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ChapterFive
Ava
“Ithink I’m going to puke.”
Tessa grabs my hand and squeezes.“I know.Me too.At least we’re up early in the auction.”
“That’s a good thing?”I ask with a strangled laugh, my voice tinged with a touch of hysteria.
When I’d stormed into Logan’s suite two days ago, I’d never imagined I’d be standing here with the other thirteen contestants waiting to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.I’d assumed he’d made a mistake, and that Emmett and I would be competing as a team like we’d planned.But he’d totally seen through our ruse and insisted we compete in the games independently or not at all.He’d sealed the deal by pointing out, probably correctly, that I’d bring Emmett down and ruin his chances of winning.I doubt I’ll last long on my own, although Logan did at least seem to believe I’m submissive, but Emmett could go all the way, and I want that so badly for him.So much so that I talked him out of bidding on me at the auction, despite his protests.I want him to reap the benefits the exposure would give his acting career, even if it means I won’t be on the show long enough to truly damage my stepfather’s reputation.
However, that means I’m now standing in a small conference room at the Helix with the other thirteen women waiting for my name to be called, not knowing who I’ll be partnered with.I know Emmett made it through since we were still sharing a suite when the finalists were notified, but the women and men have been separated since then, so I have no idea who else has progressed to this point.I’m just relieved that Tessa’s still here.It’s comforting to have a friend, even if it’s one I’ve only known for four days.
Tessa’s name is called, and she gives my hand a final squeeze before following Rachel to the suite where she’ll be prepared for the auction.I look around the room at the remaining submissives.I can’t remember all of them, but I recognize several from the spa yesterday, including a voluptuous Black former Playboy model named Desiree who knows exactly how to use her body to her advantage, a haughty blond named Rebecca who reminds me of every mean girl I ever knew in high school, and a wickedly funny girl named Rose whom I’d shared the sauna with, and who’d made me laugh so hard describing her first time getting a Brazilian that it had eased the pain of my own an hour later.Having hair ripped from your most private of parts isn’t for the faint-hearted.
Although it’s probably been twenty minutes since Tessa’s name was called, it feels like only seconds when Rachel appears back in the doorway, calling my name.Oh God.I’m not ready for this.With my knees shaking slightly, I follow her down the marbled hallway to a closed door, where she stops and knocks.It’s opened by a man I’ve never seen before.He’s older than Logan, the show’s host, who’s probably in his late twenties, but he has the same commanding presence.He’s handsome in a rugged sort of way, but his face is all hard planes and unsmiling eyes.After the man at the pool, he’s the most intimidating man I’ve ever met.
“Master Collin will take care of you from here,” Rachel says.
I hesitate in the doorway, and Rachel touches my arm.“Avalon?”
“It’s Ava,” I say, turning back to her.
She opens her mouth to say something, but her gaze darts to the man inside the door and she closes it again.“Good luck,” she says softly, and then I’m alone with Master Collin.
“Come inside,” he says gruffly.“I won’t bite.At least not this time.”
I think he’s joking, but he doesn’t smile.I jump a little as he shuts the door behind me.The room looks a lot like the suite where I’ve spent the last week, but without the bedroom.Instead, it appears to be just a sitting area—albeit an opulent one—with several couches, an armchair, a fireplace, and a full-length mirror, with a small half bathroom off to one side and a large closet on the other.
“As Rachel told you, I’m Master Collin.I’ll prepare you for the auction and then escort you to the Diamond Lounge where the auction will be held.I will introduce you and remain on the stage with you throughout the bidding.After the bidding is complete, I’ll hand you over to the Dom who wins you.Do you have any questions?”
My mind is screaming with dozens of questions, but there are no good answers, so I just shake my head mutely.
“Excellent,” he says.“You may remove your clothing now.I’ll see that everything is returned to your room.”
I hesitate.He stares at me expectantly, making no attempt to leave or even turn his back to give me any privacy.“Should I just go into the bathroom?”I finally ask.
He raises a brow and shakes his head.“No.Here is fine.”
“Um, right.”I turn my back to him and slip off my heels, then slowly peel off the body-hugging black dress I’d put on for the auction.Apparently, I overthought my outfit.I fold the dress and place it on the nearby sofa before I turn back to him, crossing my arms protectively over the black lace of my bra.He takes a step closer, grabs my hands, and gently lowers my arms to my sides.I look down at the floor, too embarrassed to meet his eyes.
“Damn, you’re a sweet one,” he says, his voice low.“I wouldn’t be surprised if you command the highest price of the night.There’s something appealing about a shy little submissive.”
His fingers trail up my arm to the strap of my bra and he tugs, pulling the lacy cup down so that my breast spills out.My gaze flies to his, my embarrassment forgotten.“What are you doing?”I demand, batting his hand away.
He catches my wrist easily in his large hand, imprisoning it.“Ah!There’s a little fire in you as well.Even better.”He grins.“You are to wear nothing but your panties for the auction.Be grateful you’re allowed that.If Rachel hadn’t talked Logan out of it, the submissives would have been completely naked for the auction.”
“Oh.”It comes out as a squeak.
“You know the rules of the show, right?”he asks kindly.“Surely you didn’t expect to spend your entire time here fully clothed.”A half-smile is playing across his lips and his eyes are dancing, transforming the hard features of his face.
“Well, no,” I protest.“I just didn’t think it would be this soon.”
“The show starts tonight, sweetheart,” he says.“I’m sure you’ve done this before.Maybe not with an audience, but it’s not all that different.”
“Right,” I lie, willing myself to stay still as he lowers the other strap, exposing my other breast.I can feel my nipples pucker at the blast of cool air from the air-conditioned room, and I’m grateful when he turns me away from him to unhook the clasp of my bra, slowly removing it.Out of the corner of my eye, I see him carefully fold my bra and place it on top of my dress.
“Turn around.”It’s a command, not a suggestion, and I slowly turn, conscious of his appraising gaze as it travels over my body, which is now completely naked except for the thin scrap of black lace panties.He circles me like a lion assessing its prey, and I school myself to stand still beneath his scrutinizing gaze.
