Sold!: A Holiday Romance

by J. L. Campbell

  “If you are, why haven’t you been on a date in well, forever?”

  “I’m taking things slow.”

  “Seven years is a long time to be taking things slow.”

  “Nothing happens before the time, so I’m prepared to wait to find out if there’s a Mr. Right out there for me.”

  When the words fell out of her mouth, Feechi slammed the door on Carsten Raimes that opened in her mind. Then she stood up from the table at the same moment her phone started ringing.

  Jack met her in the doorway, lugging her handbag.

  "Thanks, hon."

  She dug around inside and came up with the phone, just as it stopped ringing. While she squinted at the number, Jack took the bag back into the living room. She was about to put the phone back on the table when the screen lit up again. Puzzled, she hit the call button and put the cell to her ear.

  "Yes, can I help?"

  "It's Carsten. I'm outside your gate."

  "Why?"

  A couple of seconds went by before he said, "I have your lipstick."

  "Really?"

  "It must have fallen out of your handbag."

  She remembered grabbing on to her bag when he left the hotel premises. It must have fallen out then.

  "I'll be there in a minute," she said.

  "Where are you going?" Dee asked, getting to her feet.

  "Out front."

  "What happened?"

  "Nothing. I dropped my lipstick in Carsten's van."

  Feechi shoved her feet back into her shoes, crossed the living room and was at the front door when she realized Dee was on her heels.

  "Why are you stalking me?"

  "I want an introduction."

  "That's the last thing you're getting today, so you might as well stay with Jack."

  "Not even if you were paying me," Dee said, leaning against the door jamb.

  Grumbling and sucking her teeth Feechi turned away, by which time Carsten had gotten out of the vehicle and opened the gate. In three strides, he stood at the grille.

  Feechi met him there, wishing he’d waited in his van. He didn’t seem like the kind of guy who had a helpful streak, but he'd just shattered that theory.

  He opened his hand and the gold tube sat in his palm.

  She lifted it, trying not to touch him, and was at the point of opening her mouth to say thanks when Dee spoke over her shoulder.

  “Hi, thanks so much for coming back. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  While Feechi fought not to strangle Dee, Carsten smiled, sucking her breath away.

  He stuck one hand through the grille. “Nice to meet you … ?”

  “Oh, I’m Hadiya. Dee for short.” She shook his hand, cheesing hard. “You have a gentle touch, but your hands aren’t soft.”

  Feechi rolled her eyes. “You have to forgive my sister. Whatever comes to her lips is exactly what she says.”

  This time, Carsten laughed. “No need to apologize. You can’t do better than an honest person.”

  “That’s me,” Dee said, giggling. “As honest as they come, but of course there are some who have a problem with that.”

  Feechi didn’t answer. Instead, she gave Carsten a brilliant smile. “Thanks again. Have a good weekend.”

  “Same to you both.”

  He walked toward the gate, his pace unhurried while she wondered what would give him reason to rush anywhere.

  She didn’t want him thinking they were taken with him, so she grabbed Dee's arm and pulled her toward the doorway. When she looked over her shoulder, Carsten was watching from the van. One of his brows tipped up and he nodded.

  She returned his gesture and waved as he pulled away.

  In the living room, Dee flopped on their overstuffed sofa. “I like him.”

  “Shhh.” Jack waved at them and then pointed to the television.

  Max gave a little yip and resettled his head on his paws.

  Feechi met Dee’s eyes and couldn’t hold in the laughter that streamed through her lips. “You didn't spend even two minutes in his company, so you can't know if you like him.”

  “Mommy, you’re talking too loud.”

  “Sorry, Jay-Jay. Blame your auntie.”

  He sighed and turned the sound up, using the remote.

  “Doesn’t matter,” Dee said, “you can tell a lot about a person by a handshake and looking into their eyes.”

  Still smiling, Feechi sat on the adjacent sofa. “Okay, so tell me what you know about Carsten from your momentary contact with him.”

  “His stare is open, which tells me he’s honest. His handshake could have been a lot firmer, but he was gentle because I’m a woman. That tells me he’s considerate and obviously, he likes honest people.”

  “Being in his line of business, he would.”

  “What does he do?”

  “Auctions, among other things.”

  “And what is your business with him?”

  “Are you my mother?”

  “Speaking of which, she called.”

  “What did she want?”

  “She was just making sure we’re coming to see her on Sunday. I told her we would.”

  “Fine, it’s not as if we wouldn’t go anyway.”

  “You know Mom. She has to cover her bases. Anyway, back to Carsten, what business are you in together?”

  “We’re not in business.” Feechi shrugged and pulled her hair into a knot. “He’s asked me to help him with an auction.”

  “And you said?”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  Dee lowered her voice. “It is, when I hear you complaining about money every day.”

  Her gaze fell on Jack before she continued her lecture. “I’m not worried about you though. You’re sensible, so you’ll make the right decision. He looks generous too, so you should be okay.”

  “You certainly know a lot about this man who just pitched and flew out of your world.”

  “You know I have a good nose for people, so you’re just being stubborn.”

