I don’t know what to say, so I nod. “You look great, you’ll do great,” he says as he pats the bed. “No more than ten minutes, Scarlett.” He winks, and then he's gone.
My muscles tremble as I try to keep my pose. I'm lying on my side, with my legs slightly scissored and my hand propping my head up. My fingers are threaded through my hair so it falls around my right shoulder.
I'm staring at the digital ticker near the ceiling, feeling like I might have a panic attack or pee myself, when the door bursts open and I shriek.
It's everyone. Not just a few but all the escorts. Loveless is out in front, and she presents me with a little velvet box. She pops it open, and two beautiful, glittery diamond earrings wink at me.
“Surprise!” everyone shouts.
Loveless leans down. “I'll put them in your ears. Just hold your pose, girl.”
As she puts the earrings on me, I feel a sense of total peace. And okay, it evaporated as soon as they left the room and a little speaker on the bed told me I'd be live in two minutes. But before then, I felt valued and loved. Here in a brothel.
The ticker clock has big, red numbers, and as they inch closer to zero, I can feel my throat constricting like I might be sick. I focus on deep breaths and think about Dr. Bernard and how many good things have happened to me here. I feel older. Wiser. More capable. I can handle this.
Then the ticker reaches zero and the windows surrounding my bed change subtly in hue—getting a little paler. I forget to breathe for a second, but then I smooth my mouth into a generic smile.
When the first bid flashes across the ticker, I nearly die.
$50,000, just like Marchant said. That's a lot of money.
The numbers quickly jump.
$80,000.
$100,000. Oh my God.
$140,000.
$150,000.
$200,000.
$300,000. I feel dizzy, and it's hard to keep my smile. You can do it, Lizzy. Just a little longer. There is absolutely no way the bidding will go higher than 300 grand.
$400,000.
I want to barf, but I try to stay in pose as the light covers my face but shines on my body. I tell myself again it's almost over. Then the ticker moves again.
$3,000,000. I'm shaking.
$3,200,000.
$3,400,000.
Holy Moses.
$5,200,000.
$5,500,000.
$5,900,000.
$5,000,000.
$10,000,000.
This cannot be real.
I'm gasping for air as the windows grow darker, and lying sweaty and shaky on the bed, I can’t believe what I’ve done. I’ve sold my virginity. I can’t believe anyone paid $10 million for my hymen.
I'm not sure I can do this.
I'm not worth that much. Maybe after a few rolls in the hay, but not now. I don't know how to do this.
I'm almost in tears as I pull the covers over myself, and Richard strides in. His eyes are wide. “I can’t believe it. No offense, I thought you’d do well, but…” He shakes his head and laughs. “You’re set for life.”
I smile weakly, because if I don't smile, I'm going to start sobbing. “Is it...someone good?”
I mean who won me, and Richard gets it. He hands me a small, white card with the winning bidder’s name printed in gold script. My heart really does stop this time.
Hunter West
Chapter Twenty-Seven
~ELIZABETH~
"I can't do this."
I'm sitting in an black velvet armchair, and Marchant Radcliffe is again standing in front of me. We've moved into a private room, one with no windows of any kind. I’m wearing a black silk robe, and I'm gritting my teeth as I try to come to terms with what just happened.
Marchant shakes his head, looking annoyed. “I've already taken the bid.”
"I didn't say I wanted to back out." I don't want to back out. What I want is to disappear, right down to my ten million dollar atoms.
"Woman, you're giving me whiplash," he drawls. "You just said you couldn't do this."
"I didn't mean to say that,” I say quietly. “I was thinking out loud."
"This is good for you," he tells me. "Real good. You got a price I wouldn't dream of and the bidder is a good guy. That's a Disney ending."
"It is?"
He narrows his eyes a little. "Yes."
I look down at my black robe. So this is what a princess looks like. I rub my eyes. Oh my God. How did this happen?
Marchant is tapping his foot, and I'm reminded that despite his easy charm and good looks, he's a business man—a business man in the people-selling business. He leans forward, tipping my chin up with gentle fingers. "Are we good? C'mon...I want to hear you tell me that you're okay. You feel prepared?"
I nod, although it couldn't be further from the truth. I'm not ready to have 10 million dollar sex with anybody, much less Hunter. The mere thought of seeing him in this position makes my eyes well up with tears again. I blink them back. I'm not going to be a prima donna or a baby about this. At least not when anyone can see.
"Does Hunter come here often?" I don't mean to ask it. The words just fall out of my mouth.
"He comes here to see me. He's an old friend. One of my best." Marchant's eyes are digging into mine, and I get the feeling he’s trying to figure something out. A second passes, and his mouth draws up. He curses angrily and digs a hand through his hair.
"Goddamnit." He looks back over his shoulder. "I'm sorry for the French, but shit. You and him...you've got some sort of history." He says it like 'history' is a curse word.
