Page 26 of Auctioned

“It’s cute.” He lifts himself, his suit jacket stretching over his lean arms. “How you think I’m here to bargain. You hear the things I’m telling you. Still, you refuse to listen.”

“You’re going to put me up for auction,” I repeat Topher’s words from what seems like a lifetime ago, staring into James’s eyes. Imploring the small, decent side of him to help me. “You don’t have to. If Topher is asleep, you can help me sneak out.”

An emotion I haven’t seen on him before splits his impenetrable expression. A splash of color on a blank canvas. Something violent that James has no control over for all of a second.

“You understand the first part. That’s good. Really good.” My chin is in his grip. “That leaves us with the second part. Why am I here?”

Terror and panic rush through me, causing my heart to pound faster. Cold sweat beads form on my forehead. But James isn’t the only coldhearted bastard in this room.

My past forged a bad bitch out of me.

New girl, this is my bed. Get the fuck off.

Ophelia fucking Monroe, why isn’t my plate sparkling? I told you to wash the dishes, didn’t I?

Not all my foster siblings and parents were bad. Most of them were awesome.

Then there were the few that jerked me around. Treated me poorly. I learned to talk back then. Lift my chin and sayFuckyou, this bed is mine. Or,I did my best, stop being an asshole to me. To hit back.

I call for the strength I know I have inside me and face him. “Because you get off on torturing me.”

He leans in closer. Every nerve ending in my body sparks when his lips brush mine.

I’m hyperventilating, and there’s nothing I can do about it. Nothing but pinch my lips shut and hope he doesn’t notice my rapid breaths.

A light sparks in his eyes. He does.

Shit. Of course he notices.

“I get off on torturing you, yes. That, and then some.”

6

OPHELIA

James releases my chin. Warmth erupts on my forearm when he brushes his fingers over it.

The same, deceptive warmth spreads out to my back when James pushes his hand between me and my tied hands, splaying it over my back.

“What else?” I fix my eyes on his, not daring to avert my gaze.

This conversation, his touch, they might be other tricks to distract me. Who knows what he might do if I look away.

He levels me with a look. I remember what he mentioned earlier. No. No.

“It can’t be?—”

“Yes, it can. Your virginity.” From my back, he trails his hand up to my belly, flattening it possessively over my stomach.

His cold eyes turn fiery hot when he points his fingers south.

I’ve lost control over my breaths altogether. I’m panting. Breathing in the scent of his cologne.

“You’re not a doctor.” Deep inhale. It’s almost impossible with how he’s touching me. Looking at me. “Are you?”

James makes a satisfied sound in the back of his throat.

“No, I’m not.” The material of my dress is being scrunched a little higher. Cool air brushes against my thighs. “I do, however,know how to check if your hymen is intact. Our lineage doesn’t leave anything to chance. That includes this exam.”

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