by Jamie Knight
But at the same time, I’ve been hoping so hard for a solution to all of my problems, and here one is. I’ve just got to keep an open mind. Maybe this is what I’ve been looking for.
Chapter 6 - Dominic
I'm getting ready for the auction tonight. It’s almost time to leave. I honestly don't know how to feel about it. I guess I'm pretty optimistic at the moment, I mean I do have high hopes for it.
Yeah I told my friend my concerns because the last few auctions have been lackluster, but things can't be bad all the time. I mean, eventually things have to change for the better, so I'm hoping that's what will happen tonight. And isn’t there a whole thing about “third time’s the charm?” I’m hoping after two duds, maybe this one will be something different.
Ready to go, I get in my car and start making my way to the address Kevin had given me for this auction. He’s planning to meet me there.
While I’m stopped at a red light, I find myself thinking a little more about tonight. Actually, maybe that's my problem. Maybe I’ve been thinking about every one of these events too much, and overthinking has spoiled them.
Maybe I’ve been too picky and that's why nothing has worked out? The whole point of these events is just go out and have fun with no attachments. I’m not looking for anything more than a night. Maybe if I have that kind of mindset tonight I will end up meeting someone.
Perhaps Kevin is right, and I do need to cut loose and have a little fun. And I guess it can’t hurt to try. The light turns green and I continue across town to the venue. I arrive at the location and park my car.
I don't think much of it, I was kind of put out that it was being held at some dinky little shopping center. I'm not too worried about it, though. The people that host these events always go all out to make them very enjoyable. Sometimes you forget where you are until you look at what's happening around you.
I check the time and walk quickly around the strip. I look at each shop trying to find the one that Kevin texted me. I spot it quickly because there is a small crowd of people gathered outside, and when I glance out at the parking lot, I realize I must have just parked on the wrong side.
Regardless, this looks promising. If the crowd is this large, then the event must be going well. Despite the crowd, it doesn’t take long for me to make my way inside. I look around for Kevin and spot him standing not too far from the entrance.
He looks up from his phone and sees me. "Hey! You made it!" He says in greeting.
"Yeah, looks like quite the turnout." I reply, gesturing to the crowd around us.
"Yeah, I was surprised by it, too, but hey, looks like a good bunch, right? Come on, let’s get a drink," He suggests.
He leads the way to the bar where we each order a beer. Once we’ve got drinks, we turn around and scan the crowd to get an idea of what type of people are here tonight. After a while I start to get disappointed. I was hoping to see a little more variety in a crowd this large, but no one catches my attention. All the women here are tan, blonde, thin, your typical model types. They’re beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but they’re just not my type. That sort has never really appealed to me.
Kevin orders us another round of drinks. "I'm glad you showed up. It's good for you to get out, man, you work too hard, " he says.
"Yeah, I’m glad I came out," I agree, though internally I'm regretting my decision a little bit.
I gulp my drink and look back out at the crowd of women. I remember my thoughts on the ride over here. The only way I'm going to have any fun is if I stop being picky. I try to picture ending up with one of them tonight, or forcing some kind of attraction to them, but no matter what I do, it's just not working. In truth, I feel kind of numb and bored. Like I don't want to be here anymore.
It’s not like I’ve lost interest in women. But maybe I’ve lost interest in these auctions.
As we’re nearing the bottoms of our drinks, they start calling the participants towards the stage. Looking over them, it’s just as I feared. Not the slightest glimmer of a spark towards a single one. I'm already trying to come up with an excuse to leave, when a flash of color catches my eye.
I turn to see a woman dressed in a vintage-looking, cobalt-colored dress that clings to a curvaceous figure. She stands out so vividly in the sea of stick-thin blondes, with dark curls are pinned to the top of her head. I don't notice the rest of her face yet because my eyes are drawn to the deep red of her full lips.
She looks like a she’s stepped right off the page of some vintage magazine, pinup-girl perfection. I'm normally not a fan of “retro” styles like this, but it looks so good on her that I can't take my eyes off of her.
She keeps her gaze trained to the stage. She's watching with such intensity that for a brief moment, I’m worried that maybe she's bidding on a woman for herself. I can't stop the disappointment that floods through me. I put my empty glass back on the bar.
Either way, she’s standing in the audience, not the auction line. I wonder briefly if it would be in bad taste to go hit on her. It’s an interesting idea, the thought of picking up a woman in such a normal way at one of these things.
As one auction ends, I watch her head turn quickly to look around. She hesitates, gnawing on that plush lower lip for a moment, then walks determinedly to the sign up table.
My jaw nearly hits the floor. I can't believe my luck. She’s going to play the game, and I’m going to win. I have to have this girl. I look over at Kevin, he’s busy chatting up some woman I don’t recognize.
I turn my attention back to the sign up table. She's still there, filling out the papers. I watch her every move, captivated and mesmerized by her beauty. I notice the way her dress hugs her lush figure and shows off delectable curves.
My eyes keep being drawn back to those bold red lips. I wonder briefly what it would feel like to have those lips wrapped around my cock, and the blood rushes south. She stares at the paperwork with the same intensity that she was watching the auctions with.
