Authors: Ashley Hunter
Romance: Auctioned To The Panther: BBW Dragon Shifter Romance Standalone (Wild Shifters Book 2) (9 page)
“3,500? Do I hear a higher bid? Going once… Going twice… Sold to the very generous man!” He slammed his gabble against the wooden podium to declare the final sale. Adelaide shyly waved a goodbye to the crowd before turning on the heels of her feet and walking backstage.
3,500 dollars
? She hadn’t expected anything near that much. That was the highest bid of the night!
Adelaide took a seat next to the other women who had already gone on stage. They eyed her enviously and snuck critical glances at everything from her hair to the heels she wore. Adelaide self-consciously pushed a loose strand of her dark chocolate locks behind her ear. She wanted to tell them that she had only signed up for this auction to conquer her stage fright and shyness, but she owed them no explanation.
Adelaide made her way to the main lobby with the other women and looked for the man who bid on her.
All men were debonair in classic suits and charming smiles. The participating women’s names were written on boards that the men held up. To Adelaide, it looked very identical to a scene in an airport reunion.
James had cursed himself ever since he impulsively bid on her. It was as if a fire inside him pushed him to do it. Something about this woman riled him up inside. A feeling he had no right to feel for any woman.
He would not let his disposition ruin anyone else’s life but his own. It was selfish of him to entertain any relationship because he knew he’d only end up hurting the other person in the end.
He held the board with her name on it.
“Adelaide.” He practiced it silently to himself. He had decided this would be a business meeting. He would take her to dinner as per the auction rules and they would simply part ways, never to see each other again. But, as soon as he spotted her wild curly hair and bouncy chest strutting his way, James couldn’t help but hold his breath.
A fire burned inside him and this woman ignited it. He stared at her as fantasies of his arm wrapped around her while they lay lovingly in bed filled his mind. This was new for him: a woman he could already picture a future with and he hadn’t even heard her speak.
“Hi, I guess I’m all yours for the night.” She joked. James snapped out of his dream world and took a moment to understand what she had said.
“Oh yes… Your name is Adelaide. Am I saying it right?”
“Just call me Adie. No one really calls me Adelaide unless I’m back home.”
“Okay, Adie. It is a pleasure to meet you.” James began. He held out his hand for a stern and professional handshake, which she returned curiously since she was expecting a hug or something less formal.
“I am going to reserve a table at Le Train Bleu, the finest French restaurant on this side of New York.” He told her before pulling out his cell phone from the chest pocket of his navy blue suit. Adelaide placed her hand gently over his and shook her head.
“That’s far too much. You’ve already spent 3,500 dollars on me alone. I’d rather do something less high profile… If you don’t mind.” She requested. He raised his eyebrows. He had never considered places that he frequented often as high profile.
“I’m open to suggestions. What did you have in mind?”
“I’ve been craving a vegetable casserole since this afternoon but I was so nervous about the auction, I couldn’t even think about food or my appetite, so now that it’s over.” She placed her hand on her stomach and pretended to shovel food in her mouth. James furrowed his eyebrows at her intriguingly.
“I would hate to be the one who separates you from your vegetable casserole. Where is this restaurant?”
“It’s a little lower in the districts.”
“Really? You venture out of the upper east?”
“Do I really look like the type of woman who exclusively stays in the upper east? I work here, but my playground is downtown.” She winked at him and took a few backwards steps toward the exit. James was taken aback.
Adie was a breath of fresh air. As much as he wanted to push aside his feelings, another part of him couldn’t help but follow her lead. He was drawn to her energy.
Adie stood outside and the cold New York air whipped her hair across her face. The other women standing outside with their men had to micromanage their hair as they waited for valet to pull the car around.
“I love New York but this weather always tosses my hair the wrong way.”
“Right? My favorite shampoo never accounts for the inconveniences of windy nights.” Two girls yapped on about the issues plaguing their manes. But, Adie stood with her arms wrapped around herself to keep warm.
“So, shall I flag down a taxi or can I guess you’ve got a driver pulling up any minute?” Adie quipped. James suppressed a smile. She was so darn cute.
“I’ve got a driver. He’s right over there.” James pointed at a middle-aged man with a cap and a chauffeur’s uniform.
“Great!” She smiled and before turning to leave, she remembered something, “I’m sorry, I never got your name?”
“James… James Weston.” He told her.
“Weston corporations, right?”
“Yes,” he smiled impressively. “I didn’t realize I was so recognizable.”
“I’ve done business with Weston Corporations before. They did tell me their CEO was young.”
