The Precious Ruby (The Precious Trilogy Book 1)

by C Renee

  The man on the stage calls up a few more women who are as gorgeous as the last. I don’t expect to go up there because I’ve only been to one event. I didn’t put my name on anything, so I think I’m safe for tonight.

  “The lucky last person to come up here is, Louise Carter,” he calls from up on stage.

  What the hell? Did he just say my name? This can’t be true, I really don’t want to go up there and get auctioned off to creepy, old men.

  Steph has a smirk on her face; she’s probably the one who put my name on the list. She is a devil, and will certainty hear about it when we get home tonight. I rise from my seat and give a friendly smile to our table guests and make my way up to the stage. We are sitting five tables back from the dance floor so I have people watching my every move. I chant in my head, ‘Don’t fall over; don’t fall over’.

  Finally, I reach the stage and look over to my right at all the beautiful girls before me. Who would even want to bid on me?

  We are all standing in a long row facing the audience. The bright lights focusing on the stage, makes it harder to see faces, but I know they are out there.

  “Jackie’s starting bid is at five thousand dollars.” Jackie steps forward, does a twirl in her dress and blows the crowd a kiss.

  Jackie seems to have done this a few times and seems confident in front of a crowd. She could be a model, with how beautiful she is.

  “Five thousand,” a male voice from the crowd shouts.

  “Ten thousand dollars,” a different male shouts from the crowd.

  “Fifteen thousand dollars,” the first male shouts again.

  “Going once… going twice… Sold! The gentleman in the far back has won a date with Jackie,” the presenter says into the microphone.

  Jackie steps off the stage and makes her way to the table at the corner to fill out a form of which charity the money will go to and to meet the winning bidder.

  Next, a pretty blonde steps forward into the spot light, waiting to start the auction.

  “Tonight we have CEO Andrew Gates daughter, Alice. We will start the bidding at five thousand dollars.”

  “Ten thousand dollars,” an older man calls from the audience.

  “Twenty thousand dollars,” a younger male voice calls.

  A pause in the audience shows that no one else is going to outbid the young man. “Going once… going twice…sold to the young man at the front.”

  By the time it’s my turn, the other three women have been auctioned off.

  I wonder what charity they will all choose. I hope one of them chose the Stand Against Violence charity. That’s the charity I will be choosing.

  “Here we have Louise Carter. She hasn’t attended a charity event before, so let’s all be kind to her.”

  I step forward and twirl just for the sake of it. I’m a nervous wreck. I feel myself getting overwhelmed, and I have to take a few deep breaths. My palms start sweating, and the spotlight they have on me starts to blind me. I just want this to be over with.

  “Starting bid is at five thousand dollars.”

  “Ten thousand,” one male voice calls, he sounds familiar.

  “Fifteen thousand,” another voice on the opposite side calls.

  Why can’t one person win so I can step down?

  “Twenty thousand.” This voice is a new one that sounds close to the stage.

  “Thirty thousand dollars,” the first voice I heard called out. He sounds like the guy who won a date with Jackie.

  He is a little selfish to have two women. I don’t like it; please don’t let it be this man.

  A long pause before the announcer calls, “Going once… going twice… Sold, to the gentleman at the back.”

  As I step off the stage, I tell them that I need a break and make my way to the restrooms. I need to freshen up before I fill out the forms and meet the man who is going to donate money to the charity of my choosing, and the date I have to go on.

  The restrooms were empty. I let out a breath when my shoulders sag with relief. I look at myself in the mirror and ask why me?

  I don’t feel like going out there and facing the music, this isn’t my type of night. I want to be home and in my comfort zone.

  I smooth out my dress, and suck in a big breath of air. I can do this.

  I walk back into the main room, and spot many couples slow dancing to the soft music. It’s a wonderful sight to see. I spot Steph at the bar, she’s back to talking to Josh. He’s a cute guy if you’re into that surfer look.

