The Auction
Chapter 40

Draco POV

I cannot believe she finally said yes to me. I have waited so long for thismoment for us. I hate that the only priest I can replace is in the city. I hopeif I offer him enough money he will come to a hotel outside of the cityand marry us there, if not I will protect her.

There isn't a threat to her anymore. Craig is dead. I made sure of thatmyself. He cannot come after her. She still fears him. I understand thesefeelings she has of fear. I cannot say that I would not be the same wayif I was in her shoes.

Tatina has developed into the strongest person I have ever known. Shewalks into auction houses and slave houses. She destroys the idiots thathurt women. She is fearless except for the one fear she is still trying toget passed.

I pack us a small bag for the night. I let her relax while I grab us a fewthings. We can eat when we get there. She doesn't really want to eatmy horrible cooking, it was a test to see if I would do as she asked. Shecan say what she wants but I know she was only trying to see howserious I was about tonight.

I text the staff to let them know there is a lot of food here, if it's edibleeat it, if not throw it out. I grab the wedding rings I purchased for usout of my night stand drawer and the overnight bag and head to her.She is still sitting at the table. “You know you look like a bride tonight,” Isay to her.

“I will need clothes for tomorrow,” Tatina says.

I pat the bag hanging from my shoulder. “I handled everything,” I say toher.

“What about wedding rings,” She asks.

“I handled that also,” I say.

“What about all of this food?” Tatina asks.

“Well, I text the staff, everything is handled if you want to quit stalling,”I say.

“I haven't called the hotel yet,” Tatina says.

“You can do that in the car,” I say.

“I guess it is settled then, we are getting married,” Tatina says.

“Not if you don't want to marry me,” I say.

"Yes, I do. Now let's do this,” Tatina says.

She gets up from the table. She grabs a bottle of wine from the table.“For the road,” Tatina says.

“I want you sober when you say I do,” I say to her.

“I will be, but it is for my nerves,” Tatina says.

“Okay, but you cannot drink the entire bottle. After we are married wewill get a bottle of champagne to celebrate,” I say to her.

“After we are married you are going to make love to me as my husbandbefore we do anything else,” Tatina says.

“I can live with those conditions,” I say to her.

I open the front door for her. She walks out of the house to the car andwaits for me to open the door.

“My beautiful lady,” I say as I open the car door.

I throw the bag in the trunk and get into the car.

I start the car. “You know you have made me happier than I everthought possible,” I say to her.

“You have me as well,” Tatina says.

We drive to the outskirts of New Orleans. I am careful not to get toclose to the city. I do not want her to even have to look at it.

I pull into the hotel. We give the car to the valet and head to check in toour room.

“Is he going to come here?” Tatina asks.

“Yes, money always talks my dear,” I say to her.

This is not entirely true, I reminded Father Malone how Tatina had savedhis niece after that he cancelled his plans and made arrangements tocome to the hotel himself.

“Are you up to something?” Tatina asks me.

“No I was only thinking about how I cannot wait to be inside you,” I sayto her.

“Pervert,” she says as she smacks me on the ass

“Who is the pervert now,” I say to her.

When we get to the room, I call Father Malone to let him know whatroom we are in at the hotel.

“He will be here in twenty minutes,” I tell Tatina.

“Good, let's make this quick. I have plans for you tonight,” Tatina says.“You do, why don't you tell me about it while we wait on the priest,” Isay to her.

“No sir, I am a lady. What I want to do to you is very unlady like,” Tatinasays.

She is feeling playful tonight and I love it. I pull her into my arms andhold her. I kiss her forehead.

“Il love you,” I say to her.

“ love you too,” Tatina says.

“We can take some time off to just be together if you want for a littlewhile,” 1 say to her. I stroke her hair and rub her back. She needs timeoff.

“We cannot do that for long. Maybe a few days, but you know there arepeople who need us,” Tatina says.

“What about you? You never think about yourself.” I say to her.

“I am fine, Draco. I need to work. It keeps my mind occupied,” Tatinasays.

“I promise if we take a few weeks off that I will keep you very occupied,”I say to her.

“Well, then, I may have to take you up on that offer,” Tatina says.

There is a knock on the door interrupting our moment.

“Last chance to back out,” I say.

“Never, you are stuck with me now,” Tatina says.

“I am serious. If you want to change your mind do it now. I will not beangry. We can make love all night and get up in the morning and goback to the way we were. I would be upset but I only want you to dothis if you are sure,” I say to her.

“I am positive. I wasn't sure earlier but I am now,” Tatina say.

She goes to open the door to let the priest in to our room. In only a fewmoments she will be my wife.