8. I’m Yours
I’M YOURS
CHELSEA
I took a shaky breath, fidgeting with my fingers when the host announced names of women and a few men dressed in pieces of fabric that could barely cover our ass.
I didn’t want to do it, but I had little choice.
Sean was insane to send me three grand for my attention just to get my number. I had even repaid his money, but he had sent me five grand instead and told me to keep it.
Of course, I needed the money, but I couldn’t keep it. He had already paid me well enough for that night where he didn’t even touch me, and it felt weird to accept his money for nothing.
So I had decided to pay him back.
My heart beat remained high as the public hooted and cheered, placing high bids to spend the night with gorgeous women. I swear I heard someone say a million dollars.
I felt ashamed to ask my mom to help me out and worse—dad. I didn’t even want to think about ever asking him for money. And it was just this once. I would get the fifty percent cut from the auction bid and get a nicer apartment while finding a job.
My nerves amped up when I was the only one remaining in the backstage.
The floor manager who held the auction was a sweet old lady, and she told me I didn’t need to have sex with anyone who bid the highest price for me, but if they’re handsome enough, they would ask for it.
It would be consensual, but I was still scared.
I didn’t want to sleep with anyone. I just wanted a stable roof over my head, food in my fridge and a decent job.
“Welcome Candy, the sweet and spicy blond who will rock up your world!”
I clenched my jaw and tried to relax my body before walking out onto the stage. My heels were high, so I had to be mindful of my steps. My eyes squinted at the lights, the heat of it making me feel hot when I stepped in front of the crowd.
Heartbeat thundered in my ears and so did the crowd’s approval as I twirled, feeling the burning stares of so many on my bare skin.
I wanted to turn back and cover myself. I was wearing a white lace basque corset and a white thong with bows.
My legs trembled when I tried to find my footing beside the host, standing in the middle of the stage as the auction started.
The sultry song was humming low as men and women started bidding. I wouldn’t mind going on a date with a woman, but I was afraid I was heterosexual. I couldn’t look at the crowd as they bid. The harsh lighting on my face made my vision blurry.
I bit my lip when someone bid over twenty thousand dollars. People kept bidding more and more until I heard a loud and clear voice bid,
“One million.”
I looked up, all the air leaving my body. I wanted to see who it was, but all I could figure out was a silhouette of a man in a suit. I swallowed, hoping they would be nice. Hoping they would just want a dinner and nothing more.
“One million and fifty grand.”
Another man bid and I could see they were closer to the stage. Hush fell over the crowd and I was afraid to breathe.
That was the highest bid anyone had placed that night. Maybe it was a mistake. I should tell them to stop and end it?—
“Three million.”
The previous stranger said and my knees shook, hearing the amount.
“Three million dollars. One,” the host was grinning from ear to ear as she reached till three and cheered as she held my hand and raised it in the air. “Sold for three million!”
I was blinking rapidly, making my way off of the stage and yet trying to look at the man who had bid such a huge amount. I couldn’t find him over the bustling crowd.
Everything was a blur after that. Other strippers congratulated me and gushed about the man who had placed a bid on me, telling me he was a regular VIP but never attended any of the auctions before.
I wanted to ask them for his name, but I was pushed into a walk-in wardrobe with an employee who was picking out a dress for me.
“W-why do I need a dress?” I asked. I thought that the man would want a date in the club with me in a robe or a VIP suite.
She looked at me as if I had asked a stupid question and chuckled. “Honey, that man bid three million dollars for you. That kind of bid has never happened before. You’re lucky.” She went through different dresses made of velvet, lace, silk. “He gave us specific instruction to dress you in white.”
White? I frowned, looking down at the white lingerie. Maybe he wanted me to match?
“This is perfect.” She pulled out a white a-line dress and told me to keep the lingerie on since he liked it. “Heels, too.”
The assistant had asked me to ditch the stockings.
I followed her directions, donning the dress and swallowing at the sight of me in the mirror’s reflection.
It was perfect. White satin draped over my body like second skin, cinching the waist and flowing down to my thighs.
I turned to see the back and found it had a low cut.
But the material felt expensive and made me feel pretty.
I felt like a princess.
My smile dropped. A princess wouldn’t sell her body in a strip club auction. I swallowed and tugged on the hem of the dress, wishing the night would end quickly, so I could receive my cut of the auction bid and get my life together.
“Oh, you’re ready? Perfect!” The employee came back and turned me around, putting a blindfold on my eyes.
“What’s this?” I asked, panic rising in my voice.
The fabric was soft, but I didn’t like not being able to see what was happening.
“He asked us to blindfold you. Don’t worry, honey, you’ll be safe.”
My throat was dry. I didn’t know if I could trust her words of being safe when I was blindfolded and pushed around and walked in some weird directions.
I gasped when the doors opened. My heels clacked as I walked on a concrete floor. I could feel the night air kissing my naked skin as goosebumps raised all over my body.
“Good luck and have fun!” The employee said, and I jumped when a firm hand wrapped around my arm, dragging me along their side.
I licked my lips, wanting to ask who it was, but I didn’t trust my voice. I heard a click of car doors unlocking. I held my breath, pretending the man wouldn’t notice me if I didn’t breathe, and kept myself small.
Of course, that didn’t happen.
The door was opened, and I was gently pushed into the car seat, warm leather and musk scent wafting in my throat.
The door closed, and I heard footsteps receding before the stranger took his seat on the driver’s side.
I fumbled with the seat belt and took a sharp inhale when he leaned closer.
I felt his hot breath on my neck when he tugged the belt over my body.
I shuffled in my seat, wondering why his scent felt familiar.
The car started with a purr, and my anxiety came back as he started driving the car to god knows where.
If I got murdered tonight, then I would deserve the blame for getting in a car with a stranger with my blindfold on.
“W-who are you?” I finally managed to ask.
I heard him sigh and a deep, smoky voice filled the air. “I’m yours, Princess.”