Bidding For Her Curves - Flora Ferrari Page 0,15

do.

I hear a few snickering laughs, then the slow, fractured applause starts.

I sit Jules down, and whisper in her ear, “I’ll be right back, just going on stage for a minute.”

Her hand clutches mine, and the look of total terror in her eyes makes me feel like I should’ve gone with my gut and just taken her over my shoulder.

Not everyone likes to be in the limelight, so with a firm squeeze of my hand on hers as reassurance, I bound up to the podium.

I close the hand she just touched, hoping it’s captured some of the magic she just transmitted, holding the sensation of her on my skin as long as I can.

Ready to say what I have to say to my so called dream team of employees.

There are the usual acknowledgments. “We are here to hold an auction, with all funds raised going to the sponsor’s designated charities, with Thorne Industries matching each one, dollar for dollar.”

Perfunctory applause follows, but I can still feel the whole room watching Jules.

“If you all haven’t done so already.” I let everyone know. “Download the app on your phones, the link is everywhere here in the room,” I continue, pointing to the huge screen behind me with the logo for the event and the link.

“After downloading the app you can bid your top amount on your choice of candidate and their charity, or compete with other bidders as the evening goes on. And now that I’m here dinner can be served.”

Perfunctory laughter.

“But I also want to take this opportunity to announce some big changes coming to Thorne Industries.”

My voice drops lower, and a hush comes over the whole room.

When the leader of an empire the size of Thorne announces big changes, it only strikes fear into the hearts of the guilty.

No one else has to worry.

Thing is, every single face in the room, apart from Jules looks worried when I mention the changes.

“There’ll be memos and updates first thing Monday. So until then, happy bidding and enjoy your dinner,” Is all I tell ‘em. For now.

I cast my eye around the room, feeling every set of eyes meet mine from the darkness beyond the podium.

I never said the changes would be bad, and they won’t be. But I know for a fact that it’ll be the last meal many of these people have at my expense.

That’s for damned sure.

I wish Nicholas was here. He’s always so diplomatic on my behalf.

Left alone, I’ve either got my head in the clouds or become judge, jury, and executioner when it comes to business.

Now that I have a better idea as to what’s actually been going on, I think there’ll be heads rolling for some weeks to come.

But not Jules’ and my own is screwed back on straight enough.

I make my way back to our table, ignoring the people standing and applauding me with gusto now, eager to make sure they’re seen to be supporting me.

Whipping out my phone, I hold it up, knowing that the cameras, and the crowd are still following my every move.

I motion for everyone to do the same, to make sure they have the app downloaded so the bidding can start.

The huge screen fades out then back again, a giant counter showing the amounts raised so far and how much Thorne Industries (me) is matching, dollar for dollar.

It makes me growl to myself with dissatisfaction, but feeling Jules’ arm touching mine as she shifts in her seat, I remind myself what I’m actually here for.

It makes me feel so calm, so happy straight away. Like going to the dentist. I know I have a little discomfort up ahead with work, with the business, but at the end of that tunnel…

I’ll make her mine, then nothing else will matter.

The eyes closest to me all look away.

Everyone at the table pretends to busy themselves with their auction app or making choices from the dinner menu.

Jules watches me, with a mixture of confusion. Then looks out into the darkness of the ballroom, as if she’s trying to find someone. I ask her if she’s looking for anyone special.

“No,” she says quickly. I want to put my hand over hers again, but think better of it. I don’t want to embarrass her any more than I already have.

“I think I’ve found what I’m looking for,” she adds cryptically, smiling to herself as she looks down at her phone, opening up the auction app.

I wonder who thinks of these things.

I can remember, not too long ago,