I walk out onto the stage to find all of the girls lined up on the catwalk, and I stand as I put both of my hands on my hips in the center of them.
The men’s eyes hungrily scan my body, and then I see their chins all lift as if accepting the challenge they’ve just been issued. The girls smile sexily as they face me, and in a well-rehearsed move, they all gift me with a welcoming round of applause.
I smile and nod in thanks. Two girls on the end of the catwalk walk up and take my hand to lead me to the end of the catwalk, and the sexy beat blares out as I stand still. Finally, after what seems like an hour, I’m lead from the stage.
“Holy shit,” I whisper. “That was bizarre.” I shake my head in disbelief that I actually went through with it.
“You did great.” They all laugh.
“Oh my God, he’s here,” one girl gushes as she peeks around the curtain. “I knew it was him.”
“I didn’t see him,” another girl says.
“Who?” I frown.
“Blake Stevens,” another whispers as she takes her place to spy through the crack of the black velvet curtain.
My eyes widen. “Blake Stevens. The formula one driver?” What the hell? This guy is one of the most eligible bachelors in the world. What in the world is he doing here?
He’s gorgeous, too.
“Yes. Oh my God!” The girls all chatter excitedly and practically run back to makeup to reapply their lip gloss.
I didn’t see Cameron, and I’m feeling like I want to run out of here as fast as I can.
“Vivienne,” Eliza calls me from the other room. “You’re needed in here, please?”
I close my eyes as I try to mentally prepare myself. “Okay,” I call.
I walk into the adjoining room to see the girls all in a group near the large, black double doors that go out into the Escape Lounge. They are laughing and jovial, like this is the most fun they have ever had in their lives.
I suppose it would be if you weren’t so nervous that you felt like you were going to throw up.
You can do this, but you need to get over yourself, Ashley.
The double doors are soon opened, and the girls all breeze out into the lounge. I hear the men’s jovial chatter float through from the other room. I stand quietly at the back of the group.
Eliza notices my trepidation and walks up to me. “You doing okay?”
“I’m not sure I can do this,” I whisper. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
She smiles warmly. “Of course you can and you picked exactly the right night to debut. We have some very powerful men here tonight.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “The race car driver?” I whisper.
She leans into me. “We have the president of one of USA’s allies.”
My eyes widen.
“We have two men who are in the wealthiest list.” She smiles knowingly. “We have two famous actors, three well known football players, and we have the head of the United States Marine Corps.” She winks sexily. “All gorgeous. All experienced at bestowing pleasure upon our lucky ladies.”
Holy crap. What about a doctor? Do you have any doctors?
“You get first choice, Vivienne. Decide on the man you want to please you tonight.”
I swallow nervously.
“Come on, dear.” She smiles as she takes my hand in hers and leads me into the other room where I am handed a Margarita. The men’s eyes all fall to me and I nearly slide down onto the floor to hide. I feel like I’m the newest exhibit in a zoo.
I can feel the hungry eyes roam over my body as they imagine what they could do with me.
“Gentlemen.” Eliza smiles as she holds her hands up to me. “I’m sure you have all noticed that we have someone debuting tonight. May I introduce you to the delectable Vivienne Jones.”
I smile and drop my eyes to the ground in embarrassment.
“As you all know, she will be picking first tonight, and will be making her choice in five minutes.” She smiles and tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. “It will be quite a night for one of you. She has something very special.”
The men fall silent and, without making eye contact with any of them, I sip my drink.
Where’s Cameron? Why can’t I see him?
I down my drink and grab another from a passing tray.
Eliza smiles and the group go silent. “Gentlemen, make