Chapter 4 FOUR

Okay, so maybe the kiss wasn't such a good idea.

I'd intended it to be a polite gesture, something along the lines of "thanks a million, you're the best." But the moment my lips touched her cheek, I knew there was something more to it. And I had the proof in the form of a half-stiff cock. As I shuffled back to my seat, I cursed the scrubs for being too tight, walking in a strange, sliding-step sort of way that allowed me to pull the waistband up and not let everyone around me see how excited I was.

But, oh, that kiss. I'd had to use every ounce of restraint I had not to make the kiss more, not to put my hands on those ripe, round hips and drag her in for something more passionate, a kiss that would lead to something else.

How did she manage to make me feel that way after all these years? Sure, she was beautiful, sexy, and irresistible, but there was more to her.

Something more profound.

I slid into an open seat at the auction table, listening to the other guys chit-chat and sip their drinks. The baseball coach was chatting with one of the waitresses, his shirt open and a whistle hanging between his bulging pecs.

Crystal had moved closer to me and was sitting a few tables away, flashing me a bright smile and wiggled her fingers at me. As a man who was told he had a high opinion of himself, I recognized confidence when I saw it. And Crystal's expression was that of a woman who was certain she was going to get exactly what she wanted.

But, I hoped, I had a secret weapon.

A few women at the party walked slowly by the table, inspecting the merchandise. A few of them were attractive, well-dressed women whom I wouldn't have minded taking out for a weekend in Bora under normal circumstances. They appeared to be very interested in me. I'd been around the block enough to know how women reacted to my blue eyes and chiseled everything.

But none of them were important. To be polite, I returned her smile, but all I could think about was one woman. And she was the one woman who didn't want anything to do with me so much that I couldn't even persuade her to make a phony bid on me to save my a$$ from a weekend with one of the coldest-blooded women who'd ever stalked the earth.

I couldn't really blame her. Not after what had happened between us.

As Joven took the stage, the band's music picked up, playing a lively tune. He looked great in a tuxedo. And he'd had a whirlwind few years. He was married, had a wonderful child and another on the way, and Bermas Medical Group was quickly becoming a household name in the field of professional medical services. The man had amassed a vast fortune.

I couldn't really blame her. Not after what had happened between us.

As Joven took the stage, the band's music picked up, playing a lively tune. He looked great in a tuxedo. And he'd had a whirlwind few years. He was married, had a wonderful child and another on the way, and Bermas Medical Group was quickly becoming a household name in the field of professional medical services. The man had amassed a vast fortune.

"Before we begin, I'd like to shine a light on my lovely, brilliant, incredible wife Alma." She is the reason you are all gathered here tonight. Her passion for children in need has brought this charity to life, and as a result of her heart, brains, and ambition, Bermas Medical Group has grown to become one of the nation's largest medical charitable organizations. I'll be a happy man if you all leave tonight knowing just a little bit more about how amazing she is than you did before. So, please, raise your voice in support of Alma."

More applause erupted as Alma waved to the audience, a sheepish but pleased expression on her face. Joven motioned for her to enter the stage. She did, and he kissed her on the cheek before wrapping his arm around her shoulders and motioning toward her, as if to ask the audience, "Can you believe I got this lucky? " They exchanged one more kiss before Alma left.

I was overjoyed for those two. Love appeared to be one of those things that only certain people discovered. And I, for one, was not one of those people. But it's not like I was looking for love. My previous experience with the subject had taught me that I didn't want to deal with love.

And, as if to emphasize the point, I noticed Crystal, her brow furrowed as she waved the auction paddle toward me. I shook my head and returned my gaze to the stage. Joven continued his speech, giving a moving explanation of the importance of charity, how money wasn't everything, and how success only mattered if it gave you the opportunity to give back.

It's heartfelt stuff, and it's a bit surprising to hear it from the mouth of a man who, at one point, only seemed to care about being at the top of his game. He now had not only that, but so much more.

"Now," Joven exclaimed, excitedly clapping his hands. "Let's get started – it's time to start bidding!" "

Applause erupted as he drew a small stack of notecards from his pocket.

"OK," he said, switching to auctioneer mode. "The first beefcake on the block is Jason Del Mundo, the coach of De La Salle Archers!"

Jason stood up and waved, mimicking the dribbling and making a shot. Joven motioned for him to come on stage, and he took his time climbing the steps onto the stage.

