James shook his head. “I’m sorry, miss. He’s gone.”
“Gone?” she repeated.
“Yes, miss.” James shifted his feet uncomfortably, clearing his throat before continuing. “Do you have anything you need before we leave?”
She thought about the dress and the shoes. She definitely didn’t want or need those again. She saw the clutch still sitting on the counter and, grabbing it, said, “No, let’s go.”
Her heart felt like lead in her chest. She couldn’t believe he’d just left. Without a single word to her. How had this happened? She’d done nothing wrong. She was his submissive. She’d acted as such. But had she? Should she have allowed herself to be taken out of the comfort and the protection that the estate provided her? In doing so, had she allowed Drew to believe that their relationship was something other than what it was meant to be? What was she supposed to do now? So many questions she had no answers for.
She rode to the estate in silence, questions and thoughts spinning in her head. She prayed that Drew’s car would be in the driveway when they arrived. Perhaps he’d just needed some time. As they pulled through the gates, the sun was just beginning to rise and lighten the sky, the exact opposite of her own inner horizon.
Pulling into the driveway, her heart sank as she realized Drew’s car wasn’t there. One of the estate carts was parked along the walkway, though. Who could be here at this hour? James got out of the car, coming around to open the door for her.
“Thank you, James,” she said quietly and made her way to the bungalow’s front door. As she was reaching for the handle, the door swung open wide, Domme Maria standing in the entryway.
Hannah couldn’t disguise her surprise and let out a little gasp. “Oh! Domme Maria, I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Come in, Scarlett.” Domme Maria raised a sleek eyebrow. “I thought you and Drew had gone to a ball? Please tell me that isn’t what you wore.”
Hannah looked down at Drew’s T-shirt and sweats, then shrugged. She wasn’t sure what Domme Maria did or didn’t know, so she answered vaguely, “My dress got dirty, so Master Drew gave me this to change into.”
“Well, I’m sorry he had to cut your time short. I’m sure you’ll be happy to know it will have no effect on the fee owed to you.” Domme Maria started walking further into the house and beckoned for Hannah to follow. “Come.”
Hannah followed her into the kitchen, questions reeling through her mind. She’d safe-worded. She shouldn’t get her whole fee. What had Drew told Domme Maria? “Did you speak to him?”
“Master Drew? No, my assistant did. He explained that he was called away on a business emergency and had to cut your time short but wanted to make sure I saw to your needs personally. Apparently he felt bad. Who knew?”
“Oh, okay.” She wasn’t sure what to say. Obviously Drew hadn’t told Domme Maria what had actually occurred between the two of them, and she definitely wasn’t going to expose the truth.
The Domme looked at her skeptically. “Are you all right, Scarlett?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Just tired.” She yawned to support her claim.
“Okay, if you say so. My gut is telling me it’s something else though. You can talk to me if you need to.” Domme Maria clicked her fingernails on the counter as if offering Hannah a chance to speak. After a moment of silence though, she continued. “I’ve brought your clothes here for you to change into. Once you’re done, we can go to the office and I’ll provide your weekend payment. Then you’ll be free to leave.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Hannah said quietly and started to walk toward the bedroom.
“Scarlett,” Domme Maria called, “you did amazing for your first auction. Master Drew paid fifty thousand dollars for you, which means you made twelve thousand five hundred dollars.”
Hannah stopped in her tracks and turned, staring at the other woman in shock. “What?”
Domme Maria huffed in disbelief. “Oh you silly girl! You have no idea of your worth, do you?”
Hannah shook her head and walked quietly to the bedroom to change. Domme Maria had no idea just how close to home those words hit.
11
Two Weeks Later
* * *
“Hannah, there’s a messenger here for you!” her assistant called from the front of the shop.
“Can you just sign for it, please? I need to finish this arrangement for the Hoovers.”
Robin appeared in the doorway of their workspace. “I tried. She says it has to be delivered in person.”
Hannah sighed, exasperated, and wiped her hands on her apron as she made her way to the front of the shop. Surprise hit her when she saw that the messenger was none other than her attendant from Baton Timide. Rose looked ethereal as always, dressed in a soft, pink dress that flowed over her willowy body. “Rose? What are you doing here?”
The other woman smiled. “Hello, miss. Maria sent me to deliver this to you.” She held out a flat, gift-wrapped package with a card attached. “Given the nature of the gift, she thought it best be delivered in person.”
Hannah took the gift, curious. Setting it down on the counter, she opened the envelope first. The card within was a heavy, cream-colored stock with the initials “AMS” embossed in sapphire blue on the front. Her heart immediately started pounding as she opened the card. Inside was a check for one hundred thousand dollars, a business card for Andrew Matthew Sapphire and a message written in what had to be Drew’s handwriting.
* * *
Scarlett,
Please take this and use it for whatever drove you to Baton Timide. I know you quit, and I know I drove you to it. What’s in the box belongs to you. I can’t imagine it on another. I am sorrier than any words could ever express. I miss you. Please call me.
