Auctioned to the Greek Billionaire (The Highest Bidder Book 1)

by Carmen Falcone

  “We go walk,” Diego said, excitement flickering in his eyes. “Come?”

  Amaya kissed his cheek. “Not right now, buddy. I have to pack all these boxes,” she said, pointing at the boxes spread all over her small apartment.

  “Okay, pack away. We’ll be back in an hour,” Samantha said, then closed the door behind them.

  Amaya sighed. She’d been back from Greece for seven days, and she’d done so much it seemed the time she’d spent there was an eternity ago.

  Except…when she thought of Theo.

  She had a hard time forgetting how his lips felt on hers, and how she could get lost in his arms. Her body roared with need, missing him like an addict in rehab.

  She grabbed some items she’d placed on the kitchen table and began to place them in the boxes. She’d move to a nicer apartment, in the same area where Diego would move in a few months. She’d be within walking distance of him. The idea brought some comfort to her broken heart.

  Theo had betrayed her—he’d never have told her about his uncle’s implication. Or maybe he would later, whenever it was convenient for him. He’d behaved just like his uncle—prioritizing self-interests, power, and money.

  When she’d returned to Nevada, she’d paid for a private detective to garner evidence about what happened that night—and he’d told her someone else had been looking into the case too. A Greek lawyer based in Vegas.

  How convenient.

  A part of her wanted to believe Theo had hired the lawyer, for the same reason she had hired her detective—to search for loopholes and ways to open a case which would grant an extradition. She grabbed the duct tape from the counter and closed one box. I can’t keep fooling myself.

  Even if he had done all this as a sign of atonement, he’d never looked for her. Never called her with the words she longed to hear. I’ve fallen for you. I’m no longer getting married. Be with me. Stay with me.

  He had an empire to run and possibly a wedding ceremony to attend in Greece. What guarantee did she have he’d really cancel the agreement to marry Talia? Why would he give up all that because of her?

  A knock on the front door startled her, and she placed the box on the floor. She opened the door and found the last person she’d thought she’d see—Madame Alexa herself.

  “Hello, dear. May I come in?” she asked.

  “Of course.”

  Goose bumps rose on her arm. What if Theo had complained about her? Or maybe he wanted to get his money back? Ever since her arrival, she hadn’t contacted Madame Alexa yet—because there’d been one more week to go.

  “How was Mr. Rhodes?” Madame Alexa asked, glancing around, taking stock of her place.

  Amaya fidgeted with her neckline. “Good.”

  “Good?” Madame tossed her lustrous black hair to the side. “He paid for the other half a week ago. I told Jackie to get in touch with you and transfer, but she had some personal problems and got a little busy. So, I’m making a little house visit today.”

  “Oh.” He’d paid the day she left. She swallowed. What did it mean? “Do you want something to drink?”

  Madame touched the boxes piled up next to the sofa. “No.”

  Amaya cleared her throat. Something about Madame Alexa’s quiet sophistication and her tiny space didn’t match. “I’m moving soon. I’m thankful for what you did, Madame Alexa. My family will be better off for it.”

  “Excellent. I always like to talk to my virgins after, well, they aren’t virgins anymore. I’d be disappointed if the auction didn’t leave you better off as a result,” she said, her eyes searching hers.

  Amaya touched her neck, feeling her pulse throb. She looked away. Shit. She was better off financially, for sure. Emotionally? Not so much.

  “Amaya, is something wrong?” Madame Alexa inched closer.

  “No. I mean, yes.” She shifted her weight from foot to foot. “Look, it was great, more than great. Mr. Rhodes—Theo is amazing. I’m probably the least successful virgin in the keep-it-professional requisite because I fell for him. Hard.”

  Madame Alexa crossed her arms.

  “It sucks.”

  She tapped Amaya’s forearm. “It does. But you’ll get over it. You’ll see.”

  She wasn’t sure she wanted to get over it. She preferred a do-over, in an alternative universe where Theo loved her and hadn’t betrayed her. “You’re not going to ask me how it happened? And why I think he’s amazing even though he broke my heart?”

