Page 2 of Bid For Me

I sure as shit don’t want some crappy one night stand.

I know exactly what I want, and Iknowthat it’s waiting for me behind a black and gold membership card to the most exclusive sex club on the continent. Maybe even the world, soon.

I want my foot in the door, and whilst this wasn’t the only way to ensure that, it was guaranteed to be the most fun.

“Start from the beginning. Tell me everything. How the hell is Wint involved in all this? Are you seriously going to go through with it? When? Where? How is it going to work?”

I laugh again, knowing that Candy’s curiosity has won out over her disapproval and concern.

“Drink your cocktail and I’ll tell you all about it…”

CHAPTER ONE

Elle

Present Day

“I still can’t believethat you’re doing this. I think you’re crazy,” Candy says, giving me a once over. “I mean, you look sen-fucking-sational, but it still feels a bit…ick.”

I fix her with her no-nonsense,what you are saying is bullshit, stare and then sigh.

“Don’t yuck on my yum, bitch! We’ve been over this, babe. I am happy with my choice and the only regret I have is allowing those men of yours to talk me into waiting for the launch of the new club. If they’d just let me join when I applied last year, I could be as experienced and as slutty as you by now!”

As Candy grins at my easy teasing, I can’t help but feel a swell of pride for her, knowing that she’s found love times five. I want nothing more than her happiness. But deep down, I know that nothing she can say will change my mind.

I’ve been through this scenario countless times before, discussing every possible detail and contingency plan with Wint.Everything is meticulously set up, from the potential bidders to the legalities and loopholes. Tonight is not just about me; it’s about catapulting the new branch of ‘For Me’ into the spotlight, and I’m determined to make it a resounding success.

With each passing moment, the anticipation builds, and I can feel the weight of responsibility resting on my shoulders. But I’m ready. Ready to ensure that tonight goes off without a hitch, ready to support the club, and ready to prove that nothing can stand in the way of our ambitions.

I’m the main event.

Well, one of them.

Wint thought an auction for opening night would be a fantastic way to bring in new members and to really create a stir, and so far, from what I’ve seen and heard in the media, he wasn’t wrong. There’s been months of speculation about every single detail of the new club – from its location and design, to the membership fees and who’s on the exclusive clientele list.

It’s been fun to watch the press work themselves up into a frenzy for most of the year, and if the club hasn’t been making front page news at least once a month, I’d be shocked. The gossip columns seem to be speculating daily, and it’s even made mainstream news shows on TV once or twice.

It seems like the whole world is waiting with baited breath to see what tonight holds in store, but no one is more invested in the outcome than me.

Well, maybe meandmy bestie and her five gorgeous hunks who are totally besotted and smitten with her.

I eye the beautiful delicate chain around Candy’s neck wistfully, longing for what she has. Not five guys who think she hung the moon and the stars in the night sky, but her confidence and sexual freedom. I’m so sick of my virginity being a barrier between me and the life that I long to explore.

Initially when I pitched the plan to Wint, he thought it was a terrible idea. Maybe virgins have their place in some sex clubs, but ‘For Me’ isn’t your average sex club. I did my research, I knew exactly what my best friend was getting into when she took a job there…and I was so jealous.

He took some convincing but once he understood what I truly wanted to get out of this experience – once I made him see that I’m not some delicate little flower that needs to bloom or be wined and dined or serenaded by candle light – he came round to my way of thinking.

So I’m the main event. The final ‘date’ up for auction tonight, and Wint has assured me that everyone in attendance will understand what adatewith me will entail.

I’m not nervous. Much. I’m mostly excited. Eager. Keen to get this show on the road. But it’s not quite time yet.

“Are you sad?” I ask Candy abruptly, needing a distraction.

She frowns at my question, then shakes her head. I know she’s happy. Sickeningly so. I snort. “I meant, are you sad not to be working at ‘Candy Canes’ this year?”

I feel bad when Candy’s smile falls and she shrugs. “A little, of course. I’m hoping we can still try and find some time to visit nearer to Christmas, the club members have been really understanding, but we all agreed it was more important that we stay and try to make ‘For Me’ a success. They still want Daddy Santa to put in an appearance on Christmas Eve though,” she says with a laugh. It sounds a little forced to me, but I get it. This year has been crazy for her. For all of them. I’m excited to be a part of it. But I know that she’s missing where it all began.

“Don’t they know he’ll be too busy unwrapping his own present to see to theirs?” I tease, making her laugh and blush.

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