One Month Later

"Alright girls!" Aza called to the last of us who were in wardrobe. "They have started the first dancer. Get dressed and be in line in 5 minutes!"

Completely overcome with nerves, I couldn't stop shaking. Makenzie and Lucia had been great in trying to comfort and calm me. They did my hair, makeup and even helped me choose a turquoise bikini with matching satin robe for my routine.

When I started down in the lounge, Makenzie warned me secretly that it would only be a matter of time before I'd reach this level.  She said "babes like you are put on the stage."  Turns out she was right.  The last month I had been on that stage in the group and solo routines.  I'm glad she offered to teach me some tricks on that pole.

Each of us had our own vanity backstage for any last minute makeup touch ups or fixing in between routines.  As I sat down at mine, a folded piece of paper tucked in the mirror's glimmering silver frame caught my attention. Discreetly unfolding it, my eyes quickly scanned the neatly handwritten cursive.  The paper crunched in my hand as I squeezed my fist around it.

Balla per me  (dance for me)

From Braydan.

Johanna was peering out the side curtain when I crossed backstage with Makenzie and Lucia.

"Ooo! He's here!" She squealed.  "Giselle! He's here!"

Now both were peeking out and quietly squealing.  I snuck up behind them and peaked too. The place was overflowing full. Every booth had the maximum occupants.

"Who is here?" Not that I'd recognize them.

"Luca!" Johanna sighed.  "Is that...no way! Is that who I think it is?"

"Uh huh!" Giselle confirmed absolutely giddy.  "A lot of other family heads are here, too!"

"What does that mean?" I asked, growing nervous if that many big shots were all in one place. 

"I'm not sure," Giselle mumbled closing the curtain.  "It may not be good..."

Our conversation ended when the current dance did.  We settled into silence and each awaited our turn.  Once we were finished with our individual routines, we had to go work the floor.

I was one of the last ones.  Lucia would go ahead of me then it was my turn.  The applause for hers was amazing.  There was no way I'd get that recognition.  Aza nudged me to signal when it was my turn.

As my music started, I stepped and sashayed with each beat just as I had been taught by Aza. I was so grateful that with the spotlight so bright, everyone in the audience was in a black shadow.  That made it easier to shove away the nervousness knowing all eyes were on me.  I could just pretend it was dress rehearsal and no one was out there.  It helped.

I spun and kicked, slipped the robe off and grinned at the catcalls. Sliding up and down the pole in various positions, I got a great reaction, too. My heart rate sped as sweat beaded on my forehead from the lights. With each breath I forced to remain steady, I'm sure my chest rose and fell dramatically.

As I moved toward the edge of the stage, I was able to see a few faces.  Some I recognized, like Braydan who looked like he wanted to lunge and eat me for dinner. Others, like the younger version sitting at the edge of the same booth, I didn't recognize.

His heated gaze was locked on me and my every movement. I felt a pull in my belly when our eyes met, something I had never experienced before.  I saw him shift and swing his legs back under the table but those glimmering eyes never left mine. I found myself wondering what color they were.

The men around him were having a discussion he seemed to be oblivious to until an older version of both him and Braydan slapped his arm to get his attention.  It worked and my daze abruptly ended. I couldn't hear their conversation over the blaring music so I continued on.

****
3rd person POV, speaking in Italian

"Is that her, Nikhil?" Cael, the Godfather, asked in a hushed voice.

"Yes, it is," Nikhil growled, grinning in obvious pleasure.

"Father," Braydan called in a harsh whisper.  "Others are bidding.  Don't we want to keep her?"

Nikhil shifted.  "Yes. Bid."

Braydan did as he was told and kept up with the auction for Madison.

"Luca," Nikhil called but Luca was transfixed on the temptress dancing. "Luca!" He called again. When his younger son still didn't answer, he slapped his arm.

"Yes?" Luca mumbled, shifting under the table again for the hundredth time in the last few minutes.

"I want to bid on her for you," Nikhil reported. 

Luca licked his lips, swallowed hard then nodded.  "Yes."

"Good boy," Nikhil grinned, patting his son on the neck.

Just then, Madison's top disappeared and was tossed out to the audience, directly into Luca's spot.  He locked his eyes on hers again as she spun on her heels and winked at him just as the lights on the stage went dark.  It took great effort to control his grin.

****

Madison POV

Once I finished, the lights went dark and I hastily grabbed my robe to slip it on.  Aza was clapping my praises when I reached backstage.

"Lovely! Lovely!" She cooed.  "Now...go get changed then go to the VIP table.  They've won the bidding for you!"

"People were bidding...for me?" I squeaked, shocked that's what was happening.  I felt like a whore!

"Yes, dear," Aza blinked, realizing I had no idea what this night was about.  "Families come a few times a year and bid on girls for their families.  Many of our girls will be transported to their new homes tonight."

I swallowed but my throat was dry.  "W-who bid...for me?"

"You'll soon find out!" She winked giving me a shove back toward wardrobe.  "Go straight to the VIP booth!"

I changed into a sapphire blue corset and bikini bottom set with black heels then re emerged onto the floor. Where is the VIP booth? I had no idea!  Lucia found me wandering and squealed in my ear.

"I saw who won you!" She was guiding me through the crowd as she was whispering.  "Here, take this drink and make sure you thank him!"

With one more shove, I lost my balance and toppled onto a lap. Two warm hands settled on my hips to steady me. My waitress skills helped me hold onto the drink.

"Ciao, Gattina," A silky baritone voice hummed in my ear.

It summoned goosebumps all over my body.  Slowly I turned to meet the owner of the voice and person calling me kitten.  My eyes went wide when I realized it was the young man who had been so intensely watching me.

"H-h-hi." 