  “Oh, you’re back, it’s about time. Your future date came looking for you. You wouldn’t believe who it is. I guess he already knew the first girl, because they aren’t out there dancing.” Steph points to the dance floor.

  She sways while sitting down. I wonder how many drinks she’s had. I need to get her home, before she does something she will regret.

  “I’m sure he will come find me again. So, who is he?” I ask her hoping to get an answer.

  “Oh, you will love it, I mean… him. Yeah I meant him,” she slurs her words.

  “Steph, I think we should leave soon. You won’t be drinking anymore, and I’m getting tired.”

  “Yeah, okay, sounds good to me.” She motions for the bartender to give her one more drink. I don’t think it’s a good idea but she won’t listen to me now.

  I’ve never actually seen Steph get this drunk before especially on a business event like tonight. She is a professional and takes her work seriously. I’m hoping this is a once off thing for her.

  I take a seat next to Steph, and wait for her to finish her last drink.

  “Is this seat taken,” a smooth voice asks from behind me. It sounds like it’s been dipped in honey. I turn around, and the wind is knocked out of me. Here is the most beautiful man I have ever seen. His hair is dark brown and he has intense green eyes. I am sure I have seen them before but can’t put my finger on it. His nose is perfect, just like his amazingly white smile with a full set of teeth, and his dimple pops out when he smiles full on. It’s adorable. He is dressed in a fitting tux with a red bow tie. I’m watching him when his eyes drop low to my chest, and then he drags them down lower and up again. Our eyes lock, and it hits me that I have seen this guy before. The night at the bar and his dad is Mr. Knight. The resemblance is uncanny. This man is beyond sexy. Seriously, he is sex on legs.

  “Ah, no, it’s not taken,” I stutter. I’m so nervous and I’m sure he can tell.

  “Thanks. Are you enjoying tonight Miss…” he asks me when he leans a little closer from the stool he’s just sat on.

  “Yeah, I’m having a wonderful time, except when I was up for auction. I suppose it is going to a good cause. I can’t wait to donate that money to my chosen charity,” I say around a drink I ordered five minutes ago.

  “I’ll bet that whoever did win you in the auction will be more than willing to donate more money to your chosen charity.” He sounds very confident about who won me at auction. He seems the type of man who would have women falling to their knees.

  “I highly doubt that, I’m not sure who even won my auction. It was lovely talking with you but I have to get my friend home.” I stand to go to Steph when he grabs me by the arm.

  “I didn’t catch your name,” he tells me just before he lets go of my arm.

  “It’s Louise, and you are…” I ask back, the tingles are still running down my arm from where he held it. I feel like the luckiest woman here having this handsome man talking to me.

  “It’s Alex,” he says with a smirk.

  What that smirk does to me, it’s getting me damp in places I rather not think about right now.

  “It’s nice to meet you, but I must be going.” I step away and go to look for Steph.

  “Lou, Lou, Louiseee… Where are you?” Steph is yelling now.

  I find her standing in the middle of the dance floor.

  I’ve got our clutches in one hand and holding Steph up with the other. I lead her towards the exit. I’m grateful when I s
pot a few cabs waiting on the curb. I motion for one to take us home.

  Trying to get Steph in the cab proved difficult because she is plastered; this is not good for her reputation.

  On the cab ride home Steph has fallen asleep on me and starts drooling all over the car door. Once we are home, I guide her to her bedroom, take off her gown, and hang it up. I pull the thick blankets to cover her, and put a glass of water on her bedside table, as well as a bucket. She will need that in the morning.

  I’m not even tired when I’ve gotten into bed. All I keep thinking about is that strange conversation I had with Alex. He is a sight for sore eyes. Why was he even talking to me? I could tell he didn’t want me to leave, but I had to, Steph needed too.

  I do hope I get to see him again; maybe I’ll even have the courage to jump his bones. He probably gets that a lot from a lot hotter women then me.

  I drift off to sleep dreaming of those green eyes.

