Highest Bidder Collection

by Lauren Landish

  It’s quarter past eight and I can’t get him out of my head. His chiseled, handsome smile, his rock hard abs, and his thick 10-inch cock. Fuck. He so sexy. I can’t stop thinking about his slicked back dark hair, or the way he looks at me. His incredible eyes bore into me with an intensity that makes my skin burn with desire. I’ve never met a man that’s looked at me in this way, who’s made me feel this way. His hands caress my body, running along every curve, making me feel like a possession. Like he owns me.

  A soft groan escapes my lips as I feel myself clenching below. I need his hands on me now, caressing me, feeling me. I want to be fucked hard and…

  My eyes pop back open and I suck in a deep breath, pulling my hands off the keys. I was getting carried away with the last passage. I swallow the tightness in my throat and shift in my seat. I shouldn’t be ashamed, it’s what some books are about. I place a hand on my chest as my breathing picks up. But I don’t want my heroine to come off as a horny horn dog the entire book. At least not hornier than the male lead.

  I want this story to be...

  I purse my lips, wondering how I can make something that’s just about sex… something more. The darkness in Sir’s eyes immediately come to me. They stare back at me, luring me to write about them. About what happened in his past that made him into the dominating man he is today. I place my elbow on the desk, my pointer tapping on my bottom lip as I wonder if he’ll tell me. I imagine my heroine, she had the courage to ask. If she met a man like Sir…

  What would she do? Chewing my bottom lip, I sit there for a moment and try to come up with something. But all I can think about is how the heroine in my book has the courage and strength that I don’t.

  After a moment I get up from my seat, deciding to pull inspiration from one of my many romances. The second my ass leaves the seat, I hear a tell-tale ping. I sag back into the seat, clicking on the email notification pop up on my screen.

  I crinkle my nose at the sender. It’s from the director of the counseling department. I wonder what it could be about. My heart jumps as I read the subject line. What the fuck?

  From: James Cricket

  To: Lilly Wade

  Subject: Notice of Severance

  Dear Lilly Wade,

  You are receiving this email because you are part of a counseling internship program that has been defunded by state lawmakers.

  Over the last year, Children in Need Foundation has fought tooth and nail to keep the funding for our program. We realize how important it is that children who are disadvantaged get the help that they need so they can get a fair shot at life.

  Unfortunately, the city council doesn’t think so and has voted to take away the funds that keep Children in Need Foundation running.

  What this means is that all members working under this program are being terminated forthwith and you will no longer be employed by the Department of Education.

  It saddened us deeply to have to send out this message to all our hard-working employees, knowing how much so many of you care about these children and how you all want to make a difference in their lives.

  The world needs more people like you and the entire Children in Need family wishes you all luck in future employment. Don’t hesitate to use us as a reference for any future employers, you will all receive our highest and most glowing recommendation.

  In the meantime, we will be doing everything in our power to get funded in the future.

  Yours Truly,

  James Cricket

  President & CEO of Children in Need Foundation

  My body is like ice as I sit there, staring at the screen, numb with shock. I can’t believe what I just read. My eyes stop at every word, not wanting to comprehend what’s written on the screen. I’m hoping that this is some sort of cruel joke. But when I check the sender address, I know that it’s real. A pulsing pain hits me out of nowhere in my temples. I wince and seethe in a breath, rubbing my suddenly throbbing temples. Great. Now I have a fucking headache.

  I continue to massage my temples, hoping it would all just go away. I just can’t get over how sudden this is. I really wasn’t expecting it. My heart squeezes in my chest as it really hits me. I just lost my job. I lost my fucking job. And the kids… fuck. The pounding in my head intensifies as I focus on just breathing.

  For a while now, I knew that I could depend on this job, that I would remain employed until I was done with school.

  Boy, was I dead wrong. Now my entire living situation is in jeopardy if I don’t find another job in a reasonable time frame. I only just moved into this place. I lean back in my chair trying to calm my breathing and get rid of this headache. Tears threaten to form in my eyes, but I won’t let them. I won’t cry over something like this. I rock back and forth in my chair, taking in soothing breaths like I learned in that yoga class. I will fix this. I will find a way. There’s always a way.

  I don’t know what to do, but I will figure out something.

  My cell goes off just as I feel like I’m starting to calm down, the shrill beeping making my head throb even more. For a moment I debate on not answering it, but then I think it might be my job calling with some miraculous news, and I jump to answer it.

  “Hello?” I answer breathlessly, hope soaring in my chest. It has to be one of the counseling administrators. Please God, let it be.

  “Miss Wade?” A deep, authoritative voice that sounds somewhat familiar asks. I narrow my eyes trying to place the voice, but nothing is coming to mind.

  I hold in a groan of despair. My left hand rubs the throbbing pain from my head as I keep the phone to my ear, closing my eyes and wishing that I would wake up from this nightmare. This isn’t my job calling to deliver a fairytale. This is more bad fucking news. I just know it.

  “Yes?” I try to keep my voice steady, though I’m inches away from breaking down.

  “This is Officer Johnathan Johnson with the Department of Corrections. You left a voice message on my voicemail the other day for Zach White.”

