CHAPTER 59: AUCTION EVENT ARC 3

The obsidian glided smoothly down the open road, cutting through the city like a blade in the midnight. Inside the Dreamweaver, the atmosphere was thick with the scent of leather, expensive perfume, and pungent, potent unspoken tension that was ever so palpable.

Valerie leaned back into the passenger seat, her eyes drifting over the dashboard with the admiration of someone used to luxury but still able to appreciate a beautiful machine.

"This car is stunning, Maximus," she said with a fingers lazily brushing over the center console like she was caressing it. "How much do you want for it? I’ll pay you double of whatever you price it."

Maximus glanced at her with a crooked grin, one hand still on the stirring wheel. "I’ll take that as a joke."

She tilted her head toward him, her lips curling into a slow, amused smile. "Of course it’s a joke... it’s clear she’s very valuable to you." she said, but the way she looked at him suggested everything about her was a calculated dare.

Then she leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a velvet tone.

"You know, the backseat has a lot of space," she said, her pupils dancing. "And we still have time to kill before the event. What do you say we make use of it?"

Maximus felt the flicker of that familiar heat from the morning crawl up from his spine, but he kept his gaze on the road. That didn’t make Valerie stop at all.

"I’m wearing matching red lace," she whispered. "Just like I promised, and I made sure everything down there smells like natural roses."

His jaw flexed, eyes narrowing slightly, not in anger but in restraint. He’d expected this move from the billionaire heiress.

"And even if I wanted to," he said calmly, "we’ve got a convoy of security cars trailing us. The whole sawyer surveillance package. Privacy’s would be definitely out the window."

Valerie scoffed, rolling her eyes and turning her face toward the window. "Ugh, I hate that. I can’t go anywhere without those men glued to me. It’s exhausting."

"It’s for your own safety," Maximus replied, his tone grounding the moment. "You’re the heiress to a multi billion dollar empire, Valerie. You would be a red hot bullseye if it weren’t for those guys..."

She huffed. "I know. Doesn’t mean I have to like it..."

Then she turned her gaze back to him, her expression soft but sit no less dangerous.

"One day," she said, "I’m going to get you in my pants. You’ll see, I’ll wait for the perfect time."

Maximus took a shot at her, she met his eyes with a smoldering smile, one that said she meant what she said.

And true to the heavens he was going to take her word for it.

"Gosh Valerie..." he shook his head with a huge grin plastered on his face. "...You are crazy... cute and crazy."

Valerie glanced back at hime with a seductive look, "And you look like an educated gangster... I like."

Maximus looked back at the road, but not before her words had carved themselves into his thoughts.

Every curve of her body, every subtle tease, every unspoken promise, he wanted to do everything she wanted him to do and more. He wanted to ravage her, claim her, leave his scent all over her skin until she couldn’t wear anything without thinking of him.

But...

He clenched the Dreamweaver’s steering wheel tighter. She was a distraction, a powerful one. It might seem harmless at first, but that would most definitely take him down a path that is different from that of the Investment God System.

The silence stretched for a moment, Valerie sensing the shift took in a deep breath and spoke up.

"There’s no pressure," she said quietly, her eyes forward. "I’m not trying to rush anything. I’m just showing interest in a man I think has an eye for me."

Maximus exhaled, his voice calm but heavy with truth. "I do have an eye for you, Valerie. I like you a lot. But you’re a whole different level than I am."

She turned to him again, her eyebrow slightly raised. "Does that matter?"

He paused, "Maybe."

The he smiled slightly. "Maybe I’ll take you out on a proper date. One where we can actually do...everything you want us to do."

Valerie let out a light laugh, resting her elbow on the car door as she looked at him with bright eyes.

"This is a proper date, Max," she teased. "The only difference is that it’s the kind rich as people go on."

That got a genuine chuckle from him. The tension softned and for a moment, they were just two people enjoying the game they were playing.

The car pulled up outside the venue, a tall and grand sky scraper building adorned in gold lighting, fountains glittering at the entrance and security dressed sharper than most ceo’s.

Maximus got out first, straightened his jacket and walked around to Valerie’s side of the car. With a confident pull, he opened the door for her.

She stepped out with grace, her gown flowing behind her like liquid starlight. She looked at him, clearly pleased.

"Well, well," she said, slipping her hand gently into his elbow. "You’re a gentleman after all..."

He gave her a look, equal parts smug and sincere. "Only for women who deserve it..."

She smiled and they walked into the building together.

The entrance lobby shimmered like something out of a billionaire’s fever dream. Gold trimmed marble floors, crystal chandeliers the size of small cars, and walls lined with digital art that probably cost more than most people’s homes.

Maximus walked beside Valerie, his hand now resting gently on her lower back as the two of them moved in sync, sharp as blades and dressed to kill. Together, they looked like royalty born form different empires.

A few eyes turned and whispers followed suit. Maximus could feel them like static electricity brushing across his skin.

Ahead stood the elevator, it was sleek, black glass and already waiting ajar.

As they stepped in inside, the doors whispered shut behind them with a soft chime, letting silence wash around the both of them.

Valerie moved first, pressing the button for the top floor, where the auction was set to begin, then slowly and intentionally turned towards Maximus, closing the gap between them.

Her hand slid gently over his tuxedo sleeve, and her fingers traced lines of his bicep with feathlight interest. Her body leaned into his, soft, warm and utterly deliberate.

"Damn, you’ve been working out," she murmured, almost absent-mindedly, like she was just thinking out loud. Her perfume sniffed of roses and something faintly sinful wrapped around him.

Maximus clenched his jaw slightly, his hear skipped a step and again.

He turned his gaze, looking around, his eyes darting to each corner of the elavator.

’No cameras...’

Slowly, his hand slid to her waist. She didn’t flinch with that motion. If anything she leaned in more.

He fingers trailed down, and lower, then he gripped.

Valerie gasped with a quiet and sharp geek with her cheeks flushing red.

"Maximus Prime," she whispered with a smirk, "... you savage..."

She tilted her head, pressing her body closer, the silk of her dress brushing against his thigh. Every signal she gave was a big glowing green, no hesitation, just heat.

And then, Slap!

A quick, firm smack to her ass echoed softly in the metal chamber. Valerie let out a startled moan, biting her lip with wide eyes and a grin that barely held itself back as her soft butt giggled.

She looked at him like he’d just stolen her breath.

Their faces inched closer, and their eyes locked. The space between them shrank, amd Maximus was ready to take it further. One kiss, one touch, just one more second...

Ding!

The elevator stopped and the hot, intense moment shattered like a sack of potatoes.

The doors opened with a smooth hiss, revealing two men and a woman in beautiful clothing, clearly elites.

They walked in and immediately took noticed of the heiress to the Sawyer conglomerate.

"Miss Sawyer!" one of the men said with a respectful nod. "Always a pleasure."

Valerie immediately straightened up, turning her expression into cool elegance with a finesse Maximus could not help but admire.

"Mr. Kira. Mr. Wren. Mrs. Andari," she greeted with a composed voice, nothing like what it was a few seconds ago. "It’s a pleasure..."

Maximus shifted slightly, clearing his throat and trying to regain control of his heartbeat. Valerie glanced sideways.

The locked eyes for a brief second, that look that shared "We almost got caught" flash of adranaline. The heat lingered between them, but both still played it cool.

A few more seconds later, the elevator doors opened again, introducing them to the top floor and the grand hall.

Glass walls overlooking the city skyline, soft ambient music playing and people dressed in the kind of wealth that didn’t speak.

Maximus stepped out first, then turned smoothly and held the elevator door open for Valerie.