  Madame Alexa angled her head, as if she needed to see if there was more to Amaya. “No, honey. Love stories always start with hope and end up with reality. There’s not much more to it.”

  “I hope you’re wrong.”

  Madame Alexa tilted her head to one side. “Well, you’re back and all in one piece. I’m transferring the rest of the funds to you today. Don’t spend it all in one place.” She gave her the slightest wink and sashayed to the door.

  …

  “Theo Rhodes. I’m here to meet Talia,” he said to the receptionist at Talia’s office. The woman promptly stood.

  “Of course, Mr. Rhodes. Please come with me,” she said, and led him through the hallway leading to the elevator. When it stopped on the sixth floor, he made his way out.

  He’d been trying to get a hold of Talia for days, but she’d been away on a business trip. Today was her first day back, and he wouldn’t miss the opportunity to talk to her. He owed it to her to say in person that he could no longer marry her.

  “Talia, Mr. Rhodes has arrived,” her assistant said, announcing his entry.

  When he walked into the modern, medium-sized office, Talia smoothed her hands over her pencil skirt. Tall and elegant, she had all the attributes to make any man swoon. Any man who hadn’t already fallen for the charms of a much different woman.

  “Talia, thanks for seeing me.”

  She sat in front of him, and he chose the oversize leather chair to sit. Apprehension kicked up his heart rate. He inhaled, willing himself to say what needed to be said.

  She drummed her fingers on the desk, apparently uneasy herself. “I’m glad you came. I wanted to talk to you too.”

  “Excellent.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I hear our parents have been talking. After your father was in the hospital, mine began pestering me to set a date for the wedding.”

  He fixed his tie. Did she want to schedule a date to get it over with? He’d let her finish talking, then ax the idea of a marriage as soon as possible. “Yes. I can imagine.”

  “This must come as news for you, but I don’t want this marriage.”

  Relief unlocked his shoulders. He’d always suspected she didn’t want it, which didn’t mean she wouldn’t go through with it—for the sake of her family company and her own. “You don’t.”

  She ran her fingers down her shoulder-length blonde hair. “No. To be honest, I’m not even sure…I’m the marrying kind. Which is why my father insisted so much on the idea, the perfect excuse for him to marry me off.”

  “I understand.” He didn’t, not really, but bashing her father wouldn’t get them anywhere.

  Challenge sparked in her forest green eyes. “So, I have a proposition for you. Why don’t we merge the companies without the marriage?”

  Without the marriage? Enthusiasm pumped into his bloodstream. “I’m for it, but we still have to convince your father to sell me the stocks.” And would her traditional father agree? Hell, the old man had been keeping those stocks for a long time. “He won’t give in easily.”

  Talia grabbed a file folder and handed it to him. “One caveat—you won’t be the only president. We’ll be co-presidents, sharing equal power. We can draw up a contract saying we can’t vote unless we agree.”

  Taking charge of our future. He opened the folder and glanced at the several pages of contract she had drawn up. Of course, he had to ask his lawyer to take a look at it, but the idea released a warm sensation inside him. He’d been busy with his father’s recovery, missing Amaya, and t
rying to get evidence to send his uncle to prison. He hadn’t had time to come up with a wonderful idea such as Talia’s—who would be an invaluable partner.

  “I like your idea. I need to read the contract, but I agree with what you’re proposing. We’d be lousy spouses, but amazing business partners.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” She stretched out her hand. “Deal?”

  Theo knocked again at his parents’ front door. He was about to knock a fourth time, when the longtime housekeeper opened the door.

  “Oh, Theo, hi,” Basilia said, a smile forming on her lips. “So nice to see you.”

  “Thanks.” He gave her a quick hug and marched into the foyer then living area. “Are my parents home?”

  “Your father has left with the driver, but your mother’s home.”

  “Good.”

  “She’s working on some pottery in the studio. Would you like me to call her for you?”

