Highest Bidder Collection

by Lauren Landish

  I may be able to buy Katia now. She may learn to love being my kitten. I’ll make sure of that. But one day she’s going to want more. I know she will. I’ll just need to end it before she realizes it.

  “I still don’t understand why you even let her participate,” Lucian says.

  “There’s no collar on her neck. He has no say.” I grit my teeth at Zander’s immediate response. As the last word comes out of his mouth, he catches my glare and at least has the decency to seem apologetic.

  Lucian shoots him a look, and I fucking hate it. It’s the same look everyone’s been giving me. I’m hung up on a woman who refuses to wear my collar. I have ideas of what they think about her going up on stage.

  The first being that she wants someone else.

  The second that it’s a punishment given to her, to give her to someone else for a month.

  Both situations have happened before between couples in the club.

  A few have gone to auction monthly. The Dominant purchasing his Submissive each time, like a game. Role playing of sorts. A fucking expensive one with bidding starting at 500K.

  Of course, none of that is true for my Katia.

  I owe Madam Lynn for this. I don’t know how I’ll repay her, but I will.

  I tap my foot anxiously on the ground as I wait in the darkened room upstairs where the small stage is. There’s red and black everywhere with small circular tables covered in pure white linens.

  It reminds me of a burlesque room, only the show is the women, allowing themselves to be auctioned.

  I glance at the pamphlet I was given when I walked in.

  There are strict guidelines that must be adhered to by both buyer/seller to gain entry and to continue membership.

  Membership is one hundred thousand per month and allows members to attend auctions and enjoy all the privileges of membership.

  All parties are clean and agreeing to sexual activities and must provide proof of birth control.

  The women are displayed and purchased in an auction setting with a starting bid of five hundred thousand. Subsequent bids will be in increments of one hundred thousand dollars.

  NDAs are required, and paperwork will be signed after the purchase.

  Any hard limits are noted at auction and will be written in the individual contracts.

  The rose color of the Submissive indicates her preferences, so please take note.

  Pink - Virgin

  Cream - Finding limits/BDSM virgin

  Yellow - Simple bondage D/s

  Black - Carte blanche

  Red - Pain is preferred S/M

  No flower - 24/7 power exchange

  The buyers must adhere to all rules of the club, or they will be banned and prosecuted. The Submissives must also obey all rules, or buyers can take legal action and no money will be paid.

  With the accepted terms and conditions, the willing participants of this auction are as follows.

  I turn the page, and there she is. She's the first one tonight.

  A large movement at the entrance to the room makes me turn. My blood runs cold. Joseph Levi. He looks me in the eyes behind his mask before taking a seat on his own at an empty table across the room.

  Thick waves of smoke from the cigars a few men are smoking cloud my view of him. Out of everyone here, he’s the only one I’d consider telling what’s going on.

  Zander and Lucian know. But the other men? I couldn’t give a fuck.

  But Joe wants a Slave. And I’m tempted to let him know why I’ve allowed her to go up for auction.

  Why I’m eager and grateful that she accepted Madam Lynn’s proposal.

  I don’t know exactly what she said. But I do know that I’ll have my kitten how I rightfully should in less than an hour.

  My heart’s beating frantically in my chest, and my nerves are high. I just want this to be over with.

  “It’ll be fine,” Zander says, putting his paddle down on the table. “No one wants to fuck with you.” He meets my eyes but I instinctively look back to Joe, whose eyes are on the stage.

  The already dim lights in the room lower, and the room darkens.

  With a click, the spotlight shines on the thick red curtains. The auctioneer, dressed in a simple black suit and slim black tie speaks into the microphone, “Good evening, gentlemen. Let the auction begin.”

  The curtains draw back slowly, and my skin prickles with a mix of emotions.

  My kitten is standing front and center. Alone on the stage with lights shining on her sun-kissed skin. It’s so bright that the scars are hidden. You can’t see from here how they speckle her shoulders. But I know they’re there.

