COLE

LET ME TELL YOU A little bit about the club. I’ve owned it for five years now, bought it from a man who did not want to sell. I liked the look of the place the first time I went inside. I made him an offer and he rejected it out of hand. So I made another offer, he sold or I told the tax people what I’d dug up about his accounts. He sold.

It’s become more famous over the years but is still pretty discreet, the perfect place to set up a game. I sat at my usual table, almost empty glass of Scotch in my hand. I was waiting for her to arrive. It was five to nine, she wouldn’t be long. I got the feeling she was a stickler for time keeping, probably afraid she might get in trouble if she was late. She was right.

Veronica walked over with her tray, bringing me another drink. “Here,” I said as she put the glass down and collected the empty. “Thanks V.” I placed three folded twenties on her tray and watched a smile flicker across her face.

“Thank you, Mr Ward,” she said. “Anything else I can get you, one of the girls to keep you company perhaps?”

“Not tonight, V.”

“Very good, Mr Ward. Enjoy your evening.”

“I will,” I replied to her retreating form. There was a movement to my left and I turned in time to see her appear. There she was, in the dress I’d insisted she wear. She looked incredible. It was black, strapless, and clinging to her curves in all the right places. She kept tugging at the hem as if she was trying to cover more of her legs. It might have worked but the more she tugged, the lower it slid down her chest, leaving her to yank it back up in a most unladylike manner. I smiled. She hadn’t a clue how to act. I’d soon teach her.

She was barely inside before Denzel swooped on her. Even with the music playing, I could hear the conversation they were having. I didn’t need to be any closer. It was going exactly how I had predicted. She was unsure whether to go through with this, about to back out, apologising for coming. Denzel had her by the arm, shaking his head, pointing at his watch, leading her to the dressing rooms. She’d be back out in a minute. I couldn’t wait.

I sat up straight and waited, my drink forgotten. The lights dimmed, the music hushed, conversation died away. Out of nowhere, a bright light shone onto the stage, hitting it in time for the curtains to rise. There she was, lined up with the other girls. Half a dozen of them but they faded away next to her. I only had eyes for her, picturing her in my room, that dress sliding down her body, those innocent eyes of hers blinking up at me as I told her to…

The auction began. Denzel took the microphone and stood at the front of the stage. “Gentlemen,” he began before adding, “And ladies. We have this evening’s selection ready for you. We’ll start the bidding at ten thousand, shall we?”

A voice piped up from my left. “Ten.”

I waited. The low riders fell away over time. The bidding reached seventy-five thousand and Denzel glanced around the room. “Anyone else?”

I wondered what she was thinking? Did she know why she was being auctioned off? Did she know what was going to happen to her? She looked like she was about to run so I stood up, nodding towards Denzel. “Two hundred,” I said, my voice loud enough for the room to turn and look at me.

“Two hundred thousand from Mr Ward there,” Denzel replied. “Any advance? No? Then come on down, Sir, and take your pick.”

I walked slowly, weaving between the tables, listening to the muttered voices around me.

“He never picks anyone.”

“Too much money for his own good if you ask-”

“Have you ever seen him bid before?”

I ignored them. They didn’t know this was part of the game. The best actors are those who don’t know they’re playing. Even Denzel looked surprised when I walked up on the stage, striding down the line as the women turned their faces towards me, their expressions all too obvious. Every one of them was screaming ‘pick me’ without even saying a word. Not her. She was looking at the exit, as if she was deciding whether or not to make a dash for it.

I stepped in front of her and held out my hand. “Care to join me for a drink?”

There was a brief smattering of applause as she looked at me and then at my hand. She gulped, blinked twice, then pushed her trembling fingers towards mine.

“Moving on to the second round,” Denzel said as I led her off the stage. I tuned him out, my focus on her. I could hear her breathing behind me. It was laboured. She was anxious. I resisted grinning.

I reached my table and pointed to the empty seat opposite mine. Veronica appeared from nowhere, tray in hand. “A drink for the lady?” she asked.

“Orange juice,” she replied. “Please.”

Veronica spun on her heels, leaving us alone. I looked across at her. “What’s your name?” I asked.

This was the big tell. I knew from the form that she was Karina Browning. I knew her age, her weight, her star sign. I even knew which questions she’d refused to answer. But I also knew what her character had been named. Would she play or not? Karina or…?

For a long time she said nothing then she muttered “Melissa,” and this time I couldn’t resist smiling.

“Why are you here, Melissa?”

“I don’t know,” she said with a sigh.

“You want to know what I think?”

She nodded eagerly.

“I think you need to relax a little. You look terrified.”

Her orange juice appeared and as she sipped at it, I took out my chequebook, signing the slip and handing it to Veronica. “With my compliments,” I said.

I looked at Karina, she was staring at me. “Something the matter?” I asked.

“Did you really just write a cheque for two hundred thousand?”

I nodded.

“Is that real money?” she asked, her voice conspiratorial.

“It’s all real in here,” I replied. “Now listen, the music’s starting. The auction must be over. Care to dance?”

She shook her head. “I’ve never danced before.”

“It’s easy. Just copy me.”

“I’m not sure.”

“I paid a lot for your company this evening, Melissa. Now on your feet.”

I stood up, waiting to see if she’d protest. She didn’t. She was so submissive, it was hardly any work at all to dominate her. I led her to the dance floor and slipped my hands into hers, beginning to move amongst the other couples. She stared up at me in bewilderment, as if she thought this was a dream. I smiled down at her. “Enjoying yourself?”

She nodded, treading on my foot at the same time. “Oh, God. I’m so sorry,” she said, her cheeks flushing as she froze in place.

“Just relax,” I replied, taking her hands again. “Look, move a little closer. It’ll make it easier.” I slid my hand round her back, pulling her towards me until her body was pressing against mine. I could feel the heat of her, the curves of her skin, that wonderful sweet smell. It was intoxicating. “That’s more like it,” I said as we swayed together. “See, you’re a natural.”

“You’re a good lead,” she replied, smiling up at me.

The music continued but I wasn’t concentrating. I was too busy trying not to think about tearing her clothes off her body.