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My pregnant stomach was growing each day. On the way back from Italy, I was finally able to ask Valentino if we could postpone the wedding until after the baby so I would not look pregnant. I thought moving it up sooner would be easier, but it was proving to be more difficult.
The evening was beautiful. Just as I was getting ready to ask when the auction would start, a voice boomed through the room.
“May I have everyone to the stage in five minutes please. We are about to begin.”
Valentino slid his fingers between mine. “Are you still okay?”
It was so sweet of him to continuously check on me.Why was I so excited for this? Should it feel wrong?I nodded, a wide grin spread across my face.
“I’m glad you’re here with me.”
“Me too.”
Suddenly, a woman appeared in front of us with a basket of black paddles. The letters XoXo were etched on each of them in red. Valentino took one and nodded once. She moved to the others next to us. I arched a brow, feeling my face drop a bit. He noticed.
“For tonight, I must blend in.” His noticeable Italian accent became even more prominent.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You had the look, Isla.”
I smiled. “Maybe I’ll go up there so you can re-buy me again.”
He tugged me closer to his body bowing close to my ear. “This time, I’ll fuck you before you even leave the building.”
“Oooh, is that so Mr.—”
“Welcome back everyone. If you would, please make your way to the main stage now.”
“Go up front with them. I’ll meet you up there in a moment. I have to go the back really quickly.”
She nodded sticking close to my friends. I strode backstage to the waiting area where the women were gathered while awaiting their turn. When I entered the room, they were rendered speechless.
“Good evening, ladies.” I offered a polite smile. “Some of you know me from previous years. Some of you are new. I am tonight’s host. Before every auction, I have a talk with the women before you are on stage.” I examined each of their faces carefully. “Is there anyone who has changed their mind about tonight?”
All of them exchanged glances, seeing if anyone would speak up.
I cleared my throat, sliding my hands in my pockets. “Good. Is there anyone here who is uncertain about tonight or unclear about the rules?”
Again, they looked around, all shaking their heads.
“Did you all fill out and sign the consent forms given to you by Timothy?”
“Yesss.” They all answered together.
“Does everyone remember the signal for if you get on stage and change your mind?”
“Yesss, sir.”
“Good. If you use it, you will be escorted off stage instantly and taken home by one of the designated drivers.”
“Mr…um, sir, are you bidding again this year?” One of the girls from the previous year called out from the group.
“Ah, Lacey.” I grinned. “Welcome back, but no, I’m not. I’m only here to observe this year.”
“Awe.” Several of them whined and huffed in disappointment.
“Anyway, I need to get back out there, but if there is any issue, you all have Timothy’s information, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to him.”
