Chapter 8 #2
He turns, but I stop him. “No, wait, don’t do that.” I grab the crook of his elbow. “I’ll be there. Just tell me what I need to wear, where it’ll be at, and what time.”
It’s so desperate and I hate myself for it, but I’ll admonish myself later. I’d be stupid to turn down ten grand.
He looks smug, and I realize he wanted me desperate. Fucking asshole. “I’ll give you my number and send you the details.”
“Pendejo,” I mutter, drawing out my phone from my pocket.
“A veces.” He winks at me.
So, he does understand Spanish. Oh.
Friday, December 13
“It seems too good to be true!” I yell from my bedroom as I hook my earring on my left lobe.
“I get it…” Jenny hums pensively and grows quiet, letting Shakira’s voice filter throughout our apartment.
I hum along to “Rabiosa,” hoping it’ll help drown out my thoughts, but they’re too loud, overriding the lyrics.
It’s been two days since Sylas and I came to an agreement and two days since we last talked to each other. After he gave me his number, he sent me the e-invite with dress code details, let me know I could bring a plus-one, and then ran me through how the auction would play out.
I’m not usually a person who likes to mull over my thoughts, but I’m still waiting for the I don’t need you anymore text or to show up to an abandoned warehouse where the silver spoons will sacrifice my body.
That last one seems unlikely, but I’ve been around the rich for three years. I know what they get up to. Been to a few parties in their extravagant homes. I’ve not seen them do any crazy rituals, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t.
“Do you think I’m making a mistake?” I step out of my bedroom, my mocha-brown heels clicking with every step.
Jenny turns to look at me before she turns back and does a double take. “Holy shit, Anna.” Her jaw goes slack, eyes doubling in size. “That dress was made for you.”
Thanks to Jenny, I was able to borrow an olive-green satin gown from Saks Fifth Avenue. It has an open back, a cowl neck, and a long slit down my thigh. It’s the prettiest, most expensive thing I’ve ever worn.
And I say “borrow” because Jenny begged her manager to let us use it for the event. She agreed, so long as we return it as-new first thing tomorrow.
It came with a price though. Jenny has to pick up extra shifts this month because of how busy they are, starting tonight. Which really sucks because she was going to be my plus-one. Now I have to go alone. And if the dress is damaged in any way, it’ll be coming out of Jenny’s paycheck.
But I assured them both that wouldn’t happen. I also told Jenny I’d be splitting Sylas’s money with her. It’s only fair since she’s having to pick up extra shifts because of me. She protested, but I’m going to do it anyway.
I smile as I twirl for her. “You don’t think this is too much, do you?”
It’s not that I don’t feel good in the dress, because I really do. I know I look good, but it’s a black-tie event. There’s a high slit and it’s snug on me.
“No, you look hot as fuck.” She whistles and does a circle motion with her finger. I twirl again and smile until it hurts when she pulls her phone out and starts snapping pictures. “You’re making me reconsider whether dicks are worth it.”
I smile before my lips fall in a flat line. “Okay, in all seriousness…don’t you think this is weird?”
I know the auction is real, but Sylas wanting me to help him sounds unreal.
She sets her phone down and stands in front of me, placing her hands on my shoulders.
“In the spirit of the holidays, I’m choosing to believe this is some Christmas miracle.
Or that someone’s watching out for you.” She shrugs and drops her hands.
“Don’t get me wrong, it is strange and I don’t get it, but he’s rich.
So, I guess let’s not question it. But if things get weird, you call me.
I’ll hop in a Lyft and take care of him. ”
She grabs a pencil from the counter and uses it to stab the air.
I laugh. “Okay, John Wick, chill out. If anything happens, I’ll call you and I’ll leave immediately. But is it strange that I trust him while also feeling off about the entire situation?”
Jenny shakes her head. “No, I get it. I’d feel weird about it too. But hey, you must have some kind of magical pussy powers if he wants you.”
I cringe, scrunching my nose. “Ew, never say that again.”
“Just saying. You’ve also got a fan-fucking-tastic ass…You really are making me question my sexuality.”
