“Does it feel good?” Gustav asked in a solicitous tone. “Does it make you feel sexy, knowing you have a secret that no one else knows?”
I shot him a dirty look, which only made him chuckle.
“None of your business.”
Gustav held up his square, flat palms.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! A little feisty here, aren’t we? But it’s okay because we’re all going to walk away rich from this event.” Then, he cocked his head to the side. “I believe you’re being summoned, Miss Monroe. It’s showtime.” Sure enough, a black-clad attendant wearing a mask materialized before extending his elbow in invitation. Then, I was led out from backstage to a small dais surrounded by seated men. I couldn’t see their faces because the spotlight blinded me, but I could sense that they were tall, huge, and very, very male. Oh god ... but the performance has begun.
7
Haley
Now, most of the auction is a blur in my mind. I was stunned, scared, and hesitant at first, but Gustav was right. I warmed up as the minutes ticked past, and decided to be a horny little slut just to be perverse. I’d show Gustav that I’m the one in control of my body, and I didn’t just diddle my twat with the small dildo; I stretched out my ass with the silver bullet. Now, I’ve been purchased for an ungodly sum, and wait in a dressing room for my buyer to claim his prize.
“You did wonderful, Miss Monroe,” Katie the spa attendant from before murmurs with admiration in her eyes. “They told me it was a new club record!”
“So you know what happened,” I state in a flat tone.
The plump young woman nods.
“Yes, because I’ve worked with a lot of ladies before. I don’t mean to be Pollyanna, but by and large, the women at the Citadel enjoy being auctioned. Without fail, they walk away rich, and not only that, but several of the women have met and married their billionaires buyers. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” the spa attendant asked, practically clapping her hands with excitement. “Maybe you could even hold your wedding right here, at the Citadel. It would be such a special event.”
I smile wanly at her.
“No, I don’t think that’s happening for me,” I say in a slow tone. “I’m just here to make money.”
“And that’s okay!” Katie chirps in a cheerful tone. “That’s a totally legitimate reason as well.”
Suddenly, a knock sounds on the door and the plump young woman perks up, a smile lighting her face.
“Your buyer’s arrived,” she whispers with excitement. “That’s my cue tovamoose.” Then, she grabs her jacket and work bag, and nods at me. “Enjoy yourself, Miss Monroe,” she murmurs before scurrying to the door and opening it. “Welcome, Sir,” she greets the dark, ominous figure hidden behind the slab. “Miss Monroe is ready for you. I was just leaving.”
Then, with one last backwards wave, Katie vanishes from the dressing room and a huge man steps inside. I sense, rather than feel, his presence because I’m so embarrassed that I can’t look up.
“Welcome,” I say in a wooden voice, still staring at the floor. “Congratulations on your purchase. I hope you enjoyed your time at the auction.”
There’s a pregnant pause and then a deep male voice.
“Haley, is that any way to greet your stepfather? Or should I say, ex-stepfather?”
With that, my eyes fly up, my expression astonished because before me is none other than Chase Wheaton himself. At first, I don’t compute.
“What are you doing here, Daddy?” I stammer, cheeks flushing. “I didn’t know you were a member of the Citadel!” I gasp while pulling the lapels of my thin silk dressing gown closer. Oh my god, he can probably see everything because the material is pink, slippery, and highlights my big bust. Not only that, but it stops right at the tops of my thighs, revealing my long legs. Yes, I’m wearing a tiny g-string beneath the robe, but there’s no bra, and my feet are currently pushed into sparkly high heels adorned with feathers. Katie said the feathers add to the overall “boudoir” look, and I reluctantly acquiesced.
But Chase merely smiles wolfishly at me, those blue eyes gleaming.
“I’ve been a member of the Citadel for a long time,” he drawls in a silky tone. “I didn’t come very frequently in the past, but you know that my company’s taken off, right? AI is everywhere these days, which means my face is in the news. As a result, I need somewhere private and discreet to while away my time, and the Citadel is perfect for that.”
I stare at him.
“So you’ve been a member for a while.”
Chase stares right back at me, the corner of his mobile mouth twitching.
“Yes, I have,” he says in a light tone. “I was at the auction tonight, Haley. I must say I was surprised when you stepped into the limelight because I’m not sure what would drive a quality young woman like yourself to sell your curves. But hey, different strokes for different folks, and you and I haven’t spoken in years. I have no idea what you’ve been up to, Haley, but I’m interested in finding out how you got to this point.”
At that, my mouth snaps shut because this man is the enemy!
