by Alexa Riley
I loved my mama, but I don’t want to be her. Even though I seemed to have picked up some of her along the way. Charming men came easy, and sometimes I don’t even realize I’m doing it.
Is that what I’d done with Antonio? Had I charmed him and now the novelty of me would soon wear off? The city boys eat up the accent at first, but like most things—even more so with rich ones—all that charm they love at first starts to not be so cute as it once was. I bite my lip. I don’t want what I’m already feeling for him to run any deeper. The things he’d said to me last night were—
I stop myself from recalling them. Men will say anything they can to get what they want, I remind myself. I’m so far gone he could piss on my leg and tell me it's raining. I’ve learned that lesson the hard way. The senator was always sweet as sugar when mama was around, but as soon as she wasn’t, he didn’t have to fake it anymore. He only tolerated me to have her.
I think it would be worse if Antonio got what he wanted from me, then pushed me just as quickly out the door. Suffering the loss of my mama was about as much as I could take this year. Looking over my shoulder I take one last look at him before quickly pulling my eyes away. All I want to do is crawl back into that bed and find out if all he’d said was true. My heart tries to convince me it might be worth the hurt. But my head…
Quietly, I slip my dress back on and look for my thong, which is nowhere to be found. Giving up, I put on my shoes and grab my purse before making my way out of the penthouse. I keep my eyes down the whole time, not wanting more memories of this place than I already have. The ones I have are probably going to sweetly haunt me for years to come.
When the elevator finally arrives, it opens and Sam, the blonde from last night, is in it. A knowing half-smile plays on her lips. I don’t want to give anything away, that my heart is aching and that I’m undoubtedly doing the walk of shame. However, I’m sure she can see it all over me because I’m breaking one of my own rules: never go out in public without make-up. I give her my best smile, trying the ‘fake it until you make it’ approach.
“You waitin’ for me?” I have an eerie feeling she’s been looking for me.
“I might have had a feeling you’d end up sneaking out of Don’s penthouse. You’re a runner. That’s clear as day, no matter how well you think you hide it.” Her words don’t come out smug or like she’s got something on me. It’s more like she knows the feeling. Like she’s done some running of her own.
“Got to leave them wanting more.” The saying might be true, but I don’t mean it in this case.
“Oh, I’m sure you left him wanting more, but you’ve got no plans on giving him that little more he’s going to chase you for.”
I look her in the eyes and study her for a moment. Last night she seemed a bit cold, but now I can see the softness in her eyes.
“You’re right. I’m running. A man like that,” I point towards the now closed elevator doors, remembering that I haven’t hit a button, “could break me. And I’ve had all the breaking I can take,” I finish before pushing the button to my floor. I want to get my bags and get the hell out of Dodge.
“You’re right. Don goes through women monthly. Wines and dines them, then sends them on their way all broken-hearted. The little lies he whispers in their ears aren’t true. He says he won’t let you go until he gets his fill of you, but you know how men are when they think something belongs to them. He’ll blackball you. There won’t be a casino in town that will let you in the doors.”
I squeeze my eyes closed at her words. Shit. He played me. Maybe that was my karma for the few men I played when I’d first gotten to Vegas. At least I didn’t fill their minds with lies or grace their bed.
“He’s a hard dog to keep on the porch.”
I snort.
“I was sure you were a Yankee, but you seem to have a little taste for the south,” I say around an empty laugh because that’s how I’m feeling. Empty. I have no idea where I’ll go when I leave Vegas or how long the money I have will last me.
“I like to have a taste for all things.”
The elevator opens, and I make my way out. “Do me a favor. Give me a head start before you tell him I’m gone.” I have no clue where this woman’s loyalties lie. She’s too hard to read, or maybe I’m just slipping. First Antonio and now her.
She doesn’t answer me, just follows me out.
“Thirty million dollars for thirty days of your time.”
I stop walking at her words and turn to look at her.
“To be a Mistress?” I ask, remembering Antonio’s words about her from last night. He talked about her with respect, but now I don’t know what was the truth and what wasn’t from him. Could I sell myself? Wasn’t that what my mother did? She might have married those men, but she only did it for their money.
“Thirty million dollars to be at the beck and call of one of the richest men in the world. Your contract will be the strictest, and you can help guide some of the rules. Some. Of course, you are to have sex with him. The money is more about the anonymity to these men, and the fact that you don’t ask them questions. You’re their Mistress, and they can come and go as they please.”
“I don’t think—”
She cuts me off before I can protest. “Only a few men will be at your Auction. I already have them in mind. I know you’re just their type. The bidding starts at thirty million. Who knows how high it will go.” She holds her hand up, knowing I’m about to chime in. “Think about it. Thirty days and you're set for life. That’s at least a million dollars a day. No more cons or counting cards. Free.”
“The men—”
“Vetted. I don’t make it easy for men to get into Auctions. They have to do more than pay. Never has one of my girls been hurt. I have a lot of powerful men in my pocket. Others know not to cross me, and hurting one of my girls is something that would never be tolerated.”
