Page 18 of Auctioned to the Devil
“Richard.”
“One thousand.”
The remaining bidders drop out.
Archer, the emcee, whistles. “Well, damn. Dinner with Emily Harper for one thousand dollars.”
Richard reaches for my hand but I pull it away.
“It’s a charity date,” he says.
“I know.”
“Then smile.”
My eyebrows lift. “Excuse me?”
“People are watching.”
“Let them.”
His smile tightens.
Archer’s expression changes from amused to watchful.
Richard leans closer. “Don’t embarrass me.”
A cold prickle runs down my spine. “You’re doing a pretty good job of that yourself.”
I turn away and his hand closes around my upper arm. “Emily.”
“Let go.”
“I’ve made you three generous offers for that property. I’ve given you contractor referrals. I’ve tried to make things easy for you.”
My skin crawls. “I didn’t ask you to.”
“You could show a little gratitude.”
I stare at his hand. “Take your hand off me.”
“Don’t make a scene.”
“I’m not the one grabbing women in public.”
The music has stopped. Conversations die around us.
Richard seems to realize too late that everyone is watching.
He loosens his grip but doesn’t release me.
Then a chair scrapes across the floor.
One sound.
That’s all it takes.
Richard lets me go.
