Page 17 of Savage Desires

If I wasn't so damn disgusted with this whole situation, I would worry that I've finally snapped and fallen into the same depravity as the people I hunt. I'm a dominant. It took me a long time to come to terms with what I like in the bedroom, but I would never take advantage of an unwilling woman. Anyone I've been involved with knows exactly what she's getting into and is ready to beg for it.

I remind myself that I'm not buying my Beauty for sex. I'm buying her to save her, not to keep her. No matter that I crave her like a decadent dessert, I won't take advantage of her. I'll save her like every woman before her and send her back to her real life. I can't keep her even though the devil on my shoulder screams that I should.

"Congratulations, eight-three-two!" the auctioneer says.

My body relaxes when my number is called. I won my prize, even if she'll never actually be mine. I can pretend for one night. If I'm to make these guys believe I'm here for what they're offering, I'll have to. I don't know how I'll manage it yet, but she's leaving here with me along with the other women.

My Beauty is led off the stage and the bright lights shut off while the lights in the room brighten again. Lexis sits up in my lap and looks at me like she doesn't understand me.

"You bought someone," she whispers almost accusingly.

I nod in agreement.

"You don't want me…"

"It's complicated," I say quietly.

I can tell she wants to say something else but bites her lip to prevent herself from speaking. I feel like a fucking monster after buying a woman that I'm so attracted to even if I have the best of intentions. She's not the first woman I've purchased in an auction, but this is the first time I've wanted to keep one.

Lexis slowly stands from my lap, not looking away. "I'm to show you to your room now."

I nod and stand. Without a word, she turns and walks away. I follow silently. The other four buyers are being led by the women they've been assigned as well. The difference is that their women have obviously been used. Their makeup is smudged, and they are completely naked. One of the women is walking slowly, like each step is painful. The man following her looks smug even with his mask on. I want to drop him where he stands.

I clench my fists and let out a slow breath, willing myself to calm down. I grab Lexis's arm, keeping my hold gentle but firm. She turns to look at me with a question in her eyes. I curse myself for what I'm about to do. This isn't the plan and could fuck everything up, but I can't stand not knowing whether these women are here by choice or not.

"Are you here willingly?" I ask, keeping my voice low.

Her eyes widen, and she looks scared. That tells me all I need to know, but I want to hear it from her.

"Are you?" I ask again with a little more force.

"At first… it was supposed to be better than the streets," she whispers. "We aren't allowed to leave. No one leaves unless they are bought."

I nod my understanding. "Everyone here by choice?"

"N-not the auctioned girls. The rest?" She shrugs, her face blanketed with pain. "They make it seem like they are saving us…"

I nod, not wanting to give her false hope, even though I've now put getting all the women inside the mansion out on my list. Not tonight, but soon. I would've let it go if Lexis had told me they were free to choose. Not because I agree with it or because I want to, but because this situation probably is better than walking the streets if they are willing prostitutes.

Now that I know they aren't allowed to leave?

Now I have a problem.

Realizing I'm done speaking, she turns and continues to lead me toward the man she's scared of and the red door he's standing in front of. The other four men have already disappeared behind it. Lexis stops in front of him, keeping her head lowered submissively.

"He's in room three," he says. "Make sure he has everything he needs… including you."

Lexis stiffens at the obvious threat. Considering the women sold tonight are all expected to be killed, I don't blame her for being scared. I can't decide if taking her into the room and helping her escape tonight with the rest is the right choice or if declining her services is the best. I have a feeling she's going to be severely punished for not pleasing me if I don't keep her.

This night is completely fucked.

"Yes, sir," Lexis says.

She quickly walks through the door and leads me down a short hallway that opens up to a room that looks like the lobby of any high-end hotel. A woman dressed in a professional black dress stands behind a reception desk, adding to the charade.

"This is eight-three-two," Lexis says.

"Good evening, eight-three-two. Please follow the instructions on the screen to make your payment," the woman says, placing a tablet on the desk before me.