  She stands with her hands clasped in front of her, no rose present, and her head bowed.

  My lungs still in my chest, and my grip tightens on the paddle.

  She’s going through with it. She’s really taking this leap of faith.

  “We’ll start the bidding at five hundred thousand dollars,” the man says, and I raise my paddle silently. I’ll gladly hand over my entire fortune to have her. I only need this one chance.

  “Six,” Joe’s voice rings out in the room, and my jaw clenches. My body heats with anger as I feel the eyes of every man in the room on me.

  “Six hundred thousand, do we have seven?”

  I raise my paddle silently, not trusting myself to speak. “Seven to the gentleman in the right corner.”

  Katia’s head lifts slightly, and she looks up at me. Her eyes are wide and pleading. They fall as Joe yells out, “Eight.” Her fingers play along the hem of her sheer black dress.

  I know she’s frightened, for many reasons, and I fucking hate that she’s suffering in yet another way. Fear of a different man taking her.

  “She’s mine. Nine hundred thousand,” I spit out, standing from my seat and making my position known.

  “Gentlemen, please. The rules will be followed,” the auctioneer reminds me, but I refuse to sit.

  “One million,” Joe says, looking straight into my eyes and then back to Katia. “Kneel,” he yells out and her legs waver slightly. But she resists. She looks up at him with her bottom lip trembling. She’s fucking terrified.

  “Kitten. You will bow for me,” I say confidently. As she lowers herself to the floor, bowing for all to see, I raise my paddle again.

  “One million and one-” the auctioneer starts to say, but he’s interrupted by the sound of Joe’s chair scraping across the floor as he storms out. He brushes past a few men and it’s obvious that he’s pissed off. But he’s conceded. Her preference and obedience toward me have been made clear.

  There’s a murmur in the room as the auctioneer clears his throat and speaks into the microphone.

  “One million one hundred thousand, going once,” he says, but his voice lacks enthusiasm and he doesn’t even bother looking around the room.

  My eyes are focused on my sweet pet, obediently bowed on the shining wooden floor of the stage, her eyes straight ahead, focused on the fabric of the curtains pressed against the side of the stage.

  “Going twice.”

  I watch as she takes in a shuddering breath and her eyes become glassy. She closes them tightly, and tears fall down her flushed face.

  “Sold.”

  Chapter 16

  Katia

  I can’t stop shaking as I sit in a chair across from Madam Lynn and Isaac in her office. I can’t believe I actually went through with it. I still have the rush of endorphins running through my body from standing up there on the stage in front of everyone. I was vulnerable and alone.

  My mind goes back to the auction as I try to still my trembling hands. The lights were blinding and I could hardly see, but I knew they were there, watching me. Assessing me. That brought back memories. I close my eyes, hating the flash of my dark past.

  My skin pricks as I force myself to think about the present. About the auction and all the emotions that ran through my body. I almost fell over, my knees screaming at me to buckle, when the masked man b
egan the bidding war with Isaac, giving me an order to submit to him. I was scared that he’d outbid Isaac and take me as his property just for revenge. Even worse, if the man with the half mask won, I feared he would be a horrible Master to me, punishing me unjustly for denying him in the first place. Although something tells me he wouldn’t be like that. The eyes behind his mask are full of sadness. It radiates from him in a way I relate to, yet something so different.

  But I refused to obey him. He’s not my Master. And he never will be. I wouldn’t go through with the contract. I’d forfeit the money, my membership, I don’t care. Isaac is my only Master.

  The sound of leather creaking as Isaac shifts in his seat brings my attention on his handsome face. He’s staring at me, the intensity of his eyes causing my skin to chill. He was here before I came in, waiting eagerly for my arrival. His eyes have never left my face since.

  I can tell he’s anxious to just get this over with and take me home like he’s wanted to do for weeks. I can practically feel to the desire and excitement radiating from him. My eyes fall to the stack of papers laying in front of him. My contract. The rules are on top, written in large, black bold letters. I’m sure Isaac has memorized them all by now. I sure as fuck have.

