Page 39 of The Auction Block

"Lily," he whispers.

My breath catches at the huskiness in his voice. Closing my eyes, I tilt my head. His lips meet mine— soft, warm, and wanting. His arms tighten around me, and I close my fist in his hair, the band's music hardly noticeable above my heart pounding in my ears. He runs his tongue along my bottom lip, and a quiet moan escapes from my throat, everything south of my belly button clenching.

Stop this now, before you regret it.

I pull away from him, gently. "I'm sorry . . . I— "

"Don't do that," he whispers sternly.

"Do what?"

"Apologize."

"Blake . . . I shouldn't have . . . "

"Stop, Lily. Just let me enjoy being with you for tonight, okay?"

"Why are you attracted to me?" I gaze at him.Did I really just ask that?

He chuckles. "You’re unlike any woman I've met. Your attitude is something . . . no woman has ever dared speak to me the way you do."

"You like me because I have a smart mouth?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Yes. And you're funny, and beautiful."

"Because being pretty is so important."

"You're more than that."

"You don't know anything about me."

"I'd like to."

"No, you wouldn't," I whisper.

"Don't do that. Don't go all stone-hearted on me right now. Just have fun, or try at least."

I nod. The song fades, and Blake and I jump as someone next to us clears their throat. Straightening ourselves, we look over to find a stocky, sharp man staring at us. Blake stiffens, standing taller.

"Mr. Khoui. I wasn't aware you'd be here this evening," he says in a guarded tone.

"Ah, Mason, I never miss a good party. Who is this lovely morsel?"

Morsel?

His tone's sobering, and my scalp prickles as this man gazes down my body. Blake squeezes my hips.

"Lily, this is Anderson Khoui, a businessman from Nevada. This is Lily, my date."

He puts his hand out for me to take. Hesitantly, I place mine in his, the tremors starting in my shoulders. He takes my hand, and lifts it to his lips.

"Pleasure." Reluctantly, he lets go of my fingers.

I put my hand in Blake's, and he squeezes, trying to calm my nerves.

"Have a good evening, Khoui."

"Same to you, Mason," he says turning to leave.