Her voice was like violin music; it flowed from note to note without falter or pause.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” she hummed over the rim of a champagne glass. I had the impression I was being considered as something more than simply Summer’s brother. The notion wasn’t completely an unpleasant idea. I felt my designer pants pull tight under her gaze.
“How did your sister manage to corral you into this, Sonny?” she asked.
“It was outright blackmail. Summer can be ruthless,” I said smoothly.
“It usually is,” Mel laughed, obviously delighted by my honesty. “I doubt there’s a man here tonight who wasn’t under some form of duress when they agreed.”
“I’m almost sure you’re right. It’s the price we men pay for surrounding ourselves with beautiful, ruthless women,” I nodded.
“It’s for a good cause,” she shrugged and tossed the hair from her eyes. “Summer tells me you’re working on some portraits of her now. I’d love to see them. Your work on her books was impressive. I’d like to see more… of your work.”
The master of ceremonies’ announcement called the participants to backstage over the PA system.
“If you’ll excuse me, Mel. I think I’m about to be sold into slavery. Duty calls.”
I saluted her and downed the last of my drink. I leaned and kissed Summer’s cheek as I handed her my empty glass.
The group of men being offered for auction were herded behind the scenes backstage and given instructions before the bidding began. We were handed cards with our contact information on them which we were to exchange with the winning bidder. We were also given a long stemmed red rose for our benefactors as well. I waited nervously in the wings for my turn on stage.
I was one of the last half dozen to be auctioned off. The wait was long and the effects of the alcohol wore off early. The bidding became more frantic as each man took his turn centerstage ahead of the footlights. By the time my name was announced, I was overly anxious. I almost hated Summer for conning me into this scheme.
The bidding started low, in the hundreds of dollars range, but it rose quickly as it skipped to the thousands within a few bids. I heard Summer’s familiar voice call out, “Five thousand!” and my stomach flipped upside down. It was followed in quick secession by seven, ten and then twelve thousand-dollar bids.
“Fifteen!” came my sister’s voice of determination.
“Thirty!” a lyrical voice countered. The entire audience inhaled as one and went silent.
Distantly, I heard the call for any last bids as I searched the crowd for the face of the one who’d bid so much on me. The gavel came down to a thunderous applause as Mel slinked forward and gave me a smile of satisfaction. My attention turned to Summer as she masked the look of shock on her face. She gathered the hem of her gown and disappeared into the crowd.
I made a quick exit down the stairs at stage left and shouldered my way through the remaining bidders. I searched the audience for Summer, but Mel appeared in my path instead.
“Where’s Summer?” I asked.