by Alexa Riley
“Mandy is like a sister to us.” Aaron has a hard look on his face, but I can see that it comes from a place of love. I think it’s great they see her that way, but it means nothing to me. They need to get it through their thick heads she isn't theirs.
“She’s about to be mine.”
Justin leans back in his chair, takes a drink of his beer and exchanges a look with Aaron. Neither of them say a word.
I have to have her, no matter what it takes. And if suffering through an auction with the two of them is the only way to do it, then so be it. The lights dim a bit lower, and the auctioneer's voice fills the room.
“Good evening, gentlemen. Let’s begin.”
3
Mandy
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I half-whisper into the phone, practically hiding in the corner of the dressing room while everyone else runs around getting ready for the auction. I should be doing the same, but I needed a pep talk from the person who helped talk me into doing this.
I don’t know what came over me the other morning. After I woke up from my drunken night, I knew it was time for a change. I called Justin and Aaron, only to have Stella answer the phone. I wasn’t sure if I needed to come back right away to their casino to work or if I could take some time to myself. I thought maybe I could go away for a while and try to take some time for myself. I can’t remember a time in my life when I slowed down enough just to enjoy myself. No, I always kept moving. I was always on to the next task.
Maybe I was still a little drunk that morning, because I found myself rambling on and on to Stella all morning about wishing I had someone in my life. This wasn't normal for me. I tend to keep to myself, burying my emotions deep inside and focusing on solving others’ problems. It was part of what I did for a living—jumping from one fire to another, but never asking others for help in putting out my own.
I had Don and the Cortez brothers, but I wanted someone who was mine. I wanted to be treated the way Aaron and Justin treat Stella. Like I was somebody’s everything. The lengths they went to to have her might have seemed a little crazy, extreme and over the top, but to me it was the sweetest thing I’d ever seen. I wanted that so bad lately, I could almost taste it.
I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t admit part of this has been because of Charles. This newfound need to search for my ‘one’, as Aaron and Justin call it. When I first saw Charles, desire like nothing I’d ever felt before shot through my body. It felt like I was waking up for the first time, and maybe I was. He was male perfection in its roughest form. I never thought I had a type before him, but it seems I do now. He has this dark cloud around him, and I find myself wanting to see how close I can get to him. Then I found out who he was. His name wasn’t unknown, but somehow I’d never run into him before. Maybe I’d seen his face online before, but it hadn't caught my eye. Being in his presence, there was no missing him now. But all that desire fled my body when I realized this was the man who was holding something against Justin and Aaron. For some reason I had an inkling it had to do with Stella too, which only pissed me off further. I don’t have a lot of people in my life, and part of that is probably my own fault. I’m not the most social person in the world, but the people I do have in my life, I would do whatever was necessary to protect them. Charles was a threat to my little makeshift family, and in my eyes he became the enemy.
When that desire left my body, it was almost like an ache began. Now there’s this hole that’s wishing to be filled again. A hole he put there and that I have to fill or the ache will consume me. Maybe a little passion in my life would do that.
“It’s fine! I was so flipping scared when I did it, and look! It turned out perfectly,” Stella says dreamily, breaking into my thoughts. It’s like she’s part of a fairytale or something. Well, maybe she is, but definitely an R-rated version of one.
“Yeah, but yours was a set up. Who knows who will buy me?” I don’t have some guy out there who’s been pining for my attention, but the truth is that it doesn’t really matter at this point. I’m a twenty-five-year-old virgin. My romantic life is nonexistent. Maybe I’ll fall in love, or maybe I’ll just have a little fun. I’m going to spend the next thirty days playing catch up on my sex life.
“You know Samantha only has the best to offer.” She’s trying to comfort me, but it’s the final few minutes until go time, and I’m starting to have a small freak-out.
“I read the contract.”
“See? Then you know you’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, I know I won’t be stuck with some asshole, but I also read that part about keeping my mouth shut and not asking questions. And the part where they can take other lovers and that’s not my business.” I roll my eyes just thinking about it.
“Mandy. Calm down. We talked about this. Hell, you were the one who said you didn’t have to find love. You said that it might be nice if it works out, but that you just want to have a little fun. Wanting to step out of the neat little box you’re in isn’t a bad idea.”
Releasing a deep breath, I feel my body relax at her words. “You’re right. I’m going in circles here. I guess I’m just freaking out a little.” I don’t know why this is all flooding me right now. I’d been thinking on this for days while I holed myself up in a fancy spa that sits on the outskirts of Vegas—a spa I'd been dying to go to, but never let myself find the time. I soaked in the sun and enjoyed the nothingness. I’d gotten the contract the same day I talked to Samantha, and I went over it with a fine-tooth comb. I lounged by the pool and thought over everything, and I was actually okay with all of it. I told myself that maybe I’ll find a happily ever after, or maybe I’ll just discover a little more about myself. Either way, it was going to be fine; both involved taking my life in a different direction.
“See? All is going as planned.” I know she phrased her words that way on purpose. She’s trying to make me feel at ease, like everything I have set in place is going as intended, just as I like it. “Just don’t forget to snap me a pic! I wanna see what you get.”