  My eyes are drawn to Madam Lynn as she says something else to Isaac. They’ve been talking for a while now, but I can barely breathe, let alone listen. There’s also a stack of papers in front of her, a few that I have yet to sign. Papers that say I’ll be consenting to a 24/7 power exchange. I suck in a deep breath, the realization of what this all means washing over me. There’s no turning back now. I’m his.

  He’s a good Master. I know this. But it still does nothing to quell the fear I feel. Isaac’s taking me out of Club X. I tremble at the thought of losing my safety net and having to rely solely on him.

  “And about her work?” Madam Lynn asks, her voice coming into focus. She’s been speaking on my behalf this entire time, and I’ve been too out of it to hear anything she’s said. Although when they look at me, I know to nod and agree.

  Isaac keeps his eyes on me as he replies, “She will attend all social gatherings and predetermined functions as usual.”

  Madam Lynn slowly nods her approval. “Christmas is in 10 days.”

  “I’ll make sure she celebrates as usual,” Isaac says confidently.

  Their words drone on in the background as they continue going over the contract and I find myself going back into a slight daze. I nod and answer yes as needed, my mind finding its way to my last Christmas. I’d gone home after New Year’s, thinking the attention of the holidays would have passed, only to find that my mother still had the Christmas tree up, waiting for me. Everything was still decorated.

  She’d done it for me. Saved everything and made sure to give me a proper holiday. She’ll never know how much it hurt. I don’t want a holiday. I don’t want the life we had before. I don’t know why she doesn’t understand how much it hurts. Everything from before, the traditions she’s so eager to celebrate with me. They’re tainted and a part of my past, where I want them to stay.

  They were all there, her, the rest of my family. They had gifts wrapped and everything. Waiting. Watching. Staring. I hated it. Being there in front of them brought back flashbacks of being taken, but I had to force a smile and pretend to be thrilled while I unwrapped the gifts while they all watched as if waiting for me to break down.

  I exhale sharply, something Madam Lynn uttered bringing me to the present. I can have rules and conditions, too. I need to state them before the meeting ends and I end up fucked.

  “I—” I begin, my voice hoarse and unsteady. I shift in my seat and stare at the table. He is my Master. He is to have control. But there’s one thing I can’t do.

  Under the desk, I feel Madam Lynn’s hand gently rub my thigh in an effort to calm me as I speak. I’m grateful and I feel my anxiety ebb just a little. It’s Isaac. I can tell him.

  I lick my lips and swallow and try again. “I would like sunlight. Please don’t take that away,” I plead to him. “I can’t go back into darkness.” I shake my head, feeling a cold chill touch my spine. “Even as a punishment, please.”

  Isaac leans across the table and places his hand palm up in front of me.

  I instantly grab his hand for the comfort and to show him my obedience.

  “Of course you will have sunlight,” Isaac assures me, squeezing my hand. “You need it. You can rest assured that I will never take a need away from you. Ever.”

  His words are filled with such conviction, it’s hard not to believe him. I relax slightly as my breathing comes in steadier. And I try to remind myself again, that as my Master, Isaac will only be looking out for my best interests. All I need to do is trust him. He’s already had me multiple times, bringing me such pleasure that I didn’t think was humanly possible. He’s not going to hurt me, and he’s more than shown that he’s a capable Master.

  I inhale a calming breath as Madam Lynn sets a gold pen down in front of me. She seems to approve of how this session has come along, her eyes warm and caring. I know this must be gratifying to her since she went through all the trouble to ensure Isaac got his collar around my neck, showing up at the shelter unannounced like that.

  “Sign here, my darling,” she urges me gently, her calming voice washing over me like a soothing, healing balm.

  “If you’d like to take the night and decide-” she starts to say and Isaac’s eyes whip to Madam Lynn for the first time, pissed off and not agreeing.