I roll my eyes but smile. “Have a good shift. I’ll text you when I’m out.”
“Thanks for taking one for the team.” She blows me a kiss.
I hate that Jenny isn’t here.
The auction hasn’t started, so guests are socializing, looking at the art displayed on the walls, and enjoying the live band playing Christmas music.
I’m in the restroom, staring at my reflection in the full-length mirror. I’ve been here for a few minutes and have every intention of staying here until the auction begins. I feel supremely out of place.
While I could sit at my designated table and fake that I’m having a good time schmoozing with the rich, I don’t have it in me to pretend.
“Your dress is gorgeous. Is that a Kim Liu?” an older lady asks as she washes her hands.
I glance down at my dress, not having the slightest clue who the designer is. “Uh…yeah. It’s a Kim Liu.”
She dries her hand and gives me a once-over. “I thought so. You look amazing.”
“Thanks.” I smile at her. “So do you.”
She mirrors my smile. “Thanks. Happy bidding.”
That’ll probably be the highlight of my night because I can’t imagine it getting any better.
I don’t look toward the door when I hear it swing open. I’m pretending to fix my bun in the mirror when I hear the soft snick of the lock.
I glance over and jerk back a little, stunned.
Sylas is in the restroom. And he looks…good in his tux.
It molds to his body in a way that leaves no doubt in my mind it’s custom made. It frames and outlines his broad shoulders, long torso, and thick thighs, and his usually mussed hair is slicked back.
Wow.
“Wow.” He exhales a breath.
I blink out of the trance, realizing I’m gaping and haven’t said a word.
My cheeks burn a little. “You know, this is the women’s restroom. The men’s is just down the hall.”
His gaze works slowly down my body, stopping at the slit in my dress. His throat bobs around a thick swallow before he darts his attention back up. “Wow.”
My heart stutters. “You already said that.”
His lips part then close before they part again. “Yeah…I’m…you left me speechless.”
Same.
Now my heart stops working. I’ve never had anyone say that to me before. My cheeks blister and my stomach whirls with…butterflies. “Wh-what are you doing in here?”
“You’ve been here for a while. I was waiting, but the auction is about to begin, and I wanted to talk to you before it started.”
I lift a brow. “What’s so important you couldn’t wait and had to lock us in here?”
“Just wanted to make sure you got the money.”
My brow furrows. “I thought I texted you I did?”
He rubs the nape of his neck. “I wanted a verbal confirmation.”
I take one step closer and so does he, until we’re standing an arm’s length from one another. “I got it. Is that verbal enough?”
“Yeah.” Sylas licks his lips.
My gaze lingers on his mouth and I suck in a breath, shifting away. “So, what are you still doing here?”
“Doing what you’re doing.” He tucks his hand in his pockets, gaze drifting down the dress again.
“And what’s that?”
“Hiding.”
“I’m not—” His knowing look shuts me up, so I shrug. “And if I am? I don’t know anyone. I don’t fit in with the people out there.” I don’t voice that out of pity, but we both know it’s true. I’m here out of desperation because I need money; I don’t know what his excuse is. “Why are you here?”
“I hate these things.” He tugs on the collar of his button-down. “Kissing the asses of people who don’t give a single shit about me but only care who my parents are is a lot of fun,” he remarks dryly.
Sylas’s sarcastic response baffles me. Nothing about it sounds disingenuous. “If it makes you feel any better, I don’t give a shit about you or your parents.”
That has him smiling, and I don’t know why but it makes me feel good. “You really didn’t look me up?”
“Why would I want to do that?”
“I’m a very interesting person.”
I laugh, taking another step forward as he does. “Mmm, who lied to you?”
“You seemed to think so when I was making you feel really good the other night.”
My heels click as I shift on my feet. “You got me off. That doesn’t make you interesting.”
His finger brushes my forearm, simultaneously freezing and burning me. “I could show you just how interesting I really am.”
Sylas removes his finger and from the corner of my eye, I see it suspended in the air, next to my arm, like he’s waiting for something. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” I’m breathless and hot.
“I didn’t ask if I could touch you.” His eyes turn molten as they rake over me again.
