Page 44 of Auctioned to the Billionaire Surgeon

“Neither do I and neither does Ardley,” Carmen said.“We’re finalizing the girls for this month’s Cinnamon Auction.”

“Ooh,” Leo rubbed his hands together.“I’d be good at that. Let me help.”

“If he helps, I’m going to go help Joaquin run the restaurants,” Ardley said, appearing from the restroom with her hands on her hips.

“Oh, damn.” Leo looked at his watch.“I’m supposed to be somewhere.”

“You do have a few major restaurants to run,” Enzo said drily.

Leo took off down the hall. He grabbed Ardley and gave her a big kiss on her cheek as he ran to the back hallway that would lead to Salt, one of his and Joaquin’s many restaurants.“Bye, Ardy,” he called over his shoulder.

She shook her head and stalked back to her desk. The effect was ruined since she was short, covered in a large cardigan sweater coat, and kind of adorable.

“Really sorry, Ardley,” Carmen said. She turned to me.“Are you waiting on me?”

“Yes. I didn’t know it was so entertaining being outside your office or I would have come by more often.”

Nico leaned back against the wall.“If you’re in search of entertainment, just come find me, baby.”

I rolled my eyes.“Such a line, Inky.”

He laughed, his blue eyes twinkling.

I walked into Carmen’s office. She shut the door behind us, effectively shutting out her brothers.“Do you know what I don’t recommend?”

“What?”

“Having five brothers.”

I smiled.“I don’t know. I was an only child,and watching the six of you together makes me happy. Most of the time.”

Carmen grinned, looking out the window at the water in the bay far below.“I know I complain a lot, but I wouldn’t actually trade them for anything.”

We were quiet a moment before she said,“What can I do for you?”

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.“I would like to enter this month’s auction.”

“Yes!” Carmen pumped her fist, and I raised my eyebrows.“I was hoping you were going to say that. What brought you to this decision?”

I explained everything about the internship to her.“But why were you hoping I’d enter the auction this month?”

“To be honest, I didn’t have a headliner. I like to have one clear standout girl each month to be the Cinnamon Girl for that auction. This month, I didn’t really have anyone that the men would be excited about. I mean, sure. I have some beautiful women in the auction. But the guys have come to expect that the last girl auctioned will be someone special, someone they dream of getting to bid on. That’s you, baby!” She clapped her hands.

“Really?”

“Come on. Are you kidding? Ever since Nadine brought you here, you’ve become more and more popular. After Daisy left, you became the most popular hostess behind Glory, and that’s a big deal.”

She pulled out some paperwork and pushed it towards me.“Okay. We have some things to go over. First, what do you want from the auction?”

“I just want security. I want school paid for. I’d like a house. I’d like my car paid off. And I’d like money in my bank account. That’s it. I don’t need fancy clothes or jewelry or anything like that.”

Carmen raised an eyebrow.“Honey. You’re going to be seen on the arm of one of West Bay’s leading members of society. You damn well better have the right clothes, jewelry, bags, andshoes or you’ll get eaten alive onWest Bay Today.

I made a face.“Well, I mean that’s fine, too.”

“You just let me handle that part of your contract. I think I’ll be better at it than you’re going to be.” She pushed another paper my way.“Now for the sexual compatibility questions.”

My eyes widened as I looked over the first page.“My God. It’s very… thorough.”