  My mouth goes dry and I’m unable to even put forth the effort for an answer.

  “I’m calling to inform you that Zachery White is in jail for committing a third offense.” If my laptop wasn’t right in front of me, I’d slam my head against the desk. Today is nothing but a cruel joke.

  “What was the crime?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. My heart sinks in my chest and my throat closes. The state has a three strike law. My hand runs down my face as my elbows fall to the desk, my left one hitting the keyboard. I want to shove the whole thing off my desk right now I’m so upset and angry. I’m so emotional and feeling overwhelmed.

  “Vandalism. He and several other kids went onto an elderly woman’s property and spray painted the side of her house.” Officer Johnson snorts a derisive grunt. “They almost gave the woman a heart attack.”

  I close my eyes, my temples pulsing even harder as I remember the crowd of kids Zach was hanging with. Why couldn't that boy have just gotten in the car and gone with me? It would have gone a long way in helping him and none of this would’ve ever happened. I shake my head as my eyes close and I wish I could go back in time and just grab him. But you can’t force people to change. I can’t force him to make the right decision. No one can.

  Now things are fucked.

  A sharp pain lances through my skull. God. I definitely don’t need any more shit right now.

  Officer Johnson obviously hears me sigh and must sense the anger and sadness behind it because he quickly speaks up. “Don’t worry Miss Wade, I’m recommending that he be sent to The Boy’s Academy, one of the best juvenile corrections program in the United States. If anything will turn your boy around, this place will. It has an impeccable record.”

  Officer Johnson sounds very hopeful and upbeat. I suspect it’s mainly for my benefit, but I don’t feel any of it. I just can’t right now. That Academy is a few counties over. Strings will have to be pulled to get him there. It makes me happy though because it really does have a good reputat
ion. I suck in a breath and try not to cry. I couldn’t help him but maybe they can. I feel like I failed Zach.

  “Okay,” I say trying to sound strong, but my voice cracks. “Thank you for calling to tell me Officer Johnson. I’m going to try to reach out to Zach as soon as I’m able. You have a wonderful day.”

  “Zach’s going to be all right once he’s in that program, Miss Wade,” Jonathan tries to assure me one last time. “Don’t you worry. You’ll see.”

  The line goes dead and my headache seems to increase tenfold, my head pounding like it’s stuck in a vice.

  Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, more shit hits the fan. Now I lost my job and probably Zach all in one day. It makes me sick to my stomach.

  I open my eyes to see the email still up on the screen. The one telling me I’ve been dismissed and the program doesn’t even exist anymore.

  I need to find a job. Fast. I need to find a way to raise funding for the program. My to do list just got a lot longer. I need money for my rent and the bills aren’t going to stop coming just because I unfortunately lost my job.

  My heart skips a beat as I suddenly remember Sir’s offer.

  No, I tell myself, shaking my head. No fucking way. I can’t- I won’t stoop that low.

  Surely, I can find another way to support myself. But every option I can think about requires immense time and work. Time that I may not have.

  The offer from Sir is immediate. Easy. And more money than I could ever dream of having all at once.

  I don’t have to be Einstein to know which path I should take.

  It doesn’t make me feel any better about it though.

  Fuck it. It’s not like I don’t enjoy being with him. Like I haven’t been fantasizing about exactly what he offered me.

  Sucking in a deep breath, I walk over and grab the phone that Sir gave me. My head pulses even harder, almost as if warning me away as I bring up his number and the text screen.

  My heart beats along with my pounding headache as I stare at it. Everything in my mind screams at me to drop the phone, but my hands move on their own accord.

  I close my eyes as I tap out the message.

  Sir,

  How soon can we talk about your offer?

  Chapter 12

  Joseph

  Kiersten is so pissed. I didn’t have to tell her that I was doing exactly what she told me not to. But I did.

  I don’t know why I bothered, now I’m looking at all these text messages and avoiding her phone calls. I don’t have to explain myself to anyone. The only thing she can do is kick me out of her club. I’m sorry that I’ve hurt her and that I’ve broken her rules, but I’m not going to allow her to get in my way of getting what I want.

  And I fucking want Lilly.

  I rise from my seat at the dining room table at the back of the restaurant as I see the maître d’ walk through the aisle with Lilly. I button my jacket as I walk towards them.

  She’s already checked her coat, she must have, because the thin lace dress she’s wearing would have her freezing outside in the chilly air of January. The black fabric clings to her curves and ends just about mid-thigh. What’s most striking are her exposed shoulders, the lace straps hanging loosely off her shoulders. She’s so tempting. She calls to me like no one else ever has.

  She’s absolutely breathtaking. Her lips are darker red than I’ve ever seen them before. Any other makeup she’s wearing only emphasizes her natural beauty. Her long blonde hair is pulled into a loose bun looking slightly messy.

  Lilly sucks in a breath the moment she sees me and takes a small step back. She’s obviously nervous. I nod at the maître d’ letting him know he can fuck off and I take Lilly’s hand in mine, wrapping my arm around her back.

  She walks with me, her strides even, but she stares straight ahead. My throat tightens at her distress. I lead her to her seat across from me pulling out her chair and helping her sit down. She desperately needs the help, she’s practically shaking.

