“Then why are you so furious?” I demanded, out of ideas. I’d never seen him like this, especially not toward me. He was acting as if I’d somehow betrayed his trust.
He turned his body more toward me, in a much more intimidating way. “Why do you think?”
“Honestly, I don’t know.”
“Because you were on the stage of a sex club wearing nothing but your goddamn underwear while men bartered over who was going to take your virginity. That’s why I’m pissed, Jessica. You are better than that.”
His words hit a chord, one I didn’t like. It made me feel shame, like I’d done something wrong. I hadn’t. My body was mine to do what I wanted to with it, even if that meant selling something viewed by society as important.
“What do you care if I sold my virginity?” I asked. “It’s not like it matters.”
“It fucking matters,” he argued.
“Why?” I pushed him, wanting to know his reasoning.
“Because your first time should be with someone who will take care of you, who will show you how good it can be,” he replied, his tone still gruff. “Do you think whichever bidder bought you would ensure that? Or even care about your first time being any good? They want a virgin because it fulfills some twisted fantasy in their head of being the only man inside your sweet pussy. Do you think they would be gentle with you?”
I didn’t, but I didn’t want to admit that either. I was still firm in my decision. It was the right one. The only one. I was up to my neck in debt. What other choice did I have?
“I needed the money,” I blurted out. “I was out of options. Believe me I didn’t want to do this either.”
Donovan gritted his teeth. “There were plenty of other options. Talking to me for one.”
His holier than thou attitude grated on my nerves, which were already shot from the auction. If I was being honest I’d admit I was on edge the entire time I was standing on that stage being bid on. I had no idea who was trying to buy me. I hadn’t been able to see past the glaring lights.
“You have money,” I pointed out. “You’ll never know what it’s like to have bills piling up without a single idea of how you’re going to pay them. You’ve never been so desperate that the only option to keep yourself afloat is to sell your body to the highest bidder.”
I watched as he turned back to the window, his jaw tight. “No, I’ve never been in that position,” he agreed, looking marginally calmer when he glanced at me again. “I can’t imagine how it must feel to be drowning with no one to throw you a life preserver, but you didn’t need to resort to this.”
“What else could I have done?” I demand, my voice rising. “I needed a lot of money and fast.”
“I understand you’re clearly in trouble, but I’m a little hurt that you didn’t come to me, Jessica. I could have helped. Instead, you resorted to selling yourself to a room full of predators.”
“You were in that room too,” I pointed out. “Are you a predator?”
His eyes snapped to mine, irritation flaring through them. “Of course not.”
“But you’re a regular there?”
“Clearly,” he muttered.
That intrigued me more than it should have. Donovan had always been an imposing figure. He was smart, successful, handsome too, so knowing he was a member at a place like that baffled me. He could get any woman he desired.
“Why do you go to a sex club?” I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
“I know you’re innocent, Jessica, but surely you’re not that naive.” The bite in his words had me sinking back into the leather.
“I’m not naive,” I muttered. “I just want to know.”
He shifted his shoulders. “Why does anyone go to a sex club?”
“To have sex?”
A small smirk flirted at the edges of his mouth. “To have sex with certain… requirements.”
I was innocent when it came to sex, but I had a vague idea of what a club might entail. A dungeon filled with toys and chains and leather paddles for spankings . . .
The thought made me rub my thighs together as my pussy clenched.