“Who is he?”
I look over at Kim who is looking at me.
“Who?” I ask in confusion.
“The man that’s got you all twisted up.” She raises a dark eyebrow at me, and I see a smirk on her face. She knows she’s right.
I reach for the champagne glass sitting on the table next to us, taking a sip. Just as it hits my lips, I think back to the last time I tasted champagne and all the ways Antonio tasted it on me. The sweet bubbly turns sour at the reminder that I wasn’t special. That he’s done that with others, and I was just someone to pass the time with. Putting the glass down, I look back at Kim. “Nobody.”
Just then the curly redheaded assistant comes flying through, checking on all the girls and making sure everything is in place. I look behind her and see Sam slowly walking around the room, eyeing each girl up and down. She makes small changes as she goes, telling her assistant what she wants and how to fix any minor detail not to her liking.
When she makes her way over to us, she goes to Kim.
“Lovely Kimberly. Back again?” Sam says, brushing a stray hair out of Kim’s face.
“You know my Elliot loves the chase,” Kim says, winking.
“Seems like you love getting caught. Love the new shoes,” Sam says, nodding to her assistant that Kim is all set to go. Her assistant then takes off in another direction as Sam moves towards me.
I’m a little shocked that she’s letting Kim go on stage in only heels and a thong, and I’m praying that I get something with a little more coverage.
Sam comes over and stands directly in front of me. After a second she walks around me in a big circle, looking me up and down. Her assistant appears magically by her side, holding out a long lacy dress for me to wear.
“This might be the most material I’ve ever let a Mistress wear on stage. But it feels appropriate.” Sam takes the dress from her assistant and holds it out for me.
I take off the silk robe and stand there completely naked as the two of them help me into the dress. The bodice is fitted tightly to me, but as the assistant zips me up, it feels like it fits perfectly. Like it was made for me. The assistant helps me into a pair of royal blue heels that I instantly fall in love with.
I turn around to face the mirror and see what I’ve got on. The long dress is an off-white halter-style with lace that hugs my neck and breasts. The design continues down to my waist, where the soft, creamy material hugs my hips and thighs, flaring just slightly at my feet. The dress is absolutely gorgeous and feels handmade. It’s the kind of dress a woman dreams of wearing on her wedding day, and I’m a little surprised that I’m going to be wearing this on stage.
“Alright, ladies. Let’s get into place.”
Sam’s words snap me out of my daze, and I turn around to see her hand outstretched towards me. I reach out and take it, and she leads me through the room.
We walk down a dark hallway before she guides me out onto a stage. The curtains are closed, but my heart starts to beat out of my chest, and panic begins to set in. What have I gotten myself into?
“Relax. I don’t want you passing out before the curtains come up. You seem like one of those southern belles who did pageants. Am I right?”
Sam’s words bring me back from the edge of panic, and I nod my head at her. I need to remember my mama’s words right now, and I take a deep breath, channeling Mary-Grace. What would she do right now?
I know what she would do. She would own this motherfucking stage.
“There you are,” Sam says, a wicked look on her face.
I straighten my shoulders and pop my hip a little, getting ready to put on the performance of a lifetime. I will be bought and paid for, but in the end, I’m the one walking away the owner of my body. I’ll be the one living with my decision for the rest of my life, and nobody—and damn sure not a man—will take that away from me.
“I want to tell you before the Auction begins that I may have said some things that weren’t entirely true.”
Looking into Sam’s eyes, I don’t see regret. Whatever it is she’s done she certainly doesn’t feel bad about it.
“But I’ve read the contract. I know what I’ve signed—”
Sam holds up her hand, cutting me off, and shakes her head slightly. “No, nothing like what you’re thinking. I just want you to remember when this is all over that I’m not the one you need to put your faith in. Just listen to your heart, Peaches. You’ll feel what’s true and what’s not.”
“I don’t understand.” I’m genuinely confused about what she’s telling me. I have no idea what she means.
“There’s a lot one will do for love. And everything I’ve done has been for that.”
With those words, she walks to the side of the stage and into the shadows. I hear the announcer’s words echo through the room, and I feel a chill run up my spine.
“Let’s begin, gentlemen. The girls are ready, and we are beginning with a very sweet treat.” There’s a short pause, and then he continues. “Tonight I present to you, Peaches.”
I don’t have time to decipher what Samantha means as the curtains part and the spotlights hit me.
Chapter Ten
Don
I finally get to the auction house and make my way towards the room. I’ve never been here before, but security guards are everywhere. It makes me feel somewhat at ease knowing that while Georgia has been in Sam’s custody she’s at least been well protected.
I walk to the back of the room and stand in the shadows, waiting for the Auction to begin. I clench my fists as I look around at the men, thinking about who’s going to see my girl. I don’t know what she’ll be wearing, but from what I’ve heard, it could quite literally be nothing.