The first bid rang out in the room and Kaitlyn stopped short. She recognized that voice and as the smile faded from her face, she found him in the crowd. Struggling to bring back her smile but knowing it was wobbling a bit at the corners, she glanced toward the aide again, who just lifted his shoulders and gave her a thumb’s up and a smile before vanishing.
The announcer continued talking, but Kaitlyn could only stare at the crowd, stunned as another voice rang out. “Ten thousand.”
Well, it seemed like pocket change for these men was a life changing amount of money for her. There was no way anyone would pay this much just to go on a date with her. Kaitlyn had a healthy sense of self-esteem, but couldn't imagine spending money to spend time with someone, much less spending stupid amounts of money just for one date.
But when the first voice came back with a counter bid, the room began to spin around her. “Fifteen thousand.”
The crowd seemed to enjoy the back and forth between the two men vying for her attention, and Kaitlyn could only wonder who the second man was and why he was bidding for her.
The first man didn't surprise her and as he bid twenty thousand, her blood ran cold. No amount of money would make her feel safe going anywhere with him. She knew him well from her work. He was the man that always made her feel uncomfortable, who sat too close, and who thought he had the right to touch her.
He didn't take no for an answer, and at every turn he acted like he owned her, even though he most certainly did not. The worst part in her eyes was that the owner never threw him out. Now, at least, she knew why - he was rich. He didn't have to play by the same rules everyone else did. Of course, she knew that the owner would always put profits above the safety of the women she worked with, but that didn't mean she liked the arrangement.
“Fifty thousand.” The second bidder’s calm voice piqued her attention, not just because of the number, but the way he was speaking. That thick, rich, gravelly honey sound sent a shiver down her spine.
She couldn't help but wonder if this person knew how much trouble she'd be in if she went home with the first bidder. But why would he go out of his way - and spend so much money - to help save a complete stranger?
“Fifty thousand, going once. Going twice.” The announcer paused, as if giving the first bidder a chance to counter before continuing, “Sold for fifty thousand to Carter Wright. You may step up and claim your prize.”
To Kaitlyn's surprise, the man walked up to her, offered her his hand and led her down the steps toward the door. “Do you have a coat?” he asked softly, that velvet voice tickling up her neck in a delicious way that made her inhale.
Unable to speak, Kaitlyn shook her head.
With that, he stopped, removed his nice jacket and flicked it behind her before draping it over her shoulders. His warmth sank into her skin and the thick, woody, elegant scent of his cologne filled her lungs.
For the first time, she dared peek up at him and took in his dark hair shot with silver at the temples, his bright blue eyes, his powerful features, not to mention the physique she could see now that he was wearing just a button down shirt and tie. The guy was built like someone who spent more than his fair share of time in the gym.
These details had her swallowing hard because she recognized that even if she said no, she wouldn’t be able to stop him from doing anything he wished to her.
Still, he had to be better than Devon.
As he led her from the elegant hallway into the expensive marble lobby of the hotel, Kaitlyn heard a voice ring out behind them. “You haven't won yet, Wright.”
“Keep walking.” Carter’s softly-spoken order echoed in her ears as everything came clear.
This man hadn't bid on her because he was interested in a date with her.
He'd bid on her to keep Devon from having her.
Not to protect her. Not because he was worried about her. And not because he gave a damn about her. But because he and the man behind them were in some kind of feud and she was simply a pawn for them to fight over.
While that discovery stung slightly, Kaitlyn felt she could breathe a little easier knowing exactly why he'd bid so high on her and why he'd been so intent on winning the date.
She could get through one date with an older rich guy who’d only won her to keep the other guy from getting her.
Chapter2
Carter
Carter hadn't expectedhis plan to go off without a hitch.
He couldn't help but feel a bit smug at his brilliant plan, not that he could share with his date for the evening. With a glance at her, Carter could see why Devon liked her.
Carter had known Kaitlyn was beautiful, but had no idea how beautiful. Of course, she wasn’t the sweetest part of his night. No, that honor went to the anger in Devon's voice when he told Carter he hadn't won yet.
As they stepped out of the hotel, Carter felt the drop in temperature. The scent of rain hung in the air, even though the light fruity notes of his date’s perfume filled his lungs and had a profound effect on the part of his brain devoted to logic and reason.
Giving her his jacket had been a twofold ploy to not only keep her warm in the chill, but also to cover her up. Her beauty and grace were distracting, to say the least. Watching her give a slight spin on the stage left no doubt in his mind that he wanted more than just to win a date with her to ruin Devon's night.