“Will he know I did the Auction? That someone bought me?” I don’t have to say his name. We both know who I’m talking about. Part of me wants to do this, to be free. Thirty days and I’m set. I could go anywhere and do anything I want. The other part, the part that hurts from the things Sam told me about Antonio, wants him to feel something, too. Pissed he didn’t get what he wanted. That he thought he could use me and toss me away.
“Yes. There isn’t much he doesn’t know in this town.”
“Good.” This time if someone is going to use me, I’m going to get what’s mine.
Chapter Eight
Don
“I want the footage of her leaving the hotel. Then I want you to track it. There are cameras all over this goddamn city. I don’t care how you get the footage, just do it. Call in favors for all I fucking care,” I growl before ending the call and dropping the phone onto my desk.
“Fucking stupid,” I chastise myself. I should have known. I got too close and scared her off. I should have had men posted outside, ready to follow her if she tried to slip out on me, but I’d been too caught up in her to think about that. I was also sure that if she tried to slip out of bed, I would have felt it. I guess the lack of sleep finally caught up to me. I had her in my arms as I drifted off to the best night of sleep in my life, only to wake up and realize the grave mistake I’d made.
Now I can’t even track her phone. The fucking thing is off and she hasn’t been in to try and get a new one. For all I know she’s long gone. Hopped on a bus or maybe caught a flight out of town. But I’ll find her. With as much money as I have, I can do anything. I’ll drain every cent I have to look for her.
She was more perfect than I ever could've thought possible. Having her in my hands as she melted for me… I thought I was obsessed before, but now I might possibly go insane if I don't find her. Before her, I thought I’d had everything I’d ever wanted. Worked my ass off to get where I was, and now I think I did it all for her.
I have everything I could ever need to make a life with her. I could devote all my time to being with her. Having a family of my
own was something I didn't think I wanted. Now I can't get the image of that out of my head, and it could be slipping through my fingers with every second that ticks by.
I’ve done my time. All those twenty-hour days, shady deals, and rubbing elbows with people I couldn't stand got me to a place where I could wipe my hands of everything. I’d set people in place. The company should be able to function on its own, but at the end of the day it doesn't matter if it does or doesn't. How did this curvy little thing slip so deep inside me?
My eyes go to my office door as my assistant enters with a tight look on her face. Most likely because I’ve been yelling since I entered the offices.
“Not now,” I tell her, not caring about whatever it is she thinks I should be doing. I’d fire the woman for how often she steps over the line, but sometimes I think that’s why I pay her so well. She’s good at getting shit done. In fact, it drives her crazy if things are left unfinished or if something is slightly imperfect.
“I’m sorry, sir, but Samantha called, and she said it’s urgent.”
“Not now,” I repeat. I don’t want to know what that woman is up to after last night. Probably has a list of Mistresses she thinks I might be interested in after she saw my Georgia. Thinks she’s finally figured out my taste. She doesn’t know I only have a taste for one woman, a taste I wish was still in my mouth.
“I know, but she said you might say that. Then minutes ago this was delivered from her head of security.” Jen holds up a cellphone, and I immediately recognize the case. I’m out of my chair and in front of her, grabbing it from her hands, before she can blink.
She always ditches her phone, replacing it with the same model, but she continuously uses the pink case covered in jewels.
I waste no time powering it on and going through it, only to be disappointed. Everything is wiped from it.
Then it rings.
“Out,” I say to Jen, who exits quickly.
“Peaches.” I can hear the longing in my voice. I don't know why I think it’s her. She wouldn't be calling her own phone. Jealousy hits me at the thought that it might be another man.
“You sound like someone stole your puppy.”
The blood rushes to my ears at the sound of Sam’s voice. This could only mean one thing.
“I’m not a man you want to fuck with, Samantha. You’re a smart woman. Don’t tell me I got it wrong. I rarely do.” I can’t believe she’d be dumb enough to cross me. No one crosses me and gets to stay in this town. Sam might be powerful, but I have a lot of secrets on people around here. I could make her life hell.
“Now is that any way to talk to someone who has the thing you hold dearest?” Her tone is scolding, almost like a mother speaking to a child.
I take a deep breath, holding back what I want to say. I want to tell Sam I’ll make sure she never works in this town again. I don’t fuck around when people fuck with things that belong to me, and Georgia most certainly belongs to me. She’s belonged to me from the moment I first saw her. Having that attitude is how I made a name for myself, but I also remember Sam is about the bottom line. Why start a battle over something that could easily be solved with money?
“Sold, Sam. Whatever the price you’re trying to get for her, I’ll double it.”
“Oh, Don, that was just a little too easy for my liking.” Sam’s tone sounds bored, like I took all the fun out of it for her. I bite back a growl. She thinks this is a game and that I’m not about to fucking explode.
“Sorry to rain on your fucked up parade.”
Sam laughs through the phone. “You forgot to tell me you owe me a favor.”
“Owe you a fucking favor? Sam, you’re one step from—”
“I’m going to cut you off right there because I don’t want you to say something you can’t take back. I saved your ass, Don. That girl was out the fucking door and would have been at the nearest train station if it wasn’t for me. I stopped her and got her. You’re fucking welcome.”
