Are you my Adonis?

Auctioned Off

I stood stiffly as the situation got out of control. I helplessly watched as Sally strutted around the stage with that cocky self-confidence that made everyone love her instantly. The screen behind me lit up with the Fowler Charity Foundation’s Live feed of the gala. Comments were blowing up to the point that it was impossible to read them. I raised my eyebrows when I saw the donation tally on the screen from the online donations. Maybe Sally’s idea wasn’t so bad...

“So we will start at 500 dollars. Ladies, please join in the bid too,” Sally winked at the audience. “We are a gender-equal foundation,” she got a roar of laughter for that one. Maybe next time I’ll let her MC the gala.

As soon as it started, paddles went up. I was stunned by how many people were actually bidding on me. I almost gaped when the bids reached 10,000 dollars. But when I reached 100,000 dollars, I nearly fainted. I looked at Jacob, who nodded at me. He knew what I was worried about and was calling our legal team to make sure this auction didn’t count as prostitution. That was the last thing the Foundation needed. He talked on the phone discreetly for a few minutes, then gave me a thumbs-up. I gave a quick nod and watched helplessly as Sally sold away my time.

What surprised me more was that we had some serious bidders call in or bid by proxy. I watched in amazement as the bids went higher and higher. As with the sapphire set, more and more bidders bowed out as bids approached 1 million. Again, the last two bidders left were James Winthrop and Devin Hastings. I understood why Devin was so invested in winning this bid, but I couldn’t make heads or tails as to why James Winthrop was.

“1 million!” yelled James smugly.

“1.5 million,” Devin’s cool voice rang out before Sally could acknowledge the bid.

.

“2 million,” countered James as if he was bidding on something small.

“2.5 million,” Devin outbid again.

James gave an arrogant grin and bid, “5 million!” almost mirroring what Devin had done in bidding for the Sapphire parure. Devin sat back and became still. I understood since he had already spent 25 million on the previous bidding. It's a bad look if he spent his money frivolously. I saw what this was. James Winthrop was trying to one-up Devin for the previous bidding war. He probably wasn’t interested in the dance or the date with me. I still shuddered slightly as Sally began the countdown.

“5 million once... 5 million twice... Sold to Mr James Winthrop for 5 million dollars!” exclaimed Sally joyously. She gave me an apologetic smile that only Bill and I knew. I shook my head at her and gave her a narrow “I am so going to kill you” look. I think I heard a soft “eep” from her as James Winthrop climbed on the stage and took my hand.

Jacob stopped us at the bottom of the steps with a folder and paperwork. Where the heck did he get that? And how did he get it so fast? He opened the folder and began reading the terms to James Winthrop.

“To clear up any ambiguity, the Fowler Charity Foundation has drawn up terms for your auction win. Ms Amelia Fowler is consenting to one dance and one date of your choosing. The date will proceed for at least 1 hour. It does not include non-consensual touching or pressure for a repeat date. And s****l activity of any kind is not included in the bid. If you agree, please sign this document, Mr Winthrop.” Jacob handed James a pen. To my surprise, he signed without any complaint or comment. I begrudgingly signed as well. Jacob signed as a witness and gave me a knowing smirk. I didn’t know if to give him a bonus or fire him for the quick work.

I let James lead me to the middle of the ballroom floor. The brass band played something soft and romantic. It irritated me since dancing with James was the last thing I wanted. I think I’d rather bleach my eyes with sulfuric acid than be in his arms right now. I didn’t let my face betray me and stepped into James’ arms. His arms were surprisingly sturdy, and his moves were very smooth. I felt like I had practiced a routine with him for months on how natural our steps felt.

“Mr Winthrop, congratulations on your win,” I said as politely as I could as I felt my crawl when his hand slid down my bare back to my hip. The comment Sally made about James being an STD PSA Poster lingered in my head.

“You’re worth more than 5 million, Mia. May I call you Mia? You can call me James,” he said it like it was a given, not a question.

