I frown, a heavy sensation building right around the vicinity of my heart. “I was trying to fit in and what he did was wrong, no matter how you look at it. Making fun of me because I wasn’t rich enough… it’s just cruel, and they can all go screw themselves. I’d rather be alone than hang out with people who could do that.”
“Then I guess you were lucky I came along.”
“You’ve always had my back.”
We reach the kitchen, and she puts her hand on my shoulder to turn me to face her. “I do now, too. I wouldn’t have suggested this if I thought there was any other way. No one talks about what goes on, but I’m thinking if it was bad, everyone would hear about it. Look, I’ll go with you. If we don’t like what we see, we leave, simple as that. But we do have to go, to return the card if nothing else. It’s part of the agreement, and I agreed on your behalf.”
“How kind of you, and I don’t think there is going to be anything simple about it.”
“You’re not going to do it then?”
I give her a resounding, “No.” With that, I hobble to the coffee maker and pour a big mug full. Kaitlyn hands me the milk from the fridge. “Who would bid on me anyway?” I wave my hand down my body. “I’m tall, with barely there curves, and if they want me to run errands, broken ankle, remember? I look like…like…”
“You’re sexy as fuck, Maize. You just don’t know it. You’re tall, thin, have a great rack despite your low body fat, and I’d kill to have full lips like yours. Plus, your name is Maize Malone. If that doesn’t scream sex kitten, I don’t know what does.”
Sex kitten?
I stand there for a second and stare at Kaitlyn, waiting for her to break out into a fit of laughter but instead she just raises her brow, daring me to challenge her views on me.
“Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”
She checks her watch. “I never said any of those things to you before, because you never needed to hear them. Now you do. Okay, I gotta go. I’ll be back by eight. Text me to let me know if you’ve changed your mind about going through with it.”
“Not going to happen.”
She gives me a big hug and I take a mouthful of coffee. I swallow it, and lean against the kitchen counter. My gaze goes to the hallway, my mind on the card sitting on my bed. My stupid brain takes that moment to wander again, back to the night Christian and I were in that closet. He was thinner then, but I was crushing on him hard.
My body tingles as I recall the way he put his hands on my hips. His skin was hot as his fingers bit into my flesh, and if I try really hard, I can almost still feel the imprint. We were both breathing a little heavy and when he shifted closer, his tall body crowding mine, I wet my lips, prepared them for him, but the stupid jerk took his hands off my body, pulled his pants down and threw open the door, making me look like a fool. I took off after the mean girls laughed and made fun of me, and don’t even get me started on the rumors about me afterward. Christian came out on top after that, and I almost quit and went back to my own district, but I’m not a quitter. I fight for what I want and need and would do just about anything to achieve my goals.
Will you do this, Maize?
4
Christian
The last time I felt this nervous was when I was locked in a closet with Maize back in high school. Fuck. You’re a grown-ass man, dude, get yourself together. I run my hand through my hair, and pace my room, the robe I’m wearing heavy on my shoulders, despite the fact that it’s lightweight.
I shouldn’t have given the card to Kaitlyn. Hell, I never should have answered her question about what goes on in the basement of our frat house, even though moments before she asked, I was thinking about it, looking at it as a way to help out Maize. She obviously hates me, judging by the way she’s always glaring at me—and likely thinks I was responsible for the prank too—and now, after my pass caused her to fall and ruined her ankle, I’m sure she’s out for blood.
I pace around my bedroom, and steal a glance at the clock. Night has fallen over the campus and the auction will begin in fifteen minutes or so. My throat tightens at that thought. Stepping up to the mirror, I check out my long hooded ceremonial robe that hides our identities.
Am I really doing this?
I have never been a part of the bidding, never had any inclination to participate, but none of those girls were Maize—who I can’t really hate anymore now that I know she was being pranked too. Plus, I am responsible for her circumstances. Is that the only reason you’re doing this, Christian? I shake my head, not wanting to delve too deeply into my motivations. I walk to my window and stare out at the dark street below. The truth is, this is all just a game, and the women who are given cards are carefully vetted. They want this. They get to be adored, treated extremely well in exchange for favors, and no, I’m not talking sexual ones. If that happens, it has to be consensual, no pressure on anyone, but these girls are basically sugar babies, and we’re their daddies. When I
