Page 22 of Keep Me

Our members did not disappoint. Wealth was not a requirement to join the club, but it had ended up becoming a commonality. Often it was the rich who had the most to lose if their unconventional tastes were discovered, so discretion was paramount. Over time, friends recommended friends, partners recommended partners, until the club became a veritable who’s who of Manhattan elite.

Needless to say, the bids were high.

Of course, there was an understanding that all they were buying was a date. Sex was not an expectation, though that was how most ended. There were several members that I suspected were looking more for a night of domination or humiliation rather than regular sex.

I still wasn’t sure how my night would end. I had seen the Byrnes in the crowd and waved at them, but I hadn’t had the courage to talk to them. They had stayed away, giving me space before it started. I wondered if anyone else would bid on me. Even if they did, I doubted they would win. The Byrnes weren’t the type to lose.

The drag queen dominatrix reached her final bid at $63,000 and it was my turn. An unexpected nervousness crept inside me as I took my place on stage. I managed to hold my character and keep an even expression as I pranced around, but there was a queasy feeling in my stomach I couldn’t seem to shake.

Katie introduced me as I winked at the audience, and then it began. She started at $1,000 for everyone and went up from there.

The first to call it were the Byrnes, but they were quickly outbid. It was silly, but there was something sweet about it. Realistically I knew that anyone looking in from the outside would think we were crazy, and a little bit unhinged, but all I could feel was love. I knew these people; I had created relationships with them. They liked me enough to bid for a date with me. I was wanted, even if it was just beneath these neon lights. There was more love in that auction than I had known in my father’s house, and that meant something to me that words could not express.

I had lost track of the bidding until I leaned against Katie, wrapping my arms around her shoulders to steady myself. She was strong and stable, and her presence helped calm the nerves that coursed through my veins. Somehow she must have known what I was feeling because she pulled me closer, planting a kiss on my cheek to the delight of the audience. She gave my arm a discreet squeeze as she called out the next bid.

“75,000!”

Jesus. They were getting really into it.

“80,000!”

There were a few stragglers staying neck and neck with the Byrnes, but I didn’t see Camila backing down.

“85,000!”

Someone behind me let out a low whistle as the number kept growing higher and higher.

“100,000!” Camila shouted.

Katie gave my arm another squeeze, this time out of excitement. The room quieted to a low murmur.

“Going once…”

Anyone would have to be crazy to match that.

“Going twice…”

At that point, any competitors have a better chance of getting in my pants by flirting with me at the bar.

“And-”

“500,000.”

Chapter Fourteen

The silence was suffocating.

Everyone froze after the new voice rang out. $500,000 was outrageous, even for this group. The crowd moved in an unplanned unison as they searched around for the person who had made the bid. But I didn’t need to.

I would know his voice anywhere.

Reese ignored the gasps and questioning looks as he stormed through the club, keeping his eyes stuck to my face as he came closer.

Katie’s body tensed so hard and fast that I was afraid she’d pop a blood vessel, but she stayed calm, conscious of the eyes upon us. “What are you doing?” she hissed, away from the microphone.

He didn’t answer, and he didn’t stop. “Reese,” I started, but there was nothing that would have stopped him. He grabbed my hand and pulled me away, and I didn’t resist. I stared at the back of his head as he led me out of the club and headed to the stairs.

“What’s going on?” A thousand conflicting emotions crisscrossed my chest, but the only thing I could focus on was the warmth of his hand, intertwined with mine.

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