The Auction (Club Indulgence Duet, #1)(11)

Dom? What is a Dom?

She steps closer. "Have you chosen your charity?"

"My charity?" I utter.

"Yes. The Dom writes a check for the amount he bids to whatever charity you direct."

A bleached-blonde woman cuts in, "It's how this isn't prostitution. It's for a good cause."

Prostitution?

Oh God. The man who bids on me will want to sleep with me.

"You get to negotiate though. So contracts are only signed after all parties agree to the terms. If you can't agree, then you're still free to go after the auction is over," the blonde adds.

"Number one, you're up," a man calls out.

A brunette wearing a white, barely there lace teddy and silver collar steps through the curtain. The room erupts in cheers, and an auctioneer states over a microphone, "Linda's ready to allow her Dom to get dirty. She's open to all activities, including multiple partners of either sex, public humiliation, and being recorded."

The bidding starts, and the woman with the clipboard nudges me and orders, "Put your shoes on."

I glance at my stilettos and realize I'm still gripping them for dear life. I relax my fingers and step into them.

"Wait until you see the shoes these Doms buy their subs," she states.

I continue processing all the information. My inner voice tells me to leave, but then it screams that anything a Dom wants to do to me isn't as scary as having to go back and live under my father's control.

Plus, I get to negotiate. It buys me time, and I can figure out my next steps after I don't sign whatever contract this bidder puts in front of me.

I can't leave right now.

They know where I live.

The girls get bid on one by one until the auctioneer states, "And now we have number twelve, Ms. Blakely Fox."

I freeze, staring at the auctioneer and the lights, which remind me of the Lizard Lounge.

The woman with the clipboard pushes me, and I step forward. Cheers fill the air, and the auctioneer says, "Ms. Blakely Fox prefers to keep her desires secret between her and her Dom. As she just reiterated to us, she's new to the lifestyle. Do I hear a hundred thousand?"

The bids are shouted throughout the room, and it gets to over a million dollars.

I gape, unable to see any faces, wondering why these men are so eager to toss their money to a charity when they don't even know which one I'd pick.

"Sidebar," a voice calls out. It sounds familiar, and something deep in my core aches. Yet I still can't see any faces.

The room turns silent. Several men whisper off to the side and then approach the auctioneer. He tells him something, and the auctioneer turns toward me. "It seems you've grabbed one of our most sought-after Dom's attention."

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. What would I say anyway? I'm still confused about what's happening and how I'm even in this auction.

The woman with the clipboard steps next to me. Her eyes light up with excitement. She slings her arm around my waist and ushers me behind the curtain.

"What's happening?" I ask, my stomach dancing with nerves.

"Oh, this is so good," she whispers, then guides me to a private room.

"What's going on?" I inquire.

The auctioneer comes into the room and states, "The Dom who bid on you wants a longer contract."

"I'm...I'm sorry?" I ask.

He announces, "He doesn't want a month. He wants a year. The same provisions exist. He'll house you in secret where he sees fit and pay for all your living needs while you're under his care."

Shock continues to ripple through me.

The auctioneer continues, "He said to tell you that he'll allow you to pursue whatever your passion is during your time with him."

I swallow hard. "My passion?"

"Maybe you call it a hobby?" the woman suggests.

So I could still sing and write songs.

What am I doing even contemplating this?

I square my shoulders. "Who is this man? Why isn't he here with us?"

The auctioneer smiles. "He's very private. If you are open to a year, he will have you blindfolded, escorted out of the private exit, and taken to his house several cities over. Once you are there, you can discuss the contract terms and negotiate. Our driver will stay. He will bring you back to the club if you opt out of the deal."

I'd get out of L.A. in secret. That's far enough away from my father's thugs.

Am I really going to do this?

"You should say yes. He's our most sought-after Dom, but he's extremely picky when it comes to his subs," the woman chirps.

I'm still ignorant about this Dom and sub talk, but it seems like my only option. Once I get out of L.A., I'll decide where to go next.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance," the auctioneer claims.

I turn toward the woman. "He's safe? This Dom?"

She nods. "Yes."

I don't know why I trust her. She's a complete stranger, but my gut says she wouldn't lie to me.

I add, "And I can tell him no and leave if I don't like the contract?"

"Yes. We will provide transportation back here," she reiterates.

I take a deep breath, then make a decision. "Okay. I'll go and listen to his terms."