“Only my closest friends call me that, James,” I answered politically. The Winthrops were this city’s oldest affluent family. They also were the Foundation’s biggest contributors. I didn’t want to insult them outright by rejecting James’s request.

He spun me expertly and brought me back close to him. I was surprised I didn’t feel stiff with all eyes on us right now. I did feel a chill in the air from the right side of the ballroom. I peeked in that direction and saw the deep, stormy blue eyes of Devin Hastings. He didn’t look pleased. I pushed down the thought that he may be jealous.

“You know, if I knew you cleaned up so well, I would’ve asked you out a long time ago. You seemed so prudy and prim all the time,” he teased. I’m really starting to get irritated by his voice. I just grunt in response. He seemed amused by it.

“So, Mia. Tell me what makes a high-powered VP call a romance service at 2:30 in the morning?” he asked in a familiar seductive voice. I also stumbled a step and looked at him with wide eyes.

“How…you… huh?” I stammered. I searched my brain, and then it clicked. Eros. He’s Eros. What the hell is happening?

He just smiled a knowing smile. “Seems you figured it out. So are you going to answer my question, or should I tell you my theories?”

I just stared at him, not knowing how to answer him. Our bodies moved through the dance even though my mind was racing. Will he announce what I did? No, he wouldn’t want people to know about Adonis Romance Service. Is he going to blackmail me? For what? He’s far richer than me even though he’s the third son. Maybe to weasel into my company to look legit?

“I can see the calculations in your eyes, Mia,” he murmured in that seductive voice. “I don’t want anything but the truth. But it’ll be more fun if I make this a guessing game. “

“Okay. So tell me, why do you think I called that morning?” I steady myself and use that corporate steel that I’m known for.

“Hmm…well, you were obviously tipsy, but that is just an excuse,” he had teasing cloy that really made me want to stomp on his foot, heel first. He looked into my eyes as if he knew all the answers.

“That is a given since I said so on the phone the morning after,“ I said flatly. I knew I was losing the game of looking like I was bored. He drew me closer to him so my front was flat against his.

“Could it be you are in love with Bill Delacroix and had to watch as he married your best friend Sally Carpenter?” he whispered in my ear easily as if it was mindless gossip. I gasp softly and widen my eyes. I pulled back and stared at his smug face as my feet moved gracefully.

“It was easy to figure out. I did a background check on you when you called. Standard protocol. My people are fast and efficient,” he continued without waiting for me to speak. “Now that I have the why, I want to know who you spent the night with instead of me. He must’ve been amazing to you to decline my services again.”

“No one,” I say evenly, giving my best poker face. Half-truths are easier to pass of than whole lies. “A stranger that I mistook for one of your Adonises. I left him a thousand-dollar tip after, with no way to contact me. And yes, he was amazing, but I have no desire to repeat that mistake again.”

“Huh, interesting. Most women wait a lifetime for s*x that good. Once they have it, they’re usually hooked for life. Could it be…no… Where you a virgin that night?” he asked, knowing full well the answer. I steeled myself again and just gave him an even stare.

“You were,” he states confidently. He then answered my question that I did not ask. “In my line of work, you learn to read women and know what lies underneath. Shame really, your Adonis would have taken care of you and made you feel loved.”

“Love is the last thing I need. And I was well taken care of that night. That man was gentle and didn’t push me beyond what I wanted.” I said, smoothly recovering from James’s words. He arched his eyebrow in disbelief.

“So why didn’t you try to find him if he was so wonderful?” he asked, sincerely curious. This conversation was starting to feel too intimate.

“Because he didn’t move my heart,” I said plainly. I didn’t want to say anymore. I didn’t need to explain about my baggage or my guilt. If he was so good at reading women, then he should know.

“Well, it seems I have to up my game,” he said simply without giving indication of what that meant. The music ended, and we bowed at each other and the audience. I turned and went to climb the stairs once more before he could attach himself to me for the rest of the evening.