"Let's begin bidding at...five thousand pesos!" Who wants to take the plunge for this real catch of a man? " His joke elicited some good-natured groan-laughs from the audience.

"ten thousand!", yelled a woman in the crowd.

After that, it was off to the races. The bidding was quick and furious, with the numbers rising steadily from ten thousand pesos, thirty thousand pesos, and finally to a hundred thousand. Jason's bidding ended at fifty thousand pesos – not a bad start.

"Next up is Adam Cruz, a volunteer firefighter for the local department and, ladies, the man who's going to..." He grinned. "Wait a minute. I'm not even going to get into the fireman puns – except to say that he might start a four-alarm fire in your heart! "

More groan-laughs, and I couldn't help but notice how talented Joven was at emceeing.

Adam jumped up on stage, hands on his hips, showing off his fireman physique. I did a quick scan of the crowd to make sure there were no women passing out in their soup from the intensity of what they were witnessing. Women were jokingly fanning themselves and placing their hands on their brows as if fainting, and I chuckled as I continued my scan through the room. When I happened to look at Crystal, her eyes narrowed, as if she couldn't wait for the chance to make me hers the only way she knew how – through deception.

I quickly averted my gaze and noticed Gia. She was way back in the corner, leaning against the wall, a conflicted expression on her face. I had no idea what she had in mind. But I was hoping she'd come through for me. She probably disliked Crystal even less than I did.

"Five-hundred!" Kendra yelled as she raised her paddle to bid on Adam. Gia's eyes widened as she cast an irritated glance at Kendra. Kendra only smiled and shrugged as she happily waved her paddle.

Her bid didn't stay at the top for long. A wealthy woman offered a thousand dollars, effectively ending the fireman's run. Defeated, Kendra stuffed her paddle into her purse, putting an end to her firefighter fantasies. Adam walked proudly off the stage, followed by one of the musicians.

"I hope you're prepared to be rocked, ladies!"

Joven exclaimed, laughing at his own joke. "Because we have Ben Velasco, lead singer of Ben&Ben! And rumor has it that he's already working on his next hit, which will be dedicated to the woman who wins his bid tonight!"

Ben leapt onto the stage with the assurance of someone who'd done it a million times before. He stuck his tongue out, making the devil horns sign with both hands, and then snatched the microphone from Joven's grasp.

"What the hell is going on, Metro Manilaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" He wailed the words as if preparing to launch into one of his hits.

His antics drew wild applause from the audience, and a few of the older members of the audience seemed perplexed. Joven gracefully reclaimed the microphone.

"Don't you think that enthusiasm is contagious?" As Joven spoke, Ben continued posing and hamming it up. "And just a reminder, the highest bid for the night wins a weekend in Bora, including flight, hotel, and dinners, with the rest paid for by Bermas Medical Group." Will Ben be the one to break the record? Let's see what happens! We'll begin with a thousand for this charming gentleman! "

The bidding war was fierce. Guess what they said about no woman being able to resist a rock star was true. Ben bounced on his boots, his palms outstretched and his fingers lifted to the roof in a "higher, higher" bid with his fingers.

"Went once, went twice, sold for 10,000 to the lovely Miss Buban!" Ben smirked and nodded to the winner.

a thousand pesos Is it possible for me to outperform that?

"Up next, we have a late entry and a very special guest, the incredible Dr. Joey Garcia!"

As I stepped onstage, I stood up, winking and waving, and gave Joven a shake and a firm slap on the back.

"Thank you again, bud," he said quietly as the applause echoed. "What can I possibly say about Dr. Garcia?" he asked, returning his attention to the audience. I could tell you he went to Stanford Medical School. Isn't that impressive? What if I told you that this man is so brilliant that he graduated from college in two years and went on to be the top student in his med school class? Isn't it even more impressive now?"

I'd never been one to brag about my accomplishments, no matter how proud I was of them. Even though Joven was doing it all for a good cause, being the center of attention was strange.

"The man runs his own very successful orthopedic surgery clinic, where he treats athletes from all over the country." Dr. Garcia's career is already in the stratosphere at the age of thirty-five. And if you knew the man like I did, you'd know he's just getting started. So, biases aside, I believe he's worth at least 50,000. "

"Fifty thousand pesos here!"

Crystal's voice came to mind as the first bidder. She raised her paddle, a happy expression on her face, as if she knew the bid was hers to take.

My stomach was in knots as I waited to see what Gia would do.