Page 64 of Bid For Me

My brows knit together. “What? Why?”

“We need to pack your things. He said movers will be here with boxes within the hour and will return in the morning to bring your things over to the manor.”

“He knows where I live?” I swallow nervously, not liking the implications of Seb’s words. Seb doesn’t reply, but I hear the way his back molars grind together.

“I guess I’d better get started then. But you don’t need to come up. I can do it myself.”

“Elle—”

“It’s packing for a trip. A vacation. Two weeks. I’ve done it hundreds of times before, Seb. I’ll be fine. No need to stay.”

“If I go home, he’ll have questions.”

“A man of your reputation, Seb. I’m sure you’ll find somewhere to go,” I tell him firmly. Again, something unreadable flashes in his face – disappointment maybe? – and I’m left wondering if Sebwantsto come in and help me pack. But he can’t. I won’t let him. I have to pack up my life, my independence and my freedom in one night. I can’t do that with him helping. I can’t reveal how much this is costing me.

I give him a tight smile. “See you in the morning?” I ask.

“Of course. I’ll be here with the removal men. I’ll bring breakfast.”

“Okay. Thank you.” I climb out of the car before Seb can make a move to get the door for me. Straightening my dress, I bend down to speak to him. His gaze is intense and makes my stomach swoop.

“Seb? The wedding…I’ll take care of the details,” I say, the words coming out faster than I intend, before walking briskly toward my door. He looks like he wants to say something, but I don’t wait for him to. I need air. Space. Something to clear my head before I lose it completely.

The wedding is in two weeks. And I have no idea how I’m going to survive this.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Seb

Motherfucker!I should have known my father would pull a stunt like this. Despite my words to Elle that her performance was perfect – because it was – Alexander Sterling-Knight is not buying it. Of course, he wants us under his roof, where he can try to sniff out our deceit.

I watch Elle walk away from me, her figure disappearing through the entrance of her flat, and a wave of frustration crashes over me. My hands clench into fists at my sides, the disappointment and anger swirling within me. She’s shutting down, I can feel it. The warmth, the closeness we shared just days ago has vanished, replaced by cold indifference. I thought I knew her, thought I could read her, but now…I’m not so sure.

What the hell happened?

She used to challenge me, yes, but there was a spark between us, something raw and real. But tonight, at the dinner with my father, she was nothing but a carefully crafted performance – business-like, controlled, emotionally distant. Every time I tried to reach her, to make her see that I’m in this for more than just adamn contract, she shut me out. Emotionally at least. Her smiles were too polished, no warmth or affection in her gazes.

I should’ve known better than to think I could have it both ways: keeping up appearances for my father while trying to show Elle something real.

I can’t stand it. She deserves more than this – more than the lies, more than my father’s expectations. She deserves honesty, but how the hell do I give that to her when I can’t even figure out where I stand myself?

I turn away from her building, my eyes seething with frustration. As much as I want to scream, to knock on her door and beg her to let me in, I know it’s pointless. She needs space, and I need to figure out what to do next. I can’t let my father win, but I can’t lose her, either.

Without thinking, I make my way to ‘For Me’. It’s the one place where I can disappear, where the press won’t be waiting to snap photos and twist my every move. I can’t risk it, not with my father breathing down my neck. I need somewhere to clear my head, somewhere I can let the world fall away for a while.

The streets blur as I drive on autopilot, my mind racing with everything that’s happened. I can’t shake the image of Elle’s face – so guarded, so distant. She didn’t even seem happy when my father gave us his blessing, his approval. I thought maybe I could convince her that she’d see past the surface and understand that this isn’t just business for me. But now, it’s like I don’t know who she is anymore.

Maybe I should take a leaf out of her book and try to guard my heart. Once we’re wed I’ll have a year to make her fall in love with me. And I’m certain I can do it.

I have to.

By the time I reach the club, the hum of the city is a distant echo. I give the bouncer a nod, and the heavy door swings open, letting me into the dimly lit space. The music vibrates throughthe air, the bass thumping in my chest as I walk further in, my footsteps muted by the sounds of the club already in full swing. It’s a world away from the one I just left – away from my father’s cold expectations, away from the future I’m supposed to have. Everything here is carefree.

I make my way to the bar, the bartender, Faith, glances up as I approach. “The usual?” she asks, already reaching for a glass.

“Yeah. Thanks, Faith,” I mutter, leaning against the counter, my eyes scanning the room. I take the keycard from my wallet and scan it on the screen inbuilt into the bar top. Members here usually have wristbands but I have a credit-card style ‘key’ as a backup for unplanned visits here.

I don’t even know why I’m here, outside of having nowhere else to go. The place is full of people, but I feel like I’m suffocating. None of them matter, none of them can fill the empty space that Elle has left in me. I take a long drink, the burn of the liquor doing little to dull the ache in my chest. I can’t shake the image of her face, the way she closed herself off from me.