Eight people, including us and Neven, are left in the place. Everyone else has already gone, taking the envelopes with them. Neven leans against the 1950s cash register that’s only there for show. Everything in this place is free. Nothing in this place is free.
On the barstool, my lady squirms.
“What’s in the envelope?” I ask.
“You really don’t know?”
I shake my head.
Neven slings on a cap and leaves. Vinnie, the Italian boss, lingers by the door, and I’m wondering if he’s my competitor for this fine hymen. Likely. I grit my teeth as time sprints while I wait, telling myself it’ll all be worth it in the end.
“We can stay here all night,” I say. “I prefer we didn’t. Time’s wasting, and I’d like to make the most of mine. Would you?”
“That’s the dilemma, Blake.”
She’ll call me Daddy later. I’m full of hope tonight, maybe slightly desperate. I think she’s pretty is why. Also, I’ve noticed my preference for women with full hips, and this lady definitely qualifies. I’m gonna hit a like on broad hips. Five likes total. Onlytwo more to go, Vanessa. Come on, baby doll, say Daddy, and I’ll put a ring on it. “Perhaps I can help with your dilemma.”
“Lock up when you leave,” the Italian says and tosses me the keys. “I’ll get ’em tomorrow.”
He leaves me with the feeling he’ll come for the keys in person and not send anyone. He’s either competition and wants to check out what happened between Vanessa and myself tonight, or he wants to do business he didn’t get to do tonight.
I’ll find out tomorrow. Tonight, my baby doll and I are left alone, cigar smoke replaced by the smell of pleasant disinfectants left over by the cleaning staff that scurries around the place. I ought to hire the fast crew. I make a mental note of that.
“I’d like another drink,” she says.
“I’d like to stop wasting time. What’s in the envelope?”
“A price tag.”
“For?”
“My virgin pussy.”
“Well, dear.” I extend a hand. “Hand it over.”
“I’m not sure I want to do this. You seem like a nice guy, and you said you didn’t know what this was. I can see how you’re not like the mob. You’re different. Maybe you want to let me go. No price attached.”
Smiling, I lean in and play with a lock of her hair. “When you signed up for this, what were the terms?”
“It’s a virgin auction. Terms are…vague at best. I thought maybe you’d be kind and just let me go home.”
I shake my head.
“You don’t wanna waste that much money. I mean, look at you. You get virgins for free.”
A poor attempt at persuasion. “Awww, baby doll, when I pay for something, I own it.” I tried nice. Now, not so nice. I need the rest of the fucking likes, but the lady is making me work.
Her face drops. “I misjudged you.”
“Everyone does.” I smile often and easily. It disarms people, makes them drop their guard so when I strike, I catch them unawares. “Hand over the envelope.”And take off your clothes. Leave the shoes on. I promise you’ll enjoy being mine.
Vanessa eyes the door.
I lean back. “Whoever made you this offer is gonna check in with me tomorrow. They’ll find out if I got what I paid for.”
“I don’t know why I’m doing this, Blake.”
“You need money,” I guess.