  Theo turned left, in the direction of the studio. “No, I’ll surprise her.”

  His mother had always enjoyed learning new things: sewing, drawing… Pottery had been her latest idea, and he didn’t waste time barging into her studio. Ever since he’d talked to his father and Amaya had left, he hadn’t had a conversation with his mother. Come to think of it, it was a great thing his father wasn’t around.

  “Mother,” he said, walking into the studio.

  Clay statues in various forms were lined up along a white table. His mother gave him a guarded smile, then washed her hands in the stainless-steel sink. “I was wondering how long you’d take to come say hi.”

  “I’ve come with much more than that.”

  She reached for the towel, dried her hands, then placed it on the counter. “Did she tell you?”

  “What?”

  “Amaya Lopez. Did she tell you what I’d asked her? I’m assuming that’s why you ignored me and didn’t respond to my calls the past few days.”

  Theo walked in his mother’s direction, confusion fogging his brain. Did his mother contact Amaya after the breakup? “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve come to tell you I’m not marrying Talia, officially,” he added, emphasizing the last word. Surely his father had already told her about Theo’s decision. Theo, however, had waited until he talked to Talia to make it public.

  “Are you sure? That’s a big decision.”

  He paced the studio, popping his knuckles. His mind spun. Shit, he shouldn’t blame his mother for his problems—not her fault. But he had to make her see his side. He didn’t need her approval, but he wanted to show her his train of thought. “You married my father out of obligation. How did it feel back then?”

  She widened her eyes for a moment, probably surprised. She touched her pearl necklace. “It didn’t feel good. I did what I had to do, and even if my marriage isn’t from some fairytale book, we’ve made it work. We learned to care for each other. I was hoping you and Talia could too.”

  “I don’t want to marry someone just to make it work, Mom. I need to be happy,” he said, and memories of the times he’d spent with Amaya popped in his head. Coming home to her, spending time with her and talking had made him more satisfied than he had been in years. Why should anyone pass up that kind of joy?

  She glanced at the door and clutched her necklace. “Of course.”

  He let out a long sigh. Shit. He didn’t want to hurt his mother—she was the result of a repressive, sexist, uber traditional household. “I know how you think, and it isn’t your fault. I respect your views, and only ask for you to respect mine.” Since it’s my life.

  When her gaze found his, a pang of sadness hit her hazel eyes. “I’ve been a bad mother, haven’t I? Just assuming you would turn out the way we expected.”

  He rubbed his forehead. His brother, Kostas, had probably turned out much more lenient and agreeable than he. Theo had never once worried about his parents not loving him enough because he internally disagreed with their views regarding marriage.

  “You turned out much better,” she said, her lips breaking into a smile. “Confident, successful, and yet…you care. You care enough about what’s right to want to take your uncle down,” she said, probably referring to the lawyer he’d contracted to look into Amaya’s parents’ records. His father probably told her about that, too. “You care enough about this girl to withdraw from an agreement made a long time ago.”

  “An agreement made without my permission.” Because I was a child.

  “Yes, true.” She bridged the gap between them. “You also care enough about me to come deliver this news in person, no matter how hard it may be.”

  Tears brimmed in her eyes, but she quickly wiped the corners with the tip of her index fingers. Blinking, she nodded at him.

  His gut clenched. “Of course I do, Mom.” Perhaps he wasn’t as involved with the family gatherings as Kostas and his other cousins, but he still loved his parents and worried about them. He pulled his mother into a hug, and she embraced him back, resting her head on his chest.

  She withdrew from him, glancing at him as a crease formed between her eyebrows. “I care enough about you to cheer for your happiness too. Which is why I’ll tell you something that’ll make you mad at me.”

  He crossed his arms. “Go on.”

  “I asked Amaya to leave you when the time came. I don’t know exactly how things ended for the two of you, but since you’re being so honest, I can’t omit this part.”

  “What do you mean, when the time came?”

  “I asked her to do the right thing. Well, what I believed was the right thing.”

