I go cold, then hot, all in the same second.
“Is that real?” I whisper.
Sophia looks at the water, then back at me. “Absolutely real. The virgin auctions are super-exclusive. Only the most trusted members get to bid, and the girls are vetted, of course. But if you’re a true virgin, you can make enough to pay off a house, or start a business, or disappear forever.”
I have to laugh. “How would they even know if you’re really a virgin?”
Sophia shrugs, her eyes never leaving mine. “The club has a doctor. She’s discreet, gentle. She checks, she signs off, and if it’s true, you go on the block. If not, you can still play the game, but there’d be no premium, that’s all.”
I shift in my seat, looking down at my hands. A hot rush runs through my form, my thighs squeezing together. I can feel Sophia’s gaze on me, her gaze knowing.
She leans closer. “Would you ever do it?”
My first instinct is to say no, but the word sticks in my throat. “I don’t know. I mean—I don’t even remember if Iama virgin.”
Sophia’s smile is kind, for once. “Honestly, I think you are. You’re innocent, Daisy. I knew the minute I saw you, and that’s valuable.”
I blush so hard I feel dizzy. “Why does that matter?”
“Because here, innocence is rare. It’s the only thing a girl can gift only once, and many men are interested.” She takes my hand, her fingers cool. “You don’t have to decide now, Daisy. But if you ever want to try the virgin auction, let me know. Veronique will be excited.”
We sit in silence, watching the glittering water and the beautiful people doing filthy things to each other. A girl is moaning now as she’s shafted by a handsome man, the slap of skin audible even from a distance.
I surprise myself with my arousal.
Yes, I want this.
I want to belong.
Sophia senses the change in me, and smiles naughtily. “Oh good, the wheels are turning. Come on. Let’s get some air.”
We climb the steps back to the ground floor, and she leads me to a terrace overlooking the city. The sky is clear, the last rays of afternoon sun spreading over the rooftops in orange and gold. We stand at the rail, side by side, and for a second I feel almost normal again.
I glance at Sophia, trying to understand her. “So have you done it before?”
She doesn’t pretend to not know. “The virgin auction? Yes. When I was nineteen. I bought my parents a house with the money. It was over in ten minutes, and I’ve never regretted it.”
I nod, the gears in my brain spinning. “Is it weird that I’m curious?”
Sophia shakes her head. “No. It’s only weird if you lie to yourself about what you want.”
I look back at the city, my thoughts a tangled, messy snarl. There are so many things I should ask, but the main one is stupid.
“Do you think Hunter would want to buy me?”
Sophia smiles, her lips glossy and pink. “Hunter could buy the entire club if he wanted. But yes, I think so.”
My cheeks go hot. “Why do you say that?”
Sophia shrugs, then bumps my shoulder. “He’s obsessed with you, Daisy. Everyone can see it. And men like Hunter—they want the one thing no one else can have.”
I laugh, but the tinkle trails away quickly.
I’m not supposed to want this. I’m not supposed to want anything. I’m supposed to be Daisy: lost, broken, in need of rescue.
But now, all I want is to be seen by this man. Bid on. Bought and owned.
I want to be his.