Drew
* * *
Hannah’s hands shook as she set the card and its contents down on the counter and broke the seal on the wrapping covering the box. She knew in her heart what it was, but as she tore a corner of the paper and saw Tiffany blue beneath, her breathing stopped. It was the diamond choker necklace she had worn to the ball. Her collar. She looked up at Rose in shock.
“Rose, I can’t take this.” She pushed the box across the counter, then lifted the check and placed it on top of the box as well. “Please, please, just take these back.”
Rose placed her hand over Hannah’s, squeezing it in understanding. “Of course, miss. Whatever you wish.”
Rose gathered the box and check and placed them in the bag on her shoulder. Before leaving, she asked Hannah one final question. “Do you have a message for Mr. Sapphire?”
Hannah shook her head as a single tear fell down her cheek, which she quickly wiped away.
“Is he— I mean— Have you seen him?”
Rose kindly shook her head. “I’m sorry, miss. I haven’t.”
Rose gave Hannah one last kindhearted look and left the shop, the bell over the door tinkling as she did. Hannah took the note and business card and walked back into the workshop, where Robin was finishing an arrangement.
“What was all that about?” Robin asked.
Hannah shook her head. “Oh, nothing. A misunderstanding. I took care of it.” The bell to the door sounded again, notifying them of another customer. “Why don’t you go take care of that? I’ll just put the finishing touches on this.”
“You got it.” Robin bounced out of the room.
Hannah walked across the room and placed the note and card under the silk mask that lay discreetly on the shelf above her desk. After Drew had walked away from her two weeks ago, she’d quit Baton Timide, realizing she wasn’t the kind of person who could turn her heart off, as much as she had hoped she could be. She’d deposited the money she had been paid into a savings account, not wanting to see or think about it again. She had done the same with her emotions and feelings for Drew, locking them away deep inside her, and buried herself in her work instead.
* * *
Two Days Later
“What do you mean
she sent it back?” Drew slammed his fist down on Domme Maria’s desk.
“Andrew, you need to calm down, please.” Maria spoke coolly. “She doesn’t want it. I can’t force her to take it.”
“Did you include the note I gave you?” His voice was lower, more even this time.
“I did, even though it was against my better judgment.”
He ran a hand through his hair, frustration his reigning emotion, and sighed.
“You understand that this is completely inappropriate? A submissive’s identity is to remain private unless she allows it to be otherwise.”
He brought his gaze up to meet Maria’s, fire blazing between them. “You think I don’t know that? You think I want to feel this way? Act this way?”
“You’re a Master Dominant. This is a situation you should have never allowed yourself to be in. I’m not going to lie here. I’m extremely disappointed in your behavior. Plus, I’ve lost a beautiful submissive.”
He scoffed. “That makes two of us.” A look of pleading entered his eyes. “Please, I’m begging. Tell me her name or where I can find her.”
“I’d never thought I would see the day you begged me for something, but you need to let her go. She’s made her decision and you have to respect that.” Maria spoke firmly, but a note of compassion snuck through.
Drew dropped his head into his hands, nodding in defeat. “I know, Maria. I know.”
* * *
Two Months Later
Drew and Ben made their way out of the restaurant and across the large marble lobby of the hotel. They had just finished lunch and had decided to play hooky for the rest of the afternoon after they grabbed Drew’s car from the valet. Ben’s cane clicked on the marble floor as they walked but was overshadowed by the laughter they shared.
Ben pointed to the reception desk. “Hey, isn’t that your friend Scarlett?”
Drew skidded to a halt as his gaze darted to the desk. Scarlett. She was holding an extravagant arrangement of roses and talking to the concierge animatedly. Her long hair was up in a ponytail, and she was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. She looked just like an ordinary girl.
“I guess hitting the track is out?” Ben grumbled.
Drew pulled his gaze away from Scarlett long enough to respond, “Yeah, sorry, Benny,” and then he hurried across the room. When he reached her, he touched her shoulder to get her attention. “Scarlett?”
She spun around quickly, surprise splashed across her face, the large arrangement of roses slipping from her hands, crashing to the ground, glass shattering, water spilling in a pool at their feet.
“Jesus, Scarlett!” Drew pulled her back safely away from the broken glass. “Are you okay? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
She didn’t say a thing. Just stood there, staring at him like he might not be real.
Drew barked at the desk clerk, “You there! Can you please get someone to take care of this?”
The clerk picked up the phone, dialing a number while saying, “Yes, sir, Mr. Sapphire.”
All of a sudden, a thousand pieces clicked into place for Hannah, and she laughed a little desperately. “Oh my god! Of course, Andrew Sapphire. Sapphire Luxury Resorts.”
Drew dismissed her revelation with a quick head shake and took her elbow, leading her away from the front desk and the mess they had created. Once again, he asked, “Scarlett, are you okay?”
She finally looked at him, shaking her head in disbelief, and repeated, “Oh my god. You’re Andrew fucking Sapphire. You own Sapphire Resorts? How did I not put the pieces together before?”
“Stop saying that. My family owns it. Not just me. It’s not that big of a deal,” Drew replied.
“Not that big of a deal? Are you kidding me? You’re a gazillionaire!”
“So maybe you should have kept the gifts I sent you then Scarlett. Obviously I can afford it.” His voice was gruff.