  Chapter Seven

  Alex

  SATURDAY MORNING IS BRUTAL. I’m so tired from the night before but my body is wide-awake and on high alert. What the fuck happened last night? Why did I have to go and win two fucking chicks at the auction? I know it’s for charity so I don’t fucking care about the money, I have enough of it, but two chicks? Seriously what was I thinking? I rub my hands down my face and sigh. What am I going to do?

  I roll over in my bed and find Jackie is still asleep. Fuck she looks amazing with her black hair fanning around her head and shoulders on the white bed sheets, and her pale skin, smooth as a baby’s bottom. The thin bed sheet is pulled up to her breasts; the outline of her body against it. My dick is getting hard thinking about taking her again. The first time I took her last night was up against the wall, and then we fell to the floor and fucked twice there, and then finally made it to the bed and spent the remainder of the night there. We were at it like rabbits. I can’t remember how many times we fucked but we didn’t stop until we both passed out. I could go again this morning, if I didn’t have an early meeting with the CEO and the board members at my father’s firm. A business meeting, on a fucking Saturday, that is unheard of. My father is lucky I’m not on call today or he would have to get off his lazy ass, and deal with the board meeting by himself.

  Jackie and I have been off and on for a few years now but it’s always been a fling and nothing serious. She will always be available to be my date to functions; she likes the exposure she gets for her modeling career. We only see each other when it suits me. The first time I met Jackie it was when I was invited to a modeling event, they wanted my face on an aftershave commercial. Jackie was there showing off her talent and trying to land a fashion company to model for.

  I chose to let Jackie sleep some more while I head for the shower to rub one out. The warm water is running down my back, I soap up my body with one hand, and use the other soapy hand to move down over my abs and continue lower. I grab my cock and wrap my hand firmly around the shaft. I pull at it, slowly moving my hand up and down, up and down. I pick up the pace and move my thumb over the head. I throw my head back and let out a groan; God I’m close. My eyes fall closed when the tingling sensation starts building in my balls. I widen my stance and feel my thighs start to tense, so close to blowing my load. I try to picture Jackie’s tight pussy that I took last night but I can’t. The only images that are coming to mind are of Louise’s shy smile, and the way her breasts and ass looked in the red dress.

  She is a girl I met last night. Why am I thinking about her and not Jackie, who is still in my bed? Fuck! I can’t shake off the feeling that I know her from somewhere but nothing is coming to mind.

  I try to focus on my throbbing cock and getting off to the dirty images I have of Louise. I have Louise’s breasts in my huge hands, lightly pinching her nipples. Kissing and nibbling at her neck, leaving my mark behind. I want to feel her naked skin against mine. I want to see her in that red dress she wore and take it off myself. How it would feel when she’s laying underneath me, begging me to take her? Argh, I groan when my release finally comes. I squeeze the remaining cum out of the tip and watch it get washed away. My shoulders sag as I lean against the wall and exhale a long shaky breath. I’m more exhausted than I was last night.

  I walk out of the bathroom dressed in only a towel, and walk over to my closet to get clothes for today.

  I reach out and put on a dark navy blue suit with a crisp white shirt with a few buttons undone, no tie. I’m not a man who wears ties unless they are used in sexual activity, then I’m all for it.

  It’s a short drive to my father’s firm, Knight Enterprises.

  The firm will be mine one day but I’m really not looking forward to it. I like just being the head of the board committee and running things behind the scene. I’m not the type to boss everyone else around.

  I walk through the front doors of the building, and head straight to the blonde woman at the receptionist desk. She looks up when I’m standing in front of her. She gives me a quick smile, and looks back down. I must intimidate her. I probably have fucked half, if not all, of the female staff in this firm. I don’t know why my father bothers to keep them employed.

  “Hey Alex, are we still on for Friday?” the blonde asks with a wink. Okay, so maybe I don’t intimidate her; she must be the head of the ground floor department. I think we have fucked a few times but it’s hard to keep track of them all. She must be really good in bed if I keep agreeing to see her again.

