Page 115 of Christmas with Brother's Best Friends
“$7,500.”
My heart pounds rapidly as my eyes sweep over the room, only able to make out the men’s silhouettes and some faint features. Expensive clothes. Shiny watches and rings. Eager grins.
I feel like a juicy steak tossed in a lion’s den, on the verge of being devoured by the man who has the most money. On one hand, thethought of being so desired makes my adrenaline rush, a flicker of heat burning low in my stomach.
But on the other hand, I have to sell my virginity so that I don’t get evicted from my apartment and so that I don’t eventually starve because my parents definitely won’t help me. It’s a sucky situation all around.
“$10,000,” a man’s voice says from the back right of the room. His tone is rough and gravelly, making my heart briefly skip. I never really thought that a voice could be attractive before, but now, I’m second guessing that point.
“$15,000.” another man calls out from the other side of the room.
There’s no way it can get any higher. That would be insane. Is my virginity really worth that much?
$20,000,” the gruff-sounding man says.
“Woah. $20,000. Can anyone beat that?” The auctioneer laughs as his eyes widen.
My jaw drops. $20,000 would help me so much. So much. It wouldn’t make my parents any less disappointed in me, but it would keep me from living on the street.
“Going once…going twice…sold. Come on up and claim your prize.”
If I wasn’t stuck in this situation, I would roll my eyes at the auctioneer’s cheesiness, but all I can do is stare beyond the stage, waiting for the mystery man to emerge from the shadows and sweep me away to claim me.
Will he be gentle? Will he even look me in the eyes when he lays me down? Will he bother to kiss me or ask me if I’m okay?
My stomach twists in knots as I hear someone approaching the stairs on the left side of the stage. My eyes then narrow in confusion when I hear multiple sets of footsteps.
Instead of one man, three men step into view to wait for me at the bottom of the stairs. They don’t look like typical, slick businessmen in fancy suits. They’re all big and burly, dressed in nice jeans and khakis with flannel button-downs and outdoor jackets.
These guys bet $20,000 on me?
“Looks like you got a package deal, sweetheart,” the auctioneer murmurs to me. “Enjoy.”
Shouldn’t he be saying that to them?
I stiffly walk off stage to join the large men at the bottom of the stairs. My heart races a million beats per minute, and the closer I get to them, the more features I can make out.
And,my goodness,they are so handsome.
The tallest one with very short, dark hair gazes down at me with equally dark eyes. His gaze feels as though it can pierce through any facade I can muster. He’s both assessing and unreadable—a hint of mystery wrapped up in that brooding expression of his. His skin is weathered, hinting at days spent in unforgiving landscapes, and his tall, lean form holds a restrained strength that leaves me both intimidated and inexplicably intrigued. He’s the kind of man whose silence speaks volumes. “I’m sure we weren’t what you expected. If you’re not comfortable leaving with me and my brothers, we’ll call off the bid.”
My eyes grow into wide circles. “Brothers?”
I take another look at them and realize that they share some similar features, like varying shades of brown hair. Judging from their slightly different heights and muscular builds, they can’t be too far away in age from each other, but they’re definitely related.
“We don’t just want the main thing you offered,” the brother with slightly longer and lighter brown hair tells me. He must be the middle child. He’s more muscular than the others, but he isn’t taller than the first brother who spoke. “We’re also looking for someone to help out around our cabin for the rest of the winter. Is that something you can do?”
They put up $20,000 for me. I don’t think I’m worth half that much, and they’re also offering me a place to stay for the rest of January and February. Compared to my other options, I don’t think I can say no.
“I can do that,” I tell them with a nod, curling and uncurling my fingers nervously. “But I’ll lose my apartment if I don’t pay my rent while I’m gone.”
“We’ll handle your rent and bills for the winter upfront,” the youngest brother assures me. “At the end, you’ll get the rest of the money.”
I can’t argue with that. At least I’ll still have a place to stay after winter ends.
“I’m Grace. Well, you already know that…”
“I’m Lucas,” the oldest brother introduces himself, his straight face not wavering in the slightest. He gestures to the second oldest, then the youngest. “This is Owen. And that’s Bryce.”
