And the Winner Gets...Married!

by Metsy Hingle

  Evidently Kim had managed to secure tickets for some hot new show, Justin thought as he approached his mark at the center of the stage. And he couldn’t help but wish it were Kim he’d be taking to dinner and the theater. But even as the thought formed, he quashed it.

  “You’d also better get out your suntan lotion and bathing suits because some lucky lady is going to spend the day sailing Lake Geneva with Justin aboard his boat Calypso. Then you’ll be treated to a catered lunch followed by cocktails at sunset. Now, who’s going to get the ball rolling with an opening bid of one thousand dollars?”

  Stunned to discover just what Kim had put together as a date package for him, Justin silently vowed to wring his assistant’s pretty neck. As much as he loved sailing, he hadn’t been on his boat in months because of work. He certainly hadn’t realized that Kim even knew about his passion for sailing. One thing was for sure. He positively didn’t want to spend an entire day on his boat with some debutante or, even worse, Eve Novak by his side. The idea that he might have to had acid churning in his gut. What in the devil had caused Kim to do such a thing? he wondered. Just as quickly, he admitted it was his own fault. He should have looked at the certificate when Kim had offered. Lost in thought and trying to figure out how he was going to get out of this mess, Justin didn’t even realize the bidding was moving fast and furiously until he heard someone say eight thousand.

  Eight thousand? Justin yanked his attention to the emcee at the podium.

  “I have eight thousand dollars from Ms. Eve Novak. Do I hear eighty-five hundred?” the woman asked.

  “Eighty-five hundred.”

  Justin jerked his gaze back to the audience, and to his left he noted Ashley Powers. He tried to manage a smile of gratitude to the stockbroker, whom he had convinced himself to pursue romantically only a few days earlier,.

  “I have eighty-five hundred. Do I hear nine thousand?” The auctioneer asked hopefully. “Ah, I have nine from the lovely young lady in the back.”

  Justin shifted his gaze toward the rear of the room, tried to see the face of the woman holding paddle number twenty-three. But between the paddle and the persons seated at the front of her table, all he could make out was that she was a blonde.

  “Ten thousand,” Eve Novak said, drawing his attention back to the front of the room.

  “I have ten thousand dollars from Ms. Novak. Do I have—”

  “Eleven thousand,” Ashley Powers offered from the opposite end of the stage.

  “Twelve thousand,” Eve countered.

  “The bid is at twelve thousand. Do I hear—”

  “Fifteen thousand,” the blonde in the back called out.

  Justin narrowed his eyes and stared at the back of the room. He knew that voice. He was sure of it. And there was something familiar about her. But try as he might, he couldn’t quite place the voice or the woman. The brief glimpse he’d gotten of slender shoulders bared by the strapless black dress also drew a blank. No way would he forget a woman with a figure like that. Yet…

  “I have fifteen thousand dollars. Do I hear more?” the auctioneer asked, and looked directly at Eve.

  “Hey, Justin, you offering more than a boat ride and a sunset?” one of his male friends teased.

  “Just my company, Mick.”

  When the laughter settled down, the auctioneer repeated, “Do I hear more?”

  Eve Novak shook her head. Lifting her flute of champagne in a toast, she looked directly at him. “Sorry, Justin honey, but no sailboat ride is worth that kind of money.”

  “Evidently not everyone agrees,” a female voice called out that sounded suspiciously like his sister Tara’s, and the room broke out into laughter again.

  “All right. Going once. Going twice. Gone.” The emcee slammed the gavel down and said, “Sold for fifteen thousand dollars to the owner of paddle number twenty-three. That concludes our bachelor auction. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your generosity. Enjoy the rest of the evening.”

  Relieved to be off the auction block, Justin exited the stage, intent on finding out who the mystery blonde was who’d just paid an extraordinary sum for a date with him. But he’d barely taken two steps when Eve Novak blocked his path.

