Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Of course she didn’t let it go. “You know, those women you hook up with are hoping for something more.”
“And I’ve made it perfectly clear that all I’m interested in is a good time,” he replied, not even close to being ready to dive back into the dating pool. “They know the rules and what to expect.”
She frowned at him. “I just don’t want you to turn into a thirty-two-year-old manwhore.”
He laughed. “Yes, God forbid that should happen.”
The sound of someone tapping a microphone three times had everyone’s attention turning toward the stage, where Aurora stood at a podium. Even though she’d recently had a second baby, she looked great in a formfitting, deep purple gown that complemented her blond, upswept hair and highlighted the subtle diamonds around her neck and hanging from her ears. Nick, her husband, stared adoringly from the stage. No, Derek thought, he was in no way ready for that.
“Single ladies, gather around,” she encouraged the women. “It’s time to meet some of the Most Eligible Bachelors of New York City! As for the gentlemen who are part of the auction, will you take your place on the stage behind me, please?”
Leaving his sister, Derek made his way up to his designated spot. There were twelve small circles on the floor in numerical order, and he stepped up to the number four. Drew stopped beside him as number five, followed by his brother, Tripp, as number six in the lineup.
While the rest of the guys settled into their places, Derek glanced at Drew. “So, how’d you get suckered into this?” he asked in a low voice.
“Chloe, of course,” he grumbled of his brother Beck’s wife, even though there was affection for her in his gaze. “She adores Aurora and begged us to be a part of the auction.”
From what Derek recalled, Aurora had been homeless before her rightful family, the Kingstons, found out she even existed. Now, she was Chloe’s sister.
“Well, there’s no denying a doctor and a lawyer ought to be a nice draw for the ladies bidding,” he joked as he pointed out Drew’s and Tripp’s professions.
Drew’s mouth lifted in a half grin. “Says the billionaire media mogul.”
Derek chuckled. “Fair enough.”
Once all the bachelors were in place, Aurora addressed the group of women standing in front of the stage. “Now, I’m sure you’ve all had a chance to look through the booklet and read each bachelor’s profile to pick out just the right man for your weekend enjoyment,” she teased. “Open up those wallets for a worthy cause and let the bidding begin!”
Aurora stepped down from the stage and an older gentleman took her place at the podium to conduct the auction. He called up the first bachelor, started the bidding at ten thousand and while a few single ladies upped the ante on the guy, Derek took the opportunity to gauge the small crowd.
His ex-fiancée, Claire, was hard to miss, standing in the front wearing a slinky emerald-green gown with thin straps and a low-cut bodice that deliberately flaunted her surgically enhanced breasts. Her dark hair was swept up in some kind of complicated style, and her makeup was dark and dramatic. He couldn’t deny that she was outwardly gorgeous, and he did his best not to make eye contact with her.
Standing on the opposite side of the group, Jessica was equally difficult to overlook in a black shimmery gown. The short sleeves fell off her shoulders, drawing a man’s eyes—his eyes—to the neckline that dipped just enough to show a tasteful amount of cleavage. Whereas Claire’s breasts were firm silicone, Jessica’s looked full and soft and real. As were the rest of her curves. The dress teasingly outlined her waist and shapely hips, but it was the daring thigh-high slit that captured his attention. With the barest shift in her stance, the material gave him a glimpse of her leg and the bright red designer heels that made a bold, head-turning statement.
She looked sinfully seductive, with her softly curled blonde hair flowing around her shoulders. She wore just enough makeup to enhance her features, not overpower them. Soft and subtle, except for those red-painted lips that had him conjuring a few dirty fantasies of seeing that lipstick smeared along the length of his cock.
He swallowed back a groan and flicked his gaze back up to her eyes. She’d caught him looking at her—or maybe he’d caught her looking at him—and she gave him a smile before her best friend, Avery, said something that diverted her attention. He saw Jessica glance toward Claire and was surprised to see a disdainful look in his ex’s eyes, directed straight at Jessica.
What the hell was up with that?
While all this was happening, the first bachelor sold for twenty-two thousand, the second one for eighteen thousand, and the third, an even twenty grand.