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Creed’s gaze slithers down my body and I try not to cringe. “Well, this is a pleasant surprise. I have to say, I’m glad you didn’t have the money to just pay off your debt, Miss Everson. Meeting you in person is a nice surprise.”
I swallow down the nasty retort on the tip of my tongue, but my eyes narrow. I hate this man already. It’s my own fault, though. Instead of researching him and the miraculous check that seemed to appear out of nowhere, I didn’t question anything. I ran to the bank, cashed it as quickly as possible and paid for my mom’s care. With hindsight, I suppose I would’ve done the exact same thing. My mom’s comfort and care, especially in her final days, was the most important thing in the world to me. Okay, I’m in a shitload of trouble now, but at least I can say I did everything within my power to make sure my mom was taken care of.
So, yeah, zero regrets.
But now it’s time to pay the piper. Or, in this case, Dexter Creed.
While Creed studies me, I scope him out right back. His sparse, blond hair is slicked back off his face and he sports a thin mustache. The look suits him, reminding me of a weasel. Slick, smart and quick. And, definitely not to be trusted. When he gives me a smarmy smile, I try not to grimace.
“You’re younger than I thought you’d be.” Once again, his attention roams over me and I do my best to ignore the creepiness factor skittering down my spine. “How old are you, Hannah?”
I lift my chin. “Twenty-two,” I state, keeping my voice firm and steady even though on the inside, I’m quaking. Like a leaf in a windstorm. But I don’t want him to know that.
“Spirited, too. I like that.” He takes a step closer, but I don’t back down. “Fearless. Although, you should be very afraid of me, little one.”
I don’t respond, just stare straight into his pale blue eyes. Now, instead of a weasel, I’m getting snake vibes. That empty look in his gaze is unsettling. I’m about to move away when he chuckles softly.
“Maybe I should keep you for myself.”
“What?” My jaw drops and I wonder if I misheard him.
But he ignores me. “You owe me quite a nice chunk of change. Can you pay me back?”
I clear my throat. “I can pay you back…if you’ll be kind enough to allow a payment plan. I just need a little more time and I know we can work something out if?—”
“I don’t do payment plans.” His mouth edges up in a sneer. “So, here’s the deal, Hannah, and I suggest you listen very closely. You have two choices. One, my guy here breaks your arm then returns in three days to collect the money. If you still don’t have it, he’s going to break your other arm. That process will continue with your legs. Once there’s nothing left to break…well, I’m sure you can guess what happens.”
Shit. My stomach sinks because there’s no way I can pay him back within that short amount of time. I’d need months, years even. “What’s the other option?” I whisper, even though I have a feeling I’d rather not know.
“Choice two is easy and will clear your debt by morning.”
My ears perk up. By morning? How is that possible?
“Are you still a virgin, Hannah?”
Oh, God. Bile crawls up the back of my throat. “I don’t see what that has to do with anything.”
“It has everything to do with what I’m about to propose.”
One night in his bed. It has to be that and there’s no way in hell I’d sleep with this vile man. I’d rather have my arms and legs broken.
“Tonight at midnight, I’m hosting an auction. But to participate, you must have something extremely valuable to auction off. Something a man will pay an exorbitant and indecent amount of money to obtain.”
The pieces begin to click. This piece of shit wants me to auction off my virginity.
“I think that sweet cherry of yours will bring me much more than you owe me. So, as tempting as it is to keep you for myself…” His gaze skates down my body again and I swallow back the vomit, “I’d rather have the cold, hard cash.”
A thousand thoughts fly through my head and I need to handle the situation with Creed carefully. If I agree to sell my virginity to the highest bidder, my debt will be paid. Done. No looking over my shoulder and running again. Quick and easy.
But, I don’t think I could sleep with a complete stranger. I haven’t been saving myself, but the opportunity to have sex hasn’t really presented itself, either. I’ve been too busy working and taking care of my mother. Dating and men have been the last thing on my mind.
Could I close my eyes and just go through the motions? A shiver runs through me. It would be awful and humiliating. Not to mention awkward and painful.
“Well? I don’t have all night. Yes or no?” he asks coldly.
Despite being scared out of my mind to give my virginity to a total stranger, I should just agree right now and, in the meantime, come up with an escape plan. I need to buy some time. “Okay,” I relent softly. “If you promise to clear my debt then…I’ll do it. I’ll auction off my virginity.”
It kills me to say the words, but I’ll be damned before I actually go through with it. My options are extremely slim right now and Creed knows that.