“I’ll do my best.” With that we say our goodbyes, and I rest against the wall, taking in a few deep breaths. I’m trying to calm myself and just breathe.
I catch Samantha out of the corner of my eye, talking rather closely to a man I can’t make out from here. When she breaks away I can’t help but notice the smile on her face. I wonder what that’s about. Samantha only ever gives the all-business face I know too well. I’m great at that face too. Sometimes Samantha will toss in a knowing smirk, like she’s three steps ahead of the rest of us, and that’s the scariest one of all.
When she finally reaches me, she wastes no time snapping her fingers, making her red-haired assistant pop out of nowhere. Her girl is eager and ready to take orders from the calm, cool, and collected Samantha.
“She needs dark red lipstick to make her lips really pop, but keep the eye makeup light and simple,” Samantha says.
I notice she’s got vampire teeth in, and it kind of freaks me out for a second. They aren’t the big plastic ones. Instead she’s wearing the ones that mold to your teeth, making them look almost real. It’s really the only thing that’s out of place on her for the Halloween-themed auction. All of the girls here are dressed up, so I’m anxious to see what my costume is going to be.
Her assistant grabs me by the wrist and hauls me towards a makeup station. She starts to do as directed, and I see Samantha follow behind us, pulling out her phone and typing away on it before pocketing it again.
“The wings?”
“On the second rack to the right,” Red says instantly, not pausing in her task of applying my makeup.
Samantha's back in a moment, holding what looks like angel wings in her hand.
“I’m an angel?” For some reason I thought I would be something naughtier. Maybe a schoolgirl or sexy cop or a slutty nurse. I’m not sure why this disappoints me. When I was out with Tiff a few days ago and she gave me a quick makeover, I felt different. I felt a little more confid
ent in myself, and I wanted to have a little of that today while I’m onstage.
“Yes, it will work perfectly.” I wait for Samantha to say more, but she doesn’t and I don’t ask. I should’ve known that tactic wouldn’t work on her.
“Done,” the redhead says, but before I can thank her she’s gone to work on another woman's makeup.
“Where is the rest of it? All I’ve been given is this robe and a white thong. There's more than the thong and wings right?” I joke, but then think that really might be all there is for the costume, because I’m here to sell my body after all.
“Of course not.”
Samantha turns walking over to a cabinet pulling out a pair of high heels. When she hands them to me I can't help but stare at them. They’re beautiful four inch heels completely covered in diamond rhinestones that match the jewels that line the angel wings. I quickly strap them on like they might disappear right before my eyes.
“I wanted to check with you one more time about the virgin thing.”
Samantha‘s words pull me away from dreamily admiring my heels.
“What about it? I thought we went over that already?”
“Well, a woman's first time should be handled with care, and if the winner isn’t made aware of this before he takes you for the first time it might cause a problem. Virgins are supposed to have their first coupling here on the property, and your contract holder might not agree to that if he doesn't know. He’s not required to have your first time together be in one of our rooms to monitor for safety. And let’s not forget, virgins make a fortune out there.”
I wonder if that’s the problem. That this is cutting into her bottom line, the more money I rake in, the more money she makes off her ten percent. She really should just call it a finder’s fee. That’s what Samantha does; she finds the women for men.
“Is this about the money?” I ask, cutting right to the chase. I don’t want to beat around the bush; we are on a time crunch here and I’m not sure I want to go out there if she’s going to admit to everyone here that I’m a twenty-five-year-old virgin. It’s embarrassing and I’m already barely holding onto my confidence as it is. I’m surrounded by eight other beautiful women who have bodies that will play seductress better than I will. I’m not built with dips and curves in all the right places, I’m tall and lean and barely fill out a B cup. We should be focusing on getting me a push up bra right now, and not about my V card. This was settled days ago or so I thought.
“While most things are about the money Mandy, I just want to make sure you know what you’re doing. My girl’s safety and wellbeing always come first. That’s why I had the Virgin Clause implemented to begin with, but since you’re waiving that protection, I just want to be certain you’re okay with it.”
She doesn’t look offended that I tried to say she was all about the money. I should apologize, because everyone knows Samantha takes care of what she thinks is hers. I should respect how far she’s come in this hungry man-run city of Vegas, but she cuts me off before I can.
“And with you, I don’t have to worry about the money.”
What the hell does that even mean? Is she saying she doesn’t think I’ll go for much or that she thinks I’ll go fast? I'm scared of the answer, so I just don’t ask. I don’t want to take a hit like that before I go out on stage. I’ll stick to what needs to be covered right now.
“Yes I’m sure, I’ll tell him before we…” I pause for a minute looking for the right word to reassure her I’ll be fine “you know, go at it.” I finish. Jesus I couldn’t just say fuck.
“Alright then. You’re a smart strong woman, Mandy, I trust you’ll be able to handle anything he throws at you.”
I hold my tongue at telling her that maybe selling myself isn't the smartest thing I’ve ever done, but the point is moot.
