Valentine’s Billionaire Auction

Chapter 38

38

ROMAN

T he week had been nothing short of extraordinary. Every moment with Kaira felt like discovering a part of myself I hadn’t known was missing. Whether we were making dinner together, stealing kisses in the hallways, or just sitting quietly in the library while she worked on her manuscript, everything felt right.

I had never felt so comfortable in someone else’s presence. Sometimes, I would be working in my study and she would come in and sit in the corner working on her book. We didn’t talk. We didn’t have to. It was enough just to be in the same orbit.

I often found myself wondering how I ever managed before she came into my life. It sounded so cheesy, but I really did feel like she completed me. I never realized how empty my life was before she accidentally bid on me at that auction.

If I would have known how good life could have been with a significant other, I would have done it much sooner. Although I didn’t think anyone else in my usual circles would have fit the role quite like her. Kaira was different. Humble. She wasn’t impressed by the same things as the women I typically dated.

Maybe it was her authenticity that drew me in. She could see beyond the bullshit I wore like a shield, the wealth, and the prickly exterior I put up to keep people out. She challenged me, pushed me to be better, to think deeper. It wasn’t just affection—it was a partnership.

I found myself spacing out, staring out the window. It was sunny. LA was pretty much through winter. I was looking forward to spring and then summer. Usually, that kind of thing wasn’t a big deal to me, but Kaira had me looking forward to a lot of things.

Like Valentine’s Day. It was only a couple days away, and for once, I was looking forward to it. I had big plans. Bigger than anything I’d ever attempted before. But before I could fully commit, I needed to clear my head and ensure this wasn’t some reckless impulse.

That was why I decided to run it past the board.

I checked the time. I still had an hour before the meeting started.

Thinking about Valentine’s and my birthday gave me an idea. I did a quick Google search for lingerie. Now that I knew my sweet, innocent little Kaira had a bit of a seductress side, I wanted to feed that side of her. I was hoping to get her wrapped in bows once again. I scanned the many, many options.

Finding the right lingerie took longer than I anticipated. Everything either seemed too extravagant or not quite right. I was looking at the lingerie and not the bodies or the faces of the models. I could picture her in each one. It was important to me that whatever I chose felt like Kaira—elegant, simple, with just a hint of daring. Finally, I stumbled upon a set that looked perfect: delicate lace in a soft shade of blush that I knew would look stunning against her skin. I smiled to myself, imagining her reaction, and quickly placed the order.

Once that was settled, my thoughts drifted back to the upcoming board meeting. The plan I had in mind was bold, something that could change everything.

The meeting room buzzed with low murmurs as I entered. They looked up, and as usual, the room fell silent. My team knew me well enough to recognize when I had something serious to discuss.

“Gentlemen and ladies,” I started, taking my seat at the head of the table. “I need your input on a personal matter.”

That got their attention. Personal matters weren’t my forte—at least, not ones I brought into work.

“Personal?” one of them asked, eyebrows raised. “This is new.”

I leaned forward, interlocking my fingers. “You all know about the arrangement I had with Kaira.”

The room shifted uncomfortably. Of course, they knew. They’d helped orchestrate it to salvage my public image.

“Had?” one asked with concern.

“Have,” I corrected. “Things have changed.”

I saw the expressions. Disappointment. Resignation. This was exactly what they had expected of me. They were waiting for me to fuck this thing up.

“Changed how?” one asked with frustration.

I exhaled, glancing at the table for a beat before meeting their curious gazes. “I’ve developed feelings for her. Strong ones.”

There was a moment of silence, and then a few snorts.

“You’re joking,” one said in a dismissive tone.

But I wasn’t.

There was a round of groans and a bit of laughter.

When I didn’t join in the laughter, the room grew quiet again.

“You’re serious?”

“I am,” I replied firmly. “And I think I want to propose to her. For real.”

That set off a chain reaction of disbelief. Murmurs turned to outright protests, questions flying at me like arrows.

“Roman, have you thought this through?”

“What if she’s playing the long game?”

“She could expose everything.”

“You have no idea if her feelings are real.”

My jaw clenched. I held up a hand, silencing the room. This wasn’t exactly the response I was expecting. I thought they might be happy for me.

