Surprise Bidder

Gavin places his hand over mine. “I said I’ll take care of you.”

And I know he means it. I’m just talking too much because I’m excited, because I can’t believe all this is happening. It’s just too good to be true.

I squeeze his hand. “Thank you.”

He shakes his head. “Don’t. It’s only right that I support you and our child.”

Of course he thinks that way. He’s doing this out of duty, nothing more. Still, I’m stoked.

“And I’m sorry for not telling you sooner,” I say.

“When did you find out?”

I place my hands on my lap. “That day when the prizes gathered at Fiona’s house and I found out what happened to Nadine.”

“Fiona told you I was at the masquerade party?”

I shake my head. “I didn’t find out at Fiona’s house. I found out when I was at your office. When we… well, after we…”

I touch my neck as I struggle to finish the sentence.

“Had sex?” Gavin finishes it.

I nod. “You had a scar at your nape.”

He touches it. “Yes. You mentioned that.”

“I noticed it before, too.”

“So that’s why you had that look on your face. You looked like you’d seen a ghost. No wonder you were in a rush to get away from me.”

I say nothing.

“Is that also why you were acting strange?” Gavin asks. “I mean when you had those fake smiles and then when you were dropping stuff…”

“Yup,” I say. “I was trying so hard to hide the secret.”

“Why? Why didn’t you tell me right away?”

“Because I was scared,” I tell him. “Because I wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do. I knew everything would change if I told you the truth, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted it to, if I was ready.”

“That’s why you were going crazy,” Gavin says. “You were torn.”

“Yes. Up until I felt the baby kick and I saw the ultrasound. Then I just wanted to keep my baby, to be a mother, more than anything. But you know, I’m still broke, so I was going to tell you, to ask you for help.”

“That’s why you came to the Ball.”

“Yes. I didn’t want to, but Sylvia said you had another trip after the Ball and I wasn’t sure when I’d see you again. I wasn’t sure I could wait. So I went. I tried looking for you but I didn’t see you. Then I saw Fiona and she told me to wait for you. She said she’d go and get you.”

“But she didn’t tell me you were looking for me.”

My eyebrows arch. “She didn’t?”

Gavin shakes his head.

That’s strange. Maybe she forgot because she was worried about me.

“Anyway, while I was waiting for you, that man arrived.”

“Owen Reed,” Gavin tells me his name.

Not that I want to know it.

“He… tried to do things to me.” I clutch my robe as I painfully relive the memory. “He…”

Gavin places his hand over one of mine. “You don’t have to give me any details.”

Right.

“He said you gave him your permission.”

Gavin’s jaw clenches. “Son of a bitch.”

I touch his arm. “By the way, I didn’t know that… that the Ball was like that. I knew it was a party for protectors and prizes but I didn’t know about… the other stuff. If I had, I wouldn’t have gone.”

“I know.”

I place my hand back on my lap. “Anyway, I fought him off.”

“Like you fought off Townsend?”

“Sort of, but I didn’t have a tray.”

“Pity.”

“I found a horsewhip, though.”

Gavin grins. “I would have liked to see that.”

“I was winning,” I continue. “I almost got away. But then that old man came.”

“Elias.”

“I tried to explain things to him, to ask for help. But he wouldn’t believe me. He wouldn’t listen.”

Gavin sighs. “He doesn’t think very highly of women. I think he’s the one who thought about the whole auction and prizes thing.”

“I see.”

Again, he takes my hand. “I’m sorry. I should have given you a chance to explain. I shouldn’t have punished you.”

I shake my head. I did expect an apology, but now…

“I’m just glad you believe me,” I tell him as I look into his eyes.

He looks away.

“I should never have believed Reed,” he says through gritted teeth. His hand clenches into a fist. “He’ll pay for what he did.”

“Shh.” I place one of my hands over his fist and the other on his cheek. “It’s alright.”

I’m glad that he feels the need to avenge me, but I don’t want him to get into trouble and risk getting hurt. It’s not worth it.

“It’s not alright.” Gavin looks into my eyes. “He made me believe you were no longer mine.”

“But I am,” I tell him as I stroke his cheek. “I’ve never been with any other man.”

His eyes grow wide at that revelation. His hand touches my cheek. I snuggle against his palm and smile.

In the next moment, his lips press against mine. My heart flutters.