  She’s a petite looking woman, shorter than me even in heels, which is perfect when I bend her over this very desk after work hours. She has these strange looking hazel eyes hiding behind a pair of black glasses. She wears the firm’s uniform shirt but chooses to wear her own skirts. Every skirt that she has worn in the office always has a slit up the back, my favorite.

  “Yeah, sugar, I’ll pick you up after work.” I’m sure her name is Holly, but I check her nametag anyway. I was right, her name is Holly. I leave her thinking about what we will do Friday night and make my way to the elevators.

  My father’s office is on the top floor and he has his closest colleagues working alongside him in offices down the hall. It’s so he doesn’t have to leave his office. He makes them go to him for everything.

  I knock on the door of my father’s office, and push it open when I hear his voice saying to enter.

  “Alex, take a seat. We need to discuss what happened to you last night. Why on earth would you bid on two women? I thought you were with Jackie,” he asks with a smirk. He knows I’m not a one woman kind of man. Not since Tiffany. She was my world, until it came crashing down five years ago.

  Living with Tiffany was the best decision of my life. After dating her for three years I knew I had to ask her to move in with me. I was in college studying for my business degree, which I didn’t want but I knew one day I would take over my father’s business. At that time I thought it was the right choice. To get an idea of how things would run and get the upper hand if someone decides to cross me. I would out smart them and win.

  A year after that Tiff moved in with me. I decided I was going to propose to her and that day came around quick.

  I had everything planned out perfectly because I had help from my best friend.

  I called Reece to help with the finer details. He was good with all the romantic gestures because he was a male wedding planner who isn’t gay. All the females love that, even the brides-to-be.

  “Are you ready for this?” he asked when he placed the rose petals on the floor in a shape of an arrow, pointing to the bedroom.

  The place looked amazing. I couldn’t have done it without him. He had seven sisters and all throughout his childhood, his sisters made him dress up in many roles. He would be the wedding planner, the husband to-be, the priest or even the bride. Never at his family reunions did his sisters ever let him forget that.

  The apartment looked amazing with vanilla scented candles lit in every free spot and rose petals spread across the floor throughout the place.r />
  From the front door, there are rose petal arrows leading to the master bedroom. Along the way there were little cue cards with the reasons why I loved her, all hand written by me.

  In the master bedroom, on the king sized bed was a heart in rose petals. Reece gave me the idea to place ‘Will you marry me’ in the heart shaped petals.

  I placed a teddy bear with a heart and a bunch of flowers on the bed.

  Tiff was expected home in half an hour and my palms were starting to become sweaty. Doubt started to rise in my mind that she could say no. I would be gutted.

  “Yeah, I’m so nervous though. I hope she says yes. Thanks for all your help Reece, I couldn’t have done it without you” I said to Reece when I shook his hand for all his help today.

  I wanted to propose to her on our four-year anniversary so it’s easier for me to remember dates. I was such a dick back then.

  I heard the front door open and close at six o’clock on the dot. That’s probably Tiff coming home.

  “Alex, are you home,” I heard a sharp inhale of breath. I couldn’t move, as I was hiding out in the bathroom connected to the master bedroom.

  “What is going on?” I could hear her voice shaking, she was definitely crying from reading the cue cards I planted along the way. “Where are you Alex?” Her voice was closing in on the master bedroom.

  Once I saw her step inside the bedroom, I came out from behind the bathroom door. I walked towards her and gave her a hug.

  “Welcome home princess.” I gave her a huge smile and took her hands in mine.

  She was shaking from head to toe, her eyes wide and taking in the whole room, until her eyes landed back on mine. I led her towards the bed and knelt down on one knee. I was shaking from the anticipation of this day, not sure if she was going to say yes. My palms started getting sweaty, and my mouth became dry. I took a big swallow before I said my next words.