I yank my hand free.
“What was that?” I demand.
“What was what?”
“You just spent five thousand dollars!”
“I can afford it.”
“That’s not the point.”
He steps closer. “It is the point.”
“No, it isn’t!”
His voice drops lower. “You let them bid on you.”
“I didn’t let them do anything.”
“You stood there.”
“I was blindsided!”
“You smiled.”
I throw my hands up. “What was I supposed to do? Cry?”
“You were being auctioned.”
“For charity!”
“For attention.”
My temper flares. “You don’t get to talk to me like that.”
He steps closer again. “You don’t get to let men treat you like a prize to be won.”
“I am a prize.”
His mouth twitches despite himself. “Not like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like something they can take.”
“You took me.”
His nostrils flare. “I didn’t take you.”
“You outbid them.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
The question hangs heavy.
His eyes darken.
