The Marriage Auction: Book One(18)

“Well, it looks like we’re going to have quite the auction. Ruby, you may head offstage. It seems I am not the only one who is eagerly awaiting to see you return.”



Backstage was intense with all of the candidates in varying stages of unease for a variety of different reasons. I blocked most of it out as I had to focus on what I was doing, but I did learn that two of the women hadn’t been chosen, and something had gone down with Jade, which meant it was super important I nailed this next part.

When the drapes opened, I walked up those stairs in my red satin robe and heels as though I owned the place. This was my time to shine, and shine I would. There was no way I was leaving tonight without a man on my arm.

“Welcome back, Ruby.” Madam Alana greeted me, and I gave her a little shoulder tilt as I made my way down the glossy black stage. I was getting used to the lights so I could see more of the shadowy audience, but they were still nothing but dark silhouettes.

When I got to the end of the stage, I tugged at the sash holding my red satin robe closed and let it fall open.

As I’d hoped, there were several gasps, alongside plenty of hoots and hollers, just as I’d expect in a strip club—only the men weren’t shouting out obscenities.

I let the robe fall off one shoulder, then let it flow down my form until it landed in my right hand where I clasped it tightly. I repeated my superwoman pose, making sure my waist looked tiny, boobs huge, hips flared out nicely, and my legs spread out a couple feet, so they looked like they went on for days. The bustier did its job displaying my assets in a way that made me feel classy and elegant. The minuscule thong running up between my cheeks, however, gave the hint of a naughty side.

“I believe we’ll start the bidding at three million for three years. Do I have a handsome gentleman who’d like to make this gem his?”

Lights started flashing in the audience. Signs with numbers that were backlit were being held in the air. It reminded me of an auction on TV for fine art or sculptures.

Except this time, the piece they were buying was me.

“I’ve got many of you willing to pay three million. Do I have four?” Madam Alana countered, and the lights kept flashing numbers.

My heart started pounding and along with it, an idea to help ramp up the bidding. I spun to the side, stretched out my leg, and bent over it, as if to fix the buckle on my heel, giving the men a great side shot of my ass.

“I’ve got four million… Do we have five?” Madam Alana pointed at someone toward the back who’d lifted his illuminated paddle. “Five, excellent. Do we have six?”

The lights disappeared except for one lonely light. Lucky number thirteen .

“I’ve got six million to number thirteen. Do I have seven?”

All of a sudden, the auction room went dead silent.

“Six million for the hand of the lovely Ms. Ruby Dawson. Going once…”

We both waited, and I held my breath.

Six million dollars.

It was more money than I’d ever seen in my entire life. And it would all be mine. Madam Alana’s company didn’t take a percentage from the bid; the buyer paid an additional percentage on top of what I would receive. Three years of marriage for six million dollars. I couldn’t believe it. My ears started to ring, and everything got really quiet, just like when I was first about to step on the stage.

“Six million going twice…”

No change. No new bidders.

Madam Alana smiled wide, lifted a golden bell, and shook it from side to side. The ringing reverberated throughout the entire room.

“Sold. To lucky number thirteen.”

Sold, for six million dollars, three years of my time, and unlimited access to my body.

I smiled as I realized all my dreams for myself and for my sister Opal were about to come true. I didn’t know if there was a God, because I’d definitely never felt blessed, saved, or protected before now. But I certainly believed I had me a guardian angel. And her name was Madam Alana.

As I waved out at the audience, trying to focus on the silhouette of the man who’d become my future husband, I realized the absolute best part of this day.

My life would never be the same.

I couldn’t wait to start living it.





Episode 11


Dakota’s Auction



DAKOTA

Swaths of floaty, swishy fabric fluttered around my ankles. The dress Madam Alana had chosen for me was long. As in, the damn thing kept catching on my cowboy boots.

Yeah, cowboy boots. Madam Alana didn’t know this, but the second she left the dressing room to start the show, I switched out those ridiculous stilts they put me in for my tried-and-true boots. Not that they’d notice. The godforsaken purple getup dragged along the floor. Who the hell would buy a dress that got dirty as they walked?

If I was being honest, I didn’t know, and I didn’t much care. All I cared about was getting that fat payday so I could help save my family’s ranch. The legacy of my grandaddy and that of Savvy’s future kids. Me, I didn’t think too much about having any of those little buggers. Too much to manage on top of a bustling cattle ranch. I’d rather spend my time on the back of a horse than carrying around a little one. I figured that was all Savannah and Jarod’s job.

A pang of guilt pierced through my heart at the now-uncertain future my sister had. I didn’t much care about what happened to me as long as the ranch was saved and left in working order. Savvy, however, had a bright future. She was a year away from securing the bachelor’s degree part of her ultimate goal, which was to become a livestock veterinarian. The ranch needed that skill set desperately and Savvy had taken it upon herself to achieve such skills and knowledge. And now…she was going to marry a man for money.