My heart sinks down in my stomach as I realize what I’m contemplating. Prostitution. Not just once but multiple times. I’m sure I can get the highest amount for my first time but then after that I’ll still to be able to bring in some money, I would think, even though I’d no longer be a virgin.
Stacy said it herself. I’m beautiful and I’m also intelligent. I don’t usually feel that way, but objectively, I am. I’ve received the highest grades in my math courses all the way through school. There’s no way I don’t fit the ad description— at least the “intelligent” part.
Maybe they’ll tell me to lose some weight as that is apparently a common complaint among the guys I date. A lot of other guys say they like my curves. And they all definitely like my face. Perhaps these billionaires only like skinny bitches.
If that’s the case, I’ll go on some kind of extreme juice cleanse if I have to. Anything to help my mother. Even offering up my virginity to a complete stranger. I’ve decided to do it, and once I set my mind to something, it’s done. I didn’t get to be valedictorian of my high school by being indecisive or lazy.
“Don’t worry, Mom,” I tell her, and I swear I see some hope in her eyes, even though she has no idea what I’ve decided to do— thank God.
I leave the room to text Stacy and tell her that believe it or not, I’m going to go to the exchange club and I hope that she’ll come with me. I’m not exactly sure what’s in store for me, but one way or another, I’m about to find out.
Chapter 6 – Veronica
A Few Days Later
I try to stand still on stage, straight up with good posture, and not to wiggle and squirm too much. I do my best to follow everything that Sheridan taught us earlier, to a T.
“I can’t believe there’s, like, a real live Madame here,” Stacy had said when we arrived at the club and were told that we would be trained in how to give the men– who the club calls clients– what they want.
I’m so glad Stacy agreed to come with me— “You know I’m always down for an adventure,” she’s said, and then added, “and, I’d do anything to help your mom. She’s such a sweet lady.”
I appreciate her support and I also appreciate her humor. But “Madame” really is the perfect name for Sheridan. She had explained to us that we have the option of auctioning off anything that we choose, from a coffee date full of flirty banter or just serious discussion, to the whole shebang, which obviously means sex although “Madame” Sheridan can’t say it. Just like she can’t call herself a Madame.
There are laws this club has to skirt, to keep everything looking as if it’s on the up and up. But Sheridan is good at making things clear to us without having to spell it out.
“You’ll be surprised at the things that some of these clients want to bid on,” she’d said.
“I wouldn’t be,” I’d whispered to Stacy.
“Yeah let me guess,” she’d said back. Some have foot fetishes and others want you to moo like a cow.”
I’d raised an eyebrow at her but had tried to hold back my shock. I was thinking they would just want sex but her words showed me I had no idea what I could be in for.
“This Miami location of our club is new, but one thing we quickly found out is that the clients here have the most eccentric and unique requests,” Sheridan had continued.
“Maybe they’ll want two cows,” I’d giggled to Stacy. “A mooing menage.”
We’d had to stop ourselves from laughing out loud because Sheridan had been glaring at us.
But now, up on stage, I’m not laughing. I’m nervous, thinking of all the things I don’t even know about, such as what some of these men might want me to do in exchange for the money they’re about to bid on me.
I had already told myself that I’d do whatever paid the most— for my mom’s sake. But I’d stupidly assumed that would mean “only” giving up my virginity. But once I’d arrived and heard Stacy’s comments, I realized it could mean something much worse.
“I hope the guy who takes me wants to tie me up and make me his slave,” she’d confessed to me, before we had to come on stage.
“What?” I’d been astonished, but she’d just laughed.
“Oh you know, just for something new and different,” she’d shrugged. “I figure Sheridan meant that these guys were into kinky things and I’m down for that.”
I only wish I could be as confident and ready for anything as Stacy always is. I can’t even believe I’m up here. As I scan the crowd, I notice a tall, handsome man who is nearly being pushed along to his seat by two other guys. He doesn’t look very happy to be here.
He looks up at me and catches my eye, and I nearly blush. His eyes are sea blue and he is the picture of perfection. He even has dimples.
“What the hell is someone like that doing here?” I turn around to whisper to Stacy, but I realize too late that Sheridan has placed her at the other end of the stage.
Sheridan nods her head at me from behind the curtain as if to say, tsk, tsk, tsk you didn’t think I’d let you two stand together on stage and cause a distraction like you did earlier, do you?
I bow my head in embarrassment because she’s right— we had been causing quite the ruckus and that’s no way to behave at an event such as this. By the time I look back at the handsome mystery man, he’s taking a seat between his friends and he’s no longer glancing at me.
I can’t believe he would need to buy anything from any woman. I bet women flock to him like geese. I know I wouldn’t kick him out of bed, as the saying goes, even though I don’t even have experience with that saying and couldn’t kick anyone out of bed since no one has ever been in my bed.
Then it dawns on me that he could be in my bed— figuratively speaking, of course. He could be my very first time.
I stand up straighter and hitch my boobs up a bit. I hope he likes full- figured girls because I’m sure showing off all my best assets. It must work, because he looks up at me again and grins. I can’t believe it. Maybe he’ll actually bid on me.
