An extremely tall, gaunt man came forward. "If I hadn't just left River, I would have thought you were him. You're two peas in a pod."

"Yeah. He needed to see me. Please." So Leaf could kill him.

"It's highly unusual, but certainly. Follow me, please."

He followed the man down a long corridor, stopping at about the fifth door. A single knock and the guy went in. "River? You have a guest. Please keep it short -- you go on in a few minutes."

"Yes. Yes, thank you." River was... naked.

"River?"

"Three minutes, River," the guy admonished, closing the door behind him as he left.

"Leaf, brother, you have to help me." River came up to him, started pulling at Leaf's clothes.

"What are you doing? What's up?"

"I promised to auction myself off for a week, but then Harry texted and he wants to get back together." Leaf's shirt came off as River continued. "You'll make a fortune. Enough to live on for almost six months. It'll be fun."

Fun?

There was a knock at the door, and a soft female voice sounded. "River? It's time, honey. You're up."

"I'll be right there."

Leaf's pants were opened, shoved down. "It'll be okay. It's only a week. Please. Harry... I love him."

Leaf shook his head. Harry didn't love anyone, and yet River kept crawling back to the asshole. "Only a week what? What exactly are you getting me into here?"

"You just have to be good for a week, honey. You're good at that. Go. Go, they'll help." His shoes, wallet, underwear -- River took everything.

"But..."

Leaf swallowed as River pushed him out the door. "I'll make it up to you. I promise."

A short girl with blonde, curly hair beamed at him. "There you are, River. Oh, that wide-eyed innocent look is perfect." She laughed softly and pinched his cheeks as she slid a silk robe around his shoulders. "The robe'll come off when you get to the viewing room. Come on."

"But..." Oh, this was fucked up.

"But what, honey? I know Yves and Bart went over everything with you. And we talked about the walk and how being naked would get you the biggest price. But if you have any other questions, you have... uh, okay, only like a minute, so make it snappy."

"He's..." Leaf looked back, but River was gone and Leaf's clothes were gone with him.

"Come on, honey. I know it can be hard the first time, but you'll feel better once you've started."

River's voice came from down the hall, toward where Leaf had come in. "Have fun! I'll see you next week, brother!"

Oh, God.

Leaf was going to kill River. Slowly. Painfully. Dead.

"There's been a lot of excitement over you since the profile went up, honey. You should pick up some good bids. Remember not to be too cocky, but not too shy, either. And don't pick your nose." She gave him a wink as she opened another door and ushered him through.

"I won't." No way. God, River sucked. Moose nuts.

The room he went into was softly lit, and he could see cameras mounted all over the place. Seriously, there were at least six, getting him from various angles. What the hell had River done?

The lights came up, and an announcer's voice sang out. "And here we have lot twelve. This is River's first time at Shibari, and he's eager to please. We've got a full week up for grabs. Please refer to River's card for his dos and don'ts. And let's start the bidding at ten thousand."

Dollars?

Ten thousand dollars?

What had River agreed to do?

That was his cue, and he walked into the room. It was devoid of trappings and people -- there was only the stage. Or was it a catwalk? That's what they called it when models walked along it, right? Although he imagined there weren't too many models who were naked in front of their audience.

He was. Naked and entirely exposed and he couldn't even see his audience. For all he knew, there wasn't even anybody there to bid on him.

"He is offering a six-month contract with very few limitations. Joel is willing to serve a stern master, and he is offering a near-virginal body with no body mods, no ink. Shave him, plug him, pierce him, ink him -- he's eager to bend to your will, to see how far you can push him before he breaks."

The announcer had barely finished introducing him when the panel at the other end of the catwalk thing started lighting up with bids.

Joel flexed, tossed his hair and tried to look confident, strong. Hot. His belly was a bundle of nerves, but damn it, he wanted this and he wasn't fucking strong enough to ask for it. So this seemed like the only logical solution. Crazy, maybe, but he couldn't figure out any other way to get what he wanted. No, what he needed was more accurate.

