The lights flicker, making everyone go quiet as they turn to look at the stage. I don’t see Ben, the regular announcer at his stand, but moments later, Samantha comes out from behind the curtains to stand on the stage, a microphone in hand.
She’s in a form-fitting black dress and heels, her blonde hair pulled back. She’s dressed like she is every day when she leaves to go to her office. Everything perfect and in place. Always. I think about how I’m going to get some answers from her tonight. I’ll wipe away that polished look she has right now. I’m going to leave her spent and smelling of me.
Samantha smiles and starts to speak. “Tonight is going to be the last Auction.” A few whispers break out, but I stay stock still. She’s quitting? Maybe that’s why this place is so packed. A last round of contracts to be had?
“Thank you all for coming. Everyone I’ve invited here tonight has been a part of the Mistress Auction in some way.” She smiles and raises an eyebrow as she looks around the room. “And as you all know, I have a few favors that I called in. Don’t worry, your secrets are still safe with me.”
There are a few laughs, but I just feel the hair on the back of my neck stand up. What is happening?
“A lot of lovely ladies have graced this stage, and I have to say they’re a hard act to follow. But the reason I’ve asked you all to come here is so that you can help me end the Mistress Auction in the way I thought best.”
You could hear a pin drop in the room with the way everyone is holding on to every word she’s saying.
“There will only be one Mistress up for grabs,” she continues, and I feel the earth start to shake. What the fuck is going on? I can feel it, but I don’t want to believe it. I can see the unease in Samantha as she says the words. Something is wrong, and I start to rise from my chair.
She looks at the crowd and takes a deep breath. “Tonight, I hope that the winner will be kind enough to honor our agreement. The bidding starts at ten million for the Madame of the House.”
I’m out of my chair before she’s said the last word.
“If one motherfucker bids on her,” I bellow as I make my way towards the stage, not giving a shit, “I’ll burn this place to the motherfucking ground.”
Chapter 4
Samantha
Well, that happened quicker than expected.
I watch as Leo storms through the crowd of tables and makes his way to the front of the stage, hopping up and standing in front of me. For the first time, I can’t really read his face. This isn't like him. Leo may not be shy, but he also does not cause scenes. I thought at most he might bid on me. Not go all caveman and charge the stage. Before him I would have hated that, but I have to admit I like him like this. I feel safe with him.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Samantha? No way I’m letting you do this.” I see the panic in his eyes now, and my heart starts to race.
“Everyone here who is eligible to bid has an agreement to not honor a thirty-day contract,” I say, trying to explain the situation, wanting to see his reaction. I know I’m pushing him. He’s made it very clear from the first day he took me in my office that he wouldn't share me. I told him he didn't own me and I'd do whatever I wanted, knowing I wouldn't. He'd ruined me. No one had ever touched me or made love to me like he did. With such caring possession. He’d told me to test him and see what happens. I’d always thought that meant he’d walk away from me. So I didn’t test him until now.
“I don’t give a goddamn if they just bid for a chance to wave at you, no way are you doing it. You’re mine, Samantha. I won’t let this happen. You may not have wanted to admit it, and you may keep me at arm’s length, but this is it. I’m done letting you have your way. You’re taking your pretty ass off this stage and coming home with me. Home. Where we live. Together.”
I feel the tears threaten to come up. My nose burns with the need to shed them. He’s doing it. Claiming me in front of everyone; it’s what I’ve wanted for month.
“You don’t have to do this, Leo,” I whisper, trying to let him off the hook. Giving him one last chance to not shatter me. If he takes me from here, I’ll fall so deep into him I don’t think I’ll ever get out.
“Don’t have to do what?” He reaches down jerking the microphone out of my hand and turning to face the crowd. “I should have done this a long time ago. But if any of you know Samantha, you know she is the most stubborn, hard headed, obstinate, willful, uncompromising woman on the planet.”
“I’d put my wife up against her,” I hear Don shout, and I feel myself smile.
“If you know Samantha, you also know that she’s the most caring, kind-hearted, devoted, thoughtful person you’ve ever met. Which is why I fell in love with her.”
Leo turns back to me, and it’s then I feel a tear slip.