Page 43 of Mastered By Lust

I have it bad for him…just like I have it bad for Gage. Hell.

Betty goes through the introductions. “Miss L is twenty-three years old. She’s had seven sexual partners, men only. She is willing to be auctioned to any gender. Please refer to your programs to see Miss L’s limits. Most of her hard passes appear in Column Three.”

She takes the audience through the regular reminders about remaining quiet and respectful. “We’ll begin at ten thousand.”

Several bid cards go up, held by both men and women. Gage lifts his. So does Fuckboy.

“Ten-five,” Betty says.

Not a single card goes down.

She checks her phone. “They’re requesting you remove your panties.”

My gaze shoots to Gage. His phone is in his free hand, held loosely against his lap. I have a feeling that request came directly from him.

His face remains expressionless, but I detect a sparkle in his eyes that can’t be hidden by his glasses.

As I strip out of my underwear, though, a woman with gray-blond hair comes up behind Gage and taps on his shoulder. He turns and she says something. He frowns, gestures at the stage. The woman shakes her head and points to the door.

Gage sends me a regretful look. He gets up, sets the bid card face down on his chair.

And he leaves.

12

Gage

Standing a few feet away from the stage and chairs, just far enough away to talk without disturbing the auction, I stare at Margot in surprise. “Did you say there’s a police detective who wants to talk to me?”

“Two of them.”

“Did you tell them I’m busy?”

“Yes, Gage.” She gives me an impatient look. “But if you don’t come talk to them, they’re going to come inside and drag you out. And there are few things we’d likelessthan police officers seeing what Low Vice is doing tonight. Or any night. Legal or not, we don’t want the club on their radar.”

I know this, and I agree with her. But Leah is bound to be terrified and confused up on that stage.

“Jannik. Let’s move.” Margot looks exasperated.

Leah’s staring at me, her eyes wide and frightened. I have to go. I hate this.

She can step out of the auction any time she wants, though. She’ll remember that.

And if she doesn’t—if she chooses to go with someone else—that’s all right with me. I won’t be angry. I will be jealous, but that will be my own problem. This complication couldn’t have been predicted.

I follow Margot to the exit leading toward the dance club.

Dmitri is standing at the table where new members and guests sign in. He’s a six-foot-two solution to my current problem.

“What the fuck?” He points at the stage. “She’s up there and you aren’t bidding?”

“I don’t have a choice.” I clench my fists and take a deep breath. “You know what I want. Get over there.”

“Are you asking me to do what I think you’re asking me to do?”

“Yes. No limit. Win our girl.”

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