Highest Bidder – By Aria R. Blue #4
“He blew through all of his life savings,” I say, taking a deep breath. “And now, he owes a lot of money to some dangerous people. He’s currently living in casinos, trying to earn that money back. But I know how it works. The house always wins.”
Gabriel doesn’t nod inacknowledgment or offer words of sympathy. But still, I feel heard.
“I’m usually able to help him out, but the debt is too high this time,” I say. “And it left me with no choice but to do something drastic.”
“You entered an auction,” he says. “And it brought you to me.”
I fold my knees against my chest and rest my chin on top. I feel so tired right now. It doesn’t feel like I’m in a room with a stranger. It feels like I’m at home.
“You’re the first person I’m sharing this with,” I tell him. “I couldn’t even bring myself to tell my best friend.”
“Why?” he asks.
“It would only make her worry, and I didn’t want to be a burden,” I say. “Also, I knew what she would say.She’d only tell me how my brother’s debts are none of my business. But I can’t just cut my brother off from my life. He’s the only family I have left.”
“I understand,” Gabriel says softly.
“Are you close with your family?” I ask.
“Far from it,” he says. “We’re not on speaking terms.”
“Oh?”
“Stuff happened,” he says vaguely. “We don’t speak to each other, but mysiblingsknow I’ll be there for them in a heartbeat if they need me.”
“You’re a good older brother,” I say.
“You don’t know me well enough to say that,” he says.
“True, but from what you’ve shared, I can tell you really care about your family,” I say. “They’re lucky to have you.”
His eyes lock on mine again.
He does that thing again—looking at me like he’s trying to figure me out.
“You’re staring,” I say, glancing down at my hands.
“I’m just trying to understand you,” he says. “I’m trying to understand how you got me to talk when there are world-class hypnotherapists who failed to accomplish what you did.”
“You’ve tried hypnotherapy?” I ask.
“It didn’t work on me,” he says. “There’s not a bone in my body that knows how to relax.”
“I can relate,” I say. “I’m always on edge, too. I don’t know why.”
He frowns like he hates the thought of me stressed out.
“Is it because of your brother?” he asks.
I pause to think about it.
“I think it’s just who I am,” I say. “A little anxious. A little all over the place. Even as a kid, I remember constantly living in this bubble of dread.”
“Were you close to your parents?” he asks.
“Are you trying to psychoanalyse me, Gabriel?” I ask.
His pupils widen when he hears me say his name out loud. I feel a strange flutter in my belly.
“I never knew them,” I say. “I grew up in the foster care system. I don’t know who my father is, and my Mom died during childbirth.”
“I’m sorry,” he says.
“Maybe that’s why I’m so anxious all the time,” I say. “Because I neverhad a mom to tell me things were going to be okay.”
“Are you anxious right now?” he asks.
“Surprisingly, no. Even though I should be.”
“Why do you think you should be anxious?”
“Because,” I say, gesturing around the room. “This isn’t how I normally spend my weekends.”
“How do you normally spend your weekends, Lily?” He asks the question casually, like the two of us are sitting across from each other in a restaurant having our first date.
“Not like this,” I say, glancing down at my see-through dress. The reality of this moment hits me like a truck. “I’m sorry. You paid twenty-five million dollars for me. I know you probably expected me to be sexy and alluring, but I’m being the opposite of that.”
“You’re not what I expected,” he admits. “You’re even better.”
“Better?” I repeat, sure that I misheard him.
“Yes, Lily,” he says.
Lily. It’s just a word. But he says it like the word was made just for him to utter. It sounds so right on his lips. Why does it sound so right on his lips?
“Um, to answer your question, I like to read fantasy books in my free time,” I say.
“I like slipping into a world that’s so different from my own.
But ever since I met Gigi, my best friend, I haven’t stopped getting roped into her adventures.
She likes to call them ‘side quests’. Last month, she took me on a sunrise trek.
I don’t like to sweat, so I thought I would hate it, but it was so beautiful I almost cried. ”
He continues staring at me, like we have all the time in the world. Like all he wants to do is just listen to me talk all night.
His phone rings, breaking the tension between us. He rips his gaze away from me. I take a deep breath as my heart starts racing in my chest again.
“I should probably take this,” he says, standing up.
He looks at me for a moment, his eyes studying every part of me before turning away. As I watch him walk toward the door, I feel a strange pang inside my chest.
I don’t want this man to leave the room. I liked having him in my orbit, watching me with those assessing eyes.
The door clicks shut behind him.
