Page 10 of Shared By the Highest Bidder

“Do you eat meat?”

“I love meat,” she says, and another adorable blush spreads across her chest.

You are so my type, sugar...

I order us the family-style braised boneless ribs with a side of baby potatoes and roasted carrots.

Eric writes down the order with shaking hands. “Very good, sir.”

“And bread for the table.”

After a brief smile at Bernadette, he leaves.

“Thank you, by the way.” She lifts a glass of water to full red lips.

“For what?” I play with her, dragging a napkin across my lap.

“For this.” She glances around again. “Lunch. The menu has no prices, so that tells me—”

“It’s not a problem.”

“Right. I bet you expense your lunches.”

I bark a laugh. “This is a private club. I pay out of my own pocket.”

Something hits me.The menu has no prices.

“How did you know how much that wine cost?” I ask.

“I’m from Northern California. My family owned a private winery until...” She sucks in a ragged breath. “They were both killed in a wildfire.”

“Dear God, I’m so sorry.” I hardly talk to my parents who retired to Florida and spend sunny days on a boat and rainy days in a casino.

“It was awful. Mom and Dad died, as well as their dogs, all the horses, chickens, goats.” She chokes up. “And all the vines. There was nothing left. Once the bills were settled with the insurance company payout, I barely had enough to pay for college.” She sits back. “I may be in trouble, Mr. Montgomery, but I’m not astranger to fine wine.”

“I know you’re nervous, which I don’t fault you for. But your polished appearance doesn’t look like it took much effort.”

“Considering I washed my hair in a shitty motel outside the city.” She sips the water again.

“You said you were living with Michael?”

“I got kicked out of the apartment after he got arrested because I wasn’t on the lease.” She closes her eyes. “I was only with him for six months. Before that, I had a sublet that expired. I’ve only been in New York for about a year. I met Michael, and he was nice. I told him I wanted to develop my own fashion line.”

“And he supported you in this effort?”

“Yes, very much so. He let me move in with him rent-free. When I realized I developed something special, I planned to move home to California. I need my designs, Mr. Montgomery. I’m sunk without them.” She drowns her sob by ripping a piece of bread with beautiful white teeth I canfeelteasing my cock.

Leaning forward, I say, “Why aren’t you staying in New York if you’re just selling them to a designer?”

“I’m going to work for Stella. Be an in-house designer.”

Oddly, this stings, and I don’t know why.

“I see.” I sit back and rest my hand lazily on the table where her eyes stray to my watch, but I think she really notices my sleeve tatt peeking out from the shirt’s cuff. “I have an idea of how you can make enough money to pay me.”

She lets go of a breath.

“I’ve been curiously waiting for your suggestion. I have a feeling I know what you’ll say. How else can a woman make a lot of money in a short amount oftime?” Smiling nervously, she adds, “Let me guess... You have a ‘friend’ who would like my company for an evening?”

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