Mate Not Wanted (11 page)

She waited for an explosion of protest. The response was a resounding squeal of excitement. Lea launched herself at her and hugged her tight.

“You’re not going to regret this, I promise. You and I will go shopping for a sexy little number for you to wear because
you are going.
No getting out of it.”

Lea pulled back, grabbed her cell phone off the bar, and called Alec before Madison could respond.

Madison slumped further on her stool. So much for not going to the damn event.

Chapter Six

The day of the bachelor auction approached quickly, much to Pierce’s annoyance. They’d just cemented the schedule for the start of the rugby season and he’d set up the football schedule for the next few weeks. He and Matt had been working round the clock and even set up a few meetings to decide how to kick off a female football league. He’d been so occupied he hadn’t noticed the time passing, but there hadn’t been a second that he hadn’t thought, dreamed of, or fantasized about Madison.

It had gotten even worse when he’d heard a rumor that she’d gone into her heat cycle. His tiger had been in a near-acidic rage at the thought that she was out there needing a male to help satisfy her needs but had refused him. He was tempted to call her again to see if she’d talk to him, but he had been so busy that by the time he’d gotten home he’d been too exhausted to do anything but shower and crawl into bed.

His dreams had become filled with just her and nothing else. He couldn’t stop the arousal that swirled in his gut or the need that swept through him during the nighttime hours. The scenarios had been numerous: her tied up, her sucking him off, her waiting for him on his bed naked and ready for a hard ride. During the daylight hours his mind had been crammed with details, schedules, phone calls, deals, and contracts. Luckily, Matt was there to pick up the slack when he forgot what he was doing. Also, he’d managed to talk Renault into coming into town for the auction, much to his friends’ amusement. Ryan had even been talked into putting his ass up for the show as well.

Now Pierce stood in front of a full-length mirror wearing a tux complete with bowtie. He wondered if Madison would be there and if she’d find him attractive in the penguin suit. With a growl, he undid the tie and threw it to the ground.

“I’ll do it my way,” he snarled.

He put on his shoes, checked his phone, and grabbed his jacket before he headed off to the limo. Rather than drive himself, he’d decided to have a chauffeur. He was grateful that Sully was doing the dinner for the auction dates. At least he’d be comfortable and wouldn’t have to think of a place. Plus, he hadn’t been to Shadows recently. It would give him a chance to sate his tiger’s need for his mate. Later, after all the chaos, he’d go after Madison. And he wouldn’t take no for an answer, that was for damn sure.

He got into the limo and chuckled at how uncomfortable Ryan looked.

Ryan pulled the collar of Pierce’s shirt. “Why do you get out of wearing a tie?”

“’Cause I’m not going to wear the bloody thing. If they protest then I won’t have to walk the damn auction block.” Pierce grinned. The less pawing he had to go through the better.

“Well then fuck that.” Ryan tore off his bowtie and let the shreds drift to the floor of the limo.

Pierce barked out a laugh. “Copycat.”

“Yeah, well the fewer restraints I have to deal with the better. Besides, this isn’t a sex scene, now is it?” He gave Pierce a lecherous smile. Pierce shook his head as Ryan continued. “We could be talking about that sexy little number who’s been on your mind so much recently. Don’t deny it. I can smell your musk. It’s been driving me mental.” Ryan rested his head on the back of the seat and groaned. “A man gets tired of his hand, my friend.”

Pierce grimaced. “Sorry, didn’t think it was that obvious. Anyway, she’s called Madison. Curves in all the right places. A hellion. And she refuses to acknowledge her attraction to me. Been putting distance between us.”

Pierce could trust Ryan with all this information. His friend wouldn’t betray him.

Ryan scratched his perma-stubble. “Sounds like you need to kidnap her, drag her off to your castle in Scotland, and have your way with her.”

Pierce barked out a laugh. “Is that your advice for romance? Gods, how do you get laid? Ever heard of a restraining order? How about kidnapping? Jail? Prison? I know you’re bi, my friend, but I doubt you’d like to be anyone’s bitch.”

Ryan shook his head. “I’m no one’s bitch, that’s for damn sure. You do have a point. But if it’s her fantasy that’s another matter. So I guess you flood her with flowers and seduce her the old-fashioned way. You know, court her and shit.”

