Page 27 of Auctioned Surrender

“Typical man, huh?” I chuckle inwardly at her sass. Not so much, but she’s sparked a strong desire to teach her just what kind of man I am. “I heard enough, something about nothing to wear. I sent out for some clothes last night. They should be here shortly, so there’s plenty of time to eat a little more,” I say, standing to plate her another small slice of the French toast.

Her eyes go wide. “Hmm, I’m impressed. It didn’t look like you were listening to a word I said,” she defends.

“I was half listening, just having a hard time concentrating on your mouth when everything else looks so delectable,” I say, earning me a widened mouth and an instant beautiful coloring of pink to her cheeks. She doesn’t say a word, just looks at me with those watchful green eyes of hers.

“If you’re waiting for me to apologize for being so forward, I can’t. It’s not every day someone as beautiful as you is sitting across the dining room table half-dressed. It’s incredibly hard to concentrate on anything else right now.”

Bryanna’s tongue comes out and runs along the seam of her lip, and damn if that’s not exactly what I want to do with my own. I watch as it skims her delicate moist flesh before disappearing between those supple lips. Her cheeks are still singed with embarrassment, and the color makes my cock turn hard. I think for a moment she’s not going to respond, but then that lovely little mouth parts.

“Thank you,” she says on a breath.

“You’re most welcome, Bryanna,” I say, just before the doorbell rings. “Finish your breakfast while it’s still warm, and I’ll see if those are your clothes.”

At the door, the delivery man hands me the package. I hastily sign for the contents, anxious to see if she likes my selection. When I enter the kitchen, she has her back to me and is cleaningup by the sink. She bends to place the dishes in the dishwasher, and the back of her t-shirt rises, and I catch the slight curve of her muscular bottom cheeks. Damn, she’s hot.

I clear my throat, letting her know I’ve returned, and lay her clothes on the now-cleared table, slitting through the tape with the slice end of my multi-tool. I pull the first plastic-covered sweater out of the box.

“It’s lovely, may I?” Bryanna says softly, coming to stand next to me.

Something about the way she asks my permission, and the softness of her tone calls to my dominant and protective side. “Of course, Doll. Open that while I get the rest of them out,” I say, pulling a couple more sweaters, two pairs of jeans, and three skirts out of the box, all wrapped in delicate tissue and protected with plastic.

“Oh, it’s so soft and luxurious. Damian, thank you. You didn’t need to go to such expense, but they are absolutely gorgeous,” Bryanna says, starting to unwrap the others as she speaks.

“I thought they may suit you,” I say, observing her expression as she watches me open another package. I hold up one of the lace-trimmed panties that I’ve selected for her, with matching bras.

Her breathing audibly changes, and the sound makes my dick twitch. Damn, she has the most extraordinary effect on me. Just the change in her breathing gets me hard.

“You bought me undergarments,” Bryanna says, fingering the delicate lace of the soft pink material.

“Well, most people are used to wearing them, and I wanted you to be comfortable for the next few days.” I didn’t lie. That is why I bought them, but the truth is that I would much rather put all the clothes back in the box and have her dressed only in her creamy, delectable skin for the next few days.

“They’re beautiful. I appreciate everything you did to get me home and make me comfortable. I’m so sorry I ran from you and didn’t trust you,” Bryanna says, looking up at me with those expressive deep green eyes.

I want to tell her it’s all over, that she doesn’t have a thing to worry about, but even though we have safeguarded her and her family, she and I both know we need to get to the man who wants her for his own, so I avoid it all together. “I had them pack a little overnight case with toiletries for you. Get ready for the day, and then we’ll give your mom a call, okay,” I say, wanting to distract her from her worry and unable to resist my finger reaching out to caress her cheek.

“Okay, Damian.”

The sound of my name on her lips is almost my undoing. I keep myself in check instead of grasping her to me and claiming those lips for my very own, but just barely. “Go, Bryanna.”

She gathers the items and takes them with her. I watch as her hips sway in my old t-shirt, and don’t take my eyes off her until she’s out of sight before letting out a breath of my own. Damn if she isn’t the most alluring woman I’ve ever met.

I check my phone and read a message from Matt letting me know intel has a lead on the man at the auction and that they’ll send over a dossier within a half hour. Better that I not read it and spoil my good mood until I’ve let her speak with her family. I send a note to Nate, who’s running security for her family at one of our safe houses, to give me another update on her mom.

They’re good. Playing puzzles and drinking cocoa.

Any word on her brother?

Her mother is a very good caregiver for her niece and nephew, unlike Bryanna’s no-good brother, who, from initial reports and my own research, has been very little part of the kids’ lives at all the last few years. Flitting in from time to time, he visits, gives them gifts, and then just as abruptly returns to drugging and running. They’re far better off without him, but the thought of two sweet kids growing up without a father figure is just plain sad.

Dame, you better give me a call.

I hit Cole’s number, and he answers on the first ring. “We’ve got trouble. Bryanna’s brother’s on his way home. He may not be the greatest dad in the world, but if his entire family has just suddenly disappeared, he’s bound to send red flags to the police.”

Chapter 20

Bryanna

I finger the lace of the pale pink panties before sliding them on. Just the thought that Damian picked them out for me does something absolutely delicious to my insides. I can’t help but smile at the memory of his comments. Maybe he flirts with all the women, but a part of me really wants to believe that he’s as attracted to me as I am to him.

---