Page 3 of Break Me Not

I nodded.

“How much are these pieces going for?”

“Based on our conversations with prospective buyers, they're willing to go up to one million. Some even offered to cover the commission so their… piece of choice would get their full pay.”

I almost lost my balance.

One million?

I’d seen that number hundreds of times throughout my years of selling artwork but never imagined getting it dumped into my bank account. It would cover everything he took and more.

It was almost too good to be true.

It’s also been so long since I’ve been properly fucked.

“One night. You can choose the rules. And if you're uncomfortable with any of it, you can back out. This is supposed to be for you. And your buyer.”

“If I say no?” I asked, shifting on my feet. The small kitten heels I wore often were suddenly feeling very unstable.

“Then you get your five hundred and you leave, but I have a feeling you’ll regret it.” Sloan leaned down to meet me at eye level. “Money aside, you must have a dark desire in there. Now’s the time to let it out.”

I had been in their position one too many times. Always selling. Always trying to close the deal. But the longer I thought about it, the more lopsided it seemed. I was the one who was going to get everything. For a small commission and the slightly degrading moment of being auctioned off, I would have a night at the club doing whatever I wanted and getting paid for it.

“One night?” I asked.

Sloan stood back with a smile.

“One night,” she confirmed.

The insecure part of me was worried that I wouldn't be purchased. I almost asked her what would happen if I weren’t, but there was one thing I knew about this type of business.

Auctions like this wouldn't happen if the pieces were not in demand. And even then, auction houses had a very sneaky way of stroking the desire of the people in the room. People who thought they'd just go and watch ended up spending.

The question wasn't whether I would be purchased… but whether I wanted to be.

Did I want someone seeing everything I hid beneath my clothes?

Excitement rushed up the back of my spine.

I don’t just want someone to see me. I want⁠—

“Okay,” I said, looking the two of them in the eyes. “Five hundred thousand and a night at the auction. But if I sell for under one million, you forfeit your commission.”

Sloan looked worried, but Ax merely nodded.

“You won’t, so we have a deal.” She twisted her wrist so she could look at her watch. “If that's the case, we better hurry and get you downstairs or you'll miss it.”

Sloan was already lightly grabbing my arm and guiding me toward the exit.

“Tonight?” I asked in a panicked whisper.

Sloan took my discarded mask and pushed it into my hands before she met me with that smile I was starting to hate.

“Tonight.”

Lights blinded me, but not enough for me to miss the way the paddles raised one by one before Sloan even stopped speaking.

“Wow, we have a hungry crowd tonight,” she joked. “What if I tell you she’s the one who wants to be in control? Would you be willing to get on your knees for her and submit⁠—”