Highest Bidder Collection - Lauren Landish Page 0,304

for her to sit back in her seat before closing it and getting in on the other side.

It only hits me when we’re alone in the back of the limo and Marcus pulls away that I’m really taking her to an event. I don’t bring guests anywhere. I don’t make appearances with any women, and I’ve never been seen with a significant other. Not that I’ve had them. A quick fuck to sate my appetite is all I’ve ever indulged in.

But tonight is different. It’s a statement as well.

It’s quiet for a moment, and I can see that it’s getting to Arianna. Her fingers tangle with one another and more than once she parts her lips to say something, chancing a look up at me but then looks back to the floor of the cabin.

I finally break the tension. “I’d like you to do what I say tonight.” She needs to be perfect. She needs to play the part well so that no one will question what we are, and my image will stay intact.

“Of course,” she answers quickly, nodding her head. “I promise I’ll do my best and it will be good enough.”

I eye her and take in the conviction in her voice.

“Have you been to a gala?” I ask her, reaching across the cabin to the champagne that’s sitting on ice. I uncork it with a flourish as she answers that she hasn’t, but she’s fully aware of how she’s supposed to act and that she won’t disappoint me.

The champagne pops, and the sound of it spilling easily into the first flute is accompanied by the sound of my heart beating in my chest. She continues talking nervously, but she sounds eloquent, even with the nerves evident. She’s going to be perfect.

The glass flutes clink against each other as the limo goes over a small bump and I fill the second halfway.

“Champagne?” I offer as I set the bottle back down.

“Thank you,” she says and accepts the glass with grace although she doesn’t take a drink. I taste mine, the sweetness coating my tongue.

“You’re a smart woman, so I’m sure you’ll be fine,” I tell her as I place my hand on her knee. “You’ll be quiet for most of the night and simply stay on my arm.”

“Yes,” she answers quickly, both of her hands wrapped around the skinny stem of the glass sitting in her lap.

“As far as anyone knows, you’re my girlfriend. It’s a new relationship.” I down the rest of the champagne and set the empty glass into its place, leaning forward and continuing to talk. “We met through a mutual friend if anyone asks, although I’ll do my best to do most of the talking.”

“Absolutely,” she answers firmly.

I nod my head at her and let my eyes travel down her dress. “You really do look beautiful, sweetheart.” I don’t think about the words until they’ve left me. A pleasant sound comes from her lips. Not a gasp of surprise or a laugh, but something in-between. As if she’s flattered, but that she doesn’t believe me.

“I’m proud to have you by my side tonight. Do you know that?” I ask her.

She gazes at me for a moment, but doesn’t answer quickly which isn’t in her nature. She finally whispers, “Thank you.” It makes me think she truly doesn’t believe it. I need to change that.

I scoot closer to her and rest my hand on her thigh as I lean in and whisper against the shell of her ear. “A lot of the women in there are going to be jealous of you tonight.”

She turns quickly in her seat to look me in the eyes. “Because they want you?” she asks softly. There’s an expression in her eyes I don’t recognize, maybe fear, but I'm not sure.

“No,” I say and I can feel my forehead pinch as I continue, “Just because you’re so beautiful.” Her cheeks stain with that beautiful red and she looks away, pushing a stray strand of hair from her face.

Time passes as we both sway slightly in the limo, the comfortable silence stretching between us. My phone dings, and I’m quick to see who it is. With these functions, there’s always someone who wants to ensure they’ll be seen talking to me.

I’ve already missed half a dozen messages and two phone calls, several of which are from my father. I sigh and lean back in my seat, leaving the warmth of her small frame and focusing on work. She scoots closer to