Page 1 of Cookies and Control

One

Betsy

“It’s super dreamy to think of getting bought and ravished by billionaires, but they’re real men. I’m sure they’d never live up to my imagination.” I smile at Jasmine while packing up the makeup I was using to help Sabrina get ready.

Jasmine is the take-action type who’s likely to follow up on the idea of being auctioned next year. This year we’re merely waitressing the Christmas Cherry Auction.

Sabrina… she’s harder to predict. As long as she has time to plan and prepare, she might do it.

And for me, being on stage is a nice daydream, but I might be my own worst enemy when it comes to men. Between my smutty romance novels and my vivid imagination, it’s going to take aspecial guy to live up to my expectations… which I don’t intend to lower.

Sabrina and I follow Jasmine to the kitchen where we load our trays up with hors d’oeuvres and drinks, then take the offerings through the roomful of billionaires.

I had hoped that the blizzard wouldn’t hurt tonight’s event since it’s a charity auction, but there are several empty tables as I carry my tray of goodies through the room. On a good note, it’s not lost on me that I could end up snowed in at the Aubergine Affair sex club. Possibly why I arrived early. And definite fantasy material.

And so are Sabrina’s three stepbrothers who just walked in the door. Nervous excitement takes over. Yay for more bidders arriving, but will it be weird for Sabrina?

She grew up watching her older stepbrothers date. Watching them win a virgin is different. Everyone knows what the sole intent is, and this year, it’s an obligation to provide a satisfying first sexual experience to the lucky lady.

My heart flutters. Someday I’ll find the hero who can keep up with the stories I read.

Of course, everyone also knows that each woman who’s been won in the auction has developed a relationship with the men who won her. That makes it less awkward, I suppose.

Sabrina and I meet up to restock our trays with fresh appetizers.

In case she hasn’t noticed them, I decide to break it to her. “Hey, Sabrina, how’s it going?”

She forces a smile, so I give her the chance to vent. “Did you see that your brothers are here?”

Sabrina worries her lower lip. “Yes to my brothers, and I’m avoiding them, but one of the men basically just offered to buy me.”

I freeze, holding the tongs in midair. That’s unexpected. She’s not even being auctioned. Maybe my wild imagination went too far. “What did you say?”

Jasmine buzzes up to us and interrupts with her usual enthusiasm. “I’m definitely signing up for next year’s auction.”

Screw it, I can’t let Jasmine steal Sabrina’s thunder. “Guess who already got an offer?”

We convince Sabrina to discreetly point the guy out, which leaves us certain that she should take the offer. He’s potentially the hottest billionaire in the club.

Maybe he has a friend who’d like to buy me?

Sabrina says, “He was probably joking. I don’t know. Anyway, I turned him down. I have my dating checklist.”

“Stop it.” Jasmine grabs her hand. “All of these guys are loaded. They don’t have to wait through lines and check off lists. They can afford the fast pass.”

That’s the wrong thing to say to Sabrina, who waves a finger. “No fast passes for my playland. Plus, I don’t want to interfere with tonight’s fundraising.”

But as the minutes tick closer to the start time, my concern over the blizzard grows. “Have the women being auctioned tonight shown up yet?”

Jasmine rushes to the dressing room, peaks in, and shakes her head before returning. “If they don’t show…”

“They’ll have to postpone the auction,” Sabrina says.

I’m a little more optimistic. “I’m sure they’ll be here any minute.”

“Sabrina…” Jasmine teases. “Hottie McDollarSigns already made it clear he would bid on you.”

“Nope.” Sabrina is quick to shut down the suggestion.

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