50. By Jack

Alyssa giggles at the tension.

“This is so much fun,” She turns to Mike, “I hope you invite us to your and Cindy’s wedding.”

I have trouble catching my breath, and look up.

Suddenly I’m standing, I had gotten up from my seat without even realizing it, and the two of them stare up at me with quizzical expressions.

“Alyssa,” I say firmly, surprising myself as much as the looks on their faces say they are, “We’re leaving.”

She stares at me, blinks once, twice, and then slowly gets up.

“Jack,” Mike says with a tone that tells me not to mess around, “Where are you going?”

I smile.

“I guess you were right, Mike. You could say I haven’t had my fill of bridesmaids tonight.”

I can see the obvious look of shock in Mike’s face, and I can feel it in Alyssa’s body, and she yelps in surprise to confirm it, as I take her in my arms and kiss her – hard. I can feel the goose bumps on the skin of her arms as we kiss, she opens her mouth for me and I need no more invitation as my tongue meets hers, caressing it. My hands move along her back, holding her against me.

I break the kiss sooner than Alyssa wanted, still holding her in my arms, I look at Mike and smirk, “You have my number. Give me a call when you need me for my part of the deal.”

Mike laughs and grins as I take a hold of Alyssa’s hand and head out of the bar, yelling after me, “You’ve changed, Jack!”

Yes, Mike.

Yes, I have.

—

A moment ago Jack had kissed Alyssa.

It had taken her by surprise as much as it had Mike.

Now she strides along side Jack, no longer holding hands, out of the bar and back into the main section of the hotel, and she wonders what he has in mind, but he’s silent again.

She quietly smirks, “Where are we going?” Alyssa reaches out and brushes her fingers against his hand, “Some place quiet…?”

He doesn’t respond, just keeps walking forward, and Alyssa thinks it’s almost as if he’s lost somewhere far away.

Alyssa reaches out again and this time she grabs Jack’s hand, surprising him and causing him to suddenly stop in his tracks, turning around to look at her and the look on his face confirms his surprise.

Just as she had in the hotel room not too long ago, Alyssa pushes him up against the hallway wall and feels little resistance to her efforts.

Her body and firm large breasts press tightly into his body, pinning him against the wall.

“Some place quiet…” Alyssa seductively looks into his eyes, grinning, “…So we can be loud?”

Her grin slowly fades as Jack doesn’t return the affection, he just stays there against the wall, his eyes look down at her and there is something in them, something Alyssa doesn’t quite understand, “Wh-what’s wrong…?”

Jack speaks quietly, “Julie’s in trouble.”

“Oh,” Alyssa’s hands slowly drag down Jack’s shirt, in what otherwise might be a fairly seductive move, “I know.” She says matching Jack’s quiet tone.

“Do you know where Julie went?” Jack says softly, his hands still hanging at his sides.

Alyssa steps back a few inches from Jack, still looking up into his eyes, “Can you help her?”

A momentary pause, Jack’s eyes flick back and forth before focusing back on her, “I… I’m going to try, Alyssa.”

“She left,” Alyssa shrugs slightly, “I don’t know where she is.”

“Did, did she say anything?” He looks down at Alyssa, standing in the hall way, as she brings one arm up to wrap around herself.

Another shrug, “She… wanted to leave. To get out.”

Jack looks down the hallway, back the way they had come, and forward towards whatever destination he had in mind a moment ago.

His tone is a whisper now, barely audible, “To get out…? Leave?” Alyssa watches his face, sees his eyes darting about, and wonders what he is thinking. Again, he’s gone somewhere else.

She puts her hands back on his chest, and gazes back up at him, “Jack… Would you… kiss me…?”

She sees his eyes, and mind, return to the long hallway. Alyssa holds his gaze, and there is silence between the two.

He doesn’t move, and she waits, breathing shallowly. Her eyes plead with him to kiss her, to not… to… to…

Finally, Jack slowly leans down, she watches his face, and his lips, as they get closer to hers, closer, he turns his head slightly to kiss her.

“No.” Alyssa says as his lips are but an inches from her own. Jack’s eyes, full of confusion at her sudden backtrack, search her face.

She sees his eyes look down, watching as Alyssa brings her hand slowly up from her side, and to her face, as she gently taps her forehead.

“Kiss me… here.” Alyssa slowly closes her eyes, and holds them tight. She can feel his breath on her face… One heart beat… Two heart beats… Then slowly his breath moves, and she feels his warm lips on her brow.

Alyssa smiles slightly, like a little girl, and then pulls back, opening her eyes and speaking softly, but with confidence, “Let’s go save her.”

51. By Jack

Tim clears his throat, “Okay, let’s see that bra now.” Slowly you straighten up and turn around no longer needing to be careful with your ankles free of the shackles of your underwear, and present the bra to Tim.

He reaches forward and takes it from your hand, stares at it in his own, then tosses the bra to Dave who catches it and looks to Tim in confusion.

