Page 55 of Mastered By Bliss

Dmitri is among the first to raise his bid card.I grin at him.Several others raise bid cards as well.This has got to be some kind of joke, because even Olivia is bidding.They must all be in on it.

Whatever they’re up to, it helps that I’m wearing clothes.I don’t know why they didn’t make me take off my dress, but this is a lot less nerve-wracking, so I appreciate it.

“Oh, we have a request.”Betty gives me a cheeky smile.“Remove your panties, please.”

Goddammit.I scan the audience and see Gage tucking his phone back into his pocket.His face is expressionless, but behind his glasses, his eyes are shining with wicked glee.

I take off my underwear as gracefully as possible, even though I still have on my dress.I pass the underwear to Betty, and she tosses the lacy fabric to Gage.He catches it and folds it into his jacket pocket.Pervert.

The bidding continues—ten-one, ten-five, up to eleven.I’m standing under hot spotlights.A draft of air floats up my skirt to cool my naked ass and pussy.I’m ready for this to be over so Dmitri and Gage can take me into another room and fuck me senseless.That’s the routine, right?

Wrong.

“Fifteen thousand,” Betty says.“Do I hear fifteen thousand?”

Everyone drops their bid cards except for Dmitri and Gage.

“It looks like we have a tie!”Betty’s voice is bright with happiness.

A tie?Auctions don’t have ties—someone always wins because people drop out.

I already knew something is up, but this clinches it.

Betty sweeps her hand in my direction.“Miss L has been won by Gage J and Dmitri M for fifteen thousand dollars!Gage and Dmitri, if the jewelry is ready, you’re welcome to get onstage and claim your prize.”

I stare outward, confused.That’s not how this works.They’re supposed to meet me in another room.They’ll put the collar around my neck, and then we’ll fuck.That’s the routine.Why are they breaking the routine?

They climb onstage.Dmitri reaches into his pocket and takes out a sparkling diamond ring.Then Gage does the same.

I stare in disbelief.Rings?Is this…?

They each take a knee in front of me.

A sob of happiness lodges in my throat.I can’t breathe in the best way.I’m already nodding like a bobblehead as Gage says, “Now that we’ve talked, now that you know we believe in and want forever with you…will you have us, Leah?”

Dmitri continues, a hopeful smile on his handsome face.“Leah, will you marry us?”

“Yes,” I say, my voice catching.“Yes!”

They stand and fit the rings onto my finger.I fall into their arms while the audience cheers beyond the stage.Now I know why our friends are here.

Happy tears fill my eyes.This is nothing like Gage’s first, impulsive proposal—it’s so much more.Both of them are here, and we’re doing this in the place where everything began—the auction.

The guys take turns kissing me.Betty turns on music.Someone brings in food.We talk and drink.

Dmitri and Gage are pulled away by some of our friends.When they step aside, I see someone who causes me to shriek in happiness.“Danica!”

She throws her arms around me, and we squeeze each other.

“I thought I saw you in the audience.”I laugh and squeeze her again.

“Dmitri thought it would throw you off if you saw me, so I tried to hide.”She pulls back to grin at me.Her pale gray eyes are shining with excitement.“I hope you don’t think I was ignoring you the past couple of weeks.I was so afraid I was going to spill the beans.”

“I was a little worried, but now I know why you were scarce!”I’d figured she was busy with her own drama.Things haven’t been easy for her the past few months.“Can we catch up tomorrow, maybe over coffee?”

“Absolutely.And Leah.”She squeezes me again.“I’m so fucking happy you’re going to be my sister!”

Too soon, she has to go.

---