The Billionaire's Bet: A Seductive Deal by Clarissa Wild Page B

ladies,” the woman called out.
When the last hand went up, it was a war between two women, with
one eventually giving in after hitting three thousand.
    “Alright, going once, going twice … sold!”
the woman behind the microphone called.
    The woman in the crowd shrieked. The guy
stepped off the stage and went to greet her, while she smothered
him with kisses.
    “ Wonderful, people, wonderful. And
remember, all proceeds will go to the cancer funds. Please help our
cause. Thank you for your support,” the woman continued. “Welcome
our next bachelor!”
    And then my jaw dropped. The man that had
just left his imprint on
me was stepping up the stage in his hot suit. He straightened his
collar, whilst all the women were shouting and screaming like fan
girls. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who appreciated
him.
    He rubbed his stubbly jaw and the squeals
in the crowd increased. Snatching the microphone from the lady’s
hand, he said, “Now, now, ladies. Settle down. Pour your hearts
into bidding, because as
you all know, only one may win the grand prize.” He ended his
little speech with a wink and gave the microphone back to the woman
in charge.
    “ Okay … remember ladies, you can only have
him for one night. Now, let the bidding begin.”
    Instantly, half the room was filled with
hands, pointing up at the ceiling, waving about.
    He laughed and soon I could barely hear
anything else but prices rising to the limit. Three thousand. Four
thousand. Six thousand. Ten thousand. Money was almost flung into
the air.
    When the last bid came, it was an old lady
who shouted the words ‘fifteen thousand’ and who’d won a night with the handsome guy. The
same old lady for who he’d picked up the chips she’d dropped. I
chuckled when I saw her gloat, walking off with him on his arms,
the rest of the women pouting behind her.
     
     
     

Chapter 2
     
    “ A tequila Sunrise and a margarita, please,” I said.
    “Are you on a roll tonight?” the bartender
asked me while pouring the liquor.
    “ No, I just really need something to
drink.” I sat down on a stool at the bar and rested my head on the
palm of my hand.
    He snorted and gave me the two glasses. I
took the tequila first and sipped out the delicious tart citrus and
sweet grenadine. I was
ignoring that stupid voice in my head that said I was pathetic,
drinking alone at a casino bar, with nothing but an old laptop and
a case full of all my belongings.
    I took another sip and looked the other way,
toward the poker table. I saw Mister Hunkalicious (yes, he needed a
name) flipping cards. He was letting the old lady win and I’d seen
her glow all night long as he entertained her. They got up and she
whispered into his ear. He held up his hand and she turned around,
but just before he walked away, she grabbed his butt.
    I almost blew bubbles into my drink from
laughing, so I quickly set it down.
    The old lady went to the elevator while the
guy I wanted sat down again to finish his poker game.
    I drank up what was left in my glass and
reached for the other one. I was feeling tipsy already, but I
couldn’t care less. I needed to feel at ease in order to write
again. Actually, I was a much better writer when I was drunk, which
was one of the things I was least proud of, but on which I was
dependant for money to flow, which was of course needed to actually
live.
    Ah, the wondrous horrible
circle of life .
    “ Cheers,” I said to the bartender, who raised an empty glass
with me. I took another gulp from the glass and closed my eyes to
wash away the guilt.
    “ Such an early evening for a lady
lik e you to be drinking
like that, don’t you think?”
    My eyes shot open. Looking to my left, I saw Him sitting
there. Mister Hot was sitting right next to me, on a stool, flexing
his wrist to look at the time.
    I promptly put down the glass and took my
head off the palm of my hand.
    Clearing my throat, I said,
“ I don’t know, you tell
me.”
    He smiled. “There are many