The bids kept getting higher and higher. He knew six months was a long time and he'd basically put himself at someone's feet, under their total control, but it was still a little surprising. At least he knew there were people out there bidding and that they liked what they saw.

Joel was more than half hard now, balls heavy at the idea of this new life, at the knowledge he was going to get it. He heard the word "Sold," and the lights dimmed, though they didn't go out. That meant it was done, right? He turned to go, not sure what he was doing, what he was supposed to do next. He'd never sold himself before.

The door at the back opened, the lady who'd helped him get ready earlier motioning for him to come back. She gave him a warm smile. It was neat, the way she could look at him naked, check him out and make sure he was presenting himself at his best, but not have that approving smile be in the least bit... leering or vulgar. "That's amazing, honey. We haven't had that big a take in a while."

"Yeah? Oh, God. I think I need to sit down." He'd just sold himself for six months. Sold. Himself. Oh, God.

"Come on. I'll take you to the room you're meeting your new master in." She put a robe around his shoulders. "You did say you wanted to go to him completely nude and free of possessions, right?"

"Yes. Yes, ma'am." Oh, he was going to have a meltdown. It was really settling in now. "You said you would hold everything? My three boxes?" He'd just given himself over for a sick fantasy. There was no turning back now. Except there probably was a way out, but he knew he wasn't going to take it.

"We will. You can come pick your stuff up anytime." She gave him an encouraging smile.

"Thanks." Oh, God. Oh, God. What had he done? What was he doing? His stupid cock wasn't having the same doubts, oh no, not at all.

There was a knock on the door and it was the first time the lady's mask slipped. "Oh, God. I'm supposed to be out of here before he gets here." She rushed to the door, letting someone else in as she left.

Oh, God, here it was. Joel didn't know whether to breathe or throw up. He settled on holding his breath.

Fuck. The man who came in was gorgeous. Tall and bronze, with dark hair and eyes that looked like they didn't miss a thing. The strong body was covered in a nice pair of dark slacks and a dark blue shirt that fit impeccably, no tie.

Joel stood, refusing to back down, refusing to be ashamed of what he needed. He managed to remind himself to take a breath, too, mostly because he didn't want to pass out.

The man looked him up and down, the gaze slow, almost physical, and Joel's body tightened, his belly rippling with his need.

"What's your name, boy?" The man's voice was deep, husky. Very sexy...

"Thank you." Leaf looked up at him and those pretty green eyes met James'. "Now we're just two men, together."

"I don't think you are a 'just' anything." James rubbed their noses together; he was the luckiest man in the world, really. "And I know there's no 'just' about the things I can't wait to do to you."

"So what happens now, James?" There was such trust in Leaf's eyes; it was amazing and somewhat humbling. James cleared his throat. "My week is clear. I assume yours still is too, right?"

"Yes. Yes, I don't have much to worry about." Leaf shrugged. "I quit my job at the restaurant."

Leaf didn't have a job and had still returned the money. James leaned in to kiss his boy. "Why did you do that?"

"You'll think I'm silly." Color tinged Leaf's cheeks.

"I haven't yet." Now James was intrigued.

"I have a friend, Liam. He's a psychic and he told me change was coming and I had to be ready."

James wasn't sure he believed in psychics, but the sentiment behind it touched his heart. "So you quit for me?"

"I believe so, yes." Leaf was so earnest.

James gave Leaf a warm smile. "I'd better make it worth your while then."

"You will. We'll manage." Again, the trust Leaf afforded him was astounding.

"We seem to have managed so far." He closed the laptop and slid his hands down over Leaf's chest, fingers rubbing past the little nipples. He might need to break out the clamps again.

"We have. I need to call the restaurant, though, ask them to take me back next week, then I'm yours."

"What were your hours like when you worked there?" He wanted their free time to sync.

Leaf sighed. "I worked the supper shift. Three to midnight."

James frowned. "That's not very convenient." With those hours they'd hardly ever see each other and he wanted access to his boy beyond a few hours together in bed and the occasional day off.

