Bride of Convenience

Chapter 6

HARRISON saw that Wade had given her a business card, he also noticed how much attention he was giving Julia and was ropable. How dare she flirts with him and take his number in front of all these people. He slowly moved back to the table. He pulled out his chair to sit beside Julia.

“Having fun, Julia?” She jumped slightly at his voice which made him feel secure that he could get that kind of reaction from her.

“Yes, thank you. When will the bidding start?”

“Very soon.” She acted as if nothing had happened he just witnessed her take another mans number, and she pretended as if nothing happened. “Would you care to come with me onto the balcony?” He was already upstanding and holding his hand out. She took his hand and followed him to the balcony area. The air was colder now, and most people were inside. He walked to the very end of the balcony and turned to face her.

“What the hell were you doing in there with Wade?” He could tell he had caught her off guard.

“We were talking. Wade said he would like to show me around town and gave me his number.”

“You agreed to go out with him?” Harrison’s temper was getting out of control, and it showed in his voice. She cringed and moved away from him. He was scaring her, and he took joy in it slightly. “You have an agreement not to see anyone else while in this contract. I thought you understood that!”

“I do understand that, but I was caught off guard. Harrison, I’m here tonight at a work function I couldn’t say that I was with anyone or seeing anyone because I am not as yet. So I didn’t know how to react he realised he was being forward and offered me a card, so I didn’t have to give him an answer right away. What would you want me to do Harrison? Be rude and tell him to go to hell?” She was fuming her cheeks were red with anger. He took a breath she was right, he couldn’t expect people to ignore her she looked sexy in her dress and was bound to attract men.

“Julia, I’m sorry I should have realised that this may happen that someone might take an interest in you.”

WHAT a jerk, he couldn’t see that she looked good enough for others to take an interest in her.

“Hard to imagine I’m sure, but someone did! Can we go back in now?”

The bidding had started when they rejoined their table, and everyone was having fun. She sat down and sipped her champagne. Wade looked over and smiled at her, and she returned his smile. The next item up was the landscape she loved. The first bid came from Wade. She held herself very still. Surely he couldn’t blame her for that. Then she saw Harrison raise his bidding bat. Then Wade, then Harrison, then Wade. The auctioneer was having the time of his life encouraging more bidding. The bid was up to ten thousand already, and she didn’t know when they were going to stop. She felt her face going red for the third time that night. The bidding continued. Wade, Harrison, Wade, and Harrison until finally at thirty-five thousand the bidding stopped. The auctioneer pushing to see if he could get anymore going once, going twice, going three times and gone to Mr Harrison Bendleman. She was pretty sure that Harrison had just proved to Wade that she was very much taken. Julia was dumbfounded by what had just happened. The rest of the night went without a glitch. Finally when they were ready to leave Julia left with Harrison and her painting and not in the limo with the rest of the group she came with.