The spicy novellas in Audrey Carlan’s Marriage Auction series got a little revamping treatment this week, and I have sneak peeks for you from both of them.
Madam Alana
Christophe held the door open so that I could enter the restaurant before him, keeping a gentle hand on my lower back.
“Christophe!” A young man in his late twenties cheered when we entered. “When did you get into town?” He approached, arms open wide in greeting.
“Bobby!” My husband hugged the man outright, clapping him on the back as though they’d been friends for years. Perhaps they had.
“Just last night,” Christophe answered as he turned to me. “I want you to meet my wife, Alana.”
“Wife?” The man grinned and reached a hand out to me. “Pleasure to meet you.”
I shook his hand swiftly and then silently stood, letting them catch up.
“Well, I’ll be damned.” Bobby took in our wedding attire. “I didn’t know if you had marriage in you!”
Christophe shrugged. “Got married tonight in fact. Spur of the moment thing. When you know, you know,” he answered, then put his arm around my shoulders and tucked me to his side rather protectively. Surprisingly, I felt safer in his arms than I had moments ago. Actually, I felt more protected within his hold than I had in years.
There was something to be said about having your person. The one who made you feel safe. It was just that my person had always been Celine. My stomach tightened with worry for my friend. I hoped with my entire being that she was being treated as well as I was. Especially after I’d heard those nasty things the man who bid on her had said earlier at the auction.
“I can relate. I fell all over myself in love with my wife when we met. And now we’re planning to try for a baby.”
“Bravo! I wish you the best of luck growing your family. Will you plan to bring your child into the business?” Christophe gestured around the restaurant.
“God willing,” Bobby said with ecstatic emphasis. “Come, come! I’ve got my best table available in the back with a view of our courtyard and added privacy for VIPs.” He snapped his fingers to gain someone’s attention from across the room who was pouring drinks at a bar. “A bottle of our best champagne for the happy couple,” he called out.
“You are too kind, my friend. Merci.” Christophe thanked him, holding me close as we followed the man, who I gathered was the owner, to the table.
“She is very beautiful,” the man said, his voice low as he dipped his head toward Christophe while I scooted along the curved seat of the private booth.
“I have met none even close to my wife,” Christophe boasted out loud while he sat, making sure his body was flush with my own, his long arm resting on the back of the seat behind me so that I was once more hugged to his side.
“Here are the menus, but I would be honored to craft a wedding dinner fit for royalty.” Bobby lifted his chin and bowed regally.
Christophe looked to me for a decision—something I hadn’t expected. “Would you like that, Alana? To have the owner and head chef surprise us with our first meal as a married couple?”
A Christmas Auction
“God, it’s so obvious, girl,” Henrietta smacked her lips as she applied new gloss.
“What is?”
“That man is into you,” she said.
I frowned and gnawed on my bottom lip. “What are you talking about?”
Henrietta smirked but didn’t say anything, so I focused my attention on Alana. “Any help here?”
Alana simply smiled.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake child,” Henrietta blurted. “He likes you. So much so that he doesn’t want any man seeing you in that hot-as-fuck dress, or prancing around the auction in your skivvies.”
I waved my hand at Henrietta. “Puh-leeze. Bruno’s given me no indication he likes me. As a matter of fact, I’d have suspected the opposite if he didn’t save me a few days ago.” I shook my head. “Ya know, that’s probably what it is. He feels responsible for me somehow. Alana, what do you think?”
Alana batted her eyelashes and shrugged her shoulder with visible nonchalance. “I do not know one way or the other. Perhaps you should discuss it with him tonight in your shared suite.”
“Shared suite? You mean I’m rooming with him?”
Dread, thick as molasses, filled my gut. If Bruno was already mad—and I had no clue why he would be so upset—I’d chosen to participate in the auction, living with him for the next three weeks was going to be the pits. But no way would I complain; I was being offered an opportunity of a lifetime.
Alana narrowed her eyes. “Darling, I cannot keep you protected if he’s not sharing the same space. However, you have your own rooms with a living space separating them. Is that not acceptable?” she cooed.
“Uh, no, it’s…um…fine. I’ll make it work. How’s about we change the subject and I try on that dress?”
“Fabulous!” Alana beamed as she passed the gorgeous dress to me. “There’s a privacy screen over there you can use.”
“Awesome,” I said and took the dress behind the screen. “So, what’s this date tomorrow going to be like? Do they tell you in advance?” I shucked my clothes into a pile on the floor and stared at the most incredible dress I’d ever seen hanging before me. It stole my breath it was so beautiful. Reminded me of something a Hollywood starlet would wear, not a bartender from Las Vegas.
“Oui, chérie. We are informed of every detail. Colin is taking you to an industry charity event and silent auction in Los Angeles. Very luxe. Many celebrities will be in attendance. It’s red carpet so the dress needs to be fashionable and expensive. Alas, you needn’t worry about a thing. The price of this dress, your shoes, jewelry and everything included for the trip comes out of Mr. Omstead’s expenses. He chose the event and set the expectation specifically for the type of woman he wanted to have on his arm. You fit the request perfectly.”
“I’m going to Los Angeles tomorrow. As in, California?” I squealed as I pulled the dress up my body and stood as high up on tiptoe as possible so I wouldn’t drag the fabric along the ground.
Both Alana and Henrietta gasped at the sight of me in the dress when I came around the partition.
“You look like a Christmas present ready to be unwrapped, sister!” Henrietta exclaimed.
“Oh chérie, you are too beautiful for words. This dress was made for you,” Alana added.
I tiptoed over to the full-length mirror and inspected myself. I didn’t recognize the elegant woman standing before me. She was me, but not. She was the me I knew deep down in my soul I could be.
“It’s perfect. I feel like a million dollars.” I turned from side to side inspecting it from every angle, especially the daring open back. The dress showed everything and nothing at the same time.
Alana approached and gently grasped my arms on either side from behind. We both stared at my reflection in the mirror.
“It will be a Christmas affair to remember, my darling. Take it all in, Holly, because your entire life is about to change.”
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