Page 42 of Her Big Fat Hunky Billionaire Boss

The room erupted in applause. When the noise died down, Gerry pointed to the first item. “First up for auction is a lovely pineapple upside down cake made by my wife, Sarah. If you’ve never eaten anything made by Sarah, you’re missing out. A man doesn’t get to be my size by accident, you know.” He patted his belly.

Damian waited until Hilary’s plate of cupcakes were up for auction before bidding. She’d frosted them to look like snowmen. He raised his hand to start it at five dollars. A woman across the room bid six. It went back and forth a few times, the woman giving him stares over the glasses perched on her nose as he jumped the price up a few times.

Kat poked him. “That’s Mrs. Bowing,” she whispered. “She’s the mayor’s wife. Let her have them.”

“They look good. I want them.”

Kat let out a scoff. “You’re so stubborn. Just let her have them.”

A tiny twitch on her lips told him she was enjoying the back and forth. He grinned. “No.”

Mrs. Bowing raised her hand. “Fifty dollars.”

Gerry’s smile widened. “Well, it looks like this plate will go to—”

“One hundred dollars,” Damian said. He couldn’t help himself.

The crowd took in a collective breath. Mrs. Bowing postured. She adjusted her fur hat. “Two hundred dollars.”

Several people made oohing noises and everyone’s eyes rested on him. Damian was up for the challenge. “Two thousand dollars.”

Kat sunk into her chair and put her hand up to shield her face. “You had to do that, didn’t you?” she mumbled.

Mrs. Bowing smiled, although a little tightly. “You may have them, Mr. Warren.”

Gerry seemed frozen at the front of the room. At Mrs. Bowing’s statement, he held up the plate. “Well, thank you, Mr. Warren. Looks like you bought yourself these delicious treats. And your contribution will help fund many wonderful activities here at the center. Let’s give Mr. Warren a round of applause.”

The room filled with noise as people clapped and whistled. Kat seemed to want to disappear into the floor. When they went on to another item he leaned toward her. “Sorry if I embarrassed you.”

“Seems to be a regular occurrence around you,” she said under her breath. She poked him in the side and he wasn’t expecting it, so he let out a yelp.

“A five-dollar bid from Mr. Warren,” Gerry said. “Do I hear six?”

Kat dissolved into a fit of giggles and sunk lower in her chair.

“You get any lower and you’ll have to sit on the floor,” he whispered.

She stuck out her tongue at him. He chuckled and went back to paying attention to Gerry.

After the auction, he went to the front of the room to pay for his goods. The total came to three thousand six hundred dollars. Gerry shook his hand enthusiastically. “Thank you for coming today, Mr. Warren. The residents here will really enjoy this upcoming year. You’ve done a great thing.”

Mrs. Bowing tossed her nose in the air. Damian held out the plate of cupcakes to her. “Mrs. Bowing. I bought these for you.”

Mrs. Bowing’s mouth dropped. “Well. Thank you, Mr. Warren.” She took the plate before walking out the door.

Kat helped him get the rest of the desserts into the car. Hilary joined them. “I can’t believe you big so much on those cupcakes.”

“It’s going to a good cause.”

Kat tossed him a look. “I think you were just showing off.”

Hilary climbed into the back seat and but didn’t shut the door. “I’m honored that my cupcakes were fought over so viciously.”

Damian climbed into the front seat and Kat drove everyone home. After getting the deserts inside and onto the kitchen counter, Hilary turned to them. “Well, I’m beat. I’m going to take a nap.” She and Kat exchanged a look, and he wasn’t sure what it meant.

After she left, he asked, “What was that all about?”

Kat leaned on the counter. “Nothing. It’s stupid.”

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