Read Online Eden's Pleasure (Pulse Book 1) by Jennifer Rose - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Jennifer Rose
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draped over her front held in her other hand, the slightest show of a breast peeking just from below her curled arm. It was classic art, and she was very proud of it.
The painting was eliciting a good amount of attention, but she stayed to the opposite side of the room, not daring to hear people’s comments in case of any negativity. She couldn’t have handled that.
Eden’s eyes searched the crowd but she saw no signs of Chase. She felt a tug of disappointment since she had hoped to see him. She knew that he was just a fantasy in an impossible world, but he certainly was nice to watch. In fact, he was a perfect piece of eye candy. How rude is that? She laughed inside.
She took her seat at the front of the room, keeping the audience behind her. As the auction started, she listened to the auctioneer’s ramble as one by one, the items sold for extraordinary amounts of money. Finally her painting was brought to the front of the room, and a gentleman placed it on an elegant brass easel for all to see. Eden crossed her fingers hoping that someone would take pity and buy it, even to hide it in an old attic.
The bidding started at five hundred dollars making Eden stare at the auctioneer like his head was about to fall off. Far too high, she thought. The first bid came in and Eden felt her heart leap, thanking God that someone had bid, just as another bidder put up his or her paddle. Then the war of the half-naked- painting started to Eden’s delight. She wanted to turn in her chair and see who was bidding on her painting but she didn’t dare, not wanting to draw attention to herself. She recalled signing the painting simply Nede so that it remained somewhat anonymous.
The gavel finally crashed down on the podium, and the crowd cheered. “Sold to Paddle number six two six for Twenty thousand dollars,” the auctioneer called out.
Eden caught her breath and smiled boldly. She felt so proud of herself sitting happily awaiting the auction’s end. The night had gone well. She stood, ready to leave for her job was done. She had helped raise a great deal of money for breast cancer research, and felt very satisfied. Her painting had not raised anywhere close to the other item’s huge amounts, but it did better than she had ever imagined.
A deep, low voice startled her, “I take it by that smile your contribution did well?”
Eden smiled up at Chase, thrilled at the sight of his presence. “Yes, as a matter of fact, it did very well. Thank you.”
He looked even sexier than she could have envisioned in his jet black Armani Tuxedo. His eyes seemed even brighter emerald.
“Can I buy you a drink in celebration, Miss Fox?” He held his elbow out to her, and she took it gladly. He escorted her to a small bar at the far end of the room.
The bartender placed two paper napkins on the bar and looked at the pair waiting. “Two dirty martinis? Or would you prefer wine instead?” Chase asked and they shared a secret glance.
“A dirty martini would be nice, thank you.”
Chase paid for their drinks and handed her a glass, escorting her to the seats at the windows.
“I didn’t see you before the auction started. You were late,” Eden commented.
“You looked for me?” he asked with an amused smile, and she blushed.
She sipped her drink. “Only because you said you would be here,” she said, looking out the window, slightly embarrassed by his reaction.
“I came in as the auction started, but I was here earlier in the day to view the goods,” he replied.
Taking an olive from his drink, he popped it into his mouth and hummed with satisfaction. “So which item did you have on auction?”
“Oh, I’m afraid that that has to remain a secret. I prefer to remain an anonymous benefactor.” She grinned wickedly, and Chase gave her a look of inquisition.
“Did you come away a winner, Mr. Dean?” Eden asked.
“I did, but I’m afraid that I can’t convey to you the item won, as I wish to remain an anonymous
The painting was eliciting a good amount of attention, but she stayed to the opposite side of the room, not daring to hear people’s comments in case of any negativity. She couldn’t have handled that.
Eden’s eyes searched the crowd but she saw no signs of Chase. She felt a tug of disappointment since she had hoped to see him. She knew that he was just a fantasy in an impossible world, but he certainly was nice to watch. In fact, he was a perfect piece of eye candy. How rude is that? She laughed inside.
She took her seat at the front of the room, keeping the audience behind her. As the auction started, she listened to the auctioneer’s ramble as one by one, the items sold for extraordinary amounts of money. Finally her painting was brought to the front of the room, and a gentleman placed it on an elegant brass easel for all to see. Eden crossed her fingers hoping that someone would take pity and buy it, even to hide it in an old attic.
The bidding started at five hundred dollars making Eden stare at the auctioneer like his head was about to fall off. Far too high, she thought. The first bid came in and Eden felt her heart leap, thanking God that someone had bid, just as another bidder put up his or her paddle. Then the war of the half-naked- painting started to Eden’s delight. She wanted to turn in her chair and see who was bidding on her painting but she didn’t dare, not wanting to draw attention to herself. She recalled signing the painting simply Nede so that it remained somewhat anonymous.
The gavel finally crashed down on the podium, and the crowd cheered. “Sold to Paddle number six two six for Twenty thousand dollars,” the auctioneer called out.
Eden caught her breath and smiled boldly. She felt so proud of herself sitting happily awaiting the auction’s end. The night had gone well. She stood, ready to leave for her job was done. She had helped raise a great deal of money for breast cancer research, and felt very satisfied. Her painting had not raised anywhere close to the other item’s huge amounts, but it did better than she had ever imagined.
A deep, low voice startled her, “I take it by that smile your contribution did well?”
Eden smiled up at Chase, thrilled at the sight of his presence. “Yes, as a matter of fact, it did very well. Thank you.”
He looked even sexier than she could have envisioned in his jet black Armani Tuxedo. His eyes seemed even brighter emerald.
“Can I buy you a drink in celebration, Miss Fox?” He held his elbow out to her, and she took it gladly. He escorted her to a small bar at the far end of the room.
The bartender placed two paper napkins on the bar and looked at the pair waiting. “Two dirty martinis? Or would you prefer wine instead?” Chase asked and they shared a secret glance.
“A dirty martini would be nice, thank you.”
Chase paid for their drinks and handed her a glass, escorting her to the seats at the windows.
“I didn’t see you before the auction started. You were late,” Eden commented.
“You looked for me?” he asked with an amused smile, and she blushed.
She sipped her drink. “Only because you said you would be here,” she said, looking out the window, slightly embarrassed by his reaction.
“I came in as the auction started, but I was here earlier in the day to view the goods,” he replied.
Taking an olive from his drink, he popped it into his mouth and hummed with satisfaction. “So which item did you have on auction?”
“Oh, I’m afraid that that has to remain a secret. I prefer to remain an anonymous benefactor.” She grinned wickedly, and Chase gave her a look of inquisition.
“Did you come away a winner, Mr. Dean?” Eden asked.
“I did, but I’m afraid that I can’t convey to you the item won, as I wish to remain an anonymous
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