  I take my seat, eyeing her curiously. The sound of my heart thudding in my chest getting louder. This isn’t starting as I imagined it would.

  “Thank you,” she says nervously, finally looking me in the eyes.

  Her small hands grab the white cloth napkin off the table and she places it in her lap, smoothing it over and she seems to calm slightly. But then, her eyes hone in on the stack of papers on the table. Instead of looking eager and excited, she looks uncertain and scared.

  This isn’t what I anticipated. I didn’t know why she finally agreed, but I wasn’t expecting her to be so... terrified.

  “What’s bothering you,” I ask her.

  She twists the napkin in her lap nervously and takes a deep breath. Her mouth opens with her eyes closed but then she shakes her head, placing an elbow on the table and putting her head in her hand.

  She’s obviously not all right. I’m not sure what’s gotten to her but whatever it is, I don’t like it. I’ve never seen her like this.

  I place my hand, palm up, on the table in front of her. Her eyes open at my words, “I’d like you to tell me now, my flower.”

  She holds my gaze with her beautiful doe eyes, “I lost my job,” her voice is hoarse.

  So it’s about money. Maybe it’s not a bad thing that I offered to pay after all.

  She adds, “the entire department lost funding.” Clearing her throat her eyes on the glass of water in front of her, I watch her break down in front of me. My heart hurts for her.

  She shakes her head and swallows thickly, looking past me and at the wall blankly. “So there aren’t any more of-” she clears her throat again and takes a sip of water quickly before continuing. “So there aren’t any more programs at the schools and I don’t know how to change that or help.”

  “Funding?” I ask. I can fund whatever the fuck I want. My heart pounds in my chest as my fingers slide down the cold glass of water in front of me. I can be her knight in shining armor.

  “I work with underprivileged kids that have gotten into a little bit of trouble.” She takes an unsteady breath, but it seems to calm her. “It’s only an internship for now until I finish the last semester of schooling.” She takes a deep breath before adding, “it was both my job and schooling for this semester until the last two classes are available next semester.” Her blue eyes meet mine as she answers the question on the tip of my tongue, “I’ll be done in December.” She readjusts in her seat and finally places her hand in mine. “I’m sorry I know that-”

  She starts to apologize but I cut her off. “Don’t be sorry,” I rub the pads of my thumbs on the back of her knuckles, giving her hand a comforting squeeze. “So that’s what you do?”

  She nods her head, a small confirmation coming from her lips, “yes.”

  She’s nothing like me. She’s good and pure, so sweet and innocent. For a moment I consider backing out of this. I could give her the money and move on, continuing what we have at the club or not.

  But I fucking want her. And I haven’t wanted anyone or anything in a long fucking time. Maybe it makes me an asshole for taking advantage of her and the situation. I don’t give a fuck. It’s not like I offered it now when I know she is in need. I never claimed to be a knight in shining armor. Everyone knows I’m the fucking villain.

  I push the papers in front of her, letting go of her hand and getting back to the contract. She came here for a reason. I need to strike while she’s willing and vulnerable.

  “Have a look and see if this is to your liking.” As I say the words and look up over Lilly’s right shoulder, catching sight of the waiter holding the decanter of red wine. I chose Cabernet just before my flower arrived.

  Just as Lilly’s eyes settle on the papers, his presence startles her; she pulls the papers close to her chest, hiding them from his eyesight. But also drawing attention to her and to them. I hide my smirk behind the goblet of red wine, swirling it gently and inhaling the sweet scents before taking a sip.

  I nod at
the waiter, letting him know it’s to my liking and setting the glass back down. I can’t take my eyes off of Lilly as the waiter fills first mine and then hers. I can practically hear her heart beating out of her chest. This isn’t her simply agreeing to something she’s familiar with. She’s yet to tell me she’s a virgin. I’m not taking this lightly.

  Although this isn’t an auction at Club X, I’m still taking the same precautions. As the waiter leaves, another comes behind him, setting down a tray of hors d’oeuvres. Arranged neatly on the silver pebbled tray are two of each: mini caviar parfaits, pancetta crisps with goat cheese on thin pear slices, marinated mozzarella with chili and thyme, as well as a variety of olives, soft cheeses, and shaved meats.

  I’m not sure what my flower really enjoys eating yet, but I’ll be finding out shortly. Lilly’s eyes glance to the tray and then back to the waiters, as they both turn their backs to us, leaving us alone and to our private dinner as I requested. Her eyes don’t linger on any of the items on the tray, instead she sets the contract back down on the table, focusing on each line.

  “Would you like to eat first?” I ask her, popping an olive into my mouth.

  She gently shakes her head and returns to reading the contract, before her eyes widen, realizing what she’s done. She looks up at me with slight fear in her eyes, “no thank you Sir.”

  I nod my head once, keeping my eyes on hers. She waits with her body stiff before I reply, “I know it’s different here, in a new environment.” I quickly lick the salt from my fingertips, before wiping them on the cloth napkin in my lap, her eyes drawn to my mouth. “It’ll be like this when you come home with me. But you’ll get use to me being your Master at all times and in all settings.”