Tim just smiles at Dave as if to say ‘you’ll see’, and turns his attention back to your tits.

“Raise your hands up slightly.” His eyes continue staring at your tits, then he glances up when his order isn’t followed immediately, he catches your blushing cheeks and dazed look, “So you don’t want the camera?”

His eyes quickly lower back to your chest as you raise your hands slightly and your head tips down in embarrassment as Tim commands you.

He then reaches up, his hand guiding over the skin of your arm, close enough you can see it just hovering over your skin, and you watch as it goes to your shoulder, and his fingers flick out grabbing the strap of Alyssa’s dress, pulling it off and letting it slide down your arm, catching on the crook of your arm.

Thanks to your tipped head, you have a clear view as the left side of your dress lowers with the strap and the air hits your bare breast. You feel your exposed nipple respond. You shut your eyes as you sense Tim moving over and completing his task – your other strap rolls down your skin and you’re now baring everything.

A couple of chuckles follow.

“Hehe. Not exactly stacked like that chick Jack nabbed, is she?”

“Not even close, heh…”

—

I smile at Emily. I’m not sure what I ever did to her, she’s only been working here a few months, but for some reason we have never gotten along. I can’t even say she finds me annoying or obnoxious… We just never have gotten along, for no real reason…

But Lisa is always talking to her, so she couldn’t be that bad.

“Hey there.” I call out with a slight nod of my head, my smile remains as I hope this conversation goes better than the last.

Emily returns the smile – with a polite one.

“Hello, Jack,” Her eyes flicker over to Alyssa as if to confirm that I am indeed with a guest so she has to carry a different tone with me, “Something I can do for you?”

“Actually, yes. Would you look up a guest for me?”

Her face says no.

“It’s hotel business. A guest left something, and I’d like to return it,” As I thought about you it suddenly accord to me that you might not actually be happy to see me, not after everything tonight… “Her name is Julie Watson.”

Emily eyes me, and speaks in a low annoyed tone, “It better be hotel business…” Her fingers click away on the keyboard, and then she turns the screen so I can see.

“Thanks, mind if I use the phone?” I ask in a tone as cheerful as I can muster, trying not to let her dislike of me get me any lower than I already feel.

“Go right ahead.”

I dial the number…

—

You can just hear them breathing, knowing they are just drooling over you standing there in Alyssa’s dress, your breasts exposed for them. It is so humiliating, but there is little choice in the matter – let them have their fun, and you’d get the camera.

Life could go back then.

“Can I just put the bra on now?” You whisper, holding back unsure emotions.

“All in good time.” One of them says.

“Hey Dave.” A tone holding back a laugh.

“Yeah?”

A cackle.

“Is it cold in here?”

Silence.

“No, Tim, it isn’t.”

They both laugh loudly, the sound echoing throughout the room and your skull. You turn your head to the side, even with your eyes shut you don’t want them to see your face. Your heart beats harder and faster.

BBBBBBRRRRRRIIINNNNNNNGGGG!

You jump as the sound bounces throughout the hotel room, stumbling back into the chair behind you, your eyes snapping open, you see their surprised expressions as well.

Dave laughs wiping his forehead as Tim shakes his head at the phone and grins.

They stare down the phone as if that would shut it up. Laying back in the chair, you gaze at the phone and wonder who could be calling you. Who knew you were here? Steve? You shudder at the thought…

“Let it ring.” Tim says, waving at the phone dismissively, then the two of them focus their attention back on you. Their eyes, their lustful stares, go right to your breasts and legs again. Your breasts remain exposed as the strapless dress hangs down, caught at your elbows, and the skirt has become bunched up under you leaving your pretty smooth legs visible up to the thighs, barely cover your sheer panties – but at this point, the pair had already seen plenty of those, so what did modesty matter at this point…

Tim takes the bra back from Dave, grinning as his eyes drink in your body, and he drops it in your lap again before turning around and sitting down on the sofa. Dave follows suit plopping down next to him.

“Well…” Tim grins, “Stand up and give us a show.”

“Yeah…” Dave smiles broadly, “Earn the camera.”

 

 

52. By Jack

Tim and Dave stare across at you, leaning back, relaxed, arms tossed over the back of the couch, and smirks on their faces.

Not a single care in the world.

Across from them in a single chair you sit, exposed for them, and their words echo… Their promise of the camera.

Your only care in the world.

The phone continues ringing in the background. The only thing filling the tension-filled room is that ring, over and over, not giving you a moment to think. To consider. To reason. To… To… You plant your heeled feet and raise up as the skirt falls down, and you pull the straps back up covering yourself.

Tim and Dave’s faces light up, and they shift on the couch like two giddy children about to watch their favorite show.

Their favorite new show – you.

