THE BIDDING OF Love

uldn't be able to escape. Aidan Sinclair walked ahead of her with the same effortless dominance he carried everywhere, his broad shoulders cutting through the air like a blade. He hadn't

Leila swallowed hard, forcing herself to hold his gaze. "And what does that have to do with you?" Aidan stepped closer, his presence commanding, suffocating. "I can make your problems disappear," he said. The words were soft, almost deceptively kind. But Leila wasn't naive enough to believe there were no strings attached. Men like him never gave without taking more in return. She took a step back. "Why would you help me?" His lips curved slightly, amusement flickering in his gaze. "Who said I'm offering help?" Leila's pulse pounded in her ears. Here it was. The real reason he had pulled her away from the auction. The real reason he had bid on her like she was just another acquisition. Aidan reached into his suit pocket, pulling out a folded piece of paper. He held it out to her. Leila hesitated before taking it. Her fingers trembled as she unfolded it. Her stomach dropped. A contract. Her eyes scanned the words, but the only ones that stood out-the only ones that mattered-were the ones printed at the top in bold, elegant font. Exclusive Arrangement Contract. Her breath caught. She lifted her gaze to his. "What is this?" Aidan's blue eyes darkened. "A proposal." Leila's heart pounded violently against her ribs. Aidan stepped closer, closing the space between them until she had to tilt her chin up to hold his gaze. "You need money," he murmured. "I need something in return." Leila's throat went dry. "What do you want?" The silence stretched between them, thick and unbreakable. Then, finally, he spoke. "You." Leila's breath h