Chapter 2
JAYLIN
I’m currently draped over the shoulder of my dad’s business partner and the most feared mafia boss in the city. How the heck did I get here?
Oh, right. I had the brilliant idea of selling my virginity to the highest bidder. Never, not in my wildest dreams, did I imagine Renzo Salvatore would be in the audience, let alone bid on me.
What’s even stranger is that I don’t think he recognizes me.
I certainly know who he is. Not only have I seen him around the house conducting business with my father, but I may have had a few…
intense dreams about him. We couldn’t be more opposite, and in no way did I think my forbidden fantasies would be fulfilled. But now…
Renzo grunts and tightens his hold on me.
Reality crashes in, distorting my dream and transforming it into a nightmare.
This isn’t exactly a meet-cute situation.
Renzo didn’t court me, flirt with me, or treat me to expensive dates before seducing me into his bed; he purchased me. This is transactional, nothing more.
“Um, excuse me?” I ask, tapping on his muscled back from where I’m slung over his shoulder.
He abruptly halts, making me smile to myself despite the circumstances.
I feel powerful knowing I can control this dangerous man with the tip of my finger.
At least, for now. “I’ve obviously never done this before, but I think we need to fill out paperwork and stuff. ”
He chuckles, the sound dark, deep, and overwhelming as it vibrates through me. “I’ve never done this either, but paperwork is the least of your worries.” His voice carries a thinly veiled threat, and as inappropriate as it is, I think… I think I’m more turned on than I’ve ever been.
I have no right to care, but I’m happy to hear he doesn’t normally participate in these auctions.
It makes me wonder what was different this time.
At first, I thought he recognized me and wanted to save me or something, but now, I’m not so sure.
He couldn’t really want me, right? I’m sure Renzo Salvatore has a harem of women serving him day and night.
That’s why he’s never gone to one of these auctions.
He doesn’t need to purchase affection. But still… Why now? Why me?
“Did you hear me?” Renzo growls. “I said you shouldn’t have been up there, putting yourself at risk.”
He loosens his hold enough to lightly smack the back of my thighs. I gasp as a jolt of pleasure accompanies the sting, both sensations pooling in my core. I’m more aware than ever of my precarious position. My ass is right next to his head, but instead of being embarrassed, I wiggle slightly.
“Fuck, little girl. The things I want to do to you…”
His voice is so deep and gravelly, I hardly hear him. A shiver runs down my spine, and Renzo sucks in a breath before tightening his grip. I shouldn’t be this excited, this ready to give up everything to him. But God, I want to.
“Sir! Sir, you can’t leave with the property until you’ve signed the contract,” a security guard calls out from behind us.
I recoil at being called property, but I guess he’s accurate. I literally put myself up for sale. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Okay, not a good idea, more like a Hail Mary to gain my freedom. But when I walked out onto that stage… I regretted my decision immediately.
“The fuck did you just call her?” I watch him reach into his suit jacket for what I assume is his gun. “Women aren’t property, you son of a–”
“It’s okay,” I say softly. Some of the tension drains from his muscles, and another surge of power flows through my veins. Can I really calm this beast with a few whispered words? “Let’s just sign the contract. I won’t go anywhere, I promise.”
Renzo grunts, though he doesn’t make a move to put me down or follow the man trying to lead us to a private room.
“If you make a scene, it’ll just drag this out longer,” I try again. “Don’t you want to be alone with me?” I’m trying to sound seductive, but I’m pretty sure it comes across as desperate.
Renzo lets out an exasperated sigh, which has me suppressing a giggle. It shouldn’t be endearing, but hearing the ruthless king of the underworld sounding like an impatient toddler does something to me.
“As you wish,” he says as he finally sets me down on my feet. I stare up at him, surprised at his response. One look in his deep brown eyes tells me he’s as shocked as I am. I don’t imagine he bows to anyone’s wishes. Are his cheeks slightly pink? Oh my God, is Renzo Salvatore blushing?
Before I can respond, we’re being pulled in different directions. Madam Hazel, the woman I met earlier today, escorts me down another hallway while Renzo is led into what looks like a private office.
“How are you feeling, honey?” Hazel asks. Despite her rather unique career, she has kind eyes and a reassuring smile. “You really caused a commotion out there! Ten million on the first girl? You set the bar high.”
I know it’s supposed to be a compliment, but my stomach churns at the reminder of what I’ve done. Yes, I’m glad that it’s Renzo who bid on me, but am I really ready to go through with my end of the deal? I guess I don’t have much of a choice now.
Madam Hazel unlocks a door at the end of the hallway, revealing a room with royal blue velvet chairs, couches, and a matching royal blue bedspread and silk-covered pillows.
There’s a mirror on the ceiling, above the four-poster, king-sized bed, and another full-length mirror leaning against the back wall.
Golden lamps and embellishments line the walls, giving off a warm, dim glow.
“Everyone is a little nervous at first,” Hazel continues, reading my facial cues. “But that’s okay. That’s part of what gets these guys off, you know? Just relax. Besides, you’re lucky. That is one fine specimen of a man. Our clientele tends to be… less conventionally attractive.”
I crack a smile at that, which she returns. “Yeah, he’s not bad to look at.” I try playing it cool, but I’m not fooling anyone.
Madam Hazel laughs, then looks down at her phone. “Alright. I just got confirmation on the signature as well as the money wire. As per the contract you signed earlier today, you’ll get five percent now, and the rest in the next two days or so. This is to ensure both parties are satisfied.”
