Back in my room, I suddenly regret the fact that I was bullied into signing the contract. I should’ve demanded to see Aiden. Or at least, told Lizbeth that I would go home if I didn’t. But, of course, I didn’t want to do that because I want to see him. And I also want to know why he wants to bid on me again. I mean, is the money really burning such a hole in his pocket that he would bid on me again even though he doesn’t have to?

“Oh my God.” Caroline bursts into my room. “I’m so excited. How long do you think we have to wait here?”

“I don’t know.” I shrug. “They have to set up everything and that took some time before.”

“Eeek!” She reapplies her lipstick for what seems like the millionth time tonight.

“How are you not more excited about this?”

I stare at her, dumbfounded. Is she really asking me this question? “I just don’t understand what Aiden wants me to do. I mean, does he really want me to participate in the auction? For what purpose? I mean, why does he want to spend money on me? I thought that we were beyond that.”

“You’re insane, girl.” Caroline rolls her eyes.

“No, I’m not. I mean, I thought that we were further along in our relationship now. I don't really want him to pay for my company. I’m not a hooker.”

“I see your point. But what if it’s just a game to him? I mean, what if he wants all of these guys to bid on you and then he outbids them.”

“But what if it’s not? What if someone else bids on me and wins? I’m not sleeping with anyone else tonight.”

“Really?”

“Yes!” I say adamantly. “I don't think he would want me to either. But I definitely don’t want to. The only reason I came here was because he asked me. But I never thought that I would participate in another auction.”

Caroline shrugs. She doesn’t know what else to say. And I don't know either. My mind keeps going in loops without really helping me decide on any one thing. A knock on the door breaks my concentration.

“Hello, girls,” Lizbeth says in a sultry voice. “Tonight’s auction will be a little different. We would like you to change into this and then meet us in the main room.”

She hands us each a box and leaves before we get the chance to open it.

“Wait, Lizbeth.” I run after her. “The thing is that I’m not going to participate in this. I mean, I’m here to see Aiden. He invited me.”

“Yes, he invited you. He wants you to participate in the auction.”

“What?”

“That’s all I know. He asked that you are there on stage tonight.”

“And if I decline?”

“Then we arrange for a helicopter to take you home,” Lizbeth says slowly. “But just know that Mr. Black will be greatly disappointed.”

I want to ask her more questions. Why is she being so cryptic? What is all this mystery about? I mean, why the hell does he want me to do the auction again? But she turns on her heels and walks away. I follow, but she raises her hand in the air and waves me off.

When I get back to the room, Caroline has already opened the boxes and scattered the contents on the bed. Black lingerie - lace panties and bra. Four-inch black heels. The two pieces are identical except for the size of the heels.

“Is this what you wore last time?” Caroline asks.

I shake my head no. “I wore my normal clothes last time,” I say.

It takes her a moment to decide before she starts to strip off her dress and change into the lingerie. I stare at her.

“Aren’t you going to change?”

“No.” I shake my head.

“Oh, c’mon, you have to.”

I hold the bra and panties up to the light. They are definitely made from quality, expensive material. The problem is that this is lingerie. Something about this whole thing seems off. Does Aiden really want me to participate in this? And what if I don't want to. No, I have to talk to him.

“Don’t I look hot?” Caroline asks, twirling her perfect body in front of me. She’s at least three inches taller than I am, and that’s being conservative. So, the way her body fills out this outfit is accentuating in every way.

“Yes, you do.”

“C’mon, just put it on. Don’t think about it so much, okay? I want to see you in this.”

I take a deep breath. There’s no way that this is going to look good at all. I’m pretty certain of that as I change. But when I look into the mirror, I’m pleasantly surprised that I actually look amazing. The panties aren’t too tight, and the bra is a perfect fit. It elevates my breasts and pushes them up and together unlike any other bra I’ve owned.

And the heels. Well, let’s just say that they are the most comfortable heels I’ve ever worn and that’s the biggest compliment I can give them.

“Okay, let’s go.” Caroline grabs my hand.

“No, I’m not going.”

“You look amazing, Ellie. Like jaw-dropping amazing. Aiden wants to see you like this. He wants to bid on you. That’s why he invited you here in the first place. He wants other men to want you and then he wants to take you home. Don’t you see that?”

That is definitely a possibility, of course.

“And what if he doesn’t?”

“Don’t even think like that,” Caroline says, pushing me out of the door. “But if, for some reason he doesn’t, then I’m sure you can just back out. I mean these people aren’t monsters. This is just a game, right?”