Page 69 of Stalker

When she raised her paddle, my balls tightened.

“Twelve thousand.”

“Fifteen,” the other woman countered.

While Lady Butterfly’s two friends were both whispering in her ear, likely pushing her to continue, she wasn’t paying any attention to them.

She was only watching me with an added ferocity from the desire she’d left with after the hunt.

I shifted on the stool, never blinking. Barely breathing.

“Twenty.” My Lady Butterfly had shifted to the edge of her seat still tense, but her expression had changed.

She was intent on winning.

A few gasps drifted past the dull hum in my ears as I thought about all the filthy things owning her for even one night would allow me to accomplish.

Even if she believed that for the single night of passion, she owned me.

That would never happen.

“Twenty-five,” the other woman countered.

Lady Butterfly slipped her hand down the length of her neck, anxiety written all over her face. One of her friends whispered something in her ear again and my lovely creature shook her head. Finally, a smile crossed her face as she studied me. The woman was picking me apart, her eyes finally reflecting her acceptance of just how close we’d already become.

“Fifty.”

The entire crowd of women were on their feet, gasping as if just hearing of a cure for cancer.

Perhaps it was nothing that dramatic or decent, but it was enticing enough my upper lip curled in a smile.

Fifty thousand dollars.

My Lady Butterfly was becoming more enticing than ever.

“Going once. Going twice…”

I offered a slight smile and Lady Butterfly took a deep breath.

“Sold,” the auctioneer called and there was a collective groan from the audience.

I’d heard the basic rules although I hadn’t been paying much attention to them. Whether or not the charity auction was a lady’s choice simply meant nothing to me.

I’d originally had no plans of allowing the evening to go further than sharing in a single drink. Long enough for the winner to obtain what I considered her money’s worth while not wasting any of my valuable time.

But now things were different.

Now I had my prize.

I stood, buttoning my jacket. There was no one else in the room but the woman I craved.

“Ladies. For those of you who were the winning participants, please bring your checks to our cashier located just outside the room. As you might imagine, there is some paperwork, and signatures needed. After that, please return to the ballroom where you’ll be met by our event concierge who will walk you through what occurs next. After that, well, ladies, you’ll have a chance to select your evening of choice to spend with the bachelor you’ve chosen.”

The man should be a game show host.

Women had already begun leaving, others determined to enjoy what was left of the evening.

My Lady Butterfly had yet to turn away, keeping her heated gaze locked on my face. Her mask remained in place while others had removed theirs. The mystery was no longer as attractive as before.

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