Monica stood over to the side and watched as the emcee tried to cajole the ladies in the audience to raise their bids as Dr. Peter Banyon strolled across the platform.
“Twenty-two hundred. Do we have twenty-two fifty?”
“Twenty-two fifty,” came a shout from the audience. Was that Nia? Monica craned her neck. Yep, that was her sister-in- law.
“Do we have twenty-three?” the auctioneer asked.
“Twenty-three,” someone in the back called.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Monica crossed her fingers, silently praying the doctor’s youth and good looks would hike up his asking price.
Several minutes later, after another round of bidding, including another bid from Nia, the auctioneer finally concluded with, “Sold for three thousand, one hundred, fifty dollars.”
Applause erupted for both Peter and the woman who’d purchased him. Bless Peter’s heart, his date had to be at least seventy-years-old. When he walked over to her table, the older woman gave him a big kiss on the lips, which the young doctor took in stride, dipping the woman and giving her another kiss.
Monica was ready to kiss him, too. She would owe Peter big time.
They were up to six thousand, three hundred dollars, way short of what she had estimated.
“The fifth bachelor”—and last, Monica thought, closing her eyes in dread—”is Alexander Holmes.” Her head shot up. “He’s not a doctor, ladies, but he does own one of the fastest growing construction companies in New Orleans.”
What?
Alex sauntered across the stage dressed in a sleek tuxedo. The bids were already up to a thousand dollars. He flashed a smile and hands shot in the air.
Monica stood in a daze, unable to comprehend what was happening as Alex, Toby, and someone named Jonathan, whom she had never seen before, each promenaded as if they were scheduled to be on stage from the very beginning.
Eli was behind this. He had saved her.
Monica held back tears as she looked over the crowd once again, searching for him.
“And our last bachelor of the night is Methodist Memorial’s one and only Super Doc, Elijah Holmes.”
Monica’s heart practically stopped as Eli walked onto the stage. He was divine, dressed in all black. He smiled at the crowd, a smile that did not reach his eyes.
Women were bidding faster than the auctioneer could call them out. With each turn Eli made, the price went up. Nia bid twenty-five hundred, which was quickly followed by a bid for twenty-six.
Monica’s heart swelled. She knew he was not comfortable being auctioned off like a piece of cattle; he’d told her those very words. Yet there he was. For her.
“Ten thousand,” Monica said, stepping out of the shadows.
A collective gasp swept over the crowd as heads turned her way. But Monica only had eyes for the man on the stage.
The look Eli gave her sent a tremor of fear, hurt, and anticipation down her spine. His piercing eyes shot through her like a flaming arrow.
“Do we have ten thousand, one hundred,” the auctioneer asked. Silence followed. “Sold for ten thousand dollars.”
Through the resounding applause, Monica heard a whoop she was sure came from Nia’s table, but she refused to look anywhere but at Eli. He stepped down from the stage, never taking his eyes off her.
Monica was at a lost for words.
“That was very generous of you,” Eli said, taking her hand and planting a light kiss on the crest of her fingers. “The Parenting Center appreciates it.”
“Do you,” she managed to whisper.
He gazed into her eyes. The breath Monica was about to take lodged in her throat. His bold stare sending chills down her spine, Eli slowly nodded. “Yes,” he finally said.
“Oh, God,” Monica gasped, throwing her arms around him. “Eli, I’m so sorry.”
He pulled her away slightly, his stare intense. “She’s nothing to me, Monica. I need you to know that.”
“Shh.” She put her fingers to his lips. “No explanation is necessary. I’m sorry I ever doubted you.” She stared into his eyes, her heart filled with sorrow and hope. “Can you forgive me?”
The sexy smile she’d missed more than air crept upon his lips. “I guess,” Eli answered with a shrug.
She burst out laughing, relief washing over her in waves. “Are you always this forgiving,” she teased, planting a kiss on his mouth.
“For the woman I love? Pretty much.” His words reverberated against her lips. An intense burst of joy echoed throughout her entire being.
Monica caught the mischievous crook of his mouth, and the glint in his eyes she’d come to know all too well.
“Wait a minute. Will I have to pay a special price for this forgiveness?” she asked.
Eli’s sensual smile broadened.
“Pretty much.”
* * *
Have you read about all of the Holmes Brothers?
Be sure to read Toby’s book, RELEASE ME, and Alex’s book, RESCUE ME!
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About the Author:
A native of south Louisiana, Farrah Rochon officially began her writing career while waiting in between classes in the student lounge at Xavier University of Louisiana. After earning her Bachelors of Science degree and a Masters of Arts from Southeastern Louisiana University, Farrah decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a published novelist. She was named Shades of Romance Magazine's Best New Author of 2007. Her debut novel garnered rave reviews, earning Farrah several SORMAG Readers' Choice Awards.
When she is not writing in her favorite coffee shop, Farrah spends most of her time reading her favorite romance novels or seeing as many Broadway shows as possible. An admitted sports fanatic, Farrah feeds her addiction to football by watching New Orleans Saints games on Sunday afternoons.
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