“Here’s the thing, Channing.I really hate to be a pest, but whatever money I make from this auction, it needs to be enough to last me for a while.Hopefully, enough to pay for three and a half more years of college plus expenses.Whatever Daniel spends on this place, I assume it’s coming out of my cut.This hotel room isn’t something I can afford.”
There’s a knock on the door.Channing motions for me to stay put before checking the peephole and then opening it to reveal… “Mr.Monroe’s brother?”
“It’s Wes.Good evening.”My lit teacher’s brother—Wes—clears his throat and gives us both a polite nod.“I’m the night manager here at the Belle Argo Premiere.I wanted to introduce myself and check in with you personally to see if there’s anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable.I do apologize that I wasn’t available to escort you to your room, but please be assured I am available any time of the day or night if there’s anything you need.Dinner reservations, a private beach cabana—just let me know.”
Whoa.Whoa.Whoa.
Holy.Shit.
Mr.Monroe’s brother gets a whole lot friendlier when you’re renting a suite in the hotel he works for, I guess.When he’s at the gym he’s usually sneering at me.At all the other escorts.How the hell much does this room cost?
Apparently, enough to keep him from looking down his nose at me for a change.
I’vegotto tell the guys about this.My hand goes to my pocket, and then I remember I don’t have my phone.
Dammit, Liam.
“I think we’re all good here.”Channing’s already in the middle of closing the door.
“Oh.Uh.Hang on, please.Sorry.”I peer around Channing’s blocky body.“Could, uh… If it’s not too much trouble, is there a way to find out if you guys have any plant-based options available in the restaurant downstairs?”
I try not to tense up as I wait for his answer, but I’ve learned some people really get put out if you ask for any kind of special diet accommodations.Me, I really hate putting people out.I just hate eating animals more.
Amazingly, the usually scowly Mr.Monroe’s brother doesn’t bat an eye.“Of course, sir.I’ll have the chef send up a list of options for you.Is there anything else I can help you with at this time?”
While Channing is growling “no” and pushing the door closed again, I manage a hasty thank-you.
“I thought that guy hated me,” I say to nobody in particular.
Channing laughs.“When you’re a VIP guest, nobody hates you.Also, everyone hates you.Either way, Mr.Corvus made the reservation, and he spends a lot of money in this town.That guy’s smart enough to know whose ass to apply his tongue to.”
Channing positions himself in front of the dining table across from me, lazily crossing his arms over his chest and one ankle over the other.He gives me the same sort of silent assessment Daniel did—is this some kind of kink thing?—and then he inhales, almost as if he’s sniffing the air.
“You’re nervous.”
Wait, what?Is smelling anxiety a thing?
Not that he’s wrong.“Of course I’m nervous,” I say with a shrug.“Wouldn’t you be nervous about auctioning your virginity to a stranger?”
Channing shrugs his wide shoulders.“I lost my virginity in a drug-fueled rut under the full moon.”The guy looks like he’s on the verge of laughter.
Well.He may be making fun of me, but based on his answer, I know what kind of books he reads now, so the joke’s on him.
I see you, bosshole billionaire.
Honestly, that book was the source of most of my jerk-off fantasies until I realized I had a thing for Liam.If the bosshole started to look a lot like Liam when I imagined him fucking me under the full moon, that’s not my fault.
I give Channing a shrug of my own.“Being nervous doesn’t mean I’m going to bail, so you can tell Mr.Corvus not to worry.The important thing for me is having enough money to pay for my education and get out of town.This was my idea.I’m not going to back out.”
It’s really hard not to think of Liam right then.Has he given up on stopping me?Is it super bad that I don’t know whether I want him to find me or not?
The biggest heartbreak is knowing he’ll never do the one thing that would keep me here.
The more I try not to think of him, the more his stern glare fills my head.His eyes are the same color as the ocean outside my balcony.
Channing shakes his head.“You don’t want to leave town, do you?”
I narrow my eyes.“I don’t want to.I have to.Not that it’s any of your business.”
