Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Chapter Four
Daisy
“Did you see that guy?” Veronica says as she drops into the chair beside me with a swoon. “He was so hot. I hope he bids on me.”
A rush of jealousy rips through my body. It’s so intense that it’s unnerving.
“I don’t think he’s a bidder,” I say after a deep breath to calm my nerves.
“Why not?”
“Did he look like a billionaire to you? He was wearing jeans and an old gray t-shirt.” And he was wearing them very well.
“Yeah, but billionaires are like that, you know?” she says as she turns to the mirror on the vanity and starts doing her eyes. “Millionaires flex by having nice clothes, but billionaires flex by dressing like slobs. You don’t have to dress nice when you have that much money.”
“I guess,” I say, even though I don’t see it. Besides, he was no slob. He was gorgeous. Wavy brown hair, big muscular frame, arms that belong on an action figure.
But what really got me was the intense look in his stunning green eyes. The way he was looking at me… It still gives me shivers.
No one has ever looked at me like that before. It was like he was staking claim on my body. Like he was imprinting himself on my soul.
I knew in that moment that I was his. That I belonged to him.
But then he was thrown out and reality came crashing back in. I don’t belong to him. I belong to someone out there. In an hour or so, I’ll be the property of the highest bidder.
Coco St. James marches into the tent and looks everyone over with a keen eye. She fixes straps, adjusts strands of hair, and barks orders at her team of assistants to redo make-up or change someone’s outfit.
I stiffen as she marches up to me. Her alert eyes dart up and down my body. I’m wearing a long pink gown that I think is a bit much, but even I have to admit that it’s beautiful.
“She’s fine,” she says to her assistants. This woman looks at all of us like we’re products, like we’re nothing more than inventory for her to sell.
I gulp when her eyes meet mine for the first time. “You are in high demand.”
“What do you mean?” I ask with a nervous swirling in my stomach. Who is demanding me? Who even knows that I’m here?
But of course, I don’t get an answer. She charges over to the next girl as I’m left standing here wondering what she meant.
I find out about an hour later when it’s my turn to walk out on stage. I’m terrified as I step into the spotlight.
The crowd is sitting in darkness. I can’t see any of them as Coco St. James introduces me.
“Welcome Daisy Douglas to the stage,” she says as I shyly walk over. “Another verified virgin, this young beauty has some notoriety attached to her name.”
Shit. I didn’t know they knew about that, but I guess nothing gets past a sharp woman like Coco.
“We’ll start the bidding at one million dollars,” she says. “Do I have one million?”
“Five million dollars,” a familiar voice says in the crowd. A murmur follows as everyone reacts to the enormous opening bid.
My stomach sinks as I begin to recognize that voice. It’s not the man from backstage like I was hoping for, it’s someone else.
I peer into the darkness and gasp when I see Lincoln McCormick’s grinning face. He’s here? Oh shit.
He’s the billionaire who lost over a hundred million dollars investing in Avaretech. I was afraid he wasn’t going to let that go. That man will make my life a living hell if I’m forced to be his wife.
Someone bids six million and then Lincoln follows it up with ten.
There’s silence after that while my heart races. No. No. Anyone but him!
“Do I hear eleven?” Coco says to the silent crowd. “Eleven? Ten going once, going twice, sold to the gentleman in the third row.”
My mind is barely processing any of this as I’m whisked to the side of the stage and joined by Lincoln. Coco marries us on the spot. I don’t say ‘I do’, but neither of them seems to care. The marriage certificate is quickly drawn up with our names and I’m forced to sign.
“I told you it wouldn’t go well for you if you lost my money,” he hisses in my ear as he grabs my arm tight and pulls me toward the exit. “Now, you’re about to spend the rest of your life paying me back in other ways.”
I shiver to think of what that means. I don’t want any part of this. This whole thing was a huge mistake.
He drags me outside and pulls me toward his plane.
Are those lions?!
Even with the shock of being wedded to Lincoln McCormick, the three prowling lions really grab my attention. This has been by far the strangest day of my life.