  “Justin.” She all but purred his name. “You can’t imagine how disappointed I am. I was so counting on having the winning bid for your little sailing date. But even for charity, fifteen thousand dollars seemed awfully high.”

  “Yeah, it was a surprise to me, too,” Justin said, and tried to look past Eve to where the blonde had been seated. Much to his disappointment she was already gone.

  “Is she a special friend of yours?”

  “Who?” Justin replied, and only then became aware of how close Eve was standing to him.

  “The skinny blonde who just bought the date with you,” she replied sweetly. But there was no mistaking the hard look in her eyes.

  From what little he’d been able to see, his mystery lady might have been on the slender side, but the body in that black number hadn’t fit his definition of skinny. “Actually, I’m not sure.”

  “Really? How interesting,” Eve replied, and Justin felt a prickle of unease snake down his spine at the smile she gave him. She traced one red-tipped nail along his jaw. “Then perhaps I can convince you to take me out for a spin on your boat even if I didn’t win the auction.”

  “Now, Eve, how would it look if my brother were to turn around and offer to take all the losing bidders out on his sailboat when someone just paid all that money for the privilege?”

  Justin could have kissed Tara for coming to his rescue. Judging from the way her violet eyes sparkled, she knew it, too.

  “Hello, Tara,” Eve said and there was no mistaking her displeasure at the interruption. “What a surprise seeing you here.”

  “I don’t see why, since both my mother and my brother Chance’s wife, Jennifer, are on the fund-raising committee.”

  “I know. One of the main reasons I came tonight was to support them. And, of course, because your handsome brother here was one of the bachelors being auctioned off.” Eve gave Justin a look that smoldered before turning her focus back to Tara. “It’s just that when I called this week asking for you to redecorate my apartment, I had the impression you were backlogged. At least, I assumed that’s the reason you referred me to an associate.”

  His sister didn’t so much as blink an eye at the underlying accusation in Eve’s tone. She simply said, “Business has certainly kept me hopping lately. So has my son. But this fund-raiser is important to my family. Naturally, I made time for it.”

  “Perhaps you could make time for me as well,” Eve suggested.

  “Not unless you’re willing to wait a few months, until I’m free.”

  “A few months?” Eve repeated.

  “Afraid so. Apparently, my services are in demand at the moment,” Tara said smoothly.

  Half listening, Justin scoped out the ballroom and spied his mystery blonde walking toward the area designated for tickets and pledges. “Speaking of being in demand,” Justin said to Eve and flashed her his most charming smile. “I’m afraid you’ll have to excuse me. I just saw my father, and there’s something I need to discuss with him.”

  Before Eve Novak could object, Justin stepped back and made an immediate bee-line in the direction he’d seen the blonde heading.

  “That certainly was an exciting finish for the bachelor auction,” the woman who’d introduced herself as Linda told Kim as they stood in line with the other winning bidders to settle up their accounts.

  “It was exciting for me, too,” Kim told her. Which was true. It had been exciting and terrifying at the same time. She still couldn’t believe she had just shouted out that final bid of $15,000.00. But she’d been so nervous. Then when that sexy blonde in the red dress kept topping the bids for Justin and the people began looking from the blonde to her, she’d only become more nervous. She hadn’t been sure she could handle any more rounds of volleying bids and scrutiny, so she
’d simply thrown out her top bid, hoping to be done with it.

  And she’d won.

  “Personally,” Linda told her, lowering her voice and leaning slightly closer, “I’m glad you beat that snooty Eve Novak.”

  Kim paused, suddenly realizing why the woman seemed familiar. She’d seen her in the society section of the local newspaper and remembered her calling the office for Justin. “Why?” Kim asked, curious as to the woman’s reason for the comment.

  “Because the woman’s a real gold digger. She dated the brother of a friend of mine who’s an investment banker, but when she found out his own portfolio was modest, she dumped him. Rumor is that she runs D&B checks on all the men she goes out with, and I believe it. Especially considering that all her ex-husbands are millionaires.”

  “All?”