I shake my head, wondering what it means that Hunter hasn’t told his best friend about me. "I was just curious."
At that, he throws his head back and laughs. And laughs. And laughs. "Just curious. I'll put that down in your file." He takes a step closer, kneeling so we're at eye level. His brown ones look earnest. "You want the money?
I nod.
“You sold your virginity to Hunter West for $10 million. Are you ready to fulfill your contract?”
"Well, yeah. I mean, if that's what he wants me for." I'm having a really hard time believing he paid that much money to get what he could probably get in a club bathroom—heck, anywhere—for free.
"If that's what he wants you for." Marchant snorts. "He just paid millions for you, honey. I'd say he fucking wants you." He gives me a pointed look, like he's expecting some explanation as to why his friend would do this. When I just blink at him, he rolls his eyes. "Well here's the deets. He wants to host you at his ranch. Tonight.” He exams my face, which is bug-eyed, and shakes his head like he can’t believe what he’s about to say. “He’s willing to pay an extra two million if you have any objections."
An extra two million to get me to his house tonight? I rub my lips together, freaking the F out and trying not to hyperventilate. "Okay," I whisper. I can do this. Oh God, can I?
"You gonna charge him the extra, or you want to amend the contract and settle with what he paid already?"
"Ten million dollars." It just can't be real.
But Marchant nods, those brown eyes holding mine, like he's looking for something. I sit up straighter, hell-bent on keeping him from finding it.
I take a deep breath, so I can speak without my voice shaking. "I'll do it without charging two million, unless there's something else to this. I mean, he doesn't want me for a threesome or something, right?"
"A threesome?" He laughs. "That’s more my speed."
I remember the story about Priscilla Heat filmed an orgy scene with Marchant. The thought disgusts me. Makes me cold. I wrap the robe more tightly around my body and nod. "Well okay then. I'll go…tonight."
"I’ll have Jeff ride with you if West wants to take his own wheels."
I smooth the robe over my knee. "I don't think I need him. Thank you, though."
He arches his brows—same color as his distinctive auburn hair—and sticks his hands into the pockets of his suit. "I'm sorry you're unhappy wi
th the outcome of the bidding."
I try to smirk, but my mouth just ends up quivering, so I press my lips together. "I don't really believe you. You're his best friend. Everybody knows that."
"Guilty as charged. Hunter's a good guy, Scarlett. He won't hurt you. He..." Marchant looks like he's going to confide in me about something, but then he shakes his head. "Hunter's a good guy," he says.
He glances down at his iPhone, then back up into my eyes. "Are you okay to talk with him? He'd like to see you now."
Right now? I look down at myself. I can't talk to Hunter in this. Then it hits me, for the first time fully, that Hunter is the winner.
I feel tears of panic pooling in my eyes. Hunter West. Not some stranger I can forget. My Hunter. Except he isn't mine—and now he knows I sold my V-card. I didn't want anyone to know!
I bite my lip so the tears dry, and I straighten my posture, determined to master my emotions. Marchant's mouth is puckered into a curious expression, but before he can throw any more of his questions at me, I nod briskly, in a way I hope looks professional. "I'll talk to him."
He turns to go, but he turns back around to me before he reaches the door. "Scarlett?"
"Yeah."
"I don't know what's going on with you two, but I want you to know: Hunter's my boy. He's a good dude, and he's got a lot on his plate. I mean a three-course meal of bullshit. So just make sure whatever happens tonight doesn’t turn into something else for him to deal with, okay?”
I'm so stunned, I can't even nod. I just sit there with my mouth hanging halfway open, and after giving me a smile that looks almost sad, Marchant turns and leaves.
Holy cow.
I fold my arms around myself, trembling slightly. What is Hunter playing at? I just don't understand. I can't believe he paid so much money for me. Why did he do it? And 'three-course meal of bullshit'? Does Marchant mean the Sarabelle thing? Hunter's not a suspect, is he? I tell myself obviously Marchant's a drama king. Look at his job. Showmanship. Drama. I'm sure it's nothing.
Still, I ball my hands into fists and bite my lip until I taste blood mingled in with the dull tang of my lipstick.
Pull it together, Elizabeth.
I can do this. I can keep my heart intact, have no-strings, virginity-losing sex with Hunter, and go back home to Suri and Cross. I take a few deep breaths and start to feel a little better. Even a little angry. Marchant doesn't know what he's talking about. There's nothing vulnerable about Hunter. I'm the one who doesn't need any extra bullshit. Hunter is invincible. Capable of eating me for breakfast in one big CHOMP.
I drop my head into my hands, feeling like I'm being tugged in ten directions. A few more deep breaths, and I remember that I just can't care. This is a one-night thing. Nothing more.
I'll be glad to get rid of my V-card. And holy belly bats, am I grateful for the money.
