Read Gloria's Secret for Free Online Page B

asked Jaime, his tone now sexy and seductive.
    “Um, uh, a drink,” I stammered. Drinking at business events was against my rules, but I sure could use one.
    “What would you like?”
    “A vodka martini with extra olives.”
    “Don’t move.” He strode over to the bar and returned quickly with two martinis, one for me, one for him.
    “Thanks.” As I put the cold, velvety liquid to my lips, the pulsating music came to a sudden halt. The auction for Rihanna’s diamond-studded bra and thong had begun. All eyes, including Jaime’s and mine, were riveted on the wiry auctioneer standing behind a podium at the front of the club. The items were displayed on a curvaceous mannequin to his right.
    The bidding opened at $100,000. It quickly escalated to $500,000. My heart was palpitating. While I was seriously amazed that someone would pay so much money for a set of underwear (Okay, they were diamond-studded and Rihanna-strutted), I was thrilled because all the proceeds would go to Girls Like Us, the charitable organization I had started to help underprivileged and troubled teen girls pursue their dreams. Like me.
    At $900,000, a new bidder stepped in. I recognized the glacial voice immediately. Victor!
    “I have $900,000. Do I hear one million dollars for these treasures?” shouted the enthusiastic auctioneer.
    Dead silence. Everyone in the room held their breath.
    “One million dollars.”
    I gasped. Jaime Zander had just shouted out that exorbitant figure. I shot him a wide-eyed look. A smug smile crossed his face. What the hell was he doing?
    “One million dollars to the man with the gorgeous blonde.”
    I cringed. His smile widened.
    “Do I hear one million five hundred thousand dollars?”
    “Over here,” chimed in Victor hastily. I turned my head, and my eyes met his. They burnt with fire and desire.
    The auctioneer beamed behind his podium. “One point five million dollars. Do I hear any more bids?”
    Silence again. I glanced again at Victor. He shot me a smarmy smile. The tension in the air was thick.
    The auctioneer: “Going once… Going twice…Fair warning…Going down at…”
    “Two million dollars!”
    Jaime again! He raised his martini glass high in the air to confirm the bid. What the fuck? I gasped so loudly I was embarrassed. Fortunately, the din of the crowd’s collective gasp drowned it out.
    The auctioneer grinned. “It’s back to the gentleman with the gorgeous blonde. Do I hear anything further?”
    I eyed Victor once more. He was quietly fuming. I’d seen that sinister expression on his face before when he couldn’t get what he wanted—especially at the price he was willing to pay.
    The auctioneer slowly raised his hammer. “Going once.” Silence. “Going twice.” Silence. “Going…going…GONE!” He slammed his hammer down on the podium. “Sold for two million dollars to the gentleman with the gorgeous blonde! Congratulations, sir!”
    Raucous applause and cheers broke out. The loud disco music started up again. The crowd began to dance wildly. The party was now just getting started. But I stood motionless in shock.
    “Aren’t you going to congratulate me, Gloria?” Jaime asked, catapulting me into the moment.
    “Why did you buy the Rihanna undergarments? They cost a fortune.”
    “Because I could afford to. And the money’s going to a good cause.” He winked at me as he punctuated the words “good cause.”
    Smartass! “So, you think by impressing me with your money and audacity you’ll win the Gloria’s Secret account?” I countered, my voice testy.
    His lips curled up into that sexy smile. “No. I’ll win your account with my creativity and agility.”
    Arrogant asshole! But there was no denying that his words made me flush. Before I could utter a sound, he tugged at my braid.
    “Dance with me, Gloria!” An order. Setting his half-finished martini onto a nearby cocktail table, he whisked me into his sculpted arms, drawing me tight against him. The dance