Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Or maybe not as much as I’d hoped. I’ll be fucked if I’m going to let him intimidate me at my own auction. He’s more of an annoyance I simply can’t swat away.
“The auction stops for no one, even a fuckhead,” I say dismissively as Vance opens the door.
I follow my men out to the large, dome-shaped seating area. Our lady auctioneer stands in the middle of the podium and is the center of attention. I have worked with her for over five years now, and pay her very generously. Might I say I even like her. I don’t like many people, but she gets the job done and doesn’t fuck around or take anyone’s shit. And you have to be able to get your job done here and not think of the wrongs we are doing.
She’s wearing the pearl necklace I recently gifted her. A smile dares to lift the corner of my mouth as I admire it.
As my men escort me to my table, I look around the room. I note servers walking around amongst the many familiar faces. When one server bends over, their ass cheeks peek from beneath the short skirt. It’s all very intentional. Especially at my auctions where I sell sex.
However, if anyone were to lay a hand on one of them, they’d be kicked out immediately. This room is reserved for those who can refrain from impulse. Well, until they secure the winning bid for their item of choice at the auction.
I dabble in a lot of things, but the auctions are one of my favorites. While Dawson specializes in virginity auctions and we take our cut, it doesn’t mean we don’t sell other types of sex. In fact, it’s what were known for.
We have men, we have women, we have men who are now women, women who are men, anyone and everyone. We respect them all and give them what they want. But we also protect them by giving them the means to live out their fetishes and fantasies. In return, we make a lot of money.
I watch as the auctioneer calls our first offering to the stage. It’s a woman with long legs and raven-black hair. I know her story. She’s a sex addict but refuses to work at a brothel. I didn’t find her; she found us. She’s a regular here and very respected. She has on a black wrap dress, and she walks in circles around the auctioneer as she describes what she’s after—a man who is willing to fuck her every day for two weeks straight. Looking around the room, I see a few men smile and nod approvingly.
Before I drag my gaze back to her, I spot River sitting at his table. He pays no attention to the beautiful woman on stage because he’s watching me. A slow and steady smirk touches his lips as we lock eyes. I’m unable to look away. Those eyes of his are mesmerizing even from a distance. I wonder, if I plucked them out and put them in a glass jar, would they still have the same effect?
Probably not.
Could I sell them for a fortune?
Most likely.
We stay in this heated staredown, neither of us moving first. The bidding continues around us, and when a winner is announced for the raven-haired woman, the next person comes on stage. I’m about to break contact when he suddenly stands, his eyes never leaving mine as he makes his way over to where I am. My chin angles slightly higher as he comes to a stop in front of me. I can sense Vance’s and Clay’s restlessness behind me. However, they remain stoic and have their hands clasped in front of them.
Even with my heels on, River towers over me, but I’m not one bit intimidated. I’m just pissed off by the way he looks at me. As if it’s some honor to have drawn his attention.
I hate him.
“Pleasure to see you again, Tanya.” He smirks, and I grind my teeth at his use of a name that is not mine. I say nothing, just stand there with our eyes locked. “You don’t greet people?” he asks with a hint of sarcasm. “You’ve been avoiding me even after I paid my dues,” he says, and again, I say nothing. “What does a man have to do to get your business?”
“You have a business, if I’m not mistaken,” I finally say. He steps up a little closer, and smelling his musky cologne sparks my senses. Fuck, he smells good. Pity the man wearing it is an asshole.
“I do; a very successful business, which seems to be impacted by a certain redhead with an ill temper.”
“She sounds like a hoot,” I bite back.
“More problematic than most,” he’s quick to shoot back. “But one thing that can be agreed on is money. This is now impacting my money, so I wonder what other avenues I might have to take.”