  Could that have been why Amaya hadn’t gotten in touch with him? He scratched his chin, apprehension running hot and thick in his veins. No. Damn it, he’d made a mistake, too, and had to own up to it. If he hadn’t kept his discovery from her, maybe she’d still be with him.

  “It’s okay. She left, but I was to blame. Thanks for sharing, though,” he said, doubting it’d been easy for his mom.

  “You’re not…mad at me?”

  “No. I’m tired of bullshit. I prefer straight talk.” He let his words sink in. Had he told Amaya how he felt about her? How he…loved her? No. He’d watched her leave, too scared to own up to his feelings.

  Determination zapped through him. You know what you have to do. He kissed his mother’s forehead, then turned around and headed to the door.

  “Wait. Where are you going?” she asked behind him.

  He tossed her a look over his shoulder, then reached for the doorknob. “I’m going to do some straight talking of my own.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Hey, Amaya. Did you take care of table fifteen?” Gaby, a waitress in her forties, asked.

  Amaya held up a tray filled with burgers and fries. “Almost done.”

  When she’d told Samantha about working a couple weeks until her former boss found someone permanent to replace her at Joe’s Cafe, Samantha had laughed. She now didn’t need the money per se. But what Amaya had failed from mentioning was that she’d needed the distraction. Badly. She’d do anything to keep from thinking about Theo, like she had the past eight days.

  Not even moving into the new place or all the time she spent with Diego filled that void in her heart. Madame Alexa had been cynical about love. Had it been because of personal experience?

  Amaya served table fifteen, then, with an empty tray, spun on her heels to return to the kitchen. She couldn’t tell if she had been lucky or cursed to have fallen for Theo, but one thing rang true—she wouldn’t trade the moments with him for anything else.

  “Amaya,” said a deep masculine voice she knew all too well.

  She slapped her forehead. It’s already happening. I’m hearing voices and going crazy.

  “Amaya.”

  She turned around to find the man who had been haunting her thoughts a mere few feet from her. When he walked across the restaurant, people took notice of him, the women’s glances lingering on his fine ass. Wearing denim jeans and a black s
hirt, he almost looked casual—except, he wasn’t.

  Her heart flipped, and she grasped the round silver tray against her chest. “Theo? What are you doing here?”

  “I heard the food’s good, and the service is unmatched.”

  Her stomach sank. Did he visit her just to make fun of her? She glanced at his hand, discreetly searching for a marriage band. None. Relief zapped through her. She loosened her grip on the tray and sat it on the counter. “Well, you can get a table, and I’ll assign someone to serve you.”

  He pulled her to him, circling his hand around her waist. A gleam of hope lit the depths of his eyes. She gasped, her body getting used to the nearness of his. God. Her nipples puckered, and her breasts rose and fell in her white uniform top. “There’s no one else for me, Amaya. Only you.”

  She plastered her hand on his chest to push him away and register his words, but the moment she touched his solid pecs, a strand of desire raced through her, leaving her lightheaded. She pulled him closer instead. “Wait a minute. What did you say?”

  “I’m not marrying Talia anymore. We called it off. We’re business partners, that’s it.”

  “Why didn’t you marry her?”

  Specks of silver twinkled in his eyes, and there was something intimate and warm about his expression. “I love you. I couldn’t see myself married to anyone else.”

  Whoa. He…loves me. “What about your family?” The old saying of when you marry someone, you marry their family popped in her brain. If they wouldn’t accept her, how could this work?

  He caught her hand in his, threading their fingers together. A delightful warmth shot up her arm, heating her up. “I told them I chose you, and I don’t care about what they have to say. Turns out, now that I’m not marrying Talia anymore and we’re business partners, they support me. My brother likes you. So does my mother deep down. My father doesn’t know you yet.”

  She withdrew from him. She tuned out the background noise: the chime on the door whenever a new customer arrived and a waiter talking to the manager not too far from them. Her heart thrummed in her ears, so loud she could barely hear her own thoughts. “What about your uncle? I’m trying to get him in prison.”