I try to guess what sort of thing she'll bid, and end up coming up with a few of my own I'd like to try. I need to calm myself, so I order another drink and gulp it. "Everything ok?" Kevin asks.
The girl he was talking to before has her arms wrapped around him. "Yeah, just fine." I reply with a chuckle.
Kevin nods and goes back to his girl. I think about how my opinion about coming out tonight might be starting to change a little bit.
Sipping my drink, I watch the pinup girl as long as I can until she disappears into the crowd again.
Chapter 7 - Juliette
I can't believe I'm here. I'm shocked at how many people actually attend events like this. The lady I talked to earlier today was here to welcome me, which was pretty nice. There is a bar, though I'm not much of a drinker, besides I'm here to observe and not enjoy myself. Thankfully I haven't been approached by any weirdos yet, and no one has tried to talk to me.
Not that attention is bad, I just don't want the wrong kind. Besides, I need to be focused on tonight. I walk through the crowd and get into a spot that has a good view of the stage. I arrived early, so it will be a little while before the auctions start.
I take the opportunity to observe the people around me. They’re dressed stylishly, in expensive designer fashions, which means they definitely have money. The woman obviously wasn’t kidding about the wealthy patrons. In my hand-me-down vintage dress, one I’d inherited from my grandmother, I feel like I stand out like a sore thumb.
Not to mention the fact that I might be the only woman in this room over a size two. I’m kind of amazed by all the thin, statuesque women around me and more than a little intimidated. Who’s going to be interested in the girl next door when there are freaking supermodels to pick from? I have to take a breath and calm down.
Now is not the time to panic or freak out. I remind myself of what the lady said. There is no pressure to be a part of this. Just as I'm getting calm, she walks over and tells me: "We’re about to get started now."
Nodding, I turn to the stage and give my full attention. I realize I probably look like a potential buyer or something. I don't care, though. I want to learn as much about this as I can. Not just as a way to earn money, but I'm also curious as well. Ok, this kind of lifestyle isn't for me, but how do these people do it? What makes those auctions so interesting?
I don't move from my spot during the first two auctions. After the third passes and I feel like I’ve got the picture, I run to the bathroom to clear my head. There's no one else in here so after I finish in the stall I stand in front of the mirror a while.
I check my makeup then pace on the bathroom floor. The auctions look pretty simple, so the only question that remains is do I want to go through with it? I weigh my options once more. At first I’d thought this seemed so wrong, but the girls up there…they look like they’re having fun. And I’ve heard some of the bids being called out, if I could make even a fraction of that cash,…
No! What am I thinking, I can’t seriously go through with this. I'm getting ready to just walk out when I remember where I am. I think of my record shop just a few storefronts over. Do I really want to risk losing it?
With a soft sigh, I exit the bathroom. I walk past the stage and through the crowd of people. I hesitate by the signup table, my heart pounding. "Oh, hey!" The woman from earlier greets me, “Having a good time?”
“I want to sign up,” I blurt out, before I can lose my nerve.
Her face lights up. “Excellent! You’re gonna have a great time, sweetie, you won’t regret this, I promise.”
She grabs a clipboard and pen and puts a stack of paperwork on it. "Take your time and read through it. There's no rush, we’re gonna be here a while," She assures me.
"Ok, thanks!" I reply with a forced smile.
I gulp and I nervously look down at the forms in my hands. Am I sure I want to go through with this? But I just keep thinking of those numbers, and I know my answer has to be yes. The store depends on it.
After I fill out my name and information I read through the rest of the form. The sign-up form gives me the option to either set a specific auction, like a date or a kiss, or to declare myself open for offers.
From what I observed, the open-offer lots seemed to go for significantly more, so while it terrifies to, that might be my best and only chance at making the money I need. And I can refuse offers, so it’s not like I’m just going to be forced to jump right in and do whatever depraved nonsense someone can come up with. So, with shaking hands, I check the open-offer box.
I take a breath and hand the forms back to the woman nervously, knowing that once they’re out of my hands, there’s no turning back. She looks them over with a smile. "Great! You'll go on next. Just grab a spot by the stage.”
I nod and follow her instructions. As I wait for this auction to finish I sneak a mirror out of my purse and try to make some last-minute improvements to my appearance, adjusting a curl here and touching up my lipstick.
The woman had told me to dress in something that showed off my body. This was the best I could do. I know it's not revealing, but it's so clingy and snug and shows off every curve of my body. Maybe that will appeal to someone. I still feel so out of place amongst all these supermodel-gorgeous women in their cleavage baring designer outfits.
How is anyone going to notice me? I can feel myself getting more nervous by the second as my turn grows nearer.
Before I know it, however, I’m being beckoned, and on trembling legs, I climb the stage. The auctioneer introduces me and what I'm auctioning. My face burns when it’s announced that I’m a virgin, and I almost wish I hadn’t checked that box on the paperwork.
It’s not exactly a point of pride that I’m still a virgin. But I’d just never met the right guy. Hell, I’d never even had a serious boyfriend.
But I try not to worry about all of that. It doesn’t matter, I’m here to save the store. I'm up there in front of the crowd, exposed, vulnerable.
