Bidding on the Billionaire (Bad Boys Billionaire Bachelors Club) Read Free Page B

for how she’d manipulated him
when they were involved.  There couldn’t be a more beautiful and intimidating
woman in the room to go head to head with Olivia.  It was a definite turn-on,
and Sergio hoped that Mandi would win.
    Sergio
looked at Mandi and smiled.  It was easy to see her lovely smile even in the
dimly lit room.  She knew how to command a presence, and he was looking at
someone he’d never really noticed before.
    What a
difference a couple of years or so could make.  That was about how long it had
been since Sergio had seen Mandi, and she had definitely matured.  She was no
longer the happy go lucky person he’d used to see at his house all the time. 
He’d always thought she was beautiful, fun, and very interesting, but she was
definitely off limits.  Guys didn’t go after their younger sister’s best
friends—that was not acceptable, and there were always other eligible women
around to enjoy without going there.
    Another
thing that Sergio was very aware of was that he hadn’t seen Mandi ever since
her mother passed away.  She’s grown so serious and focused, seemingly loosing
that happiness and joy that used to light up a room.  Yet, in this moment as
she was going head to head with Olivia, Sergio noticed a bit of that
returning.  Mandi’s mannerisms and gestures showed that she had the spirit of
competition in her, and that she didn’t hesitate to pursue something once she
set her mind to it.  What an interesting thought that he might actually be what
she was pursuing.  What would he do?  Was Mandi the one that would make him
consider entering into a relationship again, and moving on with his personal
life?
    Sophia
had been dropping hints to Sergio about if he had any available friends that
would be a good fit for Mandi, and not some jerk that would cause her pain, and
he’d never really answered her. Why would someone as gorgeous and perfect as
Mandi need to be set up on a date? He didn’t like the idea of Mandi dating
around. Somehow the thought made him seeing red. Beside, being a matchmaker was
not something he had interest in, or time to do.  Life was too busy without
adding the emotional journey of dating into the mix.  He’d never mentioned
himself because the time didn’t seem right, and he didn’t want to feel like he
was being forced into a relationship.  Things of that nature developed in their
own time, and in their own way if they were meant to be.
    Olivia’s
voice calling out a bid caused Sergio’s gaze to turn to her.  It irked him and
disturbed him a bit that he still had such strong emotional responses to her. 
Part of him wanted to forgive her and go back to a relationship that he thought
was good and possibly even heading toward marriage. A feat, especially since he
was happy being a bachelor. And then there was the other part of him and that
part of him hoped she’d just disappear so he wouldn’t have to see her or be
tempted by her again.  She’d unraveled him but good, and he wanted to move on. 
He really did, but that kept getting put on the back burner in lieu of business
deals and empire building.  Business he got.  Women, now that was a different
story.
    With
Mandi’s latest bit of $60,000.00 she showed her determination to win when she
set her mind to it.  Aside from loving the competition, Mandi’s determination
sparked a desire in Sergio and it was rather surprising to him.  He suddenly
wanted to see her happy and smiling, not worrying about whatever concerns she
had going on her life.  Mandi reminded him of what Olivia was like when she was
younger, and it was fascinating.  Her spirited passion and lack of hesitation
to make smarmy faces at Olivia, and show her that she didn’t rule the roost was
absolutely enchanting.  He wanted to see more.
    At
that moment, Sergio knew that he wanted something more for Mandi, and he knew
that all the money in the world would not deliver it.  He needed to offer more
if he really wanted to see