CHAPTER FIVE #3
“Nope. They can belong to just one or to all four. If they want to do the Cinnamon auction, though, they have to be members of all four clubs and they have to pay an additional fee.”
I didn’t even want to guess how much all of that would cost. One year’s membership for one man would be more than Mama or I would ever see in our lifetimes.
A grand staircase was a focal point in the room. It led to the second floor of the building. “What happens upstairs again?” I asked. She was already turning to leave.
She stopped and looked over her shoulder at me. “That’s the auction room.”
So, that’s where she ultimately wanted me to end up. And from what she’d told Nico, it would be sooner rather than later. “That’s where the men bid on the women?”
“Exactly. It’s only used the first Friday of every month. Other than that, my family sometimes uses it as a private place to discuss business.”
I had too many questions running through my mind at once and didn’t know which one to ask. So, I didn’t end up asking anything. I just looked at her.
She smiled. “Come on, Nadine.” She hooked her arm though mine. “I think I’ve blown your mind.”
***
I sat in Carmen’s office, which was even nicer than what I’d assumed it would be. There was a large window overlooking the bay far down below us, and I found myself looking out of it a lot.
She had a huge ornate wooden desk in her office, as well as a nice table and chairs in the corner. That’s where we were sitting now, with lunch spread out in front of us.
I ate while she filled me in on how the clubs worked.
“I’m not going to bore you with all the details,” she assured me, “but there are a few things you need to know.”
I took a bite of my delicious turkey club sandwich and chewed while I listened. I felt self-conscious eating in front of her. She had effortless table manners. I tried to copy everything she was doing without being obvious about it, but I wasn’t sure I was getting things right.
“I want you to hostess at Sugar for a couple of weeks, then we’ll see about you dancing.
If you’re the hit I think you’re going to be, then I’ll put you in the auction the first week of June.
We just had one last Friday, so this is going to be a quick turnaround. But I think that’s best for everyone.”
“Why?”
Her dark eyes assessed me. “I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, Nadine, but we have a certain type of woman who works for us.
They’re gorgeous, obviously, but they’re also usually college students or college graduates who have fallen on hard times for whatever reason.
They’re looking for a way out of their financial difficulties.
We’re looking for women just like them to fulfill our members’ needs.
” She shrugged. “It’s a win-win situation.
The women get good-looking, wealthy men to pay for their needs and give them a fresh start in life.
The men get beautiful, classy women to show off at society functions.
Of course, they also need to be great in bed to keep our members satisfied. ”
“So, why’d you pick me? I’m definitely not well-educated.” I was even more mystified than I’d already been.
“Because you’re even more beautiful than most, if not all, of the women who work for us. And, like I said, we always hire the same type of women. It will be interesting to see the members’ reaction to someone different.”
“Okay. So… when do I start?”
“You’ll shadow Glory or Daisy this week. We’ll see how you do before we put you out there on your own. I got you a few uniforms. They’re hanging in your closet at Cinnamon House. You’ll start tonight.”
“Wow. That’s fast.”
She nodded while she finished a bite of her sandwich. “You’ll just get more nervous if I give you time to settle in. Tonight’s the night.”
“So, being a hostess is just like being a waitress?”
“Yes. Except you’ll be wearing a very revealing uniform and some guys will get handsy with you. That’s fine as long as it’s not too much.”
I gave her a look. “What’s too much?”
She waved her hand in the air. “There are no hard rules on that. Just be quick on your feet and be ready to move away from them if they’re too grabby.
But always be nice to the members. If you have a problem with one of them, go to one of the bouncers—we have lots—and report the guy. He’ll be taken care of.”
Yikes. “Taken care of?”
Carmen grinned and rolled her eyes. “We won’t have him killed, Nadine. Damn. He’ll just be re-educated on what he can and can’t do with the hostesses.”
“But you haven’t really told me…”
“Just watch Glory and Daisy. They’re pros. Learn from them and ask them if you need to.”
I nodded. “And the auction…”
“Like I said last night, I’ll be going over it in more detail with you soon.
I’ll have you fill out a questionnaire when it’s closer to time.
I’ll also need you to get tested for STIs at the doctor—it’s just routine, Nadine—and we’ll do a background check.
This is all standard. We do it with all the women and men. You’ll also have to sign an NDA.”
This was really happening. “And I’ll just fuck the guy a lot for a few months and then I’ll get money?”
“It’s a little more complicated than that, but, basically, yeah.”
“And he won’t be gross or mean or anything?”
Carmen shook her head. “Most of the guys who are members are good-looking, Nadine. And I’ll take extra care to ensure that only a nice man will win you in the auction. I promised your mama, and I’m promising you.”
I stared out the window again. I hoped I knew what I was getting myself into.
“Think you’re up for it?”
I looked at her sharply. Did I hear a tone of doubt in her voice? The last thing I wanted was for her to turn around and drive me back home today. I didn’t even want to think about the look on Mama’s face if that happened.
“One hundred percent,” I said firmly. I couldn’t afford to not be up for it.
If I wanted a better life for Mama and me, I had to swallow my nerves and my doubts and just go for it.