Pierce doubled over, his body shaking with laughter. “
Court her and shit
. Jesus, you really are a romantic.”

Ryan grinned. “I try, my friend. I do try. Anyway, you should really just be yourself. If she can’t take it then leave her.”

“No, I can’t. She’s my mate. I know it in my soul. She’s the one for me.”

“Ahh.” Ryan dragged out that single word. “I see. I hope that I don’t look as stupid as you’re acting when I find my mate. That is, if there
is
someone out there for me.”

In no time, they’d arrived at the venue. They got out of the car to the burst of flashbulbs from the photographers hired for the event. They moved along the red carpet and into the event hall, which had been decorated in reds, whites, and golds. Fresh flowers and candles stood on tall pillars everywhere they looked. The chandeliers were lit overhead, casting a bright light on the festivities. A live band played songs in a muted style so as not to disturb the flow of conversation.

Everywhere Pierce looked there were so many women, more than he’d thought the town held. Everyone was in formal wear. It was amusing to see that he was the only one who’d forgone the tie. He spotted Mack and Eddy as well as Lei and Matt. Even Sully had dragged his ass out of the club and dressed up a bit, albeit in a rock-and-roll style with leather pants, formal shirt, and a tie that was draped around his neck rather than tied into a bow.

Pierce gazed around the large, airy room. Was Madison around somewhere? He just hoped she’d managed to control her heat cycle pheromones.

A hand gave his shoulder a squeeze and he whirled around with a growl, ready to cuff the person, only to find himself gazing into the smiling green eyes of Al, in a tux and a cowboy hat to cover his chestnut curls. His tanned face was shadowed by the hat. Pierce had to hold back a laugh at how ridiculous he looked. And yet he wore it well, full of confidence.

“So where’s Jess? I thought she’d be here.” Al’s glance darted around and Pierce could only shake his head. The man’s crush was so evident it would be a shame if Jess didn’t bid on the cowboy.

“She’ll be here later. Getting ready from what I understand. Have you seen Madison?” Even to his own ears, Pierce sounded desperate.

Al grinned. “Yup, over by the buffet. Already started on the wine. There’s a wide circle around her. The felines are giving her a large berth. I can’t smell the pheromones myself but even I feel a bit antsy around her.” Al shook his head. “You better get her fast, buddy, otherwise you might have a fight on your hands.”

If there was a fight, Pierce intended to win it. “I’ll go check on her.”

He cut his way through the crowd, winding around women who were all giving him the eye and whispering as he passed. Pierce ignored the heat of lust that was directed at him. All he cared about was getting to Madison and seeing how she was doing. He made it to the buffet, which was located in the center of the main hall where the auction would take place.

Madison wore a simple black corset dress that hugged her curves, showing her ample bust and ass. Around her waist, she wore a simple cincher. Her breasts were pushed up to create a provocative amount of cleavage that made Pierce’s gut tighten and his shaft fill with blood. Her makeup was simple: crimson lip gloss, mascara, and a hint of blush. No other artifice was needed. She was sensuality and desire come to life.

A groan formed in Pierce’s throat as his pants grew uncomfortable. He didn’t care if anyone could see his reaction to her. All that mattered was that she was there and looked to be safe.

He started toward her when a tall, blond lion shifter walked up to her and took her in his arms, giving her a tight hug that sent a spear of pain through Pierce’s gut. Who the fuck was this? He let out a low growl and stalked toward them. The lion didn’t let her go. He lowered his head and brushed his lips against her ear. Pierce watched, enraged, as Madison shivered and stepped back.

Had she led him on? Was she already mated? Had she found someone to sate her heat cycle? Anger lashed around Pierce’s body, and his vision turned red. There was no way in hell he’d share her with the smirking jackass that stood before her.

Ryan came up to his side and grabbed him by his back. “Don’t do anything stupid, Stupid. Not here. Confront her later.”

As much as Pierce wanted to stay, the sane part of his mind told him that what Ryan was saying was right. Not here, not now, and certainly not at a charity for kids. He glanced over his shoulder and narrowed his eyes at Madison. This wasn’t over.

Ryan pulled him to the back gathering area where all the bachelors were to sit and relax until they were called up onto the stage. He had no clue what Matt had put down as his likes and dislikes, but he didn’t really care. All he could see was Madison in the embrace of that smarmy lion shifter. The more he thought about it, the more his stomach threatened to rebel.