"No. I have Sunday and Mondays off, usually." Leaf shrugged. "I'm trying to get into school, but it takes time."

James sighed. "We'll work something out. You're more than worth the effort."

If Leaf had taken that money, he could have gone to school with it. Leaf's dreams could have come true. Yet, Leaf felt trying a relationship based on honesty, on how they felt was more important. It meant a lot that Leaf had put his priorities there. In the two of them.

James tilted Leaf's head and brought their lips together.

Leaf opened up to him, moaning softly, groaning into his lips. He drew Leaf up out of his chair, tugging until they were pressed together and he could deepen the kiss.

James was going to make sure it was worth it for his sweet boy. He didn't want Leaf to ever regret this choice.

His hands drifted down to cup Leaf's ass. Leaf's moan was like music, soft and sweet. He wanted to tan this. With his hand first, then with a paddle, a flogger. He wanted to make Leaf shine and sing for him. He wanted Leaf to twist and shiver.

Ben Williams, the bartender at Glass Houses, had listened to him crying in his beer a couple of days ago and slipped him this business card. Shibari Auction House. Jack had told the guy he didn't have a damn thing left in the world. Nothing. He'd sold it all for that last desperate game. Triple or nothing. He got nothing.

"This is... Well, they aren't buying stuff, Jack. It's... service they're buying."

Service.

It had taken him a little bit to figure it out, and a little bit longer than that even to get up the balls to call. Knowing that Mick Peterson was out there with a baseball bat and a switchblade helped.

"You do understand that you will enter a contract, yes?"

Jack nodded. After he called, he'd spent time with Ben, who'd told him that all sorts of things were possible -- personal assistants, security, even housekeeping -- but mainly this was sex stuff. With other guys, if you wanted the money.

God knew, he wanted the money.

"I do. You tell me what'll get me the best price, I'll do it. I'm not scared." Or proud. Hell, maybe after three years of doing... whatever, he wouldn't want to gamble any more.

"Well, obviously the more... esoteric terms are more costly." The thin lips pursed. "Body modifications and total submission are at the top, and --"

"Fine. Give me the list." He had two days left before the enforcers came hunting him.

"Length of time will make a difference as well." Lurch still wasn't handing over the list. "And anyone could buy you. Someone young, someone old..."

"Is three years good?" He didn't care about the other. It wasn't like he was going to get off. He started checking stuff off. "When it says body mods, they won't cut my balls off or nothing, right?"

"No, that would be castration. Body mods includes piercings and things like pearls slipped beneath your skin." One of Lurch's eyebrows went up, way up, as he continued to mark items as acceptable. "Three years will get you a good sum, especially with the number of items you're indicating you'll do."

"Okay." He firmed his lips up and looked at the guy -- Yves, actually, not Lurch -- again. "Is it bad that I haven't ever taken it in the ass? I mean, I can go out tonight and do it, if it is."

Yves made a soft noise. "Are you even gay? Because trust me, we include that you are a virgin and your price goes up. Way up. But your... deflowering may not be all hearts and roses."

"I'm gay. I just... In my neighborhood it's a quick handjob or a blowjob in the alley. Not... something that ends in a bed with lube." The idea of having a cock up there made his sphincter clench.

"You can leave anal sex off the list. It will decrease the price, though." Yves touched his arm, his look gentle. "Are you sure?" If the man asked that one more time...

"They're going to break my legs, man. They're going to kill me. I have to pay them."

"Well, no one who buys you will break your legs or kill you." Yves shook his head. "If you really need a lot of money, I would suggest giving your virginity up with the rest. That really will be what increases your price."

"Okay. Okay, yeah. It's not like it's good to me." He tried to grin. "I'm not a bastard. I just... I gamble." He had the slightest addictive bone.

"Not very well, it appears." Yves' tone was extremely dry.

Jack found himself laughing, hard. Hard enough that it hurt a little. "Yeah, I guess."

"If you'll finish filling that out, I'll send Bart in for the signing, and then Katie will help you with your grooming. If you want, and you're quick, we can get you on the bill for tonight's auction."