“Don’t I get a say?”
All eyes turned to her, pinning her to the spot she stood. Cristian opened his mouth to speak, but snapped it shut. Everly could tell she had caught them all off guard. They hadn’t expected her to understand Spanish.
“You understood what we were saying?” Bastian asked.
“Yes. I’m fluent in Spanish and French.” Everly replied in their native language.
“Well, fuck,” Matias growled. “How much did you hear?”
“Enough to know my virginity is likely the only thing stopping me from going home. That and the fact you didn’t actually pay for me.”
“Darby is upset that Cristian lied about who he was to get into his auction and is now demanding you to be returned. The money is a minor factor in his anger as well—but his rage is focused on being outsmarted to gain his prize female. He is coming in a week to demand we release you back to him.”
“Then I don’t want it.” Everly twisted her hands in front of her.
“Don’t want what?” Matias cocked an eyebrow.
“My virginity.” She swallowed, forcing the bile down in her throat. “If I wasn’t a virgin, he wouldn’t care about taking me back. I wouldn’t be worth anything to him anymore. So.” She stepped further into the room. “I don’t want it anymore.”
“Out!” Cristian barked at the others in the room. His fists were clenched at his sides as he held her stare. Everly watched as his brothers silently left the room, leaving them alone. “Everly.”
“I know you think I’m being forced. That I’m making this decision without thinking it through. But the moment I wastaken, I knew this day would come. At least this way I’m in control of who gets to take it.”
“You don’t have to do this. We can find another way.”
“I heard your brothers, Cristian. You can’t afford a war with this man. I should know. I’ve seen the things he’s done to the people who betray him. You saved me, now let me save your family. Then I can go home, and you won’t have to worry about me being a problem anymore.”
Cristian’s hard stare softened. “You’re not a problem, Everly. You didn’t ask for this and that man is going to pay.”
“That may be true. But I should get a say in this. It’s my body, after all. And what happens if he somehow gets his hands on me again? I’d rather that monster not be my first.”
“What are you asking?” Cristian stepped closer, reducing the space between them.
“You said you wouldn’t touch me unless I asked. Well, Cristian, I’m asking. I don’t want to be a virgin anymore. It’s the only reason he’s coming for me, and deep down you know that it’s true. Eliminate what makes me desirable, and maybe he’ll disappear.”
“I don’t think you know what you’re asking of me.”
“I’m positive. If you can’t do it, then find someone who can. Because the last thing I want is that sicko touching me.”
Cristian’sbreathcaughtinhis lungs. He could barely hear her speak over the rush of blood pumping through his ears. There was no doubt he wanted her. Hell, from the moment he saw her photo, his heart had been a goner. But hearing her ask him to take something so precious, like it was a commodity to be traded like a stock—his gut churned with disgust.
“No.” Cristian turned from her and walked to the window facing out across the ocean. “Nobody will take your virginity.”
“Like I said.” He could hear the anger in her voice as she spoke. “If you aren’t willing. I am sure any of the men in this place will take my offer.”
“Nobody will touch you here, Everly. They wouldn’t dare go against my orders.”
“If you won’t do it, you don’t get a say in who I give myself to.”
Cristian backed her against the wall and wedged his knee between her thighs. Everly sucked in a breath and held his gaze. “I will be the only man to touch you. But not like this. When I take you, Everly, it will be out of pure desire. It will not be a fucking business deal. Do you understand me?”
Everly blinked, unsure of how to respond. Cristian was unlike any man she had ever encountered. She certainly hadn’t expected him to care about her wellbeing—especially since he had bought her like livestock.
“I don’t understand. Why do you care about me? You pretended to buy me after all.”
“It was the only way.” Cristian rested his forehead against hers.
“The only way to what?” Everly whispered, her breath brushing against his neck. She ground her center against his knee, the need for contact too much to stop herself. She might have been a virgin, but she wasn’t a stranger to pleasure.
