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“Good girl,” he says, coming back to stand in front of me.“Stand just like that during the auction.And just as silent.Slaves aren’t allowed to speak.”
Slave?The very word makes me shudder.This is suddenly very real, and I tamp down a flicker of terror.I look at Master Collin and nod.I doubt I’d be able to string two coherent words together right now anyway.
He abruptly takes both of my hands firmly in his and pulls them behind me, pinning my wrists together at the small of my back.I gasp.
I can feel the scrape of rope as he binds my hands together behind my back, tugging until the rope is taut and my arms are completely immobilized.Oh God.I can’t do this.I ...
“You okay, sweetheart?”Master Collin is standing in front of me, his eyes searching mine.
I take a deep, steadying breath, willing myself to be okay.This is just a TV show; it’s not real.“Yes.I’m fine.”
He studies me a moment longer and then nods.He walks over to the large closet and returns with what looks like a thick, dark brown, leather belt which he fastens around my waist, cinching it tightly.He clips a leash onto the D-ring attached to the front of the belt and tugs.“Let’s go then.It’s show time.”
I walk obediently down the hallway behind Master Collin, praying we don’t run into anyone.Not that it matters since I’m about to be on a stage in front of fourteen men and a camera.But still ...
He leads me through a side door into what looks like a regular bar, except for the fact that Tessa, who is similarly bound and half-naked, is standing on the stage next to us.Her nipples are hardened points, and her chest and face are flushed with arousal as a man strides onto the stage.The short but muscular man standing next her, whom I assume is her version of Master Collin, hands the leash tethered to her waist to the man.The man gives it a sharp downward tug, forcing her to her knees.He steps forward until he’s standing over her and lifts her chin with his finger, leveraging his thumb against her chin to force her mouth open.He sweeps two fingers into her open mouth and her lips close around them.It’s oddly erotic, and I subconsciously press my thighs together slightly as I watch them.After a moment, the man helps her to her feet, and I can finally see his face.It’s Luke.
I’m so happy for Tessa that Luke bought her, and so mesmerized by their interaction that I don’t realize it’s my turn until Master Collin is pulling me onto the stage.I feel my stomach clench as I look out into the darkened room.There are way more than fourteen men assembled, sitting together at tables or standing near the bar, drinks in hand, as a waitress circles the room with a tray of hors d’oeuvres.I can feel the gaze of the men as I take the stage.My heart lurches into my throat in a moment of panic and my eyes seek out Emmett.I finally find him sitting at a table near the front, a glass of Scotch in front of him.He tilts his head toward the door with raised eyebrows, silently asking if I want him to leave, but I shake my head slightly.He’s still my rock, even if he isn’t my partner in the games.Besides, his presence is a much-needed reminder of exactly why I’m here.
I stand up straighter, tilting my chin up defiantly.If there’s anything I learned from Anthony Sanderson, it’s to never let them see you scared and never show your weakness.I focus on staunching the flow of my emotions and pasting an indifferent expression on my face even though I feel like I might snap in half, my body is strung so tight with anticipation.
“I present Avalon Summers,” Master Collin says.His hands grip my hips, and he turns me toward the room so that my body is fully displayed, tugging gently on the rope that binds my wrists behind me so that my breasts are forced upward.A little tremor of awareness judders through me.It’s unnerving standing half-naked in front of a room full of men, but it’s also a little heady.What the hell is wrong with me?
Master Collin smiles.“This little slave girl is a bit shy.”His palms graze my breasts and I blush as I feel my nipples stiffen beneath his calloused hands.There are a few wolf whistles from the crowd as his thumbs brush across the hardened peaks, and then he pinches them, making me jump slightly and blush even deeper as the traitorous tips throb, sending an odd yearning shooting through me.“But as you can see, she’s also incredibly responsive,” he adds with a grin.“Can I get a starting bid?”
The bidding starts, and there’s a burst of activity as the men call out their bids, one on top of each other, until the price reaches seven hundred points.I try to ignore what’s happening and instead count how many men are drinking Scotch and how many are drinking beer, determined to be nothing more than a bystander at my own auction.It’s a coping mechanism that’s gotten me through after my mother married Anthony.Don’t think and don’t feel.If I think about something else, maybe I can ignore the fact that I’m standing naked on a stage, about to be purchased for God knows what by a stranger.At least I know there won’t be sex.Thank God I checkednoin that box.
I’m pulled back into the moment by the sound of Emmett’s voice.“Eight hundred points,” he calls out.
“No!”I don’t realize I’ve said it out loud until Master Collin pinches my nipple hard, making me gasp.
“Be quiet,” he growls into my ear.“Or I’ll gag you.”
The look on his face indicates he’ll do exactly what he says, so I bite my tongue, although it takes some considerable effort.Damn Emmett and his chivalrous attempt to save me yet again, even though it means sacrificing his chance to win, especially since he’s specifically defying the show host’s wishes by bidding for me.
I watch miserably as the older man Tessa eyed at the rooftop bar makes one more bid and then holds ups his hands as Emmett counters, conceding defeat.
“Going once, going twice ...”
“Twelve hundred points.”I can’t see the mystery bidder but the rasp in his voice seems disquietingly familiar.
Master Collins waits several minutes, but it’s obvious that no one, not even Emmett, can top the unexpected final bid.
“Going once, going twice, sold to the gentleman in the back.”
Thank God.I let out a sigh of relief.Emmett didn’t win me.He’s safe.
Then the man steps out of the shadows, and I can feel the blood drain from my face.
“Oh, shit,” I breathe.