  To herself, Feechi admitted her sister was right. Although Dee had only been twenty when Feechi met Dennis, she hadn’t liked him much and her doubts about him had proved correct. Dennis was a user, who was only interested in furthering his medical career. Feechi had been too taken in by him to see beyond her infatuation.

  “I have to think about this some more. I think he likes me, but if I have to work with him it’ll make things awkward.”

  “You need the money and he needs help so this isn’t a decision that's hard to make.”

  “You’re right.” Feechi got to her feet and picked up her handbag. “I have to talk to him on Monday.”

  “Just ensure you make the best decision.” Dee winked and then chuckled. “You know I’m here for Jack, if that makes it easier to decide.”

  “You never give up, do you?”

  Dee shook her head. “Nope, not when it concerns my sister and there’s a hot guy involved.”

  Chapter 4

  Seconds after she let out her breath in a slow blast, Feechi stapled the last credit card slip to its matching invoice. After that, she settled the point-of-sale machine.

  The auction had gone well, with Carsten surprising her by helping the staff all evening. The only thing he hadn’t done was sit at her side and assist with the collections.

  He stood just outside the doorway, hands in his pocket while talking to the last customer who’d already paid his bill.

  In the other room, one of the workers loaded a dolly with a heavy chest-of-drawers.

  Antique or not, it was monstrous, but what did she know? The customers had only been too happy to bid on outrageously expensive furniture she didn’t particularly like.

  As she’d browsed the furniture on display, she’d been fascinated with a love seat she could see herself relaxing in with a good book. Nothing else had taken her fancy. She'd been running her fingers lightly over the back of the beige, floral material when Carsten startled her.

&
nbsp; “You have good taste.”

  “It’s lovely, but I bet it’s expensive as all get out.”

  His gaze ran over the carved wood at the back in an assessing way. “Fairly.”

  They’d chitchatted about some of the other pieces, until he led her to the small room where she’d be working and clarified the critical aspects of what he’d hired her to do.

  Now, he shifted and pulled his hands out of his pockets. He laughed and then folded both arms over his chest, tightening his shirt sleeves against his muscles. Her stomach jolted as she imagined what his bare arms would look like—lots of golden-brown skin stretched tight over his impressive muscles, most likely.

  She dragged herself back from fantasy land when he laughed again, a mellow sound that encouraged her to join him.

  Since she wasn't being paid to think about him, Feechi angled her head the other way and occupied her hands with stacking the items she’d used for the evening.

  Carsten came to stand next to her and glanced at his watch. “That was our last customer.”

  Feechi exhaled deeply, relieved to be at the end of the work day. “I need to explain some stuff to you, then pack up this stuff and we’ll be good to go.”

  She flipped open the auction file she'd used and picked up the sheet on which she'd listed all the invoices, corresponding lot numbers and payments. After she explained what she’d done, Carsten took the papers and studied the notes she’d made, along with the settlement slip listing while she stacked the stationery into a plastic container. When he was finished, he handed the sheet to her. “It seems okay to me. What time will I see you tomorrow?”

  “What time d’you get to office?”

  “Seven o’ clock most days.”

  Her eyebrows swept up before she could stop them.

  “I get up early,” he added.

  “Fine, I’ll swing by around half past seven and we’ll finalize the accounts then.”

  “That works for me.”

  She looked away when he opened the portfolio he’d left beside her earlier in the evening, and continued gathering the items on the table. When she finished, he was waiting.

  He held out an envelope. “Thank you. You did a great job this evening.”

  “I enjoyed it,” she said. “It was hectic, but the clients were easy to deal with. Mostly.”

  “Good. I’m happy if you’re happy.”

  His words jarred her a little, but she didn't respond. What on earth did he mean by that?

  She didn't have time to focus on his words because he picked up the box and gestured for her to go ahead of him. For some reason she didn't understand, Feechi did not want him walking behind her.

  The minute they entered the corridor, she stepped to the side and allowed him to catch up with her. As they passed the entrance to the main auction area, Carsten stopped Feechi with a hand on her arm. He said nothing, but poked his head through the doorway. "You all right, guys?"

  The two men inside the room stopped loading the trolley and greeted him with a smile. "Yes, Mr. Raimes."

  "Good, see you tomorrow."

  Their voices faded and Feechi didn't hear what they said in return because she was busy assessing what Carsten's touch was doing to her. Her temperature hadn't jumped or anything like that, but her whole body felt as if she was somehow suspended, waiting for something. His thumb moved over her skin and she dragged in a hurried breath while her gaze swung to his.

  Carsten cleared his throat and moved his hand to her back, gently urging her forward. "Come."

  He said something else, but it didn't register. When he spoke again, she woke up. "Huh?"

  "I was asking if you have a ride."

  "Uh, I … no."

  "Your car's still in the garage?"

  "No. Dee has it." She smiled before finishing her sentence, "she has a date with Jack."

  "I see," Carsten said, smiling as if he understood. “Well then, I’ll take you home.”

  “You don’t have to put yourself out of the way.”

  “You’re forgetting I don't live far from you.”