“Enough,” I said, my tone commanding. “I know this sounds insane. I know it’s a risk. But this isn’t something I’m taking lightly. Kaira has been nothing but honest with me. If anything, she was the one hesitant to let things progress beyond the terms of our agreement.”

Julia folded her arms, leaning back in her chair. “But how can you be sure? Feelings can cloud judgment, Roman. We’re not saying this to discourage you—we’re saying this because it’s our job to look out for you and the company. You have always been very reluctant to get involved with anyone because you know you’re a target. Your wealth and name alone draw a certain degree of attention.”

“I appreciate that,” I said. “But this isn’t just about business. This is about my life.”

“Your life and the company are tied together,” someone pointed out. “If this goes south, it won’t just be you who suffers.”

His words sparked a flicker of doubt in me, a whisper of fear that perhaps I was being reckless. What if they were right? What if Kaira was just playing her role perfectly, a skilled actress who’d fooled even me? I knew her financial situation. She had been writing and I knew that was what she wanted to do, but until she got a publishing deal, she would have to work. If she was working, she wasn’t going to have the same time to dedicate to the book.

Was she using me? If I fell for her, she would be financially set for life. She could do whatever she wanted. I knew money made people do some crazy things. The idea of Kaira using me for money was a hard pill to swallow.

But then I remembered her laughter. The way she’d lean into me when she thought no one was looking. The way her eyes lit up when she talked about her book or teased me about being an asshole with a heart of gold. The way I would catch her looking at me sometimes. There was no malice or nefarious intention in those looks.

“She’s not using me,” I said, my voice resolute. “Kaira agreed to this arrangement as a favor to me. She didn’t come to me for money or fame. Hell, I had to convince her to stay when things got messy early on.”

Julia studied me for a long moment. “You really believe this is real?”

“I know it’s real,” I said. “She’s not someone who plays games. And honestly? I don’t want to be the man who lets doubt ruin something good. I’ve been that guy before, and I won’t do it again.”

The room fell silent, my conviction hanging in the air.

“You know the risks,” Julia finally said. “If you’re sure, then we’ll back you. But don’t go into this blind.”

“I’m not,” I assured her. “I know exactly what I’m doing.”

That wasn’t entirely true. I had no clue what I was doing but I was hoping my heart and instincts weren’t going to lead me astray.

My revelation of my true feelings for Kaira left the room in a state of disbelief. More questions were lobbed at me. But through it all, I stood firm in my belief our relationship was very real and genuine. The Roman of three months ago would have faltered at the mere whisper of scrutiny.

The meeting dragged on, each argument met with an unwavering resolve. I had made up my mind, and nothing they said could sway me.

“That’s all I have,” I said and got to my feet. “I’ll let you know if anything changes.”

Back in my office, I leaned back in my chair and turned to the window. The conversation had left a lingering edge of uncertainty, but I wasn’t going to let it derail me. I was not going to let my own self-doubt sabotage this thing with Kaira.

This was real.

Kaira wasn’t using me. She wasn’t pretending. If anything, she’d been the one keeping me grounded through all of this. She’d seen sides of me no one else had and still stayed. And when I pushed, she didn’t just go along with it—she set boundaries, reminding me that this wasn’t supposed to be complicated.

I thought about the way she made my house feel like a home again. The way she made me believe in things I’d given up on long ago—family, connection, love. I wanted to be the guy in her corner, cheering her on and encouraging her to finish her book. I hoped I could help her write another one. I wanted to use my connections to get her book in front of agents and publishers. I wanted to build her up. Help her dreams come true.

She had redefined my vision for the future. I found myself actually thinking about things like fatherhood. Me. A dad. The thought would have scared the shit out of me before. But not now. I knew Kaira would be a damn good mom. I didn’t have any illusions I would be a good father, but I trusted her to guide me down the parenting road if things went that way.

Holy shit. What had this girl done to me?

Tonight, I was going to surprise her with a dozen of her favorite raspberry macarons. I knew she was probably deep into her writing. She was always doing stuff for me. Little things like leaving handwritten notes in my coat pockets or brewing fresh coffee just the way I liked it before I even mentioned I needed a caffeine boost. Small gestures that told me more about her feelings for me than grand declarations could ever manage.

This was a real relationship. It couldn’t be all me taking from her. I needed to give and not in a monetary sense. I had to give of myself.