Page 27 of Shared By the Highest Bidder

My heart races amidst the shocked gasps from the girls waiting.

“That’s quite a leap, Mr. Austin,” the announcer says over grumbling.

“When I see something I like, I go for it.”

My vision clears and the guy stops my heart. He’s not as tall as Ford and doesn’t sport the same sharp-angled jawline. This man who wants me is just as handsome with a fuller, round face, gorgeous green eyes, and thick, dark hair.

“Let’s keep this going then,” the MC says, eyes lit with anticipation. “Do we have three hundred and seventy-five thousand?”

“Four hundred grand.” Another man at Ford’s table stands up and waves a paddle.

The crowd gasps again. This has to be a joke.

Mr. Four Hundred Grand is gorgeous, too, with sandy blond hair that falls rakishly in his eyes. Unlike Ford and Mr. Austin, who are clean-shaven, he sports a trimmed beard. Damn, he’s sexy.

“Dr. Ives is challenging Mr. Austin. Do we have four-twenty-five?”

Doctor...

“Four-twenty-five,” a voice from the back drawls.

Ford whips around and stomps toward the bidder in the shadows.

A hush comes over the room, until Mr. Austin counters, “Four-fifty.”

I glance back at Hope, and she mouths,Wow.

God, I feel horrible. She can use this money. Her mother is sick.

Everything around me starts to spin. This doesn’t feel right. I should object.

“Four-sixty,” Dr. Ives bids.

But Mr. Austin shouts, “Four-seventy-five.”

My two bidders wave their hands at each other, scuffling. This hasnothingto do with me.

“Do I hear...”

The bidding comes to a halt when Mr. Austin lunges for Dr. Ives.

SEVEN

ASHTON

Damn Emery Austin. He just wants a woman to fuck.

One he’ll wear down and not worry about after she’s gone.

Bernadette will be perfect for my fundraisers. Ford was right, I need a real woman on my arm. Not expensive eye candy that old-school money people in New York frown upon.

Hands close around my throat, and Emery pulls me down to one of the chairs. “Fucking stop it. She’s mine.”

Ford, who returned from knocking away a third bidder, climbs over the table and pries Emery’s fingers from my throat.

The look in Ford’s eyes wrecks me. God, I was an idiot for leaving him.

“What the hell are you two doing?” Ford hisses.

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