Free The Sheikh's American Bride (The Sharqi Sheikhs Series Book 2) by Leslie North Page A

long green evening gown introduced herself as Cindy Nichols, Harvard University’s Treasurer.
     
    She spent a few moments explaining the process and thanking all the students who agreed to participate in such a worthy cause. Then, she started the auction and bidders eagerly raised their paddles as they bid.
     
    Taleb could see the Dean out of the corner of his eye practically vibrating with excitement each time the auction hammer would go down signaling a final bid. Finally, Zoe Donahue came on stage. She was dressed in a silver halter neck dress that complemented her skin tone and figure. She had her blonde hair styled elegantly into a side braid that draped around her head reminding Taleb of a painting of Aphrodite he had seen at a gallery in Florence.
     
    She was stunning as she stood there with such poise. No wonder the professor could not resist her. In fact, she was everything he was looking for in a future wife and Taleb did not know why he had not seen it when they were in class together. She was perfect.
     
    “This is Miss Zoe Donahue. She is originally from Austin, Texas, she is twenty-two, and in her first year of law school. The winner will be treated to a picnic lunch made by Miss Donahue. Let’s start the bidding at one hundred dollars,” Cindy began.
     
    No paddles were raised and the only sounds that could be heard were the sounds of shuffling as attendees shifted in their seats.
     
    Looking around the room, Cindy’s smile faltered as she called out, “How about fifty dollars? Can we start the bidding at fifty dollars?” But no one responded.
     
    Taleb watched Zoe's face drop. He remembered her talking about her fear of not being bid on. Looking around, he saw some of the female guests whispering about her. Some seemed to enjoy her humiliation.
     
    “Going once, twice-” Before Cindy could end the auction on Zoe, Taleb raised his paddle.
     
    “Ten thousand dollars,” he called out as a collective gasp swept through the room and Zoe looked up in surprise.
     
    “Ten thousand dollars to bidder number forty-six. Going once, twice? That is ten thousand dollars for Miss Zoe Donahue.”
     
    Taleb put his paddle down as Malil looked at him. “Well that was an interesting move,” he told him.
     
    “I detest petty behavior,” Taleb responded.
     
    The last girl came on stage and the bidding on her began. “Three hundred,” Malil called out. Taleb whipped his head in his direction. A bidding war ensued with the auction closing at five thousand dollars. Taleb was surprised that Malil was the highest bidder.
     
    “Well that was an interesting move,” Taleb said to him.
     
    Malil didn’t say a word, his eyes were fixed on the girl on the stage.
     
    “I didn’t expect that from you,” he prodded when he did not answer the first time.
     
    “There is something… captivating about her.”
     
    Taleb raised his eyebrow at him but didn’t say another word as he rose to his feet to go speak with Zoe. Her face lit up when she saw him approaching her. “Taleb, hi,” she called out and extended her arms to him. He allowed her to hug him, as she whispered in his ear, “I can’t thank you enough for bidding on me. You saved me from even more humiliation.”
     
    “Hello, Miss Donahue, you look lovely this evening,” he told her as he stepped back.
     
    “Thank you.” Zoe smiled and rubbed his arm. “I did not expect you to bid on me, especially at such a high price,” she said in a louder voice as those nearby turned to listen to their conversation.
     
    “The charity auction was for a good cause and you are most definitely worth the price.”
     
    Zoe laughed as Taleb smiled at her. A server approached them with glasses of Champagne. “No, thank you,” Zoe told her, shaking her head.
     
    “You do not like Champagne?” Taleb asked.
     
    “I prefer red wine.”
     
    “A glass of red wine for the lady then,” Taleb said to the server.
     
    “Yes, sir.”
     
    “You are such a