Page 47 of Bid For Me

I’ve ruined it. The perfect moment, the fragile trust she handed me, shattered because I lethimcreep into my head. My father – always a looming shadow in the corners of my life,dictating my choices, pushing me toward a perfection I never wanted but could never escape.

I’ll have to find the words to convince her, to show her that this isn’t about my father, the contract, or the inheritance. It’s about her. About us.

Elle’s eyes flash in my mind, soft and questioning, the way they stiffened with quiet unease when I mentioned the meeting. She didn’t say anything, but I saw it – the way her shoulders tightened, the way she braced herself, like she was already expecting judgment.

“Fucking idiot,” I mutter under my breath, scrubbing a hand down my face. I shouldn’t have said anything. I should’ve waited. Found the right moment to explain. Prepared her for what meeting my father really means. Instead, I bulldozed the intimacy we’d built with a careless, stupid remark.

Even now, the idea of her meeting him sends a bolt of unease through me. I can already hear his voice, clipped and icy. I can see the gleam in his eyes, sharp and calculating as he dissects Elle, looking for weaknesses to exploit.

“Sebastian, really? A shop assistant? This is the woman you’ve chosen to bring into this family?”

The thought alone makes my blood boil. He doesn’t get to look at her that way. Elle isn’t just some woman to parade in front of him for approval. She’s so much more than that.

She’s perfect.

The realisation slams into me, knocking the air out of my lungs. Not perfect in the way my father would ever accept – but perfect forme.

Everything about her draws me in: her fire, her vulnerability, the way she challenges me at every turn. She doesn’t hesitate to push back when I cross the line, yet in my arms, she softens in a way that makes me feel like I’m the only one who truly sees her.

And I’m ruining it.

The deal was clear. One night. That’s all it was supposed to be. I’d take her virginity, give her what she asked for, and then leave her alone. No complications. No attachments.

But now the thought of walking away feels like a blade twisting in my chest. I clench my fists, my jaw tightening as the answer becomes painfully clear: I can’t. Not anymore.

The club is the first thing that has to go. I can’t stand the idea of other men looking at her the way they did before – hungry, calculating, like she’s something they can take. She’s mine. And if anyone so much asthinksabout touching her, they’ll have to answer to me.

But my father...he’s the bigger problem. He won’t let this slide without a fight. The man lives to control every aspect of my life, from my career to my relationships. Bringing Elle into this mess will put her directly in his crosshairs.

Unless I act first.

Elle needs to know this is real. She needs to understand that I’ve chosen her – not because of my father, not because of the deal we made, but because I can’t imagine my life without her.

I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees, my head in my hands. Tomorrow. I’ll ask her tomorrow. It won’t be perfect – nothing about this situation is – but it’ll be honest. She’ll know that this is about us, not him.

But doubt creeps in, insidious and sharp. What if she says no? What if she looks at me and sees the mess I’m dragging her into, the chaos of my life, and decides it’s not worth it?

The thought is unbearable.

My jaw tightens as I push myself to my feet. No. I can’t let that happen. I’ll make her see. I’ll make herfeelhow much she means to me, how much I want her – not just for a night, but for forever.

The proposal. It’s not just a strategy anymore; it’s a necessity. It’s not just about protecting her from my father or sealing thedeal we made. It’s about showing her – showing both of us – that she’s the only thing in my life that makes sense.

I turn back to the bed, and my gaze softens. Elle stirs slightly, her lips parting as she mumbles something incoherent in her sleep. God, she’s beautiful.

I walk over and lean down, pressing a soft kiss to her temple, lingering for a moment as her breath feathers against my skin. She doesn’t know it yet, but tomorrow will change everything. I’ll make her see this is real – not a deal, not a strategy, but us. And even if I can’t give her perfection, I’ll spend every day proving that I’m hers.

I pull the blanket up to cover her bare shoulders, my voice low and rough as I whisper, “Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I’ll make you mine.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Elle

Thankgod Candy is my best friend. I don’t know what the fuck I’d do without her.

I wake up to an empty bed, and for a moment, I just lie there, staring at the ceiling. I’ve no idea what time it is, but it feels early. Like, middle of the night early. Or late, I guess, depending on how you look at it.

I don’t think I’ve been asleep that long, but who knows.

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