He grinned displaying a perfect set of pearly white teeth.  Lean shoulders shook as he chuckled lightly. The corners of his eyes wrinkled in his show of humor. At least one of us was having fun.

"It seems she found us!" The older man in the center laughed loudly.  "Welcome, Madison. You are already getting comfortable with your new patron. Excellent!"

"My p-patron?" I asked stupidly, glancing at the older man for confirmation.

"Yes!" Nikhil laughed again.  "My youngest son, Luca."

"Ohh," was all I could say as I gazed wide eyed back at him.

I blushed fiercely realizing my sound seemed more like a moan than a simple expression. Seeing him now after hearing stories from the girls, I could easily understand their swooning.

Luca simply smirked up at me while holding my hip and laying a hand at my knee guiding me until I sat with both legs draped across his lap.  His hypnotizing spicy cologne filled my nose, instantly granting me under his spell.

Food was brought out shortly after the entertainment dances ended, mainly italian horderves. Baked mozzarella dip and bruschetta for the bite sized toasted bread, caprese salad, and zucchini bites. To pair with them, bottles of red wine were poured.  I hadn't realized how hungry I was until the delicious aromas hit my nose.  My mouth instantly started watering.

"Hai fame, Gattina?" Luca asked softly in my ear. I turned back to him and locked my sapphire orbs on his, finally able to see they were an exquisitely captivating deep forest green.

My eyes stayed locked on his for a long time admiring the gold flecks mixed into the dark green.  Thick dark lashes outlined his rounded eyes giving them a bold look. With a chiseled jawline, aquiline nose and thin but full, kissable lips the man holding me to him was a walking dream. I fought the aching urge to rake my fingers through his thick, dark  chocolate brown locks.

"I don't know what you said," I replied breathlessly, lying again. What was wrong with me?

"I asked if you were hungry?" He translated. His thick italian accent was heavenly to my ears.  All I could do was nod slowly. "Me too," He smirked, rubbing his nose on my cheek then slowly inhaling.

I felt one of his hands sensually glide up my back between the laces of my corset and I arched toward him slightly in response, especially when he kept going up to my neck.

"Do you always wear your hair up?" His brows furrowed as he asked and tangled his fingers in my messily twisted bun.

"It just gets in my way," I shrugged.

"Vediamolo, sì?  I want to see it," He commanded softly.

(Let's see it, yes?)

I just nodded.  With those eyes, that gentle touch and how he was looking at me, this one could do whatever he wanted.  Luca had already found the clip and pinched it open.  My raven locks cascaded down to the middle of my back.  Out of habit, I shook them out then threaded my fingers through it to further free any gathered clumps.

"Voglio vedere i tuoi capelli sparsi sul mio letto un giorno," his voice was so gruff but still so sensual and silky.

(I want to see your hair spread out on my bed one day.)

"O-ok," I mumbled, totally in agreeance to what he just suggested.

Luca grinned widely and it melted my insides. Those green eyes seemed to sparkle with tempting mischief I would surely be unable to resist.

One by one, Luca lifted and fed me bites of the hor d'oeuvres from the aromatic spread before us.  Each one was delicious and melted on my tongue.  I may have even moaned softly a few times and rolled my eyes closed, much to Luca's amusement. I caught glimpses of his father grinning like a fool during all of this and Braydan angrily staring daggers at his younger brother.

It didn't take long for Braydan to stand, excuse himself then stalk through the lounge.  On his way out, he found Lucia and tugged her along with him toward the private rooms.  Shortly after that, we heard her loud and clear cries of passion even over the loud music.

Luca rolled his gorgeous eyes and sighed as he peered at me.  His right hand still tightly holding me around my lower back while his left sat dangerously high on my thigh.  Every so often I felt a light touch on my bikini center that made me shiver.

"Sei tu vocale come lei? O un piccolo gattina tranquillo?" He asked, a devious smirk on those kissable lips.

(Are you vocal like her? Or a small, quiet kitten?)

"I...don't know..." but my voice trailed off when he left a lingering kiss just behind my ear.

"Lo scoprirò presto, Gattina."

(I'll find out soon, Kitten.)

"O-ok," I half moaned again.

God! What was wrong with me?

We both remained quiet for a while except for Luca contributing to the conversation in italian sometimes.  I was far too distracted to listen. His hands never left my body or stopped stroking my bare skin.

I squealed and gripped his shoulders when Luca lifted me and swung a leg over as if I didn't weigh a thing, repositioning me so I was now straddling his lap. Both his hands now settled on my bare hips, gently and slowly gliding over the bare flesh.

A few people began trickling out as the night drew on but the Luciano family members were the last to leave.  Except for Braydan, who we knew from Lucia's periodic bursts of moans and loud whimpers, was still holed up in a private room.

Finally, the oldest man at the table rose and began leaving the table.  With that movement, Luca gently set me back down on the floor and stood in front of me.  He said goodnight to the older men, shaking hands firmly with each.  Then his hand travelled to the small of my back and guided me toward that ominous hallway.

Was he already expecting time in a private room? We just met! I'm not ready for that!  To my relief, he guided me down the corridor toward the girls rooms.  The lights were low as it was late and most were sleeping. Once at my door, he spun me to face him again.

"I will see you soon, Gattina," He whispered into my ear, kissing lightly just under the lobe, earning a shiver and light moan from me.

His next move surprised me even more.  Taking my hand in his, he raised it then took hold of my wrist.  Forest green orbs locked onto my sapphire ones as he brought the inner soft tissue of my wrist to those warm, soft lips leaving a hot, lingering kiss there.

Then he dropped my wrist, turned and sauntered down the hallway the same way we came from, leaving me alone and very heated.

We finally meet Luca!

Drooling yet? Lol

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