Page 22 of Auctioned for Her Blood

The bidding for Shelly is slow at first, only a single hundred dollar bid from a man I suspect is Shelly’s husband, but then Ryker jumps the bid up to three hundred dollars, and another older man joins in. That sparks a four-way war that ends with the older man bidding six-hundred-and-fifty dollars.

I head out to escort the man up to pay, but before I reach him, Ryker steps into my path.

My breath catches in my chest. “Thanks for bidding,” I stammer as the buzz revs up inside me again.

“I’ll bid on everyone if it makes you happy.” His eyes widen and fill with desire.

“You will?” I know it’s hyperbole, but my heart thumps hard in my chest as my entire body heats and tingles. I feel paralyzed under his gaze, trapped.

Shana touches my shoulder, startling me. “I’ll make sure the winning bidder gets up to Mia.”

“Sorry.” I shake my head, trying to clear my mind.

Grinning, she leans in close and whispers, “No worries, lamby. You entertain our donor.”

Embarrassed, I keep my gaze trained on the carpeted floor and on Ryker’s leather boots, which are oddly both rugged and elegant, like the costume from a period film. In fact, his entire ensemble could be the costume from a movie now that I think of it.

“Penny for your thoughts?” His voice draws my gaze up to his face that’s full of handsome amusement.

“I’ve never met anyone like you,” I blurt before thinking.

“That’s because thereisno one like me.” He grins.

I laugh. “Plus, you’re so humble.”

Chuckling, he brings his hands to his heart. “I’m no braggart. Just stating the facts.” He shifts a few inches closer—or maybe it was me who moved?—and the heat of his body penetrates mine.

“And I’ve never met anyone like you,” he says, his voice so deep and delicious I swear I can taste it.

“Excuse me.” Another voice breaks into my consciousness, and I step back abruptly.

My lower back runs into Zuben’s hand. Or did his hand purposefully catch me?

Drawing a deep breath to regain control of my senses and thoughts, I shift away from the fire of Zuben’s touch on my back.

“Mr. Zuben—” I say.

“No mister,” he corrects me. “Just Zuben.”

I nod. “Yes, sorry—JustZuben.” I grin. “Thank you for kicking off the auction.”

“It was my pleasure to participate,” he says. “But now, I wonder if I might have a moment of your time, Ms. Cross.”

“Just Ember,” I say my cheeks heating.

“Just Ember.” He nods, a smile dancing over his lush lips.

I glance toward Ryker who’s glaring at Zuben, but his expression quickly changes back to something more neutral when he notices me looking.

“I hope I am not interrupting.” Zuben looks at Ryker.

“As a matter of fact,” Ryker says, “youareinterrupting.”

“Apologies,” Zuben says. “But I assure you, my business with Ms. Cross is most urgent.”

Squaring their shoulders, the two men face off in silence, as if each of their stares holds the power to slay the other. My body pulses, inexplicably drawn to both of these men. They aren’t the only attractive men in the room, so whatever’s going on with my body, noteverygood looking man is a trigger.

A shameful thought enters my mind. Am I attracted to wealth?