Free Keys to Love by S. J. Frost Page A

“And lucky you. I saw that blond beauty who won those drumming lessons.”
    “Yeah, there're just three problems.” Brad patted his own crotch. “He’s got one of these.” He cupped his hands to his chest as if holding large breasts. “And is missing two of these.”
    Keys to Love 61
    “A little experimentation never hurt anyone,” Julian said.
    Brad winked at him. “Only if you’re volunteering to be the lab rat.”
    “Well, if I had known that’s all it took to turn you from your heathen het ways, I would’ve started squeaking ages ago.”
    Jesse’s tenor called them all back to the moment. “And now our next item is for the ladies only.” He held up his hand at a couple discontented groans. “I know, gentlemen, I know. I tried to convince him to be an equal opportunity dater, but he can’t keep from walking that straight road.”
    Kenny covered his face with both hands. “I can’t do this.”
    Julian patted him on the back. “It’s going to be fine. He already said you’re a ladies only item.”
    “Of course,” Jesse continued, “that’s not to say I couldn’t be persuaded to sell him to a man. Everything has its price, after all.”
    Another pitiful groan escaped Kenny’s throat.
    “And so, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our second item, Kenny Cooper!”
    Brad shoved Kenny toward the stage. “Better get out there, man.”
    Kenny trudged a step forward.
    “And don’t forget to smile,” Julian called.
    Kenny paused just before getting within sight of the audience.
    He sucked in a deep breath, lifted his head, set his shoulders back, and strutted out wearing a broad smile. He stepped on stage to loud clapping and hooting.
    Julian saw Jesse turn toward Kenny and noted his mischievous smirk. Poor Kenny. He really may not survive.
    Jesse flung his right arm toward Kenny. “And here he is! Isn’t he handsome, ladies? And the winner will get him all to herself for an entire night, to do with as she pleases.”
    Kenny attempted a lighthearted laugh, but it came out with a nervous edge. “Jesse, you make it sound like I’m prostituting 62 S.J. Frost
    myself.”
    Jesse waved his words away. “That’s ridiculous. You’re not prostituting yourself. I’m pimping you out.”
    The crowd laughed. Kenny chuckled with them, though it held no humor.
    Jesse tapped his gavel on the podium. “Alright, let’s open the bidding at five thousand.”
    Julian watched several numbered cards shoot up and a bidding war began. Within minutes, Kenny was at fifteen thousand, but as Jesse called for sixteen, hesitation lingered over the audience.
    Jesse pulled the mic from the podium and walked across the stage. “Looks like everyone’s not sure about going higher, and I can understand that. I mean, you don’t know much about him, so let me see if I can entice you with some information. Born on August twelfth, Mr. Cooper just turned twenty-three last month.
    Sure, he might be on the downward side of his sexual peak, but really, it balances out since even being a rock star doesn’t get him laid much.”
    “Jesse!” Kenny snapped.
    Julian burst out laughing with the rest of the audience.
    Jesse continued over the laughter. “And as you can see, he can be somewhat foul-tempered. But that’s nothing a good woman couldn’t whip out of him. In fact…” he held his hand out to the side. Evan walked on stage carrying a small riding crop with a leather popper on the end. He handed it to Jesse and turned to leave. Jesse sliced the air with the whip. “As an added bonus, we’re throwing in this fine tool to help the winner keep Mr. Cooper in line.”
    Julian could hardly breathe through his laughter. Kenny played right into Jesse’s hands, proof of how well Jesse knew him to be able to anticipate his reaction. With the crowd roaring, a woman’s voice shouted, “sixteen,” and the bidding started again.
    As it lagged around twenty-six thousand, Jesse faced Kenny, talking to him as well as the crowd.