My lips tick up. “Ask me and make it sound desperate.”
I don’t know what we’re doing or why I like this so much, but I can’t bring myself to question it.
He leans down, his lips close to the ear, minty breath fanning it. “Can I touch you? Please let me touch you. I need to feel you, Anna.”
The desperation in his voice really throws me off. I asked him to make it sound like it but didn’t anticipate the genuine desire, the yearn raw in his voice, the searing look in his eyes.
“Do it.” I swallow hard.
Sylas clutches my hip, fingers digging deep, but the moment is short-lived because someone pounds on the door.
“Sy, it’s about to start. Hurry the fuck up.”
Our eyes collide and breaths tangle, heat and electricity wrapping around us. We don’t part even as the voice outside reminds him that he can’t be late.
“Whatever happens out there, you don’t stop bidding on me,” he all but pleads, effectively reminding me why I’m here.
I bid, he pays me, and then we part ways.
Stepping away from him, I give a mock salute. “Don’t worry. ’Tis the season to be bidding.”
The girls and their parents have gone wild.
I just witnessed the captain of the basketball team, Lucas Calloway, get auctioned off for seven thousand eight hundred dollars. And his teammate before him went for six grand.
When Sylas first gave me the money, I thought ten thousand was a ridiculous sum. I thought to myself, who would bid that much money on a guy? He isn’t even a pro. But it’s my fault for underestimating the power of money, influence, and good looks.
Now I’m worried ten grand won’t be enough.
“All right, ladies and gentlemen, up next we have Sylas Lenoir Alves,” the auctioneer announces after Lucas steps off the stage.
Sylas takes his place, a flirtatious grin on display, dimples indented deep on each cheek.
My body buzzes and heart thunders as I remember how he touched me, how he looked at me, how his voice deepened.
His eyes immediately find mine and lock in.
My stomach dips, heart thrashing like it’s begging to be let out.
I don’t know why, since we don’t know each other well enough for me to be into him.
An orgasm or two shouldn’t change anything—I’ve done casual before, but I feel…
infatuated, and I don’t know how to make that stop.
We’ve not known each other long. Just a few days I couldn’t stand him and now—this can’t be happening.
I smile a little at him and his own only widens; his eyes are still on me, but we both snap out of it when the auctioneer starts the bid at one thousand.
All over the room, paddles are raised high. I’m so stunned by the number of people who want to spend a day with him that I forget to raise my paddle.
Right, I’m bidding. I quickly raise mine and continue to do so as the auctioneer shouts increasingly higher numbers.
I get a little nervous once we approach eight thousand.
A hot blonde and me are the only ones left.
If I’m not mistaken, she was with Sylas at dinner a few days ago.
It doesn’t seem like she’s going to give up, but I see the waver on her face when the auctioneer calls, “Eight thousand five hundred,” like she’s not sure if she should keep going.
A look of trepidation crosses Sylas’s face, like he’s worried the hot blonde is going to win.
I wonder if he knew she’d bid on him and that she’d be persistent about it. He begged me not to stop bidding though, and I promised I wouldn’t.
There’s a thousand dollars in my bank account along with what he sent. That’d make eleven thousand. I’m either about to make the best or worst decision of the night.
Fuck it.
“Eleven thousand!” I shout.
I’m not sure if I’m allowed to do that, but it’s too late to retract my offer.
The auctioneer’s eyebrows skyrocket and his lips split into a wide grin. “Whoa, we’re past ten thousand for the first time tonight!” He chuckles and so do the people around me. “Eleven thousand! Can we make that eleven thousand one hundred?” He looks at the blonde.
Sylas’s eyes widen with worry for a second before they relax when she shakes her head.
“Going once…” He pauses to give her or anyone else a chance. “Going twice…” Another pause. “Well, okay then. Sold to the lovely lady in green!”
The auctioneer goes on to remind me and everyone else in the room what Sylas has planned for us, but I’ve already checked out.
I know the date isn’t going to happen, so there’s no point in listening.
Still, I smile like I’m the luckiest girl in the world, hold his stare that says I’m the only one he has eyes for, and take a good look at him before we never see each other again.