  I shake my head, ignoring the rest of her words as I pick up the gold-plated pen and quickly signing on the dotted line. It takes a lot of effort to keep my hand steady as a mixture of powerful emotions flows through me and I sign my name. Fear and anxiety are present, but excitement outweighs them.

  It’s official. Isaac is my Master for the next thirty days.

  Twenty-four hours a day; seven days a week. He will have control of everything. Every. Single. Aspect of my life.

  I belong to him.

  “I think it’s best I go home with Isaac tonight,” I say, trying to keep my fears from owning my voice. If I don’t leave with him now, tonight I’ll want to run. I know it. I don’t want the chance. I lay the pen flat on the stack of papers, staring at the scroll of my signature.

  I’m afraid of giving away my power, and going off the club grounds with Isaac where I’ll be in his domain, completely at his mercy. I’m terrified, and yet, I know I need it. No more delays. Just do it. I’ve sold myself to Isaac so I would be forced to confront my fears. Now I just need to put on my big girl panties and face them.

  Madam Lynn studies me for a long moment, her eyes soft and filled with concern. I feel like she sees and senses my emotions, but she’s not disturbed by them. If she were, she’d call the meeting. I realize she’s doing this because she feels I need this. She feels it will help me. After a moment, her eyes flicker over to Isaac before she nods and grabs the stack of papers, including the last one I signed and rises from her seat. Without saying a word, she quietly leaves the room, leaving me alone with Isaac.

  “Are you alright, kitten?” Isaac asks as soon as Madam Lynn is gone, his deep voice filled with concern.

  “I’m scared, Isaac,” I admit after several moments of nervously biting my lower lip. I pause, my heart skipping a beat, hoping I didn’t already break a rule now that he’s officially my Master. “Can I even call you that anymore?”

  To my relief, Isaac doesn’t look angry. “We’ll talk about the rules when we get home,” is all he says, looking like his mind is on other things.

  I nod my head, my fingers unconsciously finding my neck, trailing my scars. “And a collar?” I dare ask, my body going tense. Just thinking about it is causing my stomach to twist with anxiety.

  Isaac hesitates. “When you’re ready,” he says finally.

  Shock causes me to suck in a surprised breath. I didn’t expect him to say that. At all.

  “I know this is hard for you,” Isaa
c says, his deep voice filled with absolute confidence. “But don’t be afraid. I will care for all of your needs. You need not worry. Ever.”

  God, his words sound so reassuring. So seductive, even.

  I close my eyes, sucking in several calming breaths, telling myself I can do this. When I open them a moment later, I feel the faintest threads of determination thread through my chest as I breathe, “I’m ready,” praying I feel the same way tomorrow.

  Chapter 17

  Isaac

  I twist my hands on the leather steering wheel of my Porsche Carrera GT. It’s fucking freezing outside, but the heated seats and my nerves are making my back sweat. I look out of the window as we pull up to one of the last street lights before taking a private road to my home.

  I take a glance at my kitten. She’s looking out of the window, twisting her fingers in her lap nervously. Her back is stick straight, and she looks like she’s not even breathing.

  The first thing she’s going to do when we get home is drink. A large glass of sauvignon will do her well. I think I’ll make stuffed peppers to go with it. I’m going to need to occupy myself while she gets accustomed to her new role and new environment.

  I didn’t imagine her taking it so hard. She’s completely changed before my eyes. The confidence is gone, and the sexual tension between us has vanished.

  She’s scared, quiet. She hasn’t said a word other than yes. Her eyes are heavy with exhaustion and her face still flushed from crying.

  The drive home has been silent, but I’m ready to change that. As much as I feel for her, I’m still excited. Adrenaline is pumping through my veins, filling me with an electric spark. I’ve waited so long for her, to have her here. I’m ready to show her what she’s truly capable of. And even more so, what I’m capable of.

  “Do you like to cook?” I ask her. It’s been almost two weeks of seeing her every night. But I’ve barely learned much about her, other than her desires and a bit about her past. Of course I know much more than she’s told me. But the finer details, those are important and I need her to open up to me so I can learn them.