“I’m glad to hear that’s the image they’re sharing to our partners.” James sarcastically conceded. He made a mental note to speak to his staff about the image they portrayed of him. Although he was young, he was adamant about being known for his work ethic and accomplishments as a business owner and CEO.
“Loosen up, James. It’s a compliment, not a diminishing factor for your company.” She assured him before thanking the driver who held her door open and taking a seat in the black SUV that would be their ride for the night.
She was unlike the other women he had ever been with. She impressed him. Her simplicity, liveliness, humility, and boldness invigorated him. This only made him vow to be more distant and cold. She was amazing and people like that were rare. He was not going to be the one to taint her spirit.
Chapter 2
“I would never have done something like that in a million years. But, then again, we don’t have a million years to live, so I knew I had to do it at any cost. It was just really hard for me to sign up.” Adie put simply before placing another scoop of vegetable casserole in her mouth. James watched her inquisitively as she ate.
He took a sip of his oolong tea, which Adie convinced him to try. To his surprise, he actually enjoyed it.
“I wouldn’t have guessed someone like you was shy. Why don’t you auction yourself more often?” He asked.
“For starters, I look nothing like the other girls who were up there. I mean, I’m not insecure, but women like me usually get the shorter end of the stick when it comes to being chosen based on looks.” She shrugged.
“I won’t take that as an answer.”
“Okay, fine. You got me. I guess the whole fat-girl-complains-about-society-not-accepting-her thing is outdated.” Adie laughed.
“You’re not fat.” James assured her. Adie smiled faintly at him before revealing the real reason she wasn’t a regular at bachelorette auctions.
“Truth is… I’m a shy girl. I’ve had stage fright for all my life or at least, until tonight. I’ve always only been comfortable in the background; observing and creating but never actually putting myself out there.”
“That’s not a way to live, Adie.” James declared.
“It’s not that I don’t live. Trust me, I live to the fullest. The idea that if a girl doesn’t scream up and down the streets of Manhattan in nothing but a bikini top and a mini skirt with three cocktails in her system she isn’t alive, is absurd. I don’t judge anyone who does that, but it’s just not how I am.”
“That’s not how I am either but I would definitely judge a bit harshly if I knew someone who did that. What kind of friends do you have?” He teased and smirked at his own cleverness. She smiled back and giggled.
“Wow, Mr. Business can make jokes. Have you finally let loose? There’s no alcohol in that tea is there?” Adie teased.
She had picked up on his cold and reserved attitude long ago and she was proud of herself for getting him out of that as much as she did already.
“There must be alcohol in here. Next thing you know I’ll be running up and down the streets of Manhattan in nothing but a bikini top and a mini skirt.”
“That’d be a sight to see.” She took a sip of her iced tea and smiled at him. They sat in silence admiring each other. It was immediate and apparent: the tension between them was high.
James held his breath. His insides began to tremble again; his blood turned cold and his heart was beyond inflamed. He felt like he was going to come out of his own skin. Literally.
It was rare for him to feel this way around someone. His inner beast normally didn’t interfere with normal women he dated but Adie was different. She caused his dragon to become restless. It was as if he was impatient for her and begging for more.
“Have you finished your casserole?” He asked, taking a look at his Rolex watch. He couldn’t be around her any longer. His insides could implode. Adie looked at her plate and nodded.
“Oh definitely. I’m sorry, I forgot some people have demanding jobs and aren’t able to stay out all night in Queens like I am.”
“How do you work in New York but you don’t have a demanding job? You said you’ve done business with my corporation before. I never asked what it was exactly that you do.”
“I’m a painter. You requested a mass production of a landscape piece of mine. It’s in every room of your hotel and a handmade, custom portrait of mine was placed in the lobby of your Rhode Island location.”
“You’re
the
Adelaide Frasier. I knew your name was familiar. I apologize for never thanking you for your work earlier. You are an amazing artist.” James was charmed.
This woman was not only gorgeous and great company; she was highly respected in a field where everything was based on the speculative eye of the beholder.
I’d use the word amazing for people like Van Gogh or Picasso... But thank you. I appreciate it.” She blushed and pushed a loose curl behind her ear. James had already noticed she did that often.
The ride to Adie’s apartment was filled with sober-fun, banter, and a few lovey-dovey eyes. James tried to distract himself by engaging in mediocre conversation but it was no use. His attempts were futile against the growing beast inside of him.
‘You need to chill out.’ He told himself as Adie spoke. It was like every word she said no matter in what context caused his inner beast to rumble and his human form pictured their future. This was strange, even for someone like him and that was scary.
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