VIP Room: Tool Shed, #3

By A.R. Steele

LUCAS
Who ever heard of a shy stripper? I somehow manage to put on an act for the customers, but interacting with my coworkers makes me want to melt into the floor. They're all sexy, outgoing, and confident - the complete opposite of me. When I somehow catch the most intimidating stripper's eye, I wonders if our mutual attraction could develop into more.

ELIJAH
Stripping isn't my passion, but then neither is anything else. All I care about is weed and my motorcycle. At least this job's paying the bills until I can move on to better things. Fooling around with coworkers isn't in my plans - but once I notice the resident wallflower has a killer jawline and the body of a god, those plans change. Falling for Lucas, though? That's another matter. How could a delinquent and a wallflower ever find common ground?

VIP Room is a full-length, standalone gay romance in the Tool Shed series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.R. Steele
• Release date: Sep 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393553731

Book preview

One

Lucas wiped the baby oil off his chest. Staring into the inside of his locker, he pulled his polo shirt over his head and smoothed down his hair. The way the locker door blocked him partially from the others’ view did little to calm his heartbeat, which increased every time he was around this group of guys.

What did Trenton want to talk to you about just now, babe?

Owen was the one who had spoken – Lucas recognized him by the booming depth to his voice. He must’ve been speaking to Cooper, his new boyfriend. By this point, Lucas could recognize all of the strippers by voice alone. He spent a lot of time standing in this corner, avoiding the others’ gazes as he listened to the conversations around him.

It was about the back room, Cooper said. He has some plans for it.

Eavesdropping was never Lucas’s intention, but it was hard to avoid overhearing what people were saying. At least he wasn’t the only one listening to the couple this time.

What plans?

The husky, smoky voice meant it was Elijah. Lucas shivered. That guy had to be the most intimidating stripper here. He was tall and tattooed, with a motorcycle and a bad attitude. Lucas doubted they’d even spoken once in the six months he’d been here. On nights when he felt daring enough, he soaked up Elijah’s hard-set jaw and aloof posture. In return, Elijah always glanced right past him.

He’s going to turn it into a VIP room, Cooper said.

Now he had everyone’s attention. This was big enough news that the guys stopped what they were doing and stared at him.

As Lucas peeked out from behind the locker door, he kept his face mostly hidden. The men who surrounded him were scarier than spiders, snakes, and plane crashes put together. They were gorgeous and charismatic and completely out of his reach. When they were all in a group like this, it was a million times worse.

Cooper was the only one Lucas could be himself around. They’d been neighbors since the time Lucas was a little boy. Through childish friendliness, Cooper had convinced him to open up. Somehow they’d stayed in touch all these years. Lucas had gotten this job through Cooper, which made him technically part of this group. But only technically.

VIP? Sounds sexy, Jesse said.

It will be, Cooper said. He showed me a picture of what it’s going to look like after the remodeling. Picture this. Red and blue neon backlights. One couch. One stage. One pole. He gestured, drawing them an imaginary picture.

Lev followed his hand movements eagerly. There’ll be more than one pole in there when I’m inside. The others ignored him, as they tended to do when he got too crude.

What exactly does VIP service involve? Gabriel asked. As the newest stripper, he was often full of questions. He’d also done the impossible and gotten Ace, a lifelong player, to commit.

Pretty much the same as a regular lap dance, Cooper said. Maybe let the customers get a little more handsy. Nothing too crazy.

Lucas frowned, sliding his glasses onto his nose. If he and Cooper had been alone, he would have asked what the point was. They were close enough that he could talk freely with Cooper. In a group like this, his heart started pounding as soon as he even thought about speaking up.

Luckily, Jesse had the same question. Why is Trenton doing this?

He thinks it’ll bring in more customers. He wants this place to be more of a party spot. If he can get groups of girls in the front door, then the individual girls can empty their wallets in the VIP room without the risk of getting judged by their friends.

I don’t know if a VIP room is the number one thing women want in a male strip club, Jesse mumbled.

It’s pretty stupid, Elijah put in, his voice a sudden harshness intruding into the light atmosphere. The auburn-haired stripper tended to have that effect on people. The customers won’t care either way. Trenton’s wasting his money.

Lucas agreed – but since no one had asked for his opinion, he kept it to himself. Better to say too little than too much.

