Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21547 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21547 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
I automatically think about Ethan. I know he’s my soul mate and who I’m meant to marry. I just hope he comes to his senses because whether he’s ready or not, I’m about to go out there and meet my fate. “Why are you doing this?” I can’t help but ask her. She didn’t say anything when we were all talking earlier.
She reaches into the bodice of her negligee and lifts both her breasts. She looks down and examines herself to make sure they look perky. “Oh honey, I’m just here for the money.”
I give her a smile and nod. For just one split second, I’m about to judge her for admitting she’s only doing this for the money, but I want to kick myself when the thought enters my head. We’ve all had different journeys, and I have no idea what she’s been through. Just like she doesn’t know what I’ve been through.
She pats me on the shoulder. “It’s going to be okay.”
I grab on to her hand and squeeze it. “I know. Everything happens for a reason, right?”
She chuckles. “That’s right.”
I turn back around and realize that I’m next in line. In just a few minutes, I’m going to walk through the curtain, and my life is going to be completely different. It’s out of my hands now.
A security guy looks through the curtain. “Virgin number seven.”
I pull my shoulders back and start walking to my future. All I can do is hope it’s the future I’ve been desperately dreaming of.
Chapter 7
Ethan
I was almost late, and from my research, I know Coco, the owner of The Breeding Bidders Auction House, does not like tardiness. Bobby warned me that if I was late, I may not get in, but who would have thought that there would be a line of helicopters waiting to set down? I mean, they’re holding this thing in the middle of nowhere with only one place designated to land.
The helicopter barely touches the ground and I’m out running. Instead of worrying about scaring someone with the scars on my face, I’m running through the woods toward a big white tent, and every eye is on me. What the hell is Nikki thinking? This is insane.
I sign in, and I’m escorted to my seat by an usher with a flashlight. When I sit, he explains to me the small lit-up numbers on the chair that are used for bidding and then he walks off as I sit down and try to catch my breath.
The Auction House seems to be all about maintaining the anonymity of its guests. I can’t see a damn thing except for a small stage up front with a podium.
A woman appears between an opening in the curtains, and from my research, I gather from the blonde bob and the severe features that this is Coco St. James. I sit on the edge of my seat anxiously waiting for Nikki to walk out from the back. I wait through a number of women being bid on. The bids are in the millions, but I’m not sweating it. I’ll bid my whole entire fortune if it means getting Nikki out of this mess.
Finally, they call virgin number seven, and when I see Nikki in a see-through pink negligee, I about come out of my seat. She’s perfection. She’s the same but different than the woman from a year ago. I’ve watched her from a distance, but this is the closest I’ve been to her, and it’s killing me that I can’t touch her. Not yet. She’s put on some weight, and her curves are beckoning me. I hear a growl from somewhere behind me, and my hands clench in my lap. It pisses me off to know there are other men in this room wanting her and even thinking that they may be leaving with her. It will be over my dead body before I’ll let that happen.
I listen intently as Coco talks about Nikki. She gives the details about her, letting the audience know she’s a radiology tech and resides in Whiskey Run, Tennessee. She is a verified virgin and twenty-one years old. The whole time Coco is rambling on, I can’t take my eyes off Nikki. She’s beautiful with her long red hair, curvy body, and the way her cheeks seem as if they’re permanently tinged pink. I can tell by the way she’s fidgeting that she’s uncomfortable and embarrassed to be standing up there and on display. This is not her type of thing; she’s always hated being the center of attention. Even from where I’m sitting, I can see her trembling.
The bidding opens, and I touch the button to start my bid of one million dollars. Another bid comes, and I hit the button again. It’s quick, but no matter what happens, I keep bidding. I’ll go as high as I need to go.