“Hey, look at me,” Ryan growled. “You’ll get answers. Stop pouting, dammit.” His eyes shifted from gray to sky blue and back again. A bit of his cheetah peeked out to police Pierce’s tiger.

“What’s wrong with him? Someone piss in his beer?” Mack asked, as he sipped on whiskey and soda.

“Bad business deal.” Ryan eyed Mack’s drink. “Why watered down whiskey?”

“Don’t wanna be drunk,” Mack replied, as he flopped down on the couch next to Pierce.

Pierce latched onto the mundane conversation on drink choices and Mack’s stories of how rugby practice was going. So far, so good. And from what he’d heard the New Zealand Blacks were willing to lend sponsorship to a Kiwi team if they could scrounge up enough shifters. A rush of relief filled Pierce at the thought of having official backing from a world-class organization. Now if only other clubs would follow suit, it would be a relief and not a pain in the ass.

“Now, now, gentleman, no more talk of business. Time to walk the plank.” The organizer’s gaze fell on Pierce. “Time to go, Mr. McKinney. I promise this won’t hurt a bit.”

Panic replaced any relief Pierce had felt. He glanced from Ryan to Mack in desperation. Both of the bastards raised a glass toward him and drank down the contents until nothing was left, smiles on their faces. Ryan turned traitor and gave his ass a pinch and then Mack shoved him forward. Pierce went stumbling toward the curtain and barely had time to right himself.

“It’s not so bad, Mr. McKinney, I promise. And just think of all the children you’ll help. We have a lot of takers tonight. You’ll get a huge going price today.”

Pierce felt as if he was being led to his death. The curtains parted, and then he heard his name and the roar that followed it. Blinded by lights, he walked down a long, red runner edged in gold.

“And here we have the very eligible Pierce McKinney! Come on, ladies, let’s hear you roar for him!

The crowd went wild. Pierce continued to walk even though a sense of doom filled him with each step.

“Let’s start the bidding at one hundred dollars. Do I hear a hundred?”

“Two hundred!” a woman screamed. Pierce couldn’t see who it was.

“I hear two. Can I get three?”

“Five hundred!” another woman called out. The crowd went wild.

“One thousand!” a woman called out before the auctioneer could ask for another bid.

“Five thousand!”

“Ten thousand!”

What the fuck was going on? Pierce looked this way and that, trying to find the women who were willing to throw away all that money on him. He couldn’t see a damn thing and his tiger was going ape-shit inside of him. The feline wanted to shift, badly. Pierce couldn’t blame it. In desperation, he tried to find Madison’s unique scent to anchor him. No matter how angry he was that she might have played him, he didn’t care. He just needed her, now. He opened up his other senses and allowed the tiger to seek her out. Among all the cloying perfumes and colognes he couldn’t find her anywhere. He felt like a moron standing at the end of the runway waiting for something to happen.

The out-of-control bidding continued to ratchet up. His eyesight was gradually adjusting to the lights. No Madison, anywhere. Pierce spotted her friends Lea and Alec. Lea waved a paddle madly. Every few seconds she’d lift her arm and hold it up high.

“Back off bitch,” Lea called out. “Twenty thousand!”

Pierce’s heart leaped up in his throat. Did she have that kind of money?

“Twenty thousand five hundred!” her competitor shot back, a woman who seemed to have painted her makeup on with a spray gun and was going for the surprised clown look. Determination filled her blue eyes.

“I can do this
all
day, honey. Twenty-five thousand,” Lea called out. Determination was etched on her face, focus in her amber eyes.

The painted clown woman’s eyes flickered. She licked her lips and opened her mouth. The auctioneer began the count.

“I have twenty-five thousand. Do I hear thirty thousand? Anyone? Anyone?”

Lea crossed her arms over her chest and the other woman let her arm fall at her side. Out of the corner of his eye, Pierce spotted a stacked blonde lifting her arm. He met Lea’s gaze and nodded toward the possible new adversary.

Lea either got the message or had spotted the blonde herself, Pierce wasn’t sure which.

“Fifty thousand!” Lea shouted out.

Pierce stared at Lea. Had she gone mad? What the hell was she thinking?

A murmur went up in the crowd. The blonde’s hand dropped.