Page 75 of Carnal Games

“Like I said, I want to watch it play out.” Stepping back to leave, he pauses one final time. “And, Iris?”

“Yeah?”

“I catch you sneaking into my club ever again, I will throw you out and file a restraining order.”

Leaving me quaking in my heels, he disappears inside.

After waiting a minute to compose myself, I round the corner and my mouth falls open. The cavernous room is packed with solely men. Drinks are being served at a rapid speed by male waiters to the guests sitting in the booths.

A zealous glint darkens almost every pair of eyes while lecherous smiles spread across their faces.

I’m confused about what has everyone panting like dogs.

The guard’s question reverberates in my brain. Something about an auction starting soon. In this room, I don’t see any signs of it, nor do I see a stage. I’m not naïve enough to assume it’s a normal type of auction, where goods are being put up for a bidding war.

“You’re late.”

What did the guard mean by that? Did he think I was a bidder? What else could he have meant?

Nah!I tell myself as I slink into a shaded corner. I’m beginning to garner unwanted attention. I’m pondering hard when a dark thought trickles in.

Did he mean—

Someone grasps my elbow.

Alarmed, I look down at a woman’s hand wrapped around my arm and slowly lift my gaze up to her face.

She’s older and dressed elegantly, wearing an exasperated expression. “Did you get lost? I’ve been looking all over for you.”

I dumbly stare at her.

“Have you changed your mind about participating?”

“The auction?”

“Yes. What else will I be talking about?”

Wow. Rosalie and Bianca weren’t kidding when they said the parties here aren’t for the faint-hearted or anything less than sensual and thrilling. Instead of being scared, I’m interested in learning more. Just how crazy are the games here? “Can you, um… tell me the rules again?”

Despite being irritated at my question, she replies, “They’re pretty simple. You go up on the stage, the men bid over you, and whoever wins gets to take you to any of the rooms.”

Like the one I stumbled inside yesterday.

My skin prickles in heat.

She continues talking, “Of course, if your bid turns out to be the highest out of all the girls, then your date will fuck you on the stage while everyone watches.”

My eyebrows shoot to the sky while the ground beneath me shifts. Only to realize, I’m the one who’s trembling.

She has to be joking.

Being fucked in a room full of all these men to give them a show? That’s disgusting and wrong and crazy.

Then why is my pulse racing?

“Now, are you in or not?” the woman impatiently demands.

I don’t know what comes over me because I blurt out, “Yeah… I am.”