It’s not opening for another few weeks, anyway, Cooper said.

Good, Elijah grumbled. With any luck, I’ll be out of here by then.

He was always talking about how much he hated this place. Lucas wished he would just leave if that was the case. Maybe then he’d be a little less nervous. Lucas was uncomfortable around these guys in general, but when Elijah walked into the room, the tension always rose to a whole new level.

Well, I’m heading out, Cooper said, grabbing Owen’s hand. Night, guys. Night, Lucas.

Lucas nodded good night to him. Cooper often made an effort to include him, which was nice. If he also forgot a lot of the time, that was okay. Lucas tried not to let those occasions get to him. Cooper had his own stuff going on, and he did so much for everyone. It was understandable that helping his socially stunted neighbor would be low on his list of priorities. Any efforts to bring Lucas into the group were bound to be futile anyway.

We’re heading out too, Ace said, making his way to the door with Gabriel. Lev was right behind him.

Trying not to look at Elijah or Jesse, Lucas laced up his shoes. Jesse was nearly as daunting as Elijah with his leather jacket and couldn’t-care-less attitude. With any luck, neither of them would notice Lucas.

Everything was fine as they finished changing... but Lucas had to walk behind them as they headed out to the parking lot.

I can’t wait for our work week to be over, Jesse groused. I need to get so high to get over this amount of work.

Oh? Elijah said. You need a hookup? I’m holding.

Lucas tried not to listen, but he had to pass by them on his way to the bus stop. He glanced over as he caught up to them. Elijah was in a sleeveless shirt that showed off his sculpted muscles. He stood with one hand on his motorcycle, leaning casually on it as he talked to Jesse.

I’m good for now, E, Jesse told him. I’ll let you know if I need anything later.

Sounds good. You know I’ve always got whatever you need.

The two traded a few more words, and then Jesse got into his car and left for the night.

Lucas tried to sneak past Elijah, but it was impossible to get away without being seen. The guy’s eyes landed on him, and Elijah sneered. What are you listening for?

Shocked, Lucas took a step back. He couldn’t remember a time when Elijah had addressed him directly before. He tried to remember if they had even shaken hands when Lucas had first started working at the Tool Shed. More likely, Elijah had scowled at him much in the way he was doing now.

I wasn’t listening, he said.

His voice tended to be soft, and Elijah didn’t hear him. He forced himself to speak louder. It was never easy to talk to the customers inside the club. With the pounding music and his soft voice, it felt like he was yelling all night. He was less afraid of those women, though. There was no chance that he would be attracted to them, plus he knew exactly what they expected of him. This was completely different.

Elijah laughed at him. Oh, no? I saw you staring. What, you want to buy some weed?

Despite his dry throat, Lucas’s back straightened. He was no innocent, and he didn’t appreciate being treated like one. Maybe I do.

Is that so? Elijah asked, his eyebrow rising. I’ll sell you some.

Despite how little they had interacted, Lucas had seen enough of Elijah to have a bad impression of him. He seemed mean, or maybe bitter. He wasn’t carefree and fun-loving, like most of the other strippers.

Elijah never attempted to joke around with the others. When he spoke, it was generally to complain. Lucas had the sense that Elijah felt he was too good for this place – unlike him, who was grateful to even be here.

Yeah, I do want some, he said, his voice louder. He was annoyed with the assumption that he wouldn’t want to smoke. People had all sorts of ideas about him because he was quiet. They thought he was a prude, or stuck up, or naïve. Wrong, wrong, and wrong!

The amusement was visible on Elijah’s face. Lucas wanted to smack it off of him – not that he would ever do such a thing. How much? Elijah asked.

How was that stuff even measured? Lucas had no idea. Now that he thought about it, did he even want the drug? He had heard enough bad things about pot to make it seem unappealing.

Give me ten bucks’ worth.

He had to repeat himself again, which made Elijah look smug. It was as if the guy could see through him and knew why he was doing this. He had just shown Elijah that he didn’t have the slightest idea how weed was bought or sold.

I can’t do that small of an amount, Elijah said. The smallest I can do is an eighth.

Lucas nodded as if he knew what an eighth was. How much is that?

Fifty.

