Highest Bidder Collection - Lauren Landish Page 0,177

“She fell in love; you fell in love. You need to go get her, Isaac. You need to apologize and make this right.”

Before she’s even finished, I’m slamming my foot on the gas and making my way to her.

“She’s not going up there tomorrow,” I tell her.

“I hope I don’t see her, but if I do, I will feel very sorry for you.”

“She won’t be there,” I say flatly and hang up without waiting for a response.

She belongs with me.

Knock, knock, knock. I slam my fist against the door. The outside air is bitter cold and harsh on my skin. Making my knuckles pain with every hard blow to the door. I relish the pain. I’d rather feel it than the hole in my chest.

As my hand slams down against the door, it opens. The swift swoosh brings the cold air past Katia’s bare shoulders and she covers herself with the shawl wrapped around her.

Her long blonde hair blows slightly and the chill causes her shoulders to shudder. Her cheeks are flushed and red, and obviously tearstained. My poor Katia. I did this to her.

But I’ll make it right. I’ll fix this.

“Isaac.” She says my name softly.

“Katia.” I want to pull her into my arms, but I can’t. Not knowing what she did. Agreeing to go up for auction. “You’re going up for auction?” I ask her, although it’s more of a statement.

Her eyes flash with a heated anger. “It’s none of your business, if that’s why you’re here.” Her grip tightens on the door and I know she’s going to slam it shut in a moment.

“I won’t allow it, Katia.” I say the words hard and take a step in. Katia slowly closes the door and it looks like it takes restraint not to shove it closed with an angry push, but the look on her face is anything but submissive.

She’s pissed.

She shakes her head and says, “You told me you didn’t want me.” She’s trying to be strong, but the pain in her voice is evident. It shreds me.

“I was wrong to say that,” I say calmly, holding my hands up and approaching her like a wounded animal. My poor kitten. I did this. This is all my fault.

“I will have a Master,” she says slowly, her voice gravely low.

“Then you will have me,” I say with conviction, balling my fists at my side. There is no fucking way I’ll let another have her that way.

“Will I?” she asks, crossing her arms. I tilt my head slightly, my heart beating frantically and anxiety coursing through my limbs.

Please don’t deny me, kitten.

I don’t show fear. I take a step closer to her, and she holds her ground. “You will,” I answer her.

“You will never lie to me again, Isaac.” Katia stares at me with red-rimmed eyes. Her bottom lip is trembling, but strength is the dominant feature in her expression.

I’m struck by the strength, but also the hurt in her voice.

“Lie to you?” My eyebrows raise in surprise.

“You said you didn’t want me.”

Fuck, my heart drops in my chest.

“I’m sorry, Katia. It wasn’t true.”

“I know it wasn’t true. But you will never lie to me again,” she says as she brushes the tears angrily away from her face.

“Never,” I say just above a murmur, moving forward to take her in my arms, but she takes a step back.

“You need to tell me,” she says softly. Her defenses are crumbling around her. My breath is stolen from my lungs at the raw vulnerability on her face.

Tell her what? Whatever she needs to hear, I’ll tell her. Anything, just to get that hurt look off her face. I need her happiness back. “I’ll tell you anything.”

“Then tell me!” she yells at me, and I’m at a loss for words. I take a step toward her again, so close to touching her, but she steps back, moving from my reach. I drop to my knees in front of her. Desperate for her to stop moving away from me, to stop denying me.

“I’m sorry! I’m so fucking sorry! I’m broken. I’m hurt. I need you in my life. I need to lean on you and learn to put faith and trust in you like you do me!” I reach out for her, gripping onto her thighs and pulling her closer to me. “Is that what you want?”

Her shoulders rock forward with a sob as she shakes her head no. My heart shatters into a million shards.

“Just tell me what you want to hear!”