The Auction (Club Indulgence Duet, #1)(5)

Some of the regulars are at their usual tables. Within an hour, more customers fill the room. I hustle between the two sections, doing whatever I can to keep the men happy and earn higher tips.

It's after midnight when two beefy white men I've never seen sit down in my section. One has salt-and-pepper hair and the other is bald. They're wearing expensive suits, which isn't out of the ordinary. Cheeks is a higher-end club, and many rich men from around the world frequent it when they're in town.

I approach the table, set two drink napkins down, and chirp, "Welcome to Cheeks. I haven't seen you two in here before. Are you in L.A. traveling for business?"

The bald one firmly answers, "No."

They both study me, and a chill runs down my spine. It's not the first time I've experienced it, but it rarely happens.

"Are you enjoying your shift, Blakely?" the salt-and-pepper-haired man asks.

Goose bumps pop out on my skin. I blurt out, "Sorry, have we met?"

The bald one replies, "Not exactly."

My mouth turns dry. I question, "What does that mean?"

They stay quiet.

"How did you know my name?" I inquire.

"Lucky guess," the salt-and-pepper man states.

We all study each other for a moment, and I suddenly feel extremely exposed. I lift my chin, asking, "Can I get you something to drink?"

"Two waters," Baldy replies.

"Coming right up," I say, then go to the bar, punch the order into the computer, and motion for Savannah.

She steps next to me. "Everything okay?"

"Table fifty-five. They knew my name. I've never seen them before, and when I asked them if we've met, they said not exactly," I relay.

She glances behind us and then leans closer to me, muttering, "They're watching you."

My gut drops. I gaze at them, then turn back toward the machine. "I don't know them."

Savannah offers, "Let me see if the bouncers told them your name. I'm sure that's how they know it and they're only interested in getting into your pants. You know how these men are when they're let out of the house for the night."

"Both of them?" I question, not convinced.

She shrugs. "Maybe they're into threesomes."

I cringe at the thought of doing anything with one of them, much less both at once. I'm not a virgin, but I haven't had too many experiences. I spend most of my time working and trying to get on new stages to sing. And those two are definitely not my type.

Phoenix calls out, "Blakely, orders up!"

Savannah hightails it to the front door, and I pick up the tray of drinks. I drop off orders at several tables, trying to ignore my flipping gut. I return to where Baldy and Salt-and-Pepper are, then set down their bottles of water. I force a smile. "Can I get you anything else?"

"Nope," Baldy replies.

I nod, then leave, trying to focus on the rest of my customers.

Savannah joins me when I'm adding another order into the computer and informs me, "No one told them your name."

The hairs on my neck rise. I fret, "Then how do they know it?"

"No idea, but they could have been in here before. You've worked here a long time," she suggests.

Worried, I shake my head. "I don't think so. I have a great memory. I rarely forget a face. Besides, why would they remember my name?"

"Honey, when a man wants to screw you, he'll remember your name," she states.

"I would have remembered at least one of them," I insist.

"Maybe only one's come into the club before," she proposes.

I'm not convinced.

She snaps her fingers. "I know! They've probably seen you sing!"

"And they just happen to know I also work here? I don't exactly get on stage, sing, then announce I'm running off to my job at the strip club," I say, then add, "No offense."

She laughs, then teases, "That would leave quite the impression. Maybe you should? We could get some new clientele in here."

"Ha ha," I reply.

She slides her arm around my shoulder. "Listen. Go work your sections. I'll have the bouncers keep an eye on them, but as long as they don't do anything, they're probably just two horny men trying to get you to go home with them. No different than any other night."

I take a deep breath. She's probably right. Plus, I'm safe as long as I'm inside the club. Out of caution, I'll make Troy walk me to my car tonight. It's not the first time I've had him do it. "You're right."

She releases me. "Of course I am. Now, go work those tables."

"On it," I say, then try to focus on my other customers. I try to treat the two men like all my other tables, but I can't shake my nerves. Plus, they don't seem interested in any of the strippers. They shoo them away whenever one comes over to try and grab their attention.

About an hour before the club closes, they disappear. Relief hits me that they left. I finish my shift, go into the locker room, and put on my jeans and top.

I step into the main room and walk over to Troy. "Hey, do you mind walking me to my car tonight?"

He furrows his eyebrows. "Did someone bother you?"

I admit, "Not anything I can report. But two guys that were in here creeped me out."