“Stop calling me Scarlett,” she retorted.
He glared right back at her and gritted out, “I’ll call you anything you want me to, but since I don’t know your real name, it puts me at a bit of a disadvantage.”
The concierge walked over to them then, pointing to the flowers strewn across the lobby floor. “Excuse me, Hannah dear, what would you like me to tell Mr. Ruffino about the flowers for his wife?”
She looked at Drew, quickly realizing that now he at least knew her first name, before responding to the concierge. “George, would you be so kind as to call him and explain what happened? I’ll pop back to the shop, put together a new arrangement and have it here within an hour.”
“Of course. Thank you!”
Drew looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time and then took a step toward her. He swept a stray lock of hair from her face, back behind her ear, then cupped her cheek. “Hannah. It suits you.”
For one moment, she forgot where she was and leaned into his touch, but then she took a step back. “Drew, Andrew, Mr. Sapphire, whatever I should call you. I’m sorry. I have to go.”
She turned and started walking toward the exit. Drew grabbed her arm, stopping her. “Scar-- Hannah, wait! You’re just going to leave?”
She turned back, her feet weighed down with grief. “Drew, I have to go. I have a job to do. I’m sorry, but nothing has changed for me.”
“Please. Five minutes. Let’s talk. Let’s figure this out. I’ve missed you.”
The pain and desperation in Drew’s eyes broke her heart. Seeing him again caused every emotion she had finally managed to lock down over the last month to come screaming back to the surface. She so badly wanted to stay, to listen to what he had to say, to feel what she felt when she was in his arms again. But instead, she kissed him softly on the cheek. “Good-bye, Drew.” And then she walked away, leaving him there staring after her.
As soon as Hannah was through the doors, her hand flew to her mouth to hold in the sobs trying to escape. She ran to the delivery van she’d left in short-term parking and hopped in quickly, shutting the door on all the emotions she was feeling for Drew.
Drew stood frozen in the lobby for a good three minutes before he made the decision to go after her. He could wait for her to return with the flower delivery, but he was betting that she would send someone else with it. He walked back in the direction of the concierge and, scaring him half to death, called out, “George!”
The concierge pointed to himself in question. “Me, sir?”
“Yes, you!” Exasperated. “Tell me what you know about Hannah!”
“Hannah with the flowers?” he asked.
“Yes, yes! Hannah with the flowers. What do you know?” Drew wanted answers and he wanted them quickly.
“N-nothing, really,” he stammered. “I only know she works at The Secret Garden Boutique. That’s it. She prepares special arrangements for some of our guests from time to time.”
“Good, that’s good. Okay, thank you.” Drew clapped him on the shoulder before walking away. He gave the valet his ticket and, as he was waiting, googled the address to The Secret Garden. This time she was going to talk to him and he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
Fifteen minutes later, Drew was driving past her shop. It was in a particularly busy part of town, so he had to park a few buildings down and across the street. After finally finding a spot, he got out and was about to cross the street when he saw Hannah walk out of the shop, a smile spread wide across her face.
His eyes looked in the direction hers were focused and then opened wide. A little girl was skipping down the sidewalk, holding the hand of a man wearing camo fatigues. Drew could see that the little girl was the spitting image of Hannah, the same blonde hair, the same brown eyes. When the little girl spotted Hannah, she released the man’s hand and began running toward her, shouting, “Mommy! Mommy!”
Hannah bent down, caught her daughter in her arms and brought her up in a hug, kissing her on top of her little head. The man had reached them now too and bent down, placing a kiss on Hannah’s c
heek in greeting.
Drew watched the scene unfold before his eyes, his breath caught in his throat, his heart thumping wildly. She’s married? She has a child?
Hannah swung the young girl up on her hip and, as she turned to walk back into the shop, caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Looking up, she saw Drew standing across the street, eyes locked on her in apparent shock. She met his gaze for one quick second and shook her head, silently mouthing, “No!” and then turned and walked into the shop with her family.
Author Note:
Thank you for reading The Winning Bid! I really hoped you enjoyed part one of The Auction Series. I know I left you hanging, but have no fear, part two, The Final Bid, is already available, so no waiting! And I promise you’ll love the happily-ever-ending! You can download a copy from any retailer here: books2read.com/u/mBrMVM
About the Author
Michelle Windsor lives north of Boston, Massachusetts, with her husband and two teenage boys. She writes steamy contemporary romance, has achieved Amazon and Barnes & Noble International Best Seller status, and was awarded the Best Contemporary Romance Writer by Passionate Plume Ink in 2019. When Michelle isn’t working on another book, you can find her spending time with her family, her German Shepherd, Roman, or enjoying cocktails with her close-knit girlfriends.
* * *
You can find out more about Michelle, as well as links to all her books, on her webpage:
www.authormichellewindsor.com
Also by Michelle Windsor
The Final Bid:
Universal Link: books2read.com/u/mBrMVM
Breaking Benjamin:
Universal Link: books2read.com/u/bW9Z01
Take Me to Bed: A Collection of Naughty Bedtime Stories Page 14