As the bidding begins, I can’t take my eyes off of him. He sits higher in his seat than the men around him, because he’s tall and broad-shouldered. There’s no mistaking him in any crowd, even this one. Sure, most of these men are gorgeous, and look like they have a lot of money, but he is still one of a kind. I can see his biceps from here. All I want is for him to take off his shirt and let me get a look at his pecs…
“And now we’re moving on to the lovely Veronica,” Sheridan says, winking at me, although the slight glare in her eye reminds me to behave.
I swivel my head around to catch Stacy’s eye, and she flashes me her trademark grin and a thumbs up sign, as if to say, good luck.
My heart races as Sheridan continues. I’m begging the handsome mystery man to bid on me and not let some of these less intriguing guys take me.
“This is Veronica’s first time here,” Sheridan says. “And it will be her first time in many different ways.”
I hear rustling and grumbling among the crowd as the men realize I’m a virgin. During training, Sheridan had asked what important assets we had wanted to stress, and I made sure to highlight this fact since I assumed it would get the highest bids.
“Very nice,” Sheridan had said, obviously impressed.
Now, she flaunts this fact as if I were a peacock displaying my colorful feathers.
“Veronica is guaranteed to never before have been… of service to any client or anyone else for that matter,” she says. “And that is a money back guarantee.”
It takes all my willpower not to look at Stacy and laugh. How exactly would they be able to tell? Am I going to be subject to a virginity exam?
“Lovely,” says a man in the front row. “I would like to place a bid for not only Miss Veronica’s company at dinner but also I would like to spend the entire evening with her.”
The way he says “entire evening” lets me know— just in case there’s any doubt— what exactly he’s talking about.
“V
eronica, what he is bidding on including stretching out the entire evening and make it last a very long time,” Sheridan says. “Do you understand?”
I nod, because if I open my mouth I just know I’ll crack up laughing and get kicked out of this nice event. Of course I understand.
But when I look back at the man in the front row— who is dumpy compared to the mysterious mystery man— I realize this is no laughing matter.
Please, I try to mentally signal to the man a few rows behind him— please save me. Please bid higher than whatever he bids.
If he doesn’t save me, then this is going to turn out to be even worse than I thought.
Chapter 7 – Veronica
“One hundred thousand dollars,” says the man in the front row, and I do my best not to do a happy dance, even though I don’t even want to be with him.
One hundred thousand dollars will pay for the first of my mom’s treatment. I can’t believe that’s the opening bid.
“Three hundred thousand dollars for a weekend with the lovely newcomer,” says a man further in the back, whose face I can barely make out. I squint and see that he’s attractive, but still nothing compared to the mystery man.
All I can focus on is “three hundred thousand dollars.”
Enough for three treatments for my mom. I can’t believe it. But before it even has a lot of time to sink in, another man says, “Five hundred thousand dollars. Same request.”
Half a million dollars?
This time I can’t resist taking a glance at Stacy, whose lips are open in a happy smile for me, her teeth showing as her face nods, encouraging me to go through with this. But she doesn’t have to encourage me. I’m so happy to be getting so much money for my mom that I don’t even care that it means spending the night— make that nights— with one of these men. Even if it’s not the mystery man. But as I look back at him, he raises his eyebrow at me and I just know he’s going to bid.
“It looks like you’re in high demand, Miss Veronica,” Sheridan says. “It seems these men are going to have to start wooing you a little harder.”
She addresses the men in the audience.
“Why don’t you guys include a little description of what Veronica will get out of this deal, in addition to the money,” she says. “Because if past experience tells me anything, it seems that there’s going to be a bidding war and she might have to end up picking one of you to win.”
Wow. I can’t even believe it. I guess these men have an endless supply of money that can buy them literally anything. But it surprises me even more than I’m what they want to buy with it.
“For seven hundred and fifty thousand, I’ll take her on a spin in my yacht,” the man in the front row says. “We can have a private party, or a big party where we’ll invite all her friends. And then, the weekend spent with me of course.”
“For a million dollars, I’ll fly her on my private jet to any island of her choosing,” says the other man who was bidding on me. “She can even bring friends. And yes, the weekend with me.”
As enticing as these offers are, I can’t imagine doing any of these things with these men. A knot forms in my stomach as I realize that even though I thought I was offering up everything that I have— my virginity— they want even more. They want me to spend time with them, eat with them, go on private luxury vacations with them. And I don’t even know them.
There doesn’t seem to be anything particularly wrong with these men— other than the fact that they view bidding on a woman as a sport, a game to win based on who has the most money to throw around— but I just can’t imagine being with them in an intimate setting. Sex is one thing— wham, bam, thank you ma’am style— but what they’re asking for is something altogether different.
I’m beginning to want to ask Sheridan if it’s too late to qualify the terms of this arrangement. I’d told her I’d sell “everything, including my virginity” but I’m wondering if I can tell her I meant everything sexually, not emotionally. I’m not even sure how I would explain to my parents where I’m off to for the weekend, or week, or however long these men are wanting to spend with me. I guess I’d say I was going on a trip with Stacy, but they’d probably think that was pretty strange considering my heavy course load.