I nod and inhale sharply. This is really happening. I’m really going to have sex right here, tonight, in the next few minutes. I’ve dreamt of Renzo, sure, but he’s not the fantasy I’ve built him up to be. In truth, he’s the head of a criminal empire.
“Like I said, hon. Relax. You might even enjoy it!” Madam Hazel winks at me and then glides out the door, closing it with a click of finality.
I let out a huge breath and deflate against the nearest wall. My head is spinning, and I’m somehow both sweaty and freezing cold at the same time.
Get it together! Just keep it all locked up for another hour. It won’t last longer than that. I hope.
I remind myself what’s at stake and why I signed up for this auction in the first place.
I hoped to make at least fifty thousand, which would be enough for me to start over somewhere else.
I could rent a little apartment and finally open my flower shop.
Now that I’ll have seven million dollars…
I can really invest in the kind of business I want and scale up even faster than my original five-year plan.
Taking a deep, cleansing breath, I stand to my full height and lift my head up. One night is worth my new beginning.
I glance over at the bed, trying to decide what pose I should be in when Renzo gets here.
I try leaning against one of the bedposts, but it feels too casual.
Next, I sit on the edge of the bed and cross one leg over the other.
My hand slips from where I was propping myself up, and I tumble backward before sliding off the bed completely.
Super sexy, I tell myself sarcastically.
Scrambling up from my position, I comb my fingers through my hair and adjust the skimpy lace scraps of fabric I’m wearing. I’m about to climb on the bed and try a few more poses, but the sound of the doorknob turning echoes throughout the eerily silent room.
I freeze, adrenaline coursing through me as my heart thuds painfully in my chest. Renzo Salvatore steps inside, looking every bit the part of a ruthless mafioso.
His charcoal three-piece suit is tailored to his incredible physique, the fabric contouring to his muscles.
Renzo’s shoulder-length, dark blonde hair is pulled back, giving me a clear view of his chiseled jaw, angular nose, and intense, hungry eyes.
He prowls toward me like a graceful and lethal panther. I instinctively take a step backward, but he continues to stalk forward. I retreat further, every one of my steps met with another one of his until he has me pressed against the wall.
Renzo’s hard, hot body grazes against my curves, sending tingles from my head to my toes. His gaze softens slightly, a mix of worry and confusion hidden underneath the lust and fury emanating from the rest of him.
His eyes rake over my body, then he reaches out and cups my chin, just like he did on stage.
Renzo’s touch is surprisingly gentle for such an imposing and intimidating man.
He tips my head up and tucks a few strands of hair behind my ear, letting his fingertips trail down my neck.
He leans forward, his warm breath tickling my cheek.
Then, Renzo ghosts his lips across my skin, following the same path as his fingers.
When he gets to my pulse point, Renzo nips and licks the sensitive spot before pressing a soft kiss there.
I roll my body against his on instinct, some primal, desperate part of me needing more of his touch. Renzo sucks in a breath, letting it out in a low, measured growl. Oh fuck, how can I feel that sound between my thighs?
Renzo rolls his forehead against mine, closing his eyes while letting his hands wander down my body. It’s as if looking at me and touching me at the same time is too much. I’ve never felt this wanted, this desired, this cherished in my whole life. Or, this horny, for that matter.
A soft moan escapes my lips when Renzo’s fingers dig into my hips. He grips my flesh and tugs me even closer so he can rub his obscenely long and hard cock against my core. It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt, and my inner muscles squeeze and pulse each time we grind against each other.
Renzo curses under his breath, then steps away from me, leaving me panting and slumped against the wall.
“I’m not going to take you here and now,” he says in a flat tone.
I furrow my brow in confusion and swallow down the lump in my throat. Was he not feeling what I was feeling? Does he regret his purchase? Is it crazy that I’m more disappointed in his rejection than the loss of money if he changed his mind?
Renzo grips my chin between his thumb and forefinger, tilting my head up so we’re eye to eye.
There’s something different in his gaze, something close to tenderness.
“I’d never disrespect you like that,” he murmurs.
Renzo moves his hand to my cheek, caressing my skin with the rough pad of his thumb.
“I may be a monster, but I’d never take what you’re not ready and willing to give. ”
“But, then… what…? How…?”
The mysterious and confounding man turns around and grabs his winter coat, draping it over my shoulders. “The money is already on its way,” he answers my unspoken question. “And now, we’ll be on ours.”
I furrow my brow, but Renzo is already on his phone. “Yes. Back door. Be discreet.”
With that, he wraps an arm around my waist, half walking, half carrying me down the hall and out through a back door I hadn’t noticed earlier.
A shiny black sedan is waiting for us, and Renzo opens the back door for me, ushering me inside.
He follows me, adjusting our positions so I’m tucked into his side.
I won’t lie, having his arm wrapped around me in a protective, possessive hold has butterflies swirling around in my stomach.
I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything, but a girl can dream.
Renzo looks at the driver in the rearview mirror and nods once, silently communicating where to go.
As the car starts to move, I realize I’m letting a near stranger, certainly a dangerous one, take me to a second location.
That should scare me. Part of me is on high alert, but another, bigger part of me feels oddly…
safe. At least, I feel safer right here in Renzo’s arms than I ever have at home.
I don’t know what the rest of the evening holds, but Renzo has already changed my life.