Angel's eyes drifted down again, fixed on the shape pushing against Xavier's pants. Her lips parted slightly, breath caught between restraint and hunger.

Xavier caught the look and smirked. He reached over, took her hand, and without hesitation slid it beneath the waistband of his pants. Her fingers closed around him, stroking slow at first, then firmer, the heat in her touch making his breath shift.

He let out a low laugh. "No girl's ever been this pervy with me before."

Angel's gaze never left the divider where Viola and Lyra were half-hidden, her hand working him steady as if daring someone to catch her. "Then you've been around the wrong girls," she murmured, her tone sharp but laced with something more.

Her strokes grew smoother, deliberate, her knuckles brushing against him with each motion. She didn't look at his face—her eyes stayed locked on that corner of the room, lips curling slightly like she knew she was doing something reckless and liked it.

Xavier leaned back into the couch, grin never leaving, watching her work while she kept her attention elsewhere, like it made the act more dangerous, more exciting.

Angel's strokes grew steadier, her fingers curling around him with just enough pressure to make Xavier's grin widen. She finally let her eyes flick up at him, and the heat there wasn't something she could hide.

"You really don't get it, do you?" she muttered low, hand never stopping. "I'm not the kind of girl you can throw lines at. I take what I want."

Xavier let out a small laugh, leaning closer, his voice brushing her ear. "Funny. Last I remember, you were the complete opposite of that." His hips shifted against her hand, urging her along. "But you're still the first one who couldn't keep her hands to herself."

Her lips twitched, but she didn't deny it. If anything, her grip tightened.

For a while she worked him steady, her eyes fixed on the divider like she was daring Viola and Lyra to step back into view. Xavier let her play, enjoying the way her hand claimed him, but he wasn't about to give her the satisfaction of full control. He leaned in, close enough that his words brushed against her ear.

"You really think you're running this, don't you?" he said, low and taunting. He caught her wrist, slowing her motion just enough to remind her who she was touching.

Angel's eyes flicked to his face at last, sharp with challenge. "Maybe I am."

Xavier chuckled, releasing her hand only to let her pick up where she left off. He pulled Angel closer and pushed her head down to his crotch.

Angel stared at his cock from the gap between his pants and slowly took it out. She gulped down as though she was preparing for a tasty meal and opened her mouth. And just as she was about to have the bite—

The sound sliced the moment in half. Angel froze mid-motion, hand still wrapped around him, while Xavier's grin only widened. He leaned back, calm as ever, like he'd been expecting it.

"Looks like we've got company," he said, his tone lazy but amused.

The knock came again, this time softer, like a signal rather than someone demanding entry. Angel's hand slipped away as she stood, smoothing herself down before striding to the door. She opened it just enough to take whatever was offered, exchanged a few hushed words, then came back inside with a flat black tablet and a small metallic switch in her hand.

"Bidding device," she said, holding them up. "They'll announce the start soon. Every room gets one."

She set the switch on the table and kept the tablet close, sinking back into the chair with a faint air of composure as if nothing had just happened.

Not long after, Viola and Lyra returned from the divider. Viola's expression was unreadable, but Lyra looked looser, more comfortable, tugging less at the outfit. She padded over to the couch, dropped into the opposite seat, and leaned her elbows on her knees.

"When's the food coming?" Lyra asked, eyes flicking to Xavier with something between boredom and impatience.

Xavier stretched out, one arm draped across the back of the couch, grin playing at his lips. "At least wait for the auction to start. Think they're gonna serve it before the show even begins?"

Lyra sighed, kicking one leg restlessly. "Fine. But if I don't get something soon, I'm gonna start chewing the furniture."

Angel's lips twitched at that, Viola gave the smallest roll of her eyes, and Xavier only chuckled, settling in as the low hum of voices outside began to quiet—sign the event was about to begin.

Angel leaned closer, showing the tablet's interface. "See this switch? You just tap here to place a bid. Quick, smooth, and no one even notices until the board updates. It's anonymous too—"

Xavier's hand had already found its way under the edge of her dress. Every so often he traced along her thigh, not going all the way but close enough to make her shift in her seat. She didn't say a word, but her breathing told the story.

Meanwhile, Viola had her eyes locked on the auction feed. A new item floated on the screen, projected into the room in a full 3D hologram. It wasn't some weapon or piece of rare tech like Xavier had expected—it was fashion-related. A slim, antique-looking machine, plated in bronze and glass, with tiny runes etched into the surface. The host's voice called it a "fabric weaver of the old world, capable of producing textures no modern system could replicate."

Viola's calm mask slipped. She leaned forward, lips parting slightly, fingers tightening on the railing in front of her. Her eyes lit up with a hunger Xavier hadn't seen before.

This was pure obsession.

"Xavier…" she said quietly, almost under her breath. "I need that."

"Hmm?" Xavier raised a brow. "Why are you telling me that? You can buy whatever you want." He shrugged.

"I will even use your money if I have to, but I will get my hands on that thing, no matter what happens!"

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