Page 10 of Bid For Me

I gaze up at him, my heart pounding in my chest. Something more? What could he possibly mean by that? What does he mean, heneedsit?

This is Bastian. He can – and often does – have any girl he likes. He’s even been known to sleep with girls he doesn’t even like, including almost all of my friends. Except Candy, but that was probably just because she was dating my brother at the time.

So how on earth does Sebastian Sterling-Knight, sole heir to the entire Sterling-Knight Diamond Industry, suddenlyneedsomething from me?

I meant every word I’ve said to Candy. I’m not looking for love. I’m not wanting a relationship or to date. I’m not even interested in one night stands. ‘For Me’ was supposed to be the perfect solution. Get my virginity out of the way tonight so that I could explore all that the club has to offer and figure out what I really like, long before even considering settling down.

I know my family are anxious for me to wed, but I’m just not there. I’m not sure that I’ll ever be. I’ve never even been in love, have barely had a relationship that’s lasted long enough to count as serious, and anyone I’ve shown any true interest in, my brother and his best friend have chased off. Viciously, in fact. My parents are patient people, but I know they’re getting fed up. My mother has started trying to set me up with her friend’s children, even guys younger than me, and there’s even been whispers of arranged – albeit extended – engagements.

Cue the internal barfing while I’m a serene swan on the outside.

I’d rather die than find myself in an arranged marriage. Or any type of marriage really. What’s wrong with living in sin? ‘For Me’ was supposed to be the perfect introduction to all things debauche and hedonistic.

“What are you saying, Bast?” I ask, my tone laced with uncertainty.

He takes a deep breath, his gaze locking with mine. “I’m saying...I’m saying that I want to take you on a real date. I want to get to know you, to spend time with you, to...to see where this goes. I reckon two mil earns me that at least.”

I’m taken aback by his words, my mind spinning with a thousand questions. A real date? With Bastian? And what about...what about everything else?

“But why, Bastian?” I stammer.

Bastian’s expression softens, his gaze filled with a tenderness that takes my breath away. “Because I care about you, Elle. Because I’ve always cared about you. And I want to see if...if there could be something more between us.”

I’m speechless, my mind reeling with the implications of his words. Could it be possible? Could Bastian really...really want something more with me?

But even as hope begins to bloom within me, doubt lingers in the back of my mind. There’s something Bastian isn’t telling me, something he’s keeping hidden. I’ve known him long enough to spot when he’s being less than forthcoming, and right now he’s clearly lying to me about something. And until he’s willing to come clean, I’m not sure I can trust him completely.

“Bastian...there’s something else, isn’t there?” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the sound of my racing heart.

Bastian’s gaze flickers, his eyes filled with a mix of guilt and regret. “Elle, I...I didn’t want to tell you this, but...but there’s something you need to know.”

My heart sinks at his words, a sinking feeling settling in the pit of my stomach. Whatever Bastian is about to say, I have a feeling it’s not going to be easy to hear.

“What is it, Bastian?” I ask, my voice trembling with uncertainty.

Bastian takes a deep breath, his gaze locking with mine. “I won’t sleep with you, Elle,” he says firmly. “Not unless you agree to…date me. Long term.”

”You’re crazy,” I say with a laugh, sure that this all must be some massive joke or a wind-up. If things were better between Aiden and I, I’d half expect him to burst into the room, pissing himself with laughter and crying along the lines of how I shouldsee my face, thinking Bast would ever want to date me.

“Contractually, you’re kind of obliged to do so, Elle. Sorry,” he says with a shrug that’s anything but sorry.

“What do you mean?” I demand.

This is more like the Bastian I know and at times loathe. We can never be in the same room for long without everything turning to shit around us and being at each others’ throats.

“I mean, doll,” he sneers, slipping back into the fuckboy persona I hate. “That I paid two million pounds for your virginity, and you’re mine until I choose to cash that in.”

The words hang in the air between us, heavy with meaning and implication. And as I stare up at Bastian with a gaze full of anger and loathing, all I can think is what have I gotten myself into?

CHAPTER SIX

Seb

Okay,so I fucked that one up. Hardly surprising when Elle’s the only girl I’ve never allowed myself to have, the only one that’s been able to get under my skin and rile me up.

She wasn’t buying my Mr Nice Guy act and I knew she’d never agree to date me, so my hand was forced.

Am I proud of what I just said? No. Do I regret it? No. Because I don’t just need Elle in my bed for one night. I need her in my life for much longer than that. I need her by my side as my wife.

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