Page 4 of Auctioned to the Kingpin

I’m a terrible liar, so it’s pointless to even try. I sigh and confess the truth. “It was nice, which means I totally can’t turn back now. These people paid for me to be here, and that means I’d have to pay it back if I chicken out, which I also can’t afford to do. Damn it. The place is absolutely gorgeous. I’m talking about stellar, a majestic mansion on a hill.” Now, I’m talking a mile a minute. Another wonderful, quirky trait of mine.

“Oh my God. It’s not some serial killer haunted place, right?” she asks, sounding anxious.

“No, it’s just a really lavish place where rich people go to get primo innocent pussy,” I grumble, looking around at the marbled statues and white walls.

She gasps. “I can’t believe you said that. New York has had way too much influence on you.”

“I can’t believe I said that either.” I should be completely ashamed of myself, but I’ve already left my dignity back at JFK Airport.

“Your mother would be shocked and looking for a bar of soap to pop into your mouth.” My parents are good people and would be mortified by my decisions if they knew the truth.

“After she got off the floor from fainting.” We both laugh a little too hard. “Sorry, it’s the frustration in me talking. I’mselling my virginity for money. Yes, these guys are primo rich, but who knows how much they’re going to pay and if they’re not going to try to hurt me with their needs?”

“Well, isn’t that one of the rules?” she asks. When I decided to do this, she was the only person I confided in because she wouldn’t judge me. She has a heart of gold and a foot ready to kick some ass. My bestie has always been there for me and would never allow me to feel down about myself.

“Yes. They can’t hurt me, and it’s only for the weekend—or at least that’s what I signed up for.” They had other options, which is crazy. The more you want, the more they can bid for you. Well, I’m not looking for a lifetime relationship, so it’s all good.

“Yes, so they get that sweet goody snatch of yours for the holidays like a Christmas present, and then you get paid. What is the big deal? You could have given your V-card to that douchey Josh for free. Now you get to drop it down for good pay. That’s a win-win in my book.”

When she puts it that way, it doesn’t sound so bad. If I’d given it to him, I’d hate myself more than I did back then. She kept me from doing anything too dumb after I caught my boyfriend with the one girl he told me not to worry about.

“I suppose you have a point. A one-off, and I’m set. The host told me that it’s extremely exclusive and everyone invited is of high quality and caliber, so I won’t have to worry about any creeps. Still, seriously—anyone buying it seems pretty creepy to me.”

“Maybe they don’t want strings attached. Some men like to keep things emotionally distant. Paying for sex means no emotional ties, strictly a transactional deal, and if they pay for a virgin, then they’re clean. No STDs or anything to worry about.”

“I suppose you’re right about that, but you seem more knowledgeable than the average chickadee.”

“That’s because I’m a wise girl,” she boasts. I’m sure she’s pushing up her wide-frame glasses. She’s as much of a virgin as I am, but she’s not interested in losing it any time soon unless the right guy comes along, which in her mind would be never.

“Well, I’ve got to go. It’s almost showtime, and I need a drink to calm my nerves.”

“Bye. Love you, girl.” I love my best friend so much. Without her, I wouldn’t know what to do. I wish she had come to New York with me instead of staying in Nebraska. Or maybe I should never have left home.

I’d had a couple of colleges picked out, one of them being where Josh was going and the other in New York, so when I found him with that bitch doing it in the limo at prom, well, I made my choice. I’d been spared because that night I’d planned to give him what he’d been harassing me for: the one thing I’m selling today.

“I love you too.” I end the call, grab a glass of wine, and then walk out into the main room, where the guests are slowly gathering to mingle. We’ll be announced on stage soon.

I walk around the room, drinking my glass as fast as I can, and then set it down where the other empty glasses are placed. The waiter thanks me and collects them.

Just then, the emcee approaches with a smile, takes my hand, and gives it a gentlemanly kiss. “You look incredible. There are going to be so many offers for you tonight,” he says. There are twenty women on the auction block. Each of us is wearing a Christmas-inspired dress. Mine is a typical red dress with a thin white strip at the top.

“Thanks, but I have very stiff competition. Every woman here is sexy, and we’re all going to be getting offers,” I say, trying to downplay the enthusiasm.

“Yes, but you’re special,” he says, giving me a wink.

“Thank you.” That is when I feel someone’s eyes on me from the corner of the room. My eyes gravitate toward the feeling, and I see a man standing there with a drink in his hand. He brings it to his lips without taking his eyes off me. I should be scared, intimidated, or bothered, but I’m actually curious.

“See what I’m talking about?” the emcee mentions. He’s being a little too forward and I wonder if he has some ulterior motive.

“Who is that?” I question while staring at the stranger. The emcee doesn’t answer, and when I turn to look at him, he’s gone. Damn it. I walk to the back staging area, and I find it cleared out.

The dressing room is empty, so I go to my bag and grab my phone. I’ll text my roommate because my anxiety is getting the better of me at the moment, but she doesn’t answer instantly like she did before I left. It was her idea to get me into this event, but now she refuses to return my messages.

I call her, and the phone goes to voicemail after two rings. “Damn it, why aren’t you answering me?” Ugh. This is ridiculous. I need to get myself together, but I need some air. I spin around and nearly slam into someone. “Oh my God, you frightened me.” My hand goes to my chest to stop my heart from popping out. My eyes look up, and then I let out another gasp because it’s the man who was staring at me from across the room.

He’s blocking the doorway with his large frame, so I’m forced to stay put.

“You don’t have to be afraid of me, ever.” I stare into his icy blue eyes and know immediately that he’s insanely dangerous, but I believe him.

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