“The rest of my costume?” I ask dropping my robe. I’m standing in just the white thong and heels. My brown hair is long enough cover my small breasts, but I’m still essentially naked.
Samantha doesn’t answer my question, and goes about placing the clear straps around my arms securing the wings in place.
“That’s it,” she says, eyeing me with approval.
“You want me to go out like this? With no freaking top?” My question is ridiculous and I know it. This is Vegas, most women on stage around here are topless. It should be a given and it’s dumb that I’m here auctioning myself off and thinking I wouldn’t be topless myself.
“You have legs for days and your breast are perky as hell. Your nipples are some of the best I’ve ever seen, you should be proud.” She says the words like it’s a compliment and obviously I should know this. “You don’t have to tell them you’re a virgin, but you’re not putting a top on.”
With that, I know the discussion is final. I’ve learned working as an executive assistant when to push, and when to let things go. I knew winning the virgin argument was where it ended.
“You’re first.” Samantha motions me to follow her, and I’m shocked.
“First?” Jesus, I wanted to maybe stand back here and listen to a few rounds and get a little more comfortable standing around naked.
“I’ve been doing this a long time Mandy. I know what order I should put the girls in to get the best bidding out of everyone. This is after all still a business.”
I follow her, and then in a flash find myself standing in front of the black curtains. They’re closed, but I feel my heartbeat pick up, knowing that any moment they are going to part. Shit, without a shirt people might just be able to see my heart pounding in my chest.
I take a few deep breaths to calm myself, and to quell the urge to bolt. I close my eyes, and it hits me; this is the most alive I’ve felt in forever. I can do this, just like I’ve done everything else I’ve ever sought out to do. I’ve lived on the streets for almost a year when I was a teenager; if I can do that, I can do anything. I open my eyes and see Samantha standing in front of me.
“There she is. I was wondering when the girl I saw snapping orders and keeping her composure at the Cortez casino would show up.”
I smile at her words. I’m here to try and change part of who I am, but she's right, there are some things I want to keep in place. My will to power through anything is one of those things, and keeping calm under pressure is another. I just need to shift it to other parts of my life. I need to focus more on getting the things I want.
I gasp when I feel something cold hit my nipples, and I go to jerk away.
“Ice. Just making them nice and hard for the boys out there.” She goes back to applying the ice to my nipples making them harden instantly. “All set.”
She passes the ice back to her assistant, and stands in front of me adjusting my wings and hair just so. Samantha takes my shoulders and looks in my eyes, “You remind me a lot of myself, Mandy. Don’t you ever let go of the fighter inside you.”
She walks to the side of the stage, and it’s then I hear the auctioneer’s voice from the other side of the curtain.
“Good evening gentlemen. Let’s begin.”
The reality of it all hits home. The curtains are parting at any second, and a room full of men will be sitting there staring at me nearly naked. I shake my head letting some of my hair fall forward to cover my breasts. I can't help but look over at Samantha who gives me a ‘really’ look. I just shrug in response and smile. Sometimes a girl needs a little bit of a buffer and my hair is all I’ve got right now.
“Tonight, we begin with the stunning Mandy. This is her first time at the Mistress Auction. She’s new to us, and she’s eager to please.” The curtains draw open, and I can feel my breath catch, but I make myself release it slowly and calmly.
“With this sexy angel, we’ll start the bidding at fifty thousand dollars.”
“One million dollars.”
At the sound of his voice, my spine goes ramrod straight. I squint my eyes to try to find the source of the voice I’ve known all too well for the past four weeks. The lights shin
e brightly on the stage, and it makes it difficult to see anything. I take matters into my own hands and walk to the edge of the stage so the lights no longer block my view.
“You!” I point down at Charles who’s on the edge of his seat, looking like he’s ready to come out of it at any moment.
“We have one million to Mr. Townsend. Do I have two?”
The auctioneer carries on like I’m not causing a scene. I expect Samantha to come onstage and pull me back, but nothing happens. We just stand there, both of us staring at one another.
Why is he doing this? Is this to prove some point? Is he pissed that I defied him the other night at his casino, something no one ever does, so he’s here to make an example out of me? What’s he going to do? Drag me back to his hotel and make a fool out of me or something?
That’s when I see Aaron and Justin sitting next to him. Seeing them makes everything that much more complicated. Is he still trying to blackmail them? They aren’t jumping to outbid him to save me, so I’m going to take care of this myself.
Pulling my eyes away from their table, I make my way to the center of the stage, but I don’t retreat back into the light.
I look out at all the men sitting in the room, looking ridiculous in their costumes. None have yet bid against Charles, and I wonder if it’s because they’re scared of him. Most people are terrified of him, but maybe they just aren’t interested in what I’m offering.
Pushing my hair back like Samantha had it before, I let my body do some of the work. I put it on full display, and I trying to up my own price. Either Charles is going to pay out of the ass for me, or I’m going to go home with someone else.
Licking my lips, I give it my best shot.
4
Charles
“I can’t see her like this. I think I’m going to be sick.”
“Stella is going to cut our dicks off for seeing Mandy naked, you know that, right?”