Page 41 of Cannon
I shake my head, my fingers grasping her waist. I don’t know if she’s noticed it yet, but I’m not digging the way their gazes have zeroed in on Elliot. Not one tiny fucking bit. They’re going to have lots of fucking questions for me later, I can feel it already.
Bear snags the mic, continuing. “And we hope you’ll join us in all thesexythis auction has to give.” He gestures out into the crowd. “There are many lovely ladies here this evening who were gracious enough to join us tonight. They come from all the best sororities, houses, and halls on campus, and they would love to show you a good time.” He holds his hand up and rubs a few fingers together with his thumb. “But you gotta pay up. Gotta beat out everyone else to get the girl you want.” He grunts. “And let’s face it, these ladies you’ve been mingling with… they are hot and ready.”
Elliot whispers beside me, “What are they, Krispy Kreme doughnuts?”
I clamp my lips shut so I don’t burst out laughing at her wicked-smart comment and shake my head. I never know what’s going to pop out of her mouth next. She’s a constant surprise.
Just then, Cannon returns with a glass of some sort of pink concoction for Elliot. She glances at the girls around the room who seem to be cutting loose and are eager to participate in the auction, all of whom have pink drinks similar to hers, and nervousness washes over her features. All at once, Cannon seems to realize her worry about what’s in the drink he’s brought her. His face falls as he shakes his head, then points to his eye with one finger before tapping the fancy glass.
When she doesn’t immediately take the drink from him, Archer steps in. “We watched the bartender make a fresh drink. No worries. It’s safe.” He glances around. “The other stuff he’s pouring from the pitcher… stay away from that.”
I give them an appreciative nod for their attentiveness, especially at an event like this, where I have no doubt the aim is to get these girls liquored up before the auction so they’re more relaxed about whatever comes after. And because my brothers are uber-aware of the shit that could go down tonight, no way in fuck would Cannon or Archer ever give Elliot something they hadn’t seen mixed themselves.
“Sorry. I must look paranoid.” She glances down and to the side, obviously hiding something.
I narrow my gaze on her, but she’s too focused on Cannon for me to get a better read on whatever it is that has my internal alarms blaring.
Cannon cups her cheek and nods before he takes a sip of her drink.
“Thank you.” Her lips curve into a grateful smile, and after taking the glass from him, she lifts onto tiptoe, grazing his jaw with her lips.
Never have I ever been so jealous of someone’s jaw before.
Nor have I ever witnessed Cannon let an ounce of alcohol pass his lips.Fucking hell.I knew he could be convinced to go some crazy lengths for Elliot… but I never saw that coming.
Archer shrugs, eyeing Cannon warily, then tips a crystal tumbler of what I assume to be whiskey to his lips. He swallows, gesturing to the stage as Bear finishes whatever he was saying while we’ve been distracted. “This is… different.”
Duke takes the mic from Bear and holds up a hand, as the natives in the room get more and more restless. “Almost done. Once you’ve won a lady for the evening, anything goes so long as it’sconsensual.” He pauses to give the crowd of men a slow wink. “Make use of one of the rooms with a black ribbon tied on the doorknob. Get your cock sucked on the patio. Fornicate right here in front of everyone. As long as you’re both into it, do what you want.”
“What. The. Fuck.” Elliot whispers in a low, agitated tone.
An uneven breath escapes my lips as I struggle to keep my cool. Mud wrestling was one thing, but this sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen. I bristle, my entire body going rigid as the sorority girls who had been chatting it up with everyone, head over to the side of the stage. Lining up like they’re in some sort of beauty pageant, it’s apparent that most of them are at least tipsy if not flat-out drunk.
Mason wraps his arm around Duke’s shoulders, leaning in close to the microphone. “And, of course, all proceeds go to charity. This year we’re giving to a local women’s shelter. So, see? It’s for an excellent cause.”
The notoriety these guys have on campus… I guess some chicks are into it. I glance at Cannon and Archer with an expression that I hope reads,Well, here we fucking go.
As we watch, a brunette I’d observed talking to a handful of guys earlier climbs the stairs. Where there was some whispering before when everyone was unsure of what was happening, that’s all gone, in favor of hoots and hollers from the crowd as she makes it to center stage. It’s like they’re gaining steam as the idea of what they’re going to be allowed to do hits them.
Duke gives her a once-over, then rakes his teeth over his lip. “Tell us about yourself, honey. Why do you think one of these men will bid on you? What’s the most compelling reason you can think of as to why these fine men”—he gestures to the crowd—“would want to pay big bucks to have you for the next two hours?”
Elliot gives me a furrowed brow that I totally take asWhy wouldshewant to do this?
I clear my throat, then under my breath murmur, “For the prestige of being ‘bought’ by one of the most eligible men on campus.”
“Seriously?” She rolls her eyes.
I shrug, knowing I’m right.
The brunette gives Duke a grin before she switches her focus to the brothers, who are drinking her down like they’re parched and she’s the only thing that can slake their thirst. She winks at everyone. “Hi, I’m Kelly. I’m a psych major and a sister at Sigma Nu. And… I give the best blow jobs around.” She smiles brightly before slicking her tongue over her upper lip in a way I suppose is meant to be tantalizing.
“Bidding starts at one hundred dollars.”
Several hands go up, and we’re off and running. In a classic dick move, the brothers of Bainbridge Hall are planted around the room, intending to inflate the bids as high as they can get them to go. Kelly is sold to a group of guys who very quickly pooled their money together. I guess she’s down with it because she’s giggling among them as they lead her toward the exit. I glance down at Elliot, who’s watching with interest. I wonder what’s going through our girl’s head.
She throws a curious look Archer’s way and whispers, “What do you think, are they taking turns, or going at her all at once?”
He follows her gaze, surveying the group as they exit. Chuckling quietly, he whispers back, “I think before they threw their money in together, they should have decided on their pecker pecking order. Look at them, they’re totally bickering about it.” He shoots her a wink. “They’re too caught up in their homophobic masculinity to ever take part in the totally hot opportunity that’s being handed to them on a silver platter.”
