To them, it was a lark, not a humanitarian deed to build shelters and help those in need. Sebastian wondered if any of these rich people realized the seriousness of the benefit, the purpose the money would serve in assisting abused women. The spotlight moved over his backside and feminine shrieks filled the air. The audience roared, then roared again when she had him turn, showing him to advantage. The announcer, a woman with a very wide, toothy smile, led a man around the stage by one finger hooked in his belt loop. Sebastian shook his head and tried, without much success, to mask his amusement.

The ensemble was complete with wrenches, a nail pouch and the largest hammer Sebastian had ever seen, no doubt a pitiful attempt at symbolism. And the carpenter-he had a heavy tool belt hanging low on his hips. Likewise, the landscapers wore their work boots and jeans, some of them with no shirts on at all. There was absolutely no way a man could work comfortably in a shirt that tight. Which was probably why the construction workers had on very snug, tattered jeans and T-shirts too tight for men half their size-an adjustment for their female audience, no doubt.

The women were really going berserk on the macho ones. Only one man remained in line before Sebastian now and judging by the brawn of the guy and his rough-whiskered chin, he wouldn’t last long. The others, in ages varying from late twenties to early forties, were smiling, flaunting their wares, so to speak, and generally getting into the spirit of the thing. He seemed to be the only male not thrilled with the prospect of displaying himself. Most of all, he hated the idea of being bought like an expensive toy for the amusement of rich women-regardless of the cause. It reminded him of his youth and the fact that he had nothing in common with these shallow blue bloods. Wearing a suit, watching huge amounts of money change hands with no consideration of the cost, being the center of attention-he hated it all. How the hell did I get myself talked into this? he wondered.

With anticipation thick in the air, the announcer called out, “Sold!”Īnd Sebastian Sinclair watched as the man just purchased was led off the stage to the sounds of raucous feminine cheers.

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