Bought by the Billionbear(3)

Stroud coolly raised his hand. He wasn’t looking at Raina, but rather at Owen as he said, “One hundred thousand dollars.”

Raina’s eyes darted to Stroud, frightened. Then she gave a pleading glance at Owen, as if she was hoping he’d save her. Owen tried to convey reassurance as he met her gaze. Of course he’d save her! He was her mate.

“Five hundred thousand dollars,” Owen called. That should crush Stroud. No way would a man who defended polluting corporations be willing to give that much to feed the homeless— not even for a date with Raina, who was worth that and so much more.

Owen could actually hear the tiny grinding sound as Stroud gritted his teeth.

Ha! Owen thought.

“Going once…” said the auctioneer. “Going twice…”

Stroud clenched his fists, then shot to his feet. “Six hundred thousand!”

Owen stood as well. Stroud was a tall man, but Owen was taller. He towered over his rival as he called out, “Raina’s worth can’t be valued in money! But I’d pay much more than Mr. Stroud offers for the chance to spend some time with her. I bid one million dollars.”

The entire room gasped in shock. Raina’s beautiful eyes widened with amazement. Her pearly breasts moved as she inhaled, bobbing within their cups of scarlet satin. Owen imagined what they would feel like under his hands, soft and warm and silky-smooth.

The auctioneer nearly dropped his gavel, then recovered. “Mr. Maguire bids one million dollars for a date with Raina Williams! Going once… Going twice… Mr. Stroud, are you going to place a bid?”

Stroud shot a furious look at Owen, then shook his head and sat back down. Owen didn’t miss the relief in Raina’s eyes.

The auctioneer banged his gavel. “Sold! One date with Miss Raina Williams, to Owen Maguire for one million dollars!”

Owen’s bear rumbled his pleasure at the victory. Soon he would meet his mate.

He hoped she wasn’t afraid of bears.





***





Raina stood frozen in the middle of the stage, unable to believe what had just happened. The most stunning man she’d seen in her entire life had just paid one million dollars for a date with her. With her!

The auctioneer cleared his throat. “Show’s over, everyone. Thank you very much for your participation. Mr. Maguire, please go to the office to discuss your donation— I know that our program director would like to thank you in person. Everyone else, please come to the lobby to mingle and meet your dates, if you were lucky enough to win one.”

Raina watched as a well-dressed, middle-aged woman went up to Owen Maguire and gestured toward an office. That had to be the program director.

“I’ll meet you in the lobby,” Owen called to Raina, and gave her a wink before he stepped into the office. His deep voice sent delicious shivers down her spine.

Raina walked into the lobby in a daze. Why had the billionaire bid on her? He must be genuinely devoted to charity, she decided. He’d probably already earmarked the million dollars as his donation, and had simply waited until the final auction to bid it. His bid had everything to do with feeding the homeless, and nothing to do with her.


The lobby was filled with well-dressed people, drinking flutes of champagne and chatting. They all stared at Raina as she entered.

“It’s the million-dollar bachelorette!” someone called, and others applauded.

Raina blushed. Dates with the other bachelorettes had gone for anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars. Whatever Owen Maguire’s reasons, he’d spent an enormous amount of money on her.

“May I get you a drink?” The voice belonged to the other man who’d bid on her— Austin Stroud, the wealthy lawyer.

Austin was tall and handsome, though nowhere near as tall or as handsome as Owen. But the way he looked at her set her nerves on edge. She’d felt the same way when he’d bid on her. There was something greedy in his gaze.

“No, thank you,” Raina said politely, hoping he’d take the hint and leave.

He didn’t. Instead, he stood there and deliberately looked her over, his gaze lingering on her breasts. Uncomfortable, she crossed her arms over them.

“What, because I didn’t win the auction?” Austin asked. “Do I really need to pay to get a date with you?”

“No, of course not.”

“Then I’ll get you a glass of champagne.”

Irritated, Raina said, “I don’t want your champagne.”

“So you do only give the time of day to men who have to pay you to date them.”

Raina hadn’t even spoken to Owen, but she didn’t like what Austin was implying about him— or about her. “Owen Maguire hardly has to pay women to date him. And none of that money goes to me.”

“Of course,” said Austin smoothly. “In that case, why not have a date with me first? My car’s right outside.”

He reached for her elbow. She took a step back, disliking him intensely. In less than a minute, he’d stared at her breasts, tried to manipulate her into dating him, and implied that Owen was a loser and she was a gold-digger.

In a tone that didn’t allow for argument, she said, “No, thank you.”

“Don’t play hard to get,” Austin said.

“I’m not playing.” Raina raised her voice, hoping that making a scene in public would make him back off. “I said no, and I meant no!”