Page 12 of Shut Up and Bite Me

Lana simply nods.

A few others express their surprise before one of the guys quiets them down, grabs my shoulders, and spins me around to face the group. “Is this your first time? You seem nervous.”

I nod, my heart pounding in my chest. “It is, yeah. You? I’m Greyson, by the way.”

He sticks his hand out, and I take it. “My name’s Ethan. No, I’ve been doing this for six years. This will be my seventh.” He blows a raspberry. “Your first time and Ms. Barlowe comes out of the shadows for you. That’s crazy, man.”

My brows furrow. “You know her?”

“Personally? No. But everyone knowsofher. She owns the Barlowe.” He lifts his hand, gesturing to everything around us. “And as long as I’ve been doing this, she’s never even placed a bid.”

Lana agrees and looks at everyone with a glare that we should shut up. “He’s right. But don’t worry. I’m sure she’ll take great care of you.”

That’s the last thing said during the ride up. We stop on each floor, and a few are called off the elevator to join the staff waiting for them. It’s so incredibly organized I don’t know whether to be impressed or terrified.

It’s only me and Ethan left as the elevator climbs to the thirteenth floor.

“Want some advice?” Ethan leans over and whispers into my ear.

Nodding, I’m thankful for any tips on how to navigate the inevitable unknown. “Please.”

“If your bite marks take longer than a minute to heal, which they shouldn’t, but on the chance that they do, put some Aquaphor on it, and they’ll be healed almost instantly.”

Wait, what the fuck did he just say?

Bite marks?

Is that like a kink that everyone here has? I’m not too sure about letting some random woman bite me.

The elevator dings, the door opens, and Lana gestures to us to exit. We step into the hallway and are greeted by two guys, each one holding a sign with our name on it.

“Wait, hold up. Ethan,” I call out as we are escorted in opposite directions.

He lifts his hand into the air, forming a thumbs-up, and shouts, “You’ll do great! Bonus tip—drink pineapple juice. It makes it sweeter for them. See you on the other side, my friend.”

What the fuck is going on? Makeswhatsweeter? And sweeter forwho?

“Greyson, right this way, please,” my assigned staff member says, ushering me further down the hallway. “This is your room. Please wait inside, and your chosen will be with you shortly.”

“Mychosen? What does that mean?” I ask, and he looks at me like I’m stupid.

“The individual who won you in the auction. She’ll be here soon,” he says, opening the hotel room door.

He holds my stare for a moment, and I’m starting to think all of this was a very,verybad idea.

“Do you need anything while you wait?” he asks, looking at me in the same way Lana was.

“Someone to tell me what happens next?”

He looks at me once again like I’m completely stupid and should already know the answers. And maybe I should.

Maybe you’re not supposed to lie your way into this event. But I’m here now, and it’s too late to back out, so maybe I should start faking it. Faking that I actually belong because I want that life-changing money those girls were talking about.

“Sorry, it’s just the nerves,” I say calmly, walking into the room and sitting down on the bed. “I don’t need anything. Thank you.”

“Of course. Have a good night.” He swiftly closes the hotel room door behind him on his way out.

Taking in the room, I’m once again in awe. It’s the nicest place I’ve ever been in.

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