Page 3 of Billionaire Bad Boy Auction

Clearly, she wanted to sound important. I offered a tight smile and watched her go, her hips swaying dramatically, the length of her dress grazing the floor behind her. Minus the tan, I had to give it to her—she looked pretty good.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s the part of the night you’ve been waiting for!” The emcee’s voice rang through the sound system.

I’d almost forgotten about the auction, but Alexis certainly hadn’t. She clenched her fists and held them in front of her face as she let out a little squeal. I adjusted the hem of my dress for the hundredth time and hoped this part was over with quickly so I could go back to my rental, put some sort of cream on my sequin-chafed skin, and slip into my comfortable bed.

“Get your checkbooks out and prepare to feast your eyes on the bachelors we have on the auctioning block tonight! Get a good seat, ladies. You’re going to want to get a good look at these hot items.”

Alexis grabbed my hand and dragged me up to the front, directly in front of the stage. One by one, the bachelors were introduced, each one more eager than the last to charm the crowd. They came out, strutting, flexing, and doing their best to look sexy.

The emcee announced that bidding was open for the first bachelor, and the ballroom exploded into a chorus of female voices placing their bids one after the other. Alexis grinned like the devil while I tipped my head back and drained the rest of my champagne. I would need a buzz to get through the homestretch of the night.

A waiter walked by with a tray of filled champagne flutes. I reached out and grabbed one. By the time the third bachelor found himself sweating under the main spotlight on stage, mild amusement had overpowered my irritation over the whole evening. The champagne had done its job.

“Ladies, they say we save the best for last, and boy, do we have a treat for you!”

Screams like they were fifteen-year-olds at a Justin Bieber concert ripped through the air. I flinched and looked around while Alexis elbowed me in the ribs.

“Here’s the cherry on top.” She giggled. “Look.”

I shook my head and took another drink.

“Dean Jackson. Get your butt up here!”

The contents in my mouth abruptly spilled right back into my glass. It couldn’t be. I looked up, dabbing at my lips, and froze.

Dean strode onto the stage, his broad shoulders filling out his suit in a way that should have been illegal. His dark hair was slightly tousled and too long to be respectable. He looked like he was walking into a lineup instead of an auction block. Unlike the other men, who had smiled and waved at the crowd, Dean looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. He assumed his place and crossed his arms over his chest, his hard stare burning into the crowd. He barely acknowledged the audience as the auctioneer began the bidding.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Wow. Someone’s not thrilled to be here.”

Alexis smirked. “That’s Dean Jackson. He’s… complicated.”

“Complicated how?”

“He’s kind of a lone wolf. Doesn’t really do the whole social scene. I don’t think I’ve seen him in a suit before. Like ever. Someone must have some good blackmail on him.”

“Blackmailed into the auction?”

“He’s not exactly the type to say no to charity,” she said.

I watched as the bidding began, expecting it to fizzle out quickly given Dean’s obvious reluctance. But to my surprise, the opposite happened. Women started throwing down money like they were betting on a championship fight. The bids climbed higher and higher, and Dean’s scowl deepened with each one.

I shook my head in disbelief. “What is wrong with these women? He looks like he could be that guy that offers you a ride and you just know you shouldn’t get in the car.”

Alexis laughed. “Oh, come on. You can’t tell me you don’t see the appeal. Just look at him.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, well, he’s also clearly not interested. I don’t get why anyone would want to bid on someone who’s made it abundantly clear they don’t want to be here.”

As if on cue, I spotted one of the most aggressive bidders—a woman I recognized from high school. Jessica something-or-other. She’d always been one of those girls who thrived on making others feel small—especially me. Seeing her now, waving her hand with a smug smile on her face, made my blood boil.

“Ugh, Jessica,” I muttered under my breath. “Of course she’s all over this.”

Alexis followed my gaze and grimaced. “Yeah, she’s been on the hunt for a husband for years. Poor Dean doesn’t stand a chance. She’s been trying to sink her claws into him for a while.”

Something about the whole scene irritated me more than it should have. I just wanted the night to be over. I took another big drink from my glass.

Once again, the bubbles threatened to make me sneeze. I managed to hold it in with just a little squeak.

That was when he looked at me. Our eyes locked. His piercing blue gaze pinned me with an invisible force. I felt paralyzed. I couldn’t look away. He was hypnotizing me with those baby blues.

And this wasn’t the first time I’d stared into them before.