Fifty? That was most of the money Lucas had made that night. He pursed his lips as he dug his wallet out of his pocket and counted out a wad of tips. His pride wouldn’t let him back out.

He tamped down his resentment as he passed the money into Elijah’s hand. Who knew? It might be fun. Maybe he’d smoke it alone with his cat. Bjorn never judged him no matter what he did.

As he gave Elijah the money, it occurred to him again how good-looking the guy was. He certainly saw what all the customers liked about him. Despite Elijah’s bad attitude, his face was absolutely perfect. His slight stubble gave him enough of an edge to make him even better.

Lucas’s eyes slid along Elijah’s body. His arms were well developed, with elaborate sleeve tattoos accentuating the muscles. Lucas knew from memory that his chest and abs were equally buff. Elijah didn’t skip out on leg day, either. Lucas was quite familiar with the contours of his thighs, his calves, and the sculpted curve of his ass.

Elijah didn’t move for a second after pocketing his money, and Lucas feared he would take it and go. Maybe Elijah was planning to take him for a ride. He probably knew Lucas wouldn’t protest the unfairness. He would keep as quiet as always even if he did get ripped off.

At last Elijah reached back into his pocket and pulled out a small baggie. Elijah’s eyes rested on Lucas as he reached out to take it. The drugs only took up a fraction of the plastic bag. His expression had to show his disappointment. Fifty bucks for this?

While Lucas was ready to walk away, Elijah wasn’t done with him yet. How exactly are you going to smoke this? he asked.

Lucas was rapidly losing interest in getting high. At the moment, all he wanted was to get away from Elijah. This guy was too attractive to keep a clear mind around, and now he seemed to be playing mind games with Lucas. That made it impossible to know what to say. Lucas preferred by far how Elijah had ignored him before.

I’ll roll a joint, he said with attempted bravado.

Elijah almost laughed. You have rolling papers?

Well, I’ll use a... a bong.

You’ve got a bong? Elijah was definitely laughing at Lucas now.

Lucas’s body tensed in reaction. He was perfectly capable of owning a bong. Even if he didn’t, how would Elijah know? What do you care?

You don’t, Elijah said. I can see it on your face. Why do you want to pretend that you do?

Called out, Lucas didn’t have an answer. He shrank back. All he wanted was to walk away, but Elijah would have seen him waiting at the bus stop. At this hour, the bus only came every thirty minutes.

It’s okay, Elijah said, his lips curling up again. Lucas couldn’t have said if they were in a sneer or a smile. I can smoke you up.

The cool breeze of the summer evening whipped over Lucas, and he shivered slightly. What does that mean?

Elijah moved his hand, making his motorcycle rattle. We can smoke it together.

Two

Elijah peered intently at Lucas’s face as he waited for his answer, taking in the deep brown eyes and angular cheekbones. He’d never spent this much time looking at the guy before. Lucas generally stayed as far out of the spotlight as possible. Even when he was onstage, he seemed to shrink away from attention.

Obviously Lucas was somehow capable of performing and doing all the socializing required of a stripper. Elijah had no clue what he said to the women who came into the club. He definitely avoided his coworkers as much as possible.

There had been night in the change room when all the strippers had come out to each other. Elijah’s ears had perked up when found out Lucas was gay. But in general, he was too focused on his work to look around and check out his coworkers. The idea of pursuing Lucas hadn’t occurred to him.

Now Elijah questioned why he’d been so quick to forget the possibility. The weirdness factor was a major one, but Lucas was more than attractive enough to make up for it. His tapered brown hair encircled a face that exuded both innocence and seduction. Elijah knew by now that Lucas had a killer body. Lucas had glasses on, which he didn’t wear in the club. Somehow they only added to his appeal.

They weren’t friends, had probably never even spoken... but now they were speaking. For some unknown reason, Lucas had decided to buy drugs from him. It was enough to make Elijah see him in a new way. A twinge went through his groin as he looked at him.

What do you say? Elijah asked. Do you want to smoke with me?

The terror was evident in Lucas’s eyes. Elijah would have assumed Lucas hated him if he hadn’t already figured out he acted like this with all the guys.

I don’t know, Lucas said.

Why not? You have something better to do? It’s almost four in the morning.

Elijah knew he was pushing, but he definitely wanted Lucas to stay. He was intrigued now, and he would be disappointed if Lucas let him