Page 50 of Auctioned to the Billionaire Surgeon

Then I saw Nico. He was waving Enzo and me over to his table. He was sitting with Leo, Joaquin, Javy, and Byron.

Enzo got a grim look on his face.“I think it’s almost over. I believe only the headliner Cinnamon Girl is left to be auctioned.”

I looked at him sharply. I’d made it just in time for Jelly.

Before he could say anything else, we’d reached the table, pulled out chairs, and sat down. Enzo looked at his watch.“You’re lucky. Just a few more minutes and the bids would have started for Jelly. There’s no way we could have helped you then. It wouldn’t have been seen as fair. And these men pay exorbitant dues for the privilege to be here.”

I nodded absentmindedly, barely even hearing him.“You’re sure Jelly is the headliner for the Cinnamon Girl Auction?” I asked the table at large. I was paranoid that somehow I’d missed her and they didn’t want to tell me.

“Sure is,” Leo said.“She’s the last one up. She’s about to go now.”

I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I really had made it in time.

“I thought you would only entertain the idea of going after well-bred society women,” Enzo said a little testily.

“Give me a minute,” I said.“Just… let me see her.”

He sighed.“This is a bad idea.”

“Gentlemen,” Carmen said, striding to the middle of the stage and looking like a model herself,“we’ve reached the partof the night you’ve all been waiting for. Tonight’s headliner is Ray Ann Pinkoe.”

There was utter silence in the room. Carmen rolled her eyes.“You all know her better as Jelly.”

A roar of applause and catcalls broke out through the room.“You know, I tried for the longest time to get her to go by Ray Ann. But Jelly just seems to suit her better.”

As she talked, Jelly came to stand beside her. She looked… incredible. She was wearing a long, sparkling blue evening gown that hugged her perfect body. It had a plunging neckline almost to her navel, and her breasts were held up in such a way that they were almost entirely visible. There was also a slit that went most of the way up her thigh, allowing her to be able to walk in the tight gown. She wore sky-high fuck me heels and held herself in such a way that she looked like royalty as she made her way across the stage and down the catwalk. Her hair flowed loose and wavy down her back. It fluttered around her some as she moved onstage, doing half spins and turns as Carmen talked about her. Her makeup was heavier, but in a good way. Her eyes really popped; you could tell they were that beautiful shade of crystal blue even from a distance.

I was overwhelmed by how stunning she was. She looked almost like Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra. Minus the thick eyeliner and Egyptian clothing. I was so used to seeing her in scrubs or her hostess uniform, it’s as if I forgot that she could look any different.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

“While many of you have gotten to know Jelly well over the past couple of years, you might not know that she has a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, and is about a half-year away from completing her coursework to become a physician’s assistant. We’re proud of Jelly and everything she’s accomplished. Of course, on top of all that, she’s one of everyone’s favorite hostesses.”

“I’d like to get on top of that,” called out Thad Russett, the prick. I knew he and Jelly had a pact. He thoughthe was going to win her.

But, I thought with determination, he wasn’t going to get her.

I was.

All the men at our table were entranced by Jelly, too. I had to admit, I was glad I didn’t have to go up against any of the Salazars in a bidding war.

Carmen had to pause for another round of raucous applause.

“And, of course, she’s drop dead gorgeous. Whoever wins Jelly in tonight’s auction will have the chance to spend plenty of time with her over the next four months.” Carmen got a wicked smile on her face.“Jelly loves taking care of her man sexually and believes she excels particularly well at giving head. She enjoys long, lazy days spent in bed and can’t wait to start a sexual journey with her new man.”

Jelly ended her walk with her head held high, a hand on her hip, and gave a beguiling half smile to the audience. I saw her look at Thad and give him a wink.

It infuriated me. I couldn’t stand that shewantedto be his Cinnamon Girl for the next few months. Then I thought back to some of the conversations I’d had with Jelly. Conversations where I’d talked about the Vanilla Auction and how I really needed to be seen with a certain class of woman.

She’d just nodded, given me a smile that hadn’t reached her eyes, and moved on.

I scrubbed a hand over my face. Would she be angry if I ruined her plan to be Thad’s girl? Did I care?

“Alright, gentlemen. It’s time to start the bidding. Since we all know the final Cinnamon Girl of the month requires the most money to win her, I’m going to start at one million dollars for four months with Jelly.”

Several paddles raised immediately, including my own.

I felt eyes on me and looked up, locking eyes with Jelly. She looked down on me from the stage, looking bemused. I knew she had to be wondering what I was doing here. And why I wasbidding on her. I glanced over at Thad, and he was staring at me with anger in his eyes.