“I would have found her.” I half growl the words. “I’m not going to thank you for wanting to auction her off.”
“Why wouldn’t you? I just assured you have thirty days with her. If you can’t get her to stay after than then...” Her words trail off, and I can almost see that shrug thing she does when men annoy her or she can’t even be bothered with something.
“Is she okay?” I finally ask. I need to know. It’s driving me crazy, but if I know anything about Sam, she never lets anything happen to her girls. I grit my teeth at the thought that she’s now one of Sam’s girls.
“She’s a runner. I know the look.” Her tone sounds a little sad.
I hate that she ran from me. I want her to run towards me, but she barely knows me. She probably has a shit list of other men’s bullshit she’s been through. Should that be my problem? Yes. Others might think you shouldn't take out your own problems on other people, but I want her to take them out on me. I want to help her work through it. Show her I can do that for her. Would do that for her. If she would just let me in.
“I lied to her, Don. I said the things I needed to to get her to come with me. I don’t like lying to my girls, Don. I want my favor.”
I’ve never seen someone collect so many favors in my life. What she did with them all, I have no idea. I’m not even sure if she uses them or just likes having them. Being in a man’s world, I’m sure it’s nice to have something over all of them.
“Fine. Have your favor, but you’re going to do something for me.”
“Is that so?” I can hear the smile in her voice. She knows she’s won.
I’ve got a little plan of my own. There will be no more running after I get my hands on my girl. I’ll make sure there will never be a way to leave me again. Or at least I’ll make it damn near impossible.
I sit down in my chair and lean back. “This is how this is going to work.”
Chapter Nine
Peaches
I’m pacing backstage and trying to recall my pageant days. This is nothing like doing the Miss Teen back in high school.
Looking around the room, I see a few other girls getting dressed. I guess you could call it dressed; some of them are wearing only a pair of panties.
Clenching my fists at my sides, I try to close my eyes, breathing through the butterflies. This was totally the right decision. Right?
“First time?”
I open my eyes and see a woman getting ready in the mirror next to me turn around and raise an eyebrow.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m trying to remind myself that I don’t have a talent portion coming up.” I laugh nervously, and she winks at me.
“Thank God. I’d hate to hear some of these girls sing,” she says. Reaching out her hand, she introduces herself. “I’m Kim. The veteran Mistress, if you will.”
“I’m Peaches. You’ve done this before?” I ask, playing with tie of the sheer robe I have on.
“Oh, yes. Quite a few times. And that southern accent of yours is going to drive them wild. You need to ask for a microphone when you go on stage.” She winks at me and puts on some blood red heels, making her close to six feet tall. She’s got a body that’s looks like it belongs in a men’s magazine. And she seems completely confident as she stands in front of me in only a red thong and those heels.
“Any advice for a first timer?” I’m trying to keep my mind off what’s about to happen. Even mindless chitchat is better than thinking about what I agreed to.
She flips her dark hair over one shoulder and smiles, crossing her arms under her naked breasts and leaning against the counter.
“Just remember that you’re safe. Samantha only allows in a few men to each Auction, all of whom have passed an inspection most astronauts wouldn’t make it through. The men that you could potentially end up with are healthy, normal guys looking for companionship. They have busy lives with demanding schedules, and they desire a kept woman who is waiting for them at the end of a long day. All you have to do is have a good time with them for thirty day
s, and then you walk away with a stack of cash.”
“You make it sound like fishing in a stocked pond.” I try to remind myself that what she’s saying is true.
She laughs at my joke. “Well, there are at least two fish out there that won’t bid on you, if that makes you feel any better.”
I don’t know why, but I’m kind of offended thinking someone wouldn’t bid on me. I’m adorable. “How do you know?”
“One of them is mine. We do this every time the contract is up. I go back up on the auction block and he has fun bidding on me. We’ve been at it for a while now. But he likes chasing me, and I like to make him work for it.” She gives me a wicked smile, and I can see she’s excited by the idea.
I’ve seen all kinds of relationships, so who am I to judge? I guess whatever works for them. “And the other?”
Kim leans in a little, looking over her shoulder and then back at me. “The other guy is Leo Ramsey. He’s been chasing after Samantha for years. I don’t know what they have going on behind the scenes, but she keeps him at arm’s length in public. He’s shown up to a couple of Auctions and mostly just sits in the back watching her. I think he’s secretly worried she’ll go on the stage one day and he won’t be there to claim her.”
“That sounds kind of romantic in a way.”
“I think Leo would see it differently. Apparently, he’s extremely private and doesn’t get seen in public a lot. These Auctions are so discreet that nobody would mention seeing him there.” She goes back over to the mirror to fix her hair but still keeps talking. “Personally, I think it’s a matter of time before it all comes out. You can only tease a man like him so much before he snaps.”
An image of Antonio runs through my mind, but I shut it down before it can truly get going. I can’t think about him right now. I can’t let even the slightest thought of him enter my mind.