Air floods my lungs. I can breathe like a normal person again.
It feels like waking up from a beautiful dream. I’m left with nostalgia, but also clarity. I can’t let this man get into my head like this. I can’t let myself get so attached. When morning comes, everything will change between us.
We’ve been talking like we’re two people who are getting to know each other better, but that’s not what this is.
It’s not innocent or cute or whatever I’ve deluded myself into thinking.
Gabriel Montgomery is here for one reason and one reason only.
It’s best that we get this over with.
GAbrIEL
“He’s refusing to speak,” Max says. “I’ve tried everything. Intimidation, threats, physical violence. He’s not caving.”
“He hasn’t said even a single word?” I ask.
“Not even to beg for his life,” Max replies. “It’s almost like he was expecting us to find him.”
“This can only mean one thing. Someone already got to him.”
“Should I continue what I’m doing?” Max asks. “I was about to try water torture next.”
“There’s no need for that,” I say. “Just sit with him. Watch him. Make him uncomfortable until he finally says something.”
“Yeah, that’s not really my style,” Max says. “I need instant results.”
“You might accidentally kill him with waterboarding,” I say.
“I never said waterboarding,” Max says. “I said water torture.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“What’s the difference?” I ask.
“I’ll make him lie down and then have water slowly dripon his forehead,” he answers. “It’ll drive a man crazy.”
“Yeah, you’re good at that,” I say.
“Rude,” Max says. “Do you have any better ideas?”
“Sensory deprivation,” I say. “Blindfold. Earplugs. Dark room. Leave him alone with his own thoughts for a few hours. It’ll make him break eventually.”
“Again, that will take too long,” my brother says. “I’m not patient enough for that. I’ll just go ahead with the water torture.”
“Fine, just make sure you don’t let him escape,” I say.
“How incompetent do you think I am?” Max asks.
I know better than to answer that question, so I remain quiet.
“I’m not going to let him escape, Gabe,” Max says. “Anyway, when are you coming?”
“I’ll be there in the morning,” I say.
“Are you with that girl?” he asks.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say.
“I know that you entered the auction,” he says. “Also, I’ve never seen you look at a woman like that. Be careful, big bro. Don’t fall for one of the club girls.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say. “Keep me updated.”
“And I can’t believe I’m having to say this, but you’re a handsome man,” he says. “You don’t need to pay twenty-five million dollars to spend the night with a woman.”
“It’s not like that.”
“What is it like, then?”
“Goodbye, Max.” I hang up and stare at the phone. I know I can count on his discretion, but I don’t like that he knows about this.
So much has happened in one night. I don’t know what to make of it. I barely recognize myself.
All I know is that I feel a calling inside me for the very first time. And she’s on the other side of the door.
I push the door open and freeze at the threshold.
Lily’s still in bed. And there’s not a stitch of clothing on her body.
“Hi,” she says, biting down on her bottom lip.
She’s naive and inexperienced, but it only adds to her charm. This girl has a natural sensuality about her that wipes my head clean of every other thought.
“What are you doing?” I choke out, fighting to keep my eyes on her face.
“I thought you wanted me,” she says, cupping her hands over her breasts.
I glance down at her body. Something feral fights to take control of my head.
Every little thing about her is designed to drive a man crazy—the sweet blush in her cheeks, the fullness of her natural breasts, the innocence in her eyes. Her face is angelic, but that body is made for fucking.
“You’re my fantasy come to life,” I tell her. “But put your clothes back on.”
Her face turns beet red.
“Excuse me?” she says.
“You heard me,” I say.
“This is what you wanted,” she says.
“What I want is for you to put your clothes back on,” I say. “Now.”
I swear if I have to look at those rosy nipples for another second, I’m going to turn into an animal. I’m going to break every rule I have. Once I have a taste of that sweet pussy, I know that I’m going to do everything I can to keep it.
“You don’t want me?” she asks.
“The opposite,” I say, closing the distance between us.
Now that she’s completely naked, I can see the way her chest rises and falls with every breath she takes. I can see every goosebump that dots her skin.I didn’t realize that she was cold in this room. Without thinking about it, I remove my suit jacket and hand it to her.
When she stares at my outstretched arm, I lean forward and wrap the jacket over her shoulders.
The scent of her skin hits me—candied lemon and sunshine. My lungs try to memorize the scent because I know I will be searching for it wherever I go.
“I’m not going to fuck you tonight, Lily,” I say. “Not after everything you told me. I’m no gentleman, but I’m not a monster either.”