Page 3 of Highest Bidder

“Good. It means there’ll be another time.”

She gave me a wicked smile. “But I thought tonight was more of a one-night-only kind of party.”

I leaned in closer. “Then I guess I’ll have to make tonight count.”

She let out a soft laugh, her eyes dancing. “Oh, I have a feeling you will.”

I lowered my head, the smell of her citrusy shampoo mixed with her floral perfume tantalized my senses as I let my lipsbrush her ear. “Then let’s find somewhere a little more… private. Somewhere we can get to know each other better without all the noise.”

She glanced at her friend, who I noticed gave her a subtle headshake, before she turned back to me with an apologetic smile. “I don’t think so.”

Well, that wasn’t what I was expecting.

I stepped back and held her gaze for a beat. I could almost feel the disappointment rolling off her. Or maybe that was my own.

“What a shame.” I nodded my head at her, then toward her friend—who I was pretty sure was Kit, the bartender. I don’t know what her problem with me was, I always tipped well. “Enjoy your evening, ladies.” I turned and walked away to scope out the rest of the prospects.

But I couldn’t help but look back. She was still watching me. Still calm. Still sassy.

I liked that probably more than I should’ve.

I took another lap around the room, drink in hand, pretending I was scouting options. But the truth?

None of them intrigued me the way she had.

That didn’t mean I was going home unfulfilled. I’d come here to scratch an itch, not catch feelings.

So, when a leggy brunette with a grey bracelet straddled my lap without asking, I let her. My dick might’ve been disappointed earlier, but he wasn’t picky.

Chapter Two

Vivian

The minute I locked eyes with the masked, sandy blond stranger from across the bar, I felt both intrigued and intimidated.

After I raised my champagne flute in response to his silent toast, he started toward me.

His tuxedo hugged his broad shoulders and lean body, the black fabric catching the low lights of the club. He moved with the grace of a panther stalking its prey, and I had to will myself not to run.

Up close, his blue eyes beneath the black domino mask were sharp and knowing, as if he could see straight through me and tell I didn’t belong.

But as we talked, I caught a twinkle of mischief in his baby blues. That hint of playfulness put me at ease, like maybe he didn’t mind that I didn’t quite fit in.

I felt such an attraction to him that I almost took his hand anyway after Kit shook her head.

As I watched him walk away, I had an urge to run after him until my friend’s voice stopped me. “Honey, I know you’re disappointed, but Dr. Connolly’s reputation is even worse than DeLuca’s.”

“How so?”

“He has a cruel streak.”

“Oh.” I glanced in the direction he had just disappeared. “Really? I didn’t get that vibe from him.”

“I mean, I don’t have firsthand knowledge, but I’ve heard some of the more ‘seasoned’ female members caution newer women about him. But his good looks and charm make them throw caution to the wind, and they usually end up crying over him in the bathroom.”

That didn’t necessarily mean he wascruel.

“So, he comes here a lot.”

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