  “She just got divorced from husband number three,” Linda explained. “And since she’s here, one can only assume she’s on the hunt again. I’m sure she would have just loved the chance to get her hooks into someone with Justin Connelly’s money and connections.”

  Not sure what to say and feeling guilty for listening to the gossip, Kim remained silent.

  “Anyway, congratulations again.”

  “Thanks,” Kim murmured. She was grateful when the line began to move, distracting Linda from discussing Eve Novak or Justin further.

  By the time she’d handed over the cashier’s check that Tara had given her and was awaiting her receipt, Kim was enjoying herself.

  “Here’s your receipt and the certificate,” the woman manning the table told her. “Enjoy your date.”

  “Thank you,” Kim replied. She turned to leave, only to run into Robert Marsh.

  “My, my, you certainly are full of surprises tonight,” Marsh told her. All the enjoyment of the evening suddenly faded beneath his blatant once-over.

  “Excuse me,” she said, but Marsh blocked her path.

  “I just wanted to add my congratulations. That was quite a show you put on during the auction. Justin must be paying you very well if you can afford to spend fifteen grand for a date with him. Or maybe you consider it an investment.”

  Kim narrowed her eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  He shrugged and flashed her a smile that did nothing to reassure her. “Just that I hadn’t figured you for someone with designs on snaring her boss.”

  “I’m not,” Kim informed him, bristling at the implication.

  “I certainly hope not because, to be honest, you’re not Justin’s type. He’s into blue-blooded beauties, if you know what I mean.”

  She did know what he meant, but refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing that his arrow had hit home. “Is there a point to this conversation, Marsh?”

  He smiled again. “Just trying to be a friend and offering you the benefit of my experience with the Connellys. I mean, they’re a breed unto themselves. Whereas you and I…”

  Kim backed away before he could finish his sentence. “Thanks, but I’m afraid you’ve got the wrong idea. My bidding on Justin tonight was a favor to a friend. Nothing more. Now if you’ll excuse me, I just spotted someone that I need to speak with.”

  Before Marsh could object, Kim dashed past him. She was so intent on getting away that she was scarcely aware the lights had been dimmed and music was now playing. Or that a great many people were making their way to the dance floor. She spied Tara being escorted to the dance floor by an older gentleman, and though she knew she shouldn’t intrude, she rushed over to her. “Excuse me, please,” she told the man who obviously was surprised by her interruption. Ignoring his arched eyebrow, she shifted her attention to Tara. “I just wanted to thank you again for inviting me tonight.”

  “I’m the one who should be thanking you,” Tara replied, but it was obvious from her expression she didn’t understand why Kim was so distressed. “I’m glad that you decided to come.”

  “Well, it was fun, but I’m going home now and I wanted to say good-night.”

  “But the evening’s just getting started, and—”

  “I know. But I’m afraid I do have to go,” Kim told her.

  “But you can’t possibly leave now,” a male voice said from behind her, causing Kim’s heart to stutter as she recognized the voice. “Not when I’ve finally tracked down the mystery lady who bought me.”

  Seeing no way out, Kim dragged in a breath and turned to face him. “I hate to disappoint you but I’m no mystery lady.”

  “Kim!”

  “Afraid so.” Her heart sank at the shock she read in Justin’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I thought you’d recognized me.” Or she had hoped he had, since he’d been looking directly at her when she’d made that final bid.

  “I thought…I mean, I knew you seemed familiar, but with the lighting and your hair like that, I didn’t realize it was you.”

  Self-conscious, Kim caught a lock of hair that fell across her shoulder. “I probably should have worn it up.”

  “No,” he said emphatically, surprising Kim. “I like it. You look wonderful.”

  “I hate to interrupt such an interesting conversation,” Tara began, and by her expression, it was clear she wasn’t sorry at all. “But in case you haven’t noticed, the two of you are standing in the middle of the dance floor. A dance floor that I might add is getting a little crowded.”

  “Watch out,” Justin advised and pulled Kim out of harm’s way as an enthusiastic pair nearly collided with her.

