Chapter Thirty-Eight #2
He extends his arm, and one of the stylists gives him a velvet box.
He opens it, and on the dark satin is a necklace consisting of seven ropes of stunning diamonds.
He drapes it around my neck, his fingers brushing against my skin.
The heat from his touch sends a tingling sensation all over my body.
I start to lick my lips, then stop, remembering the red tint.
He presses his lips against the back of my neck.
“You smell good, too. What perfume is it?”
“Water and my skin?” I try to quip lightly, but my voice is too breathless.
His Adam’s apple bobs—I get the most absurd urge to kiss it, then undo his tie. I clench my hands to control myself.
The stylist gives him a second box. He opens it and puts a glittering bracelet on my wrist, then places a pair of large chandelier earrings on my ears. He looks at me in the mirror again.
“You look amazing with those stones, Freckles.”
“Lab diamonds?”
“Yeah. From Liam’s company. Ethically sourced and all that.”
“Cool. I love how pretty they are.”
“That’s the main appeal. And they are gorgeous—truly worthy of you.”
He kisses the sensitive spot behind my ear. I shift, then flick my tongue over his mouth for a quick taste.
“Mmm, delicious. Is that whiskey on your lips?”
“Just a little.”
He smiles, his eyes crinkling. I wish with a heaviness in my heart that he had said, “Yes, of course, I want to have babies with you,” when I asked.
But at the same time, I’m glad that he didn’t lie and set false expectations.
I don’t know if I’m capable of bearing another crushing blow—that I’ll be unwanted. And our baby as well.
The bachelor auction is held in the grand ballroom at the Aylster Hotel.
The marble lobby glitters with affluence and leads to a gigantic space with brilliant chandeliers, the kind you might see in European palaces.
Tables and chairs are set up, all of them facing the sizable stage.
Waitstaff in crisp white uniforms circulate with trays of drinks and appetizers.
The Pryce Family Foundation holds several fundraisers at the hotel, and this is their main one for the year. You have to hand it to Elizabeth, because she manages to get numerous eligible billionaires to agree to participate in the bachelor auction, including Rhys and Finn.
Rhys grabs two champagne flutes and hands me one. I clink my glass with his, then bring it to my lips, just moistening my mouth without actually taking a sip.
“Is that going to bother you, that I’ll be on that stage?” he asks, peering at me with caution.
I smile. “No. You agreed months ago, before we left for London. It’d be wrong for you to back out. And yes, you could just write a generous check, but there’s a publicity factor in having certain people up on stage, and you are a hot commodity.”
“This hot commodity is off the market, and he only wants you.”
When he looks into my eyes and speaks with such fervor and desire, it almost feels like our relationship is real—and that maybe my baby won’t be abandoned like I was.
Not smart, Max. He has no idea you’re pregnant. A baby is a huge responsibility, the kind that’s life-altering and permanent.
Finn and Liam spot us in the crowd, come over and greet us. Both look great in tuxes, although I still think Rhys is the most handsome.
“Damn, you look perfect. I knew my diamonds would make you shine,” Liam says.
“You mean she makes your diamonds shine,” Rhys says, giving him a look.
I roll my eyes, flushing at his shameless exaggeration. “Thanks, Liam. I love them. I’ve never had anything this lavish before.”
Liam puffs up like a peacock. “If you want more, just text me anytime.”
“She already has me to get her whatever she wants,” Rhys interjects.
“Hey, every woman needs to know her man’s bro’s got her back,” Liam shoots back. “Bros before—uh, very classy women. You know the phrase.”
I smile at their rather sweet antics. “Thank you—both of you.”
“Why are you here?” Finn asks Liam.
“To bid on you so you don’t get humiliated,” Liam says.
“Har har har, very funny.”
“Actually, Elizabeth somehow roped me into this at the last minute. I don’t know how, but I said yes and here I am.” Liam lowers his voice. “I’m the mystery bachelor to be on stage at the very end.”
“Ooh. That’s so cool,” I say, intrigued. I’ve never been to a bachelor auction, so everything’s fascinating.
Liam gives me a pleading, puppy-eyed look. “You’re going to bid on me, right?”
“Well… I need to bid on Rhys.”
“Don’t deny yourself a chance to be with the best. Elizabeth is saving me for last for a reason.” Liam winks.
“Hahaha,” Finn says. “That’s funny. What’s important is who’s the opener.”
“Are you going first?” Rhys asks.
“Yup. Alpha.” Finn points to himself, then turns his hand toward Liam, changing into a wishy-washy so-so movement. “Omega.”
Laughing softly, I look at Rhys. He’s laughing too, but his eyes aren’t.
Not that they’re detached, but they seem inexplicably pensive.
I’ve seen the same look a few times since we ran into Selena outside Danica’s place.
A cold lump of unease lodges in my throat, but then Rhys’s eyes meet mine and warm.
“Is anything bothering you?” I ask softly, not wanting to second-guess when I can just ask.
“No. Nothing.”
“Ha, he’s nervous because he’s just gonna be some guy in the middle nobody’s going to remember,” Liam says.
Rhys scoffs. “Yeah, right. Freckles won’t let me suffer that sort of humiliation.”
“Just so you know, he’s only worth about five bucks.” Finn makes a great show of reaching into his wallet and handing me a worn and crumpled bill.
Shaking his head, Rhys bursts into laughter. “Asshole.”