Page 50 of Vicious Kingdom

“Like you won’t bid for me.” I laughed again, this time giving him a smile—one full of condescension. “Don’t worry. I’m not hurt. I wouldn’t bid for you if the tables were reversed.”

The bell chimed on stage.

I shot my final arrow. “A word of advice, Baldwin. Be careful who youdobid on.”

“What does that mean?” His words were damn near feral, sensing the threat.

“You have to pick one of these women.” I shrugged. “Since you’ve never been to one of these ridiculous events, all eyes are on you. The most eligible bachelor in the city. Don’t get some poor girl’s hopes up that she’s going to betheMrs. Baldwin.”

I held my breath, searching for a sign that it worked. That he took the bait.

Leo’s face was an unreadable mask of stone. He pushed from his seat. “Happy hunting, temptress.”

Refusing to feel deflated, I watched him move on to the next table. And I reminded myself that every goal worth reaching was a marathon, not a sprint.

***

The night moved on at a snail’s pace.

The muscles in my face hurt from forcing a smile. My tongue was tight with the restraint of holding back the outbursts several of these spoilt little pricks deserved. There were two more interviews, and then a much-needed break before the bidding started.

A drink sounded damn good right about now.

Shooting a look to the bar, I didn’t see who sat down across from me next until a familiar voice said, “Finally.”

“David!” I rounded on him.

He was the last person I expected to be here, so I hadn’t been paying any attention.

“Your mother invited me,” he said by way of explanation. “And to tell you the truth, I’ve been looking for a way to win you back.”

The most unromantic man on earth was making a feeble attempt at a grand gesture.

It should have felt flattering.

I think I’m going to be sick.“You can’t be here.”

“I came for you, Annaliese,” he insisted.

Looking into his impossibly soft eyes, I wondered how I ever found him attractive.

“David, this isn’t funny.” I fisted my hands on my lap. “I gave you the ring back.”

“I was hoping you might consider wearing it again?” His smile was lopsided. It should have been cute.

Annoyance ticked inside. “Look, we had some fun in Europe. And I appreciate the proposal. But coming back to the States showed me how wrong we are for each other. I should have called you sooner.”

“We spoke once since you got back.” He dropped the charm. The look that came over his face was almost mean. “Even then, you were too distracted by your friends to hear me when I said I was coming to visit.”

Then he surprised me at the golf course.

“I know, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have led you on—”

“No, you shouldn’t have.” David tapped his finger on the table. “Here’s what’s going to happen. I’m bidding for you. I’m going to show everyone that you’re mine.”

“I’m not your anything,” I countered hotly.

The nerve of this man! If he’d shown any of this backbone before, when I was lonely and exiled, I might have swooned. But I was back in my city, chasingmydreams.