go out on stage. I’ll stick to what needs to be covered right now.
“Yes I’m sure, I’ll tell him before we…” I pause for a minute looking for the right word to reassure her I’ll be fine “you know, go at it.” I finish. Jesus I couldn’t just say fuck.
“Alright then. You’re a smart strong woman, Mandy, I trust you’ll be able to handle anything he throws at you.”
I hold my tongue at telling her that maybe selling myself isn't the smartest thing I’ve ever done, but the point is moot.
“The rest of my costume?” I ask dropping my robe. I’m standing in just the white thong and heels. My brown hair is long enough cover my small breasts, but I’m still essentially naked.
Samantha doesn’t answer my question, and goes about placing the clear straps around my arms securing the wings in place.
“That’s it,” she says, eyeing me with approval.
“You want me to go out like this? With no freaking top?” My question is ridiculous and I know it. This is Vegas, most women on stage around here are topless. It should be a given and it’s dumb that I’m here auctioning myself off and thinking I wouldn’t be topless myself.
“You have legs for days and your breast are perky as hell. Your nipples are some of the best I’ve ever seen, you should be proud.” She says the words like it’s a compliment and obviously I should know this. “You don’t have to tell them you’re a virgin, but you’re not putting a top on.”
With that, I know the discussion is final. I’ve learned working as an executive assistant when to push, and when to let things go. I knew winning the virgin argument was where it ended.
“You’re first.” Samantha motions me to follow her, and I’m shocked.
“First?” Jesus, I wanted to maybe stand back here and listen to a few rounds and get a little more comfortable standing around naked.
“I’ve been doing this a long time Mandy. I know what order I should put the girls in to get the best bidding out of everyone. This is after all still a business.”
I follow her, and then in a flash find myself standing in front of the black curtains. They’re closed, but I feel my heartbeat pick up, knowing that any moment they are going to part. Shit, without a shirt people might just be able to see my heart pounding in my chest.
I take a few deep breaths to calm myself, and to quell the urge to bolt. I close my eyes, and it hits me; this is the most alive I’ve felt in forever. I can do this, just like I’ve done everything else I’ve ever sought out to do. I’ve lived on the streets for almost a year when I was a teenager; if I can do that, I can do anything. I open my eyes and see Samantha standing in front of me.
“There she is. I was wondering when the girl I saw snapping orders and keeping her composure at the Cortez casino would show up.”
I smile at her words. I’m here to try and change part of who I am, but she's right, there are some things I want to keep in place. My will to power through anything is one of those things, and keeping calm under pressure is another. I just need to shift it to other parts of my life. I need to focus more on getting the things I want.
I gasp when I feel something cold hit my nipples, and I go to jerk away.
“Ice. Just making them nice and hard for the boys out there.” She goes back to applying the ice to my nipples making them harden instantly. “All set.”
She passes the ice back to her assistant, and stands in front of me adjusting my wings and hair just so. Samantha takes my shoulders and looks in my eyes, “You remind me a lot of myself, Mandy. Don’t you ever let go of the fighter inside you.”
She walks to the side of the stage, and it’s then I hear the auctioneer’s voice from the other side of the curtain.
“Good evening gentlemen. Let’s begin.”
The reality of it all hits home. The curtains are parting at any second, and a room full of men will be sitting there staring at me nearly naked. I shake my head letting some of my hair fall forward to cover my breasts. I can't help but look over at Samantha who gives me a