Auctioned by Lulu Pratt

Author:Lulu Pratt [Pratt, Lulu]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lulu Pratt
Published: 2019-03-09T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

Tate

I SUCKED IN a breath, my throat clenching with nerves.

I’d laid it all on the table — Kiki now knew secrets about myself I’d never told to my closest confidantes. To think, I’d met this girl only a week ago, and already I was revealing more to her than any therapist in my life (which is to say, none. I’m not a big therapy guy).

What will she think? I wondered as the empty seconds ticked past, each one upping my heart rate. What if she despises me? Or maybe she would accuse me of still being a poor little rich boy. After all, it wasn’t like I was the only guy in America to have divorced, addicted, and/or dead parents. Jesus, why did I think I was so fucking special?

Just as I was beginning to sorely regret my burst of raw vulnerability, Kiki met my eyes once more.

Out of the blue, she stood up straight and walked over to me, wrapping me in a huge hug.

I breathed a sigh of relief as I melted into her arms. She was small, but her embrace felt encompassing, as though there was a world of understanding in the very muscles of her body. Can empathy be palpable? Because Kiki’s radiated off her.

“I know what it’s like to be lonely,” she murmured in my ear, the words tickling the fine hairs.

“A girl like you?” I asked in wonderment, still ensconced in her arms. “You seem like you have a world of friends.”

Her head shook against my shoulder. “I’ve never had the time, or when I do, I don’t have the energy. Being poor is isolating.”

I squeezed her tight, hoping that just as she was sucking the venom out of my body, I could return the favor.

We stayed there for what seemed like ages, holding each other so close, not just physically, but emotionally.

At last, she pulled away, and I saw a small smile crossed her face.

“I have a pitch,” she said, looking pleased with herself.

“By all means.”

“Let’s have a fun night. I’m still not thrilled that you bought me — or rather, my virginity — but I think we’ve both earned an easy, enjoyable evening. We can do dumb shit, the stuff we never have the time or companionship to do. We could be each other’s friend, for tonight. How’s that sound?”

I thought my heart might burst. How did she know exactly what I needed? Sex was easy to get. Like I said, I didn’t need to buy that. But one-on-one time with another person, no fronts or airs? That was invaluable.

“I’d loved to,” I agreed readily. My cheeks went red, and I continued, “And I might have a suggestion. This is, like, nerdy but… how about a board game? Nobody I know ever wants to play and just hang around. They’re always trying to go out somewhere and get drunk and be photographed. I haven’t played one in years.”

Kiki grinned, which transformed her face from merely beautiful to totally radiant.

“That’s perfect!” she cried.

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