Page 28 of Shared By the Highest Bidder

“I want her,” I mutter, and Ford’s right eyebrow raises. “You brought her here for me.”

He talked non-stop about bringing a woman into our bed. That made our secret affair too real for me.

The man is all-consuming, and I wasn’t sure I’d have anything left to nurture a woman, too. Risking a sweet, feminine heart on top of Ford pushing for more than I was willing to give broke me.

It got to be too much, so I purposely fucked things up with him.

My throat goes tight, thinking of my big mistake. Ford isn’t the same because of what I did to him.

Now, here I am, bidding on a woman I want so badly. But with Ford near me, I want him, too. I doubt he’ll ever forgive me.

“I need a decision, gentlemen.” The MC breaks into my thoughts. “Or do I have any other bids? Mr. Montgomery, perhaps you want to jump into the bidding, really make this exciting?”

“Come on!” the guy in the back yells.

“No!” Ford grips Emery by the collar and lowers his voice to a snarl. “One of you finalize this before that sleaze ball back there outbids you both. Then who knows what the hell will happen to her.”

“I’m trying. He keeps upping the bid.” Emery glares at me.

“How about we...share her,” I suggest.

“What?” Both Ford and Emery chime in unison.

I straighten my tie. “I just need her a few nights a week and on weekends. You can have her the other nights. It works out.”

“That’s not a bad idea.” Ford fixes his jacket, his rare show of emotion buttoned back up.

I’d rather be sharing a woman withhim. Maybe this is my opening to suggest it. Only, that might bring us back to what led to our downfall.

Ford was straight when I met him. I was his first guy. I made him bi. But I didn’t want to live that life in the open. I can’t.

Not because I wouldn’t be proud to claim ex-Special Forces, tattooed, Ford Montgomery, the beast with a beautiful cock, as mine. I was the first man to ever suck Ford’s dick. His taste, the scent of his skin between his legs has never left my brain.

I just can’t live openly like that with anyone. My family will bury me with bad press and put my foundation at risk.

It’s not just my ego. It’s kids’ lives and their futures at stake. There’s also the entire staff I employ.

“Gentlemen?” the MC barks.

“Five hundred thousand.” Emery holds up his hand looking at me with a nod, signaling we’ll share her.

And by putting himself on record as the highest bidder, no one can question where I got the money from and risk my reputation. Smart.

I turn to the MC and rest my paddle on the table, signaling, I’m done bidding.

“Sold, to Mr. Emerson Austin for five-hundred-thousand dollars. Come and meet your prize.”

I glance at the woman, who looks shell-shocked and terrified.

Ford looks smug as hell.

He’ll get the ridiculous legal fee he’s charging this poor woman. He’s still the workaholic who lets his drive to win in court control his life.

Emery struts up to the stage and takes Bernadette by the hand. He kisses her on the cheek, and I can see her blush from here. He helps her down off the platform, and with his palm wrapped firmly around her curvy waist, he steers her to our table.

I doubt the look of alarm will leave her beautiful face when she finds out she’s now owned by two men.

EIGHT

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