Bidding For Her Curves - Flora Ferrari Page 0,16

you would have a dinner or an auction and the guests would actually look at each other in the eye, talk to one another.

These days, even in business, it’s all eyes down and everything is communicated in through reports or emails.

I think it’s stupid.

Besides, my bids have already been placed and I’ve told the people in charge that if I’m outbid, to let me know at once.

Chapter Nine

Jules

I pretend to look at the auction app, but truth is, I don’t even know how to add it to my phone. Or maybe I just don’t want to.

Actually, I know I don’t want to.

If Mason hadn’t bumped into me, I’d be home by now, crying my eyes out and eating junk food in front of the television before a bath and an early night.

But I can’t let myself think like that.

He did bump into me, and I do want to be here.

I just feel like a clown wearing this stupid dress that doesn’t fit, having the whole damned building in one room laughing at me behind Mason’s back.

I know he’s genuine. He meant it when he said I looked great, I know he did, even if I don’t feel that way about myself right now.

Everyone else, all the Karen’s of the world.

That’s a different story, and if it wasn’t for Mason’s unusual announcement about changes coming up, I think a fair few more would be laughing in my face.

People can be so cruel.

Our host for the evening, What’s his name again?

He’s reading of some information that sounds like rehearsed ads about the sponsors who helped make tonight possible, along with a montage on the giant screen, updating the amounts raised so far, plus a little about each chosen charity.

God, I’d forgotten how boring corporate anything actually is.

Still looking down at my phone, I can feel Mason’s eyes on me and I look over at him.

Up at him really, he’s so close. So big.

Being this close to him makes me naturally nervous and I wonder if I have something else for people to stare at, like a stain or something, as if this dress wasn’t bad enough.

But his eyes are kind, shining with excitement.

“I know it’s boring,” he observes in a low whisper, leaning in extra close, making me shiver when his lip actually brushes my ear.

“Maybe once I’m able to, once the auctions winds down, we can pick up where we left off?”

The look in his eyes suddenly registers with new meaning for me.

I’ve never had anyone, let alone a real man sound like he’s anywhere close to wanting to spend time with me… alone.

I feel my head nodding slowly, and my jaw’s dropping open.

This is actually-

A loud shriek from across the ballroom makes everybody look up from their phones.

I feel my own head snap up and look over to where I was sitting before.

I know that voice.

A low murmur ripples through the crowd and the host at the podium gives a running commentary to the total bid amounts, which have just jumped to a higher number.

A much higher number.

“Well, folks! This is getting interesting. We have a huge bid from a mystery bidder. Ms. Karen Perkins and her charity have just raised over twenty-five thousand dollars!”

There’s some enthusiastic clapping, and I can hear Karen calling out something stupid as if she’s gonna get the money all for herself.

I wonder if she even understands how this auction works. That she has to actually put in some time somewhere to help other people for a change.

Looking up at the screen, I don’t recognize the charity. It sounds more like a business name.

Weird.

Looking back at Mason, he hasn’t taken his eyes off me since he sat down, and I ask him if everything’s alright.

“Everything’s perfect,” he says, and flashes me that look again.

A look that’s starting to make me feel like I wanna lift this dress up some, and let a little of this heat out.

But I only flush harder, absently picking up a menu.

“I already ordered for us both,” he says, leaning in again. “I hope that’s okay?”

I smile nervously, and without even seeing my face I know it’s a creepy smile.

I’m just not used to anything like this, and Mason almost looks concerned again. But then he smiles that magical smile of his.

It seems nothing can faze Mason Thorne.

Our table, being the important one, is served first and the food looks amazing.

Small on huge plates, but amazing. I wait for a signal so I know what to do next. I don’t want