Chapter 4

Shana

I head out onto the stage, amped up by the other girls' promises about the amount I'm about to make. The crowd is a blur as I shimmy across the stage, my confidence rising as all the men hoot and holler. When the bidding starts right away, I can't help but grin at the huge numbers already getting yelled out until I hear a much too familiar voice join in.

I search through the crowd, looking for that deep rumbling shout. When I finally spot Caleb standing right at the edge of the stage, looking more pissed off than I've ever seen, I'm immediately mortified that he's seeing me practically naked.

Bathing suits are one thing, but I'm in the skimpiest, sheer lingerie!

What does he think he's doing, bidding on me? My embarrassment turns to anger and I want to jump down and shake him. I want to make a quick fortune to secure my future, not make him go broke. This is exactly why I didn't take money from him to begin with.

Why does he look so damn good when he's angry?

He ignores my dirty look and keeps bidding, and soon it's down to him and someone old enough to be my grandfather. When it gets down to the wire, I'm kind of glad Caleb's winning. I shake my hips on the opposite side of the stage, trying to get someone else's attention, but it's down to the two of them now. Is my first time really going to be with someone forty years older than me?

Calm down, I tell myself. Who cares? I knew what might happen. The odds of getting someone young and hot were pretty slim. Even Ms. Calloway warned me of that when she went over the contract with me.

There's a moment of calm, with Caleb's bid being the last one. I'm hit with a sense of relief and excitement; maybe he really does want me. Excitement races through my body as I consider losing my virginity to my sexy best friend. Suddenly, a different man steps forward and throws out a number that forces a gasp from my lips. I won't be able to just stay here in New York for a few months. I can probably live here for years without worrying.

But I can't get too excited because although this guy isn't old, he looks mean. Like, vicious, with a sharp, turned down mouth and cruel, dead eyes that roam me like he's already paid up. He licks his lips and I get an awful feeling that he might just be more than I can handle.

It's just one night, but it's also my first time. I don't want to lose my virginity to this ruthless-looking old man who sees me as nothing more than an object. Reality hits me like a shovel in the face. Why didn't I think this through, or listen to my sister? Hell, why didn't I listen to Caleb?

Caleb! He's never let me down. I turn to him, silently pleading for him to make another bid, or at least scare off the mean-looking guy so the old grandpa can get back in the game. He gives me a slight shake of his head, agony written all over his face.

It's over.

I want to be sick right there on the stage, nearly unable to stand. My legs are shaking now that I know who I'm going home with for the night, and as I stumble back, my vision blurs with tears. This isn't his fault, it's mine. I squeeze my eyes shut as time seems to stop.

Then Caleb bellows out a number, doubling the last bid. Double! He turns away from me and gives the other man a deadly glare, all while clenching his big hands into fists. There are no more bids.

I hold my breath, waiting for the auction to be finalized, struggling not to pass out. One bouncer leads me off the stage to the back, where the winner will collect me, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

The winner. Caleb. My best friend, and secret crush, since as far back as I can remember.

He's waiting for me by the back door with pure rage on his face. It's more murderous than the one he gave the guy who tried to outbid him. This is my oldest friend, my lifelong best buddy, and for the first time, I'm afraid of him.