Page 33 of Undercover Desires

“With my life.” Shelby doesn’t hesitate in her response. “He may be a player, but he’s always looked after me and every other girl I’ve seen come through this place. Did something happen when you were in the room last night?”

I shake my head. “No, nothing happened.”

She gives me a skeptical glance. “But he bought you at the auction, right?”

“Hmm,” I respond, a hint of agreement in my voice. I can’t even process that she thinks this is normal. I also don’t understand why none of them told me about this whole auction thing. Why was last night the first I heard about it?

Shelby furrows her brow. “But nothing happened between you two?” she checks again.

“No, absolutely nothing.”

She looks genuinely puzzled. “I’m confused. All this time, I thought he was hot for you.” Returning her attention to getting dressed, I can see she’s still thinking it over. She’s not the only one who is confused. I’m so nervous to think about what he really wants from me. What does being his yes girl even entail?

As I change into my uniform, I decide to quell my own curiosity. “Shelby, do you live around here?” I ask. The memory of the earlier underwear incident still nags at me. I hadn’t noticed them missing when I took my laundry off the line, but my mind had been preoccupied. I had just returned from my meeting with Detective Reader and couldn’t stop thinking about his daughter.

“Not too far from here, yeah. Why do you ask?” Shelby asks, slipping into her heels.

“Have you ever had clothing stolen before? Like off a drying rack or something?”

Her eyes narrow with surprise. “No, that’s weird.”

I can’t help but agree, a sense of unease washing over me. “I know, and it’s kind of creepy. And last night I felt like someone might have been following me home. I didn’t see anyone, but I just felt like I was being watched or something.”

“I don’t like the sound of that. What did they take?”

With a sigh, I confess, “All my underwear. I had it out on my back porch drying in the sun.”

Shelby’s eyes widen with concern. “You need to report that shit to the police. And make sure one of the boys walks you right to your door tonight. Or I can drive you with me.”

“Thanks. That actually might work better. Ben’s been driving me home, and it’s so awkward.”

“Why is it awkward?” She looks like I just insulted her.

“Because we don’t have anything to talk about. It’s silent the whole time we’re in the car,” I complain.

She bites her lip. “I’ve never found that with Ben,” she says with a glint of excitement in her eyes.

I smirk toward her, unable to help it. I’ve been watching young love bloom right in front of me since I started working here. I so want them to go on a date or something already. It’s blatantly obvious they like each other. “Yeah, because you have a little crush on him.”

She flicks her hair as she checks out her reflection in the mirror. I catch the satisfied glance.

“You two are adorable,” I tell her.

Suddenly, her eyes light up as if a realization has dawned on her. “I know why Kobe placed a bid on you and didn’t try to jump your bones.” She grabs my shoulders, looking me rightin the eyes. “He was trying to protect you. Someone must have nominated you. It’s happened before a couple of times, and he’s stepped in to make sure they didn’t have to get up on stage or meet with any guys they didn’t want to.” She drops my shoulders and goes about packing her locker. “He’s a big sweetie. Most girls who work here will jump at the chance, but if they’re not into the idea, there is no way anyone here will force them into it. It’s supposed to be fun for both parties and consensual. The boys are big on that after what the old owners were doing. Kobe’s the first one to step in and sort it all out. He’s never had to bid on someone to do it, though.” She glances back at me, puzzled.

I stare back at her, wishing I had her optimism about the situation. “Yeah, somehow, I don’t think he paid all that money to be a hero. He wants something from me. I just don’t know what it is yet.”

She sighs like it’s exhausting her. “Oh. You two have this really weird dynamic going on. I like to figure shit out, but I don’t get you guys.”

“Me neither, but I’m sure I’m about to find out. We better get out there and give Xavier a hand.” As we walk out to the bar area, I search the room for Kobe. So far there’s no sign of him, and I relax a little, hoping he’s staying at The Joker tonight instead.

Xavier has everything all set and ready to go for the night, and Shelby and I join her behind the bar. “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this whole auction thing? If I’d known, I would have made sure my name wasn’t on that list.”

Shelby looks guilty in my direction. “Honestly, it’s so rare for anyone other than the Queens to be nominated. And if it was any of us, we would jump at the chance.”

“Not me,” Xavier butts in, unimpressed.

“Well, anyone but you and I guess Bella.”

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