Page 29 of Temporary Vows
My brows furrow with distaste. It’s not the first I’ve heard of things like that, but I’ve never been around anyone who would openly admit to wanting to be auctioned. And at the Dark Odyssey? That’s a sex club. Literally a full-on sex club where people get all kinds of freaky out in the open.
One thing I could count on Clara for was intel on the wilder side of life. On things I would never dream of doing. She was a regular patron of the Dark Odyssey and even worked the bar there for the summer after college.
“You’re seriously doing the auction?” the blonde woman scoffs, but there’s curiosity in it.
“Why wouldn’t I?” the redhead says with wide eyes. “Do you know how much money you can make in one night? Like… life-changing money.”
The wordslife-changing moneyland in my chest like a match, and suddenly, my ears are more open, hoping she’ll continue talking. I want to know what kind of money she thinks is life changing.
“Okay, dramatic. How much are we talking?” The blonde woman sets her hands on her hips.
“Depends on who shows up. But if you’re even remotely pretty, you could be looking at a minimum of thirty to forty thousand. And if you get a… premium bid?” She pauses, lettingthe suspense swell. “Six figures. I knew a girl who got half a million.”
My stomach flips.
My mind starts doing the math before I can stop it—the loan, rent, my life.
Even if I could get twenty or thirty thousand, that would changemylife.
“Wowzer, that is definitely life-changing money. But what do you have to do?” The blonde lowers her voice. “I’m sure it’s not going to be a walk in the park? And what if you end up sucking some guy’s old dick?”
The redhead snorts. “You set your limits. But of course, the more you’re willing to do, the higher the bid. You know what men are like.Rich men.”
Something bitter settles inside my chest.
“What kind of limits can you set?”
The redhead turns on the faucet, and the water rushes out. “Whatever you choose. You can do a viewing-only bid. A dance. A date. Or…” Her voice dips, velvet and amused. “More.”
Lord. More. I’ll bet that’s how that girl got half a million. Even if you were insanely beautiful, I’m sure you’d still have to do more to get that kind of money.
“What are you going to do?” the other woman whispers.
“Every- and anything.” The redhead scoffs like the question is stupid. “Men with too much money will pay for anything that makes them feel powerful. The Dark Odyssey is where they go when they don’t want to pretend they’re decent.”
My pulse jumps.
I know those men. Not by name but by type. I’ve served them coffee. Smiled at them. Watched them look through me like I’m a thing behind glass.
“Are you serious?” the blonde shrieks then covers her mouth.
“Of course, I’m serious. Once the men start bidding and you see that number climbing, you stop thinking about what it costs.”
“You’re insane.”
“Insane is staying broke,” the redhead shoots back.
I swallow hard, my throat tight.
She’s right. Insane is staying broke.
Broke like me.
Anauction.
CouldIdo it?
Could I do something like that?
