Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
I left work the day of the auction wondering if the fluttering in my stomach would lift me off the ground. All he wants is sex—stop turning it into a romance.
Even if it was a blip out of my grim reality, I couldn’t seem to keep my mouth from curling up. I would see him. Whether or not I’d bid on him, I’d decide later.
“Nice dress,” Maria said when I entered her apartment at quarter to six, my heels clicking on the floor. “Off the shoulder is so cute.”
“Thanks.” I smoothed down the tight, split skirt maxi. My black long-sleeved dress, with a cut-out middle and crisscross bodice, wasn’t anything expensive. With silver heels and a sparkly clutch, it passed for semi-formal—and was a bit flirty.
“That’s a gorgeous emerald green,” I said.
She spun around, and her ruffled mini dress flared out up to hip level—but she had on pantyhose. And really cute boots. “Let’s go objectify some men for charity.”
Maria drove us out to the big retirement village on the edge of town, surrounded by gardens and centered around a massive main building. We followed the glittering signs to the entry of the ballroom, decked out with an enormous balloon arch.
“Wow,” Maria said. “This is special.”
The ballroom was decorated with miles of tulle, massive bouquets of flowers and fruit, feathers—tons of sparkle everywhere you looked. I turned in a slow circle. “It really is.”
We spotted Raven, in a glittering black gown, directing preparations by the stage. She glanced up, and we waved. After a word with the woman testing a raffle machine, Raven strode over.
“You two are about the cutest things in here,” she said, grinning at us. “At least one of you is going to win—or there is something seriously out of whack with the universe. I’m going a mile a minute. Come over here—I’ve saved the best table for you and our friends.”
“When do we get to ogle the men?” Maria asked.
“They’re over there drinking up courage. Not all are here yet—late for their own auction, can you believe it?”
She waved before we could answer and dashed off. Peppy pop music played on the speakers as Maria and I made our way over to the bar—she insisted on buying me a drink.
As our friends showed up and Raven took to the stage to start the event, Dominic still wasn’t there. I slipped into the hall to check my phone.
Dominic
Ophelia had a difficult treatment today. I’m late but I’ll be there. Have your bidding paddle ready.
I used the bathroom and freshened my makeup. He was so late, he’d be missing the auction before long. I tried to smile at myself in the mirror and flinched. Don’t force it . My light brown hair curved around my shoulders and down my back prettily enough, but my face was hollow-cheeked and too solemn.
Staring at the ground, I stepped into the hall outside the ballroom. It was wrong to bet on Dominic. I already had a broken heart.
“Kelsey.”
My head snapped up. Dominic was ten feet in front of me, a barely there smile on his face. I stopped, gaping at him.
He strode forward, crossing the distance between us. His eyes ran over me, and my skin tingled to life. I wanted to touch the crisp tuxedo covering his chest. You’re too simple for what he wants.
“You’re stunning,” he said.
My eyebrows rose. “You’re the one in a designer tux.”
He stopped inches away from me and shrugged. “Seemed appropriate.”
I inhaled his woodsy cologne. “How’s your aunt?”
His eyes seemed to stare into me. “Grumpy. But glad I’m here.”
“I hope she feels better soon.”
His hand rose, and the back of his fingers brushed my arm. I shivered. His mouth quirked up into a crooked smile. “I thought of another reason you should bet on me.” He took my hand, holding it loosely in his.
“Oh?” My heart was trying to fly out of my chest.
“So your ex knows he’ll have me to deal with.”
“What?”
He couldn’t mean it.
“I don’t like men who bully women.” His other hand touched an end of my hair.
Blowing out a breath, I tried not to lean into him. “I can’t think when I look at you.”
“What is there to think about? It’s only a date.”
I shook my head. “I’m not like you.”
He put an arm around my waist, and I stumbled into his hug, which plastered our fronts together. “I’ll be nice.”
My chest froze, and I stopped breathing. He huffed a little, his hand light on my back.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, pulling back. What are you apologizing for?
He held me close for another moment.
“We’d better head in. They’re about to start.”
He sighed. “Please don’t make me spend an evening with a stranger.”
I pressed my lips together, grasping my clutch close to my side. “I’ll…think about it. Should you go in first?”
He rubbed his cheek, staring at me. Then he turned around and walked away.