Chapter 13

Tonight has already been incredible.I don't know what got into me, bidding on that weekend trip to Nevada. But I had an empty credit card and was fully prepared to almost max it out to cross Vegas off my bucket list. The bidding went too high, though, and I didn't want a huge monthly payment, so I called it quits.

I wasn"t expecting Steel to pick up the bidding where I left off. Buying the trip for fifteen grand. My stomach plummeted, leaving me staring wide-eyed at him, utterly dumbfounded, while he smirked. I've never had someone do something that big and thoughtful for me.

My heart is pounding as we pull into a short drive and slow down by a small guard shack. Steel waves, gives them a curt nod and they watch as we roll past. "We have two people guardin' the drive at all times. Not that we've had any issues, but we want to know the comings and goings of people. It gives the old ladies and kids a sense of security."

"Like a gated community, but only for your members. I like that. The world is changing and people are so vulnerable," I admit.

Steel parks the truck and hurries around to my side of the vehicle to open my door. Taking my hand, he leads me through the front door of what looks like an old warehouse. As we walk in, I notice they have redesigned the inside to resemble a massive rec room.

A long bar dominates the left wall, while a pool table, dartboard, and couches are scattered around the room. Near the entrance, a jukebox stands, and a large TV screen displays a hockey game.

"So this is the main area of the clubhouse where we hang out and party." He leads me into another room, a sprawling kitchen that would make any chef drool. Connected to it is a dining room with a table big enough to accommodate twenty guests.

"This is incredible, but where do you sleep or do you not live here?"

"I live here. Not all the guys do, but any of them who are single and want to can. The married members have their own places, but a room is always open for them in case they need it."

"Am I going to see your room?" I ask, my breath hitching at how brazen that question is. This isn't like me, but Steel makes me feel like I'm flying, and I have a hard time controlling my thoughts when I'm around him.

"Do you wanna see my room?" he rasps.

"Maybe." I lick my lips. The word lingers in the air, filled with indecision. We stand there staring at one another. His eyes are dark, filled with desire.

"Later," he murmurs, breaking the tension. "Let's go get you a drink."

I follow him as we head back into the main room and straight to the bar. Chad is behind it making drinks, and I raise a brow at him. "Hey, Chad. Nice to see you again. Can I get a Corona with salt and a lime?"

"Get me a Busch Light," Steel tells him. Chad turns to the beer coolers behind him and grabs our drinks, setting them on the bar, and popping the tops. He then opens a small fridge and grabs a lime.

"Thank you," I tell him when he slides the salt and beer over to me with the lime wedge shoved down the neck of the bottle.

"No problem," he replies, moving to another club member.

I slide onto a stool, and Steel moves in behind me, his chest pressed against my back. I look up at him and smile. "Do we pay or tip him?"

He laughs before kissing my forehead. "Nah. The prospects take turns bartendin' as part of their service to the club."

A door in the back of the room slams open and three people I haven't met come strolling in.

Two men wearing black jogging pants and white t-shirts along with a woman wearing a short as hell skirt with a little crop top. The woman and a guy with hazel eyes and a face tattoo come our way.

"Steel, baby! You told me he was a looker, but he's hot as fuck!" the woman squeals.

"Iggie. Kiki. Kiki this is Ignatius. And this is Gabe," Steel introduces us, and I extend my hand. She shakes it firmly before I hold it out to Gabe, who copies her actions.

"Hey. I'm glad to put a face to the name that helped Steel with his letter." I smile at her and she laughs as she nods her head.

"I couldn't let him write it alone. The rough draft was scary," she teases.

"Kiki! Baby, I got a little something for you!" some guy calls from a chair by the pool table. He is thin with fluffy brown hair, reminding me of that vampire that glitters in the sun.

"Duty calls. I'll talk to you later." She waves her fingers before sashaying over to the man and straddling his lap, kissing him.

"Is that her boyfriend?" I ask, wondering how a guy like him snagged a girl like her.

Gabe chokes on a laugh and Steel shoots him a glare. "Well, I better make the rounds," he says. "It was nice meeting you, Ignatius."

I turn to Steel, my brows furrowing and my lips parting in confusion. "Did I... say something?"

"Baby," he whispers, turning my stool so we are face to face. "Kiki, Gabe, and Cody, the other guy who walked in with them, they're the club whores. There's also another female, Daria, but I don't know where she's at right now."

"Club whores?"

"Yeah, their job, I guess you could call it, is to service the members of the club in any way asked. If you catch my drift. In return, they get to stay here and are under the protection of the club," Steel informs me. His voice is unsure and his eyes aren't focused on me, so I can tell he's nervous.

"What if they don't want to service a member?" I ask using air quotes when I say service.

"They're never forced, if that's what you're askin'. If they're asked or made to do anything they don't wanna do, they know to come straight to me and I'll handle it. We do not stand for violence." He winces. "Okay, we don't stand for sexual violence."

"Have you slept with them?" I ask, even though I don't think I really wanna know the answer.

"Kiki, yes. Gabe has sucked me off. I've never touched Daria or Cody. But I haven't even looked at any of them in that way since the day I laid eyes on you."

"Okay," I whisper. What else is there to say? I didn't expect him to be a virgin, but I am shocked that he told me without a second thought.