Thinking of my mom is what convinces me to remain quiet. I need to do whatever it takes to get her those treatments. Which, I know, includes standing here and smiling pretty no matter what these men are requesting. So, I do.
Finally, the mystery man clears his throat. I look into his blue eyes and the way he turns the corners of his full lips up at me as if to say, “I’ve got this, I’m here to save you like you asked me to,” and I feel wetter than I ever have in my entire life. All I want is for him to fuck me for my very first time.
My face blushes at the thought of him fucking me—and the fact that the word “fuck” was the first thing to cross my mind when I looked at him— as he says, “I’d like to pay two million dollars.”
There’s an audible gasp heard around the room. I widen my eyes at him. I can’t help but sneak a glance at Stacy, who is bouncing around in place as if doing her own little happy dance for me.
“That’s a hefty amount,” Sheridan says. “More than has ever been paid. Might I ask what you are requesting with that bid?”
“I need a bride,” the man says.
Did he just say bride?
A chill runs through my entire body. I have no idea how to react to that. I must be in complete shock, because it doesn’t even seem real. He hasn’t even met me, and he’s wanting to marry me?
“A fake one,” he says next.
I don’t know whether to be relieved or offended. So, it’s not real. He’s wanting some strange arrangement that I’m obviously too naïve to understand.
“And what exactly do you mean by that?” Sheridan asks.
I’ve never been more thankful to have a “Madame” to ask helpful questions on my behalf. Because I’m wondering the exact same thing.
What kind of arrangement does this guy have in mind?
Chapter 8 – Veronica
“I need her to pretend to be engaged to me,” says the man, with a shrug of his wide, muscular shoulders, as if it’s no big deal. As if he’s asking for a piece of candy in a candy store. I guess money really can buy anything. “And to pretend to marry me. As soon as possible.”
“I… I see,” Sheridan says, obviously at as much of a loss for words as I am. “And will there be other… terms to this agreement? Things that the lovely Miss Veronica will have to agree to? For that amount of money.”
He shrugs again.
“Well, if you’re talking about sex…”
“I’m talking about the pleasure of her company,” Sheridan quickly interrupts to clarify. This guy doesn’t even know you’re not supposed to say the “s” word around here. He must be new. I like to think that he is— that he doesn’t always come here to buy sex, or fake brides, for that matter. “The enjoyment of all the many things that are possible for a man and a woman to enjoy doing together.”
“Well, let’s just say I’m a red-blooded male,” the guy says, and everyone else starts laughing. It seems to be a release of the nervous, pent-up energy we’ve collectively had since this mystery man announced he wanted to an insane amount of money to make me his fake fiancée. “So, I’m wanting to buy everything that’s included in a fake engagement scenario.”
“That scenario is quite unique,” Sheridan responds. “So, let’s just be clear here, so that Veronica knows whether or not she wishes to accept the offer. You would like the pleasure of her complete company. You would like her to be your fake… fiancé.”
“And fake bride,” he says, with a smile.
Even though the set up is crazy, I can’t help but want to smile back at him. His dimple is so damn cute and his body is so hot.
“And fake bride,” Sheridan continues. “How much of a period of time would this cover? And how much time would you be needing from Veronica to carry
out this fake… courtship?”
The mystery man shrugs.
“Look, I’m not one for rules,” he says. “I just know I need to do this thing. She’ll have to have dinner with my dad, if he’s able to get out of bed. Some days are better than others.”
The way he says this breaks my heart. I guess it makes me think of my mom during the hardest phases of her condition and her treatment so far.
“And then we might have to put in another public appearance or two so it seems semi-believable. Even though Dan and Ed here are clearly in on the scoop, we don’t want people running their mouths wondering how such a short engagement can be possible, and causing my dad to question anything.”
His friends high five him, and I’m not sure what secret they’re in on, but I have to admit it sounds rather intriguing. This guy is so hot I’d probably do it for free, just for fun. To live a little, to have some adventure, as Stacy always urges me to do. But to think that I’m getting paid two million dollars to do it is mind-blowing. I suppose he wants my virginity as well, but from the wetness in my panties I have a feeling that’s something I’d give him for free as well.
“Alright then,” Sheridan says, as if she doesn’t know what else to say, and I don’t blame her, as I would be at a loss of words myself. “Are there any other bids?”
No one says anything, and then the man in the front says, “Well dude, I really wanted her but you obviously have your own strange fantasies to fulfill and you’re willing to pay a lot more than I even have, to carry that out, so, have at it.”
“If we can please refrain from talking to other clients during the bidding,” Sheridan reminds him.
After no one else says anything, she asks, “Alright, Veronica, with your knowledge of the terms of the request… or, as detailed as we’re able to decipher at this point in time… are you willing to accept the bid? Please understand that you don’t have to. We could go with the lower bid and pick up the auction from there, with alternative terms in place.”
Just Pretend Page 69