I'm so nervous I have to close my eyes and hold my breath. My heart’s beating so hard I’m sure everyone in the crowd can hear it. I can't believe I'm doing this. The first bid rolls out, I open my eyes. Suddenly more bids happen, and I can breathe again. I want to laugh a little in relief and shock.
And on top of that, I have to admit, it’s a little bit of a confidence boost to be here with all these beautiful women and still have eyes on me.
Suddenly, they are bidding in the thousands. I'm shocked that we reached that high of a number already. So many people are bidding at once that it's hard to keep track of them. I can barely keep track, and suddenly I’m nervous. The numbers might be climbing, but with them, the expectations are growing. I’d kind of expected to sell a date, maybe a little more, but how far am I willing to go?
A large bid, in the upper thousands stuns us all. Even I stop being excited for a moment. The crowd parts a little as everyone tries to see who made the bid. I lock eyes with him and my heart stutters in my chest. I’d been so focused on the “competition” that I really hadn’t paid much attention to the men, to be honest, but this guy…
He’s sex incarnate wrapped in an Armani suit. Tall, muscular, with a sharply chiseled jaw and carefully styled hair the color of gold. And his gaze, dark and piercing, is locked on mine. I feel like the rest of the people in the room fall away and all I can see is this devastatingly handsome man.
After a moment, everyone, myself included, recovers their composure and starts to bid again. But my gaze keeps drifting back to the man. I keep my eyes on him, waiting, hoping for him to jump in again. It’s crazy, but I want him to win me. I don’t know this man from Adam, but somehow I want him to win.
But I start to lose hope as he stands there silently, observing with a placid face that betrays nothing. I can’t get a read on him, at all.
I’ve given up hope, however, when the bids start to slow and he remains silent. When it looks like the auction might end, he jumps in. "Four million dollars,” he calls out coolly.
The rooms falls into a stunned silence. “I’m sorry, sir,” the auctioneer says, “Could you repeat that?”
“Four million dollars,” he repeats, “For the chance to take her virginity."
Everyone is shocked into silence once more. All eyes are on me, waiting for a response. I have no idea what to do. "You can either accept or refuse his bid." The auctioneer reminds me gently.
I'm in too much of a state of shock to talk. I can't believe this is happening to me. I just turn in silence and nod "yes" slowly to the auctioneer.
There’s a pause to allow for other bids, but no one speaks, and after a moment of quiet, the auctioneer declares the man the winner and I’m lead off stage in a daze.
I must be dreaming, right? Four million dollars. I can save the shop and then some, and all I have to do is sleep with this gorgeous man? Surely there has to be a catch, or else I might as well have won the lottery.
Chapter 8 - Dominic
I don't know why I wasted all that time playing the stupid back-and-forth auction game. It would have been so easy for me to just pay double and have her from the start, but I went along with it and I don't know why. It was kind of fun to watch those big blue eyes get bigger and bigger as the numbers climbed.
One thing I did know for certain is that I was going to end up with her tonight. There was no way I was going to let her go home with someone else after I set my sights on her. To be honest, I would have paid any amount to be with her, money’s not an object for me. I'm just annoyed with myself for wasting the time when I could have kept things simple.
I move to the sales table and get things squared away, writing the check for four million dollars without batting an eye. The girl running the table smiles and wishes me a pleasant "Good night."
Now that business has concluded, my night can begin. I look around for my pinup girl and am immediately annoyed when I can’t pick her out in the crowd. “Have you seen where she went?” I ask.
She nods. “Yeah, she went to the re
stroom, should be right out.”
“Thank you,” I nod and move away from the table, finding a spot where I can clearly see the bathroom doors.
After several minutes, I start to get fidgety and tap my foot on the floor. I cross and undress my arms over my chest. I want to get my night started already and I don't like to be kept waiting. That's the way I've always been. I’m almost starting to wonder if she slipped out a window in there or something.
Finally, she emerges. She looks around and spots me. We lock eyes and she walks over to me. I'm not in any mood to waste time so before she can say a word I ask, "So, your place or mine?" I can see her blush, my words have caught her off guard.
Suddenly she looks irritated. She holds out her hand pointedly and says "Hello. My name is Juliette. What's yours?"
I try to hide my irritation at the sarcasm. "I'm sorry, Juliette. It's a pleasure to meet you. Dominic Ainsley." I reply, introducing myself.
We shake hands and I'm surprised by her grip. For such petite hands they have a lot of strength in them. The annoyance in her face softens and her smile turns genuine. "Pleasure to meet you as well, Mr. Ainsley." She says.
“Please, Dom,” I tell her, shaking my head.
“Dom, then,” she nods, “Nice to meet you, Dom,” We drop hands and she looks around.
My impatience grows more when she looks at me and says, "D-do you mind if I grab a drink or something before we leave?"
For a moment, I’m annoyed, but then I look into those big blue eyes. I remind myself that despite the sexy curves and bedroom eyes, she’s still a virgin, and while this is all just business as usual for me, it’s a big deal for her. I forgot how long it's been since I was with someone this inexperienced.