  There was nothing she could say without sounding ungrateful so she kept quiet while he pushed the door open and waited for her to step into the night air.

  She drew a deep breath and tipped her head backward. The sky was dotted with stars as if someone had sprinkled a handful of the heavenly bodies and they had settled in random clusters. A high wind buffeted them, but that was normal at this time of year.

  The walk to Carsten's van gave her the chance to distance herself from him and enjoy the evening air.

  He unlocked the vehicle, dropped the box inside and then came around to where she was standing.

  “I just had a thought,” he said. “I didn’t have lunch, so I’m starving. Would you mind having something to eat with me?”

  She opened her mouth, trying to come up with an excuse not to, but couldn’t find one. “Okay. Sounds good. I haven’t eaten in a while either.”

  “I’m glad I don’t have to fight you over this. I’d have been disappointed and that much hungrier if I had to take you home before getting something to eat. Let’s go back inside.”

  She didn’t move, because she was curious. “Why did you think I’d say no?”

  “It took you a little time to respond to my question, plus I didn’t know if you’d eaten.”

  The alarm on the van popped as they walked side-by-side into the hotel. The restaurant was situated to the left of the lobby, which Feechi thought was an odd place, but then maybe not, since The Venetian catered to patrons who were not staying in the hotel.

  They were seated immediately in the air-conditioned eatery that was dominated by mirrored columns and plants.

  In no time, a waiter stood at Carsten’s elbow asking if they cared to have a drink.

  “Fruit punch,” she said, in response to Carsten’s raised eyebrow.

  He ordered a beer and then opened the menu. A moment later, his voice cut through the background music. “Are you ready to order?”

  “Have you eaten here before?” Feechi asked.

  “Yes. Lunches mainly.”

  “What would you recommend from the menu?”

  “The food is excellent, but I like the curry goat and oxtail more than anything else.”

  She hesitated over her choice, but her gaze kept going to the braised oxtail. It had been a while since she’d eaten any and suddenly, the aroma of beef and chicken around them set her stomach growling. No way did she want to choose one of the most expensive things on the menu, but what the heck, he could afford it and hadn’t he suggested it by endorsing it?

  “I think I’m gonna have the oxtail,” she said.

  He closed the linen folder and laid it on the table. “Good choice. I’m having the goat.”

  The waiter delivered their drinks and got on with taking their order. As he walked away, Carsten said, “I have a question for you. Are you happy where you're working?”

  Her brows pulled together for a fraction of a second before she replied. “I would say so. I enjoy what I do and I have good people around me.”

  She waited a moment before asking, “Why d’you want to know?”

  “Because,” he said, “I want to steal you away.”

  “Since you don’t exactly know me, d’you mind telling me why?”

  “You’re good at what you do and besides, you brought me some luck with this auction.”

  “How d’you figure that?”

  “We sold almost everything. That doesn’t happen every day, so I’m happy to assume you made the difference.”

  She lowered her chin and met his gaze, letting him know she was aware he was buttering her up. “I’m sure you don’t do business on the basis of luck.”

  He chuckled, which made the corners of his eyes crinkle. “That’s true, but you impress me. A lot.”

  Suddenly, she had to know if what he’d put in her envelope matched his promise. She felt for the handbag on her lap. “Remind me of what you
said you'd pay me for this evening?”

  The figure he quoted was staggering. Same as the first time he'd told her.

  She brushed the hair away from her face and quelled her shock with a mouthful of fruit punch before she could get a word out. “You did hear what I said when I told you what Marlon pays me?”

  His answer came with a smile. “Yes, and you’re worth every dollar. I believe, as we say, encouragement sweetens labor.”

  The waiter arrived with their dinner, which prevented her from having to make any kind of response.

  With a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth, Carsten told her all talk about business was suspended until after dinner.

  To Feechi's surprise, she was able to relax in his company and enjoy the food. The helpings were generous and she could not finish the herbed potatoes, steamed carrots and string beans served with the oxtail.

  Carsten ate the way she expected a man would, which pleased her. Somehow, she thought he’d be more delicate in his mannerisms, but he clearly enjoyed his food. His hands dwarfed the cutlery, which she found heavy and clunky. His plate was nearly empty when he finished eating, proof he'd been telling the truth when he said he was hungry.

  Their gaze collided and she thought he was going to make a comment about the way she’d been studying his plate, but he went in another direction.

  “So tell me, what would prevent you from working for me full-time?”

  She laughed, noting that Carsten didn’t crack a smile. “Wouldn’t you say my day job is a big deterrent?”

  “What would prevent you from leaving?”

  “I did say I liked my job.”

  “I’ll pay you twice whatever you’re earning.”

  “That’s bribery.”

  “I do what I have to when it comes to business.”

  His offer was tempting, but she’d learned the hard way that some men said whatever was necessary to get the result they wanted.

  Of course, she could use the extra money he was offering, but there was the fact that they were attracted to each other. He hadn’t said anything to indicate that she interested him, but the mere fact that she even thought they had a thing between them wouldn’t make for a good work situation.

  “I don’t see that working out, you employing me, I mean.”