Bargaining for the Billionaire Read Free

little flushed. Sebastian usually came back with a swagger and a grin, like he’d conquered the world.
    “The point being”—Christina narrowed her gaze, eyeing them one by one—“I’ve known him for a long time. He always was a bit of a loner. We’re a lot alike in that respect. Growing up, he was a fellow nerd. Smart, worked hard to get good grades. I’ve been trying to get him to participate in the auction since its inception, but he’s always refused. This year I managed to convince him, but only if I promised to fix the game for him. He didn’t want to end up with a date he’d regret or someone who’d make his life hell afterward.”
    Maddie arched a brow. “Isn’t that cheating?”
    “Yes, but it’s for a good cause. The purpose is to raise money and awareness.” Hannah shrugged. “Besides, everybody always has fun, and there are eleven other bachelors.”
    Maddie’s phone pinged again, another message flashing on the dark screen. She squeezed her eyes shut, afraid to look. “I still don’t know if I can do this. Grayson took a lot out of me.”
    “You have to get back on that horse sometime, Madds. If you want to find Prince Charming, you have to kiss a few toads.” Hannah nudged her with a socked foot again. “Go on. Pick it up and flirt with the man. Have a good time. See where it takes you. It doesn’t have to be any more complicated than that. What’s it going to hurt?”
    Maddie opened her eyes and sighed. They were right. She’d never be able to move on by playing celibate and dead. She leaned forward, snatched her phone off the coffee table, and peered at the message.
    BookNerd: Did I scare you off already?
    She arched a brow at Christina. “Is he really good looking or was that lip service? Be honest.”
    Christina winked, mischievous and amused. “Oh, I think he’ll make a mighty fine horse.”
    Maddie laughed softly. “You two are terrible, you know that?”
    Only between the three of them would they ever say something so audacious, but it was what she loved about Hannah and Christina. They could relax around each other, say things they might not otherwise. It made them excellent friends. She never held back with them. It was also what had made her give in to this date, despite everything inside of her screaming what a bad idea it was. They’d always have her back, no matter what.
    Hannah pursed her lips and waved a hand at her. “Oh, come off it. You’re thinking it and you know it.”
    Maddie shook her head. “I am getting awful tired of B.O.B.”
    Christina and Hannah broke into a fit of giggles. Maddie drew up her inner vixen, beaten and worn out though she was, and typed the first halfway playful thing she could think of.
    MadHatter3000: I don’t scare so easily. U just better have ur A-game on.
    His reply arrived seconds later.
    BookNerd: Ohh, sweetheart. Consider that challenge accepted.

Chapter Two
    Y ou know, she’s going to be pissed when she discovers it’s you, that you’re not some random bachelor.”
    Grayson Lockwood grunted in answer but didn’t bother looking up from his laptop. He didn’t need to see her to face to know Cassie was giving him “the look.” Cassandra Stephanopoulos had been his best friend since tenth grade. They’d met in an English class she was failing. Their friendship had begun when she’d asked him to tutor her. More to the point, they’d had this conversation before. He’d gone over the argument at least a million times in his head. This charade would no doubt fail like the one three years ago, but he had to take the chance.
    Agreeing to take part in Christina McKenzie’s bachelor auction had been a spur of the moment decision. Every year she tried to rope him into participating, and every year he refused. He had no desire to be paraded around like livestock, waiting to go on a date with a woman who’d no doubt try to wrangle herself into his life and his pockets.
    Except Christina had shown up this time with backup, in