"Damn."
Yeah, damn. Archibald Montgomery has been divorced once, no children, and is twenty-two years older than Piper. He wants children and to travel. To have a wife young enough to take care of him in his older age. And it looks as if he's about to get that.
"Jesus. The auction’s at twelve million!" Sebastian says disbelievingly. "Do you think it's the scandal, her family’s notoriety, that's driving this? She has no money, no inheritance, no legacy. They must see her as a novelty.”
"She's an exceptional woman," I snap before I think. All eyes turned to me. Fuck. "I'm just saying. It could easily be her beauty and her temperament driving up the bids. Some men get tired of these fussy, high-maintenance, arm candy types. They want a woman with more stability who isn’t going to blow through their bank account getting plastic surgery and wearing head-to-toe Gucci. These pairings don’t always have to be financial."
Becker arches a brow. "Have you been doing some market research you failed to share with the class, Nate?"
Yes. No.
"Think about it,” I press. “We’ve been watching the shift for a while now. We've taken on a few clients that have fewer financial resources than others, and they've always auctioned well. Women that show promise as supportive partners, as mothers. It’s not always just about sex."
Even if that's what men think they want.
But when you combine the sex kitten with the loving, supportive partner… Damn. That's the whole package right there. And the men bidding on Piper? They can tell she has it all. She oozed sexuality when we were out in public together. It's a natural part of her. Any man looking at her would wonder how she is in bed.
I was her first. My face heats and my hairline tingles when I think about it. Soon I won't be the only one.
Fuck this.
I toss back the hot espresso, ignoring the burn in my throat. Welcoming the pain, even, and then I burst out of my chair and go to the sideboard to pour a drink.
"Time’s almost up." Becker is suddenly beside me, reaching for a drink as well. He gestures with a quiet cheers while giving me a subtle look of understanding before tossing back his scotch.
A new chime comes from the laptops, indicating that the auction is done. My stomach hits the floor, ice in my veins. It’s over. I've lost Piper for good.
"Archibald Montgomery, winner at twelve point eight million. That is a damn nice commission, my friends. Congratulations." Sebastian rises and pours us all a round.
My phone rings. It's Montgomery. Turning my back tomy partners, I take the call, holding back my anger as I congratulate the man that will take Piper away from me.
"No, I'll tell her, Mr. Montgomery. It’s standard practice. You understand."
We make small talk for another minute and then I hang up. He asked for her number so he could reach out to her, but I'm going to tell her myself. I need to close this chapter once and for all.
My partners and I salute our success and finish our drinks before Sebastian says his goodbyes and heads home to his wife to celebrate the holiday. Becker alludes to possibly having a date, though he's shady about it. He never likes to share anything too personal. And Theo says he has some thinking to do. Suddenly, I'm alone in the conference room, staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the Manhattan skyline. A view I normally enjoy, but that looks cold and empty to me now.
Piper is at home. She was in her apartment when I left for work this morning, and I'm sure she'll be there when I return to give her the news.
Pouring myself another few fingers of scotch, I sink back into my chair and smooth my tie with one hand while staring at Archibald's name on the laptop screen. I salute him.
"Well done, old man. You're going to enjoy her."
I know I sure did.
I might not be ready to hand her over, but another drink or two will help.
I hope.
35
PIPER-LILY
"Can you repeat that please?"I ask, my own words sounding far away from me.
"Which part, Ms. Barclay?"
Which part? I stare at the man across from me, not quite believing that this is happening.