  “Thanks,” Kim murmured, and steadied herself on the sky-high heels, but not before she caught the “I told you so” look from Tara.

  “Tara?” the older gentleman who had been standing beside Tara touched her arm. “Shall we?”

  “By all means,” she replied. Turning her attention back to the two of them for a moment, she looked straight at her brother and said, “If you can manage to talk and dance at the same time, I suggest you ask Kim to dance.”

  “Brat,” Justin responded, but there was only affection in his eyes as he looked at his sister.

  Tara gave him a cheeky smile. “Oh, and no need to thank me now, big brother. You can tell me later how wonderful I am.”

  “Thank her for what?” Justin asked Kim as Tara danced away.

  “For having me buy your date package.”

  “Tara was responsible?”

  Kim nodded. “Maybe we’d better go find someplace where we can talk.”

  By the time Justin had gotten them each a glass of wine and they had retreated to a relatively quiet corner, Kim had explained how Tara had asked her to attend and bid on him in the bachelor auction. “Anyway, Tara thought you’d prefer to choose your own date and not get stuck with someone because of the auction. So I agreed to bid on you at her request.”

  “Remind me to send my sister flowers on Monday,” Justin told her.

  “Then you’re not upset?”

  “Hardly. I will admit that at first I was ready to strangle you when I discovered that instead of dinner and theater tickets, you’d locked me into an all-day sailing date. Especially when I thought I might have to spend it trapped on the boat with Eve Novak.”

  “And now?”

  “Now I’m looking forward to it,” he told her. “But I am curious about something.”

  “What?”

  “How did you know I had a passion for sailing?”

  “Oh, that was easy,” Kim explained. “You keep a picture in your office of you and some friends on a sailboat. And I remember when your mother was in the office a month or so ago, complaining that you were working too hard. She mentioned something about you not even taking your sailboat out anymore.”

  “And naturally, you remembered,” he said, and the smile he gave made her insides melt.

  “Yes.” What would he say if he knew that there was little about him that she didn’t remember? The way his hair had a tendency to curl at his nape. The way he absently fingered his pen and paced when he was trying to figure out a problem. The way he always removed the pickles
from his sandwiches and ate them separately as though they were a treat.

  “Then I guess it’s a good thing for Connelly Corporation that you’re not an industrial spy, because you’d know all our secrets.”

  “I don’t think you have to worry about that. I love my job.” And you, she added silently.

  “The corporation is lucky to have you. So am I,” he told her, and smiled at her once more. “Thanks again for coming to my rescue tonight.”

  “You’re welcome.” Setting down her wineglass, Kim retrieved the envelope that contained the certificate that entitled the bearer to a sailing date with Justin and offered it to him. “Here you go. I hope you have a wonderful time.”

  Justin glanced at the envelope she held out to him, but made no attempt to take it. The look he gave her was filled with confusion and what Kim wanted to believe was disappointment. “Don’t you want to go with me?”

  Kim’s heartbeat quickened. She looked away, stared down at her hands, afraid what Justin might read in her eyes. “Well, I just assumed…that is, I thought you would want to ask someone else, maybe Ashley Powers,” she offered, recalling that he had had her book a dinner reservation for the two of them. “You know, somebody whose company you enjoyed.”

  Justin tipped her chin up, and her pulse leaped at the warmth in his hazel eyes. “I enjoy your company, Kim Lindgren, and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather take sailing than you. But if you’d rather not go—”

  “No. I’d love to go,” Kim said, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. “I mean, I’ve never been sailing before, but I love the water.”

  “Then it’s settled. The two of us have a date to go sailing.”

  “Well, if you’re sure…”

  “In the time we’ve worked together, have you ever known me to be unsure of what I want?”

  “No,” she conceded. It was one of the things she admired about Justin. He didn’t flinch or waver from making decisions.

  “In fact, suddenly I can’t wait to get out on the water. What do you say we go tomorrow?”