As for everything else…I don't know why Hunter bid on me, and I don't care. I don't have to. All I have to do is screw him.
I stand up, my black robe whirling around my ankles. I run my fingers through my long, loose hair and slide a tube of lipstick from the robe's pocket. I can do this.
And I believe that—right until the moment the door swings open and Hunter strides inside.
He looks rough, his smooth skin pale, his mouth pinched tight. And God—that body. His massive shoulders draw my eyes, and my gaze falls down his flawless abs, visible through the tight, black t-shirt that is his trademark poker outfit. Poker outfit? I look down at his pants, and yep. They're the black jeans he always wears, along with big, black boots. He’s Stetson-less, though, and his pretty golden hair is messy. His eyes, now fixed on me, are slightly red. I wonder if he's doing cocaine. I've heard he used to. My stomach twists. He looks me over, same as I did him, and I realize with a jolt that he looks genuinely angry.
His mouth pinches a little more, and he nods briskly at the door. "I've got my ride at the side entrance. Marchant says you’re ready."
I lick my lips, looking into his face and searching for any hint of what he’s thinking. But he’s got a hell of a poker face. "That's it?"
"What do you mean, that's it? Are you expecting something more? A corsage?" he asks dryly.
I flinch. "No, of course not. I just mean...you look upset or something."
He stuffs his hands into his pockets. "Not so much upset as pissed."
"At me?"
"Just pissed," he says, folding his arms like he's daring me to challenge him. I couldn't if I wanted to. I have no idea what he's talking about. But I have a strong gut feeling that it's directed at me.
"I don't want go off with someone who's angry at me."
His face goes from stony to downright hard. Those gorgeous green eyes are like nails. "Then reject my offer."
"No way," I say. "I mean...I can't. It's done already."
"Then go get into my car. You don't have to like it." His lips press flat. "I'm paying you, remember?"
I feel my face heat up. "I'd be a lot happier if you weren't. Seems we both have a better time when we hook up in bathrooms."
"I was thinking the same thing," he says. He sounds like he's being dry again, and I'm confused. He rubs his hand roughly over his forehead and turns toward the door. "Never mind about getting into my car. Wait here for me. I'll be right back."
I’m standing, frozen on the spot. I didn’t know what I expected, but this
He’s back so fast I jump. He doesn’t notice, and I take another moment to examine his tried eyes. He looked exhausted—dead on his feet—the other night at the Joseph, but tonight it's something more.
I bite the inside of my cheek as I eye the suede, fur-lined coat that will probably cover everything but my feet. He holds it out, and I just stare at him. He's got this haunted look to him, like he's seen something he doesn't want to see, or heard something he doesn't want to hear. He looks...worried. Worried and desperately unhappy.
He steps over to me, holding out the coat, and my traitorous heart aches for him.
"Stick in your arms," he says, a little gruff.
I do, and he turns me to face him. That heaviness is still there. His eyes look desperate; they make me feel itchy.
"Let’s go.”
His voice is still rough, and I think about saying something sarcastic. I would have, if we were doing this at a party, or dare I dream it a date, or any other social function that didn’t involve him paying me $10 million to have sex with him. As it is, I’m not sure how to act.
Eventually, I decide to salute him. I’m reaching all the way back to middle school for this one. "Yessir," I say smartly, snapping my feet together.
"Damn right," he mutters as he opens the door for me.
I step into the hall to find my girl posse waiting with hugs for both Hunter and me. The only Hunter hug I see, as I'm pulled into embrace after embrace, is the one between him and Loveless. She pulls him close, cradling his nape with her long fingers, and my heart bursts into jealous flames. The flames are quickly extinguished as I see her hug him tightly around the back. Hunter flinches. It's a barely there motion, subtle enough that I'm probably the only one who notices it. His arm, wrapped loosely around her waist, stiffens, falling down beside his leg.
She hugs him once more, and I see him push his face into her shoulder. Then I'm swept up by Juniper, who gives me a crushing hug. Loveless joins after a minute.
"Take good care of him, and yourself, too."
I hug her hard, and then Hunter is there beside me, offering his arm. As we move toward the side door, crowded by the laughing, hooting girls, and Hunter wraps an arm around my waist, I can't help feeling just a little like we're bride and groom. Which is ridiculous. So, so silly. And feels more so as we burst through the door into a ring of guards. I feel Hunter's arms around me, guiding my steps, and then he's picking me up. I feel his feet leave the ground and I'm aware we've moved into a car.
He tucks me close, under his rock-hard arm, and leans up. "Drive," he tells someone.
I feel the car lurch forward and hear the familiar whirring sound of the thick, plastic partition going up between the front of an Escalade limousine and the back. Seconds later, the hood is pulled gently off my head, and I'm staring into Hunter's green cat eyes.
Chapter Twenty-Eight