy when you stepped up on that platform. You were scared. And you had every reason to be.”

“But you swooped in and saved the day.”

“You’re welcome, by the way.”

“I don’t remember thanking you.”

“No. Why would you want to do that?”

I sneak a glance at him when he’s busy changing lanes. This is one of the few times we’ve ever been alone, in close proximity. It’s one thing to be in the same room as a person, but in this car, there’s no chance of being interrupted. And there’s hardly any space between us.

God, he’s overwhelming. I forgot how much.

How many times have I imagined him swooping in and saving me? That’s the craziest part of all of this. I’ve had this exact fantasy, only then everything happened on my terms. He didn’t make me go home. He let me have my freedom, my pride. Sometimes, he would even decide to leave my family behind in favor of being with me, only with me.

I guess all the time I spent away from him softened my memory. There was never a chance of any of that happening. Not with him being Dad’s little lapdog. And it doesn’t help that he can’t stand me—that much is obvious.

“What the fuck?” He holds up a hand like he’s trying to block the rearview mirror, and I can see why. There’s a pair of obnoxiously bright headlights directly behind us. “Go the fuck around me, dickhead.” True, the road is pretty empty. There’s no reason for somebody to ride our ass.

Understanding hits me a split second before the car hits us. “You motherfucker!” Beckett snarls, fighting to stay on the road. I don’t scream—inside, I’m shrieking, but I don’t let it out. I’ve had a lot of practice.

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