You close your eyes, draw in a breath. A deep breath… Your heart beats… Faster… Faster… Faster…

Slowly you turn your hips away from the two of them, your hand sliding up your arm as you open your eyes and smile as they look at your body in profile. Their eyes are wide open, transfixed on your display, mouths hang open slightly.

Gripping your strap, you tease it down a few inches off your shoulder, then stopping abruptly you give them a quick grin, teasing them, which makes their faces light up in total surprise, before you slide it down the rest of the way.

The strap glides down your slender arm, and you slip your right arm out from the strap then hastily cup your breast with your opposite hand. They grin at the tease and the exposure of your breast for just that moment before covering. Then you give them a slow twirl, enough to make Alyssa’s dress flare up with the movement, to your opposite side.

You toss the sheer bra to them on the couch, freeing your other hand, and then let them have a view of your other shoulder, dipping it towards them, as you repeat the act on this side. Again, you nimbly tease your strap – Alyssa’s strap – down your shoulder, and again, their eyes bulge out in excitement as they inch forward on the couch.

Holding the dress strap in the crook of your left arm, you pivot and face the two security guards sitting on the couch head on, not believing the sight before them, as you carefully slide your legs out farther, spreading them. You release your right breast and then swiftly slip your left arm out from the strap and cover both your breasts with the opposite hands.

They beam with the quick exposure of your breasts once again.

With nothing more to hold up the dress, it falls down your body, across the soft skin of your stomach, slipping down your sides, and bunches up on your hips, moving no farther with your legs spread wide, the top of your lingerie now teasingly poking out from your dress.

They look up at you and their eyes drink in your body, their mouths agape, you can even hear their ragged, excitement-filled breathing. They asked you to ‘earn’ the camera, and if their faces were any indication… You are…

And your heart beats at the excitement. You can feel it with your hands covering your breasts, you can feel your heart throbbing. You are used to living through logical thoughts, but tonight, your mind has been running on contradictory emotions. Excitement… But confusion… Panic… And arousal…

Full of fear… And feeling sexy… Wanted, yet also a feeling that this ball could unravel at any time… There is also a desire… to… to…

Images of the night slowly flash through your mind, and your eyes meet Tim’s. His face is an open book, his eyes piercing you, wanting your body, mesmerized by your every move, by every curve of your body… His breathing is loud and heavy, full of needs and hunger… and you smile.

You squeeze yourself and feel how your breasts are responding, your nipples against your palms, and you softly massage your hands into them. You close your eyes savoring the moment, the nails of your fingers tickling the sides of your breast as you gently caress and you hear a quiet moan escape into the room, so quiet you almost didn’t catch it.

You’re surprised when you realize the moan had escaped from your lips.

You listen in on the sounds of the room as you softly rub your breasts, your own breathing mixing in the air with theirs, and with your eyes still closed you start to guide your legs slowly together.  You feel the fabric of the dress rolling down off your hips, tickling down your thighs…

Sliding off your body…

Further, and further it slides…

53. By Jack

“No answer.”

I look over at Alyssa, who has been staring at me the whole time. The look on her face said she was hoping to hear the voice on the other end as much as I did – maybe more. The ‘scene’ back in the game room suddenly comes to mind, mixed in with the venom from earlier in the week between the two of you… What happened in that room with Steve? What had changed? …Why did I let Mike stop me? Why…?

I shake my head, driving those thoughts back into the abyss… Get back on top of this, Jack, get back on the ball…

Alyssa brings a hand to her chin, pondering the situation with me as we both wonder where you could have gone – the computer still lists you as checked in, but there’s no answer when I call your room.

I look out of the corner of my eye towards the elevator banks, how odd, and what a nice surprise, it would be if you were to walk out right now… Just step out of the elevator, and come to check out…

I want to smack myself for such a thought. That was just wishful thinking, and not useful… Not at all. Gotta think of something…

“Maybe she wasn’t going back to her room…” I offer to the lobby.

Emily perks up and looks at me, “Actually, that guest just phoned the desk so she should be in, or was,” She shakes her head in annoyance, “She locked herself out. I wish guests were smarter about keeping their key cards safe.”

She looks to Alyssa, suddenly realizing she had forgotten there was a customer here, “No offense.”

“None taken.” Alyssa responds, crossing her arms, obviously at least slightly ffended.

My eyes remain firmly fixed on Emily, “Wait, who did you send up to let her in? Security? Tim and Dave?”

She turns to look at me head on, and the look obviously says she thinks I’m an idiot for asking such a question, “Of course, who else?”

I blink once, and then twice, I look over at Alyssa, see her blank expression, and then over to Emily again who just raises an eyebrow at me.

There is no reason to feel paranoid about this. Tim and Dave are total goofballs and juvenile. They had been employed before I was hired here, and quickly I found them to be both annoying and entertaining at the same time.

I found them to be immature, but harmless.

Harmless… Then why did I feel this sudden weight on my chest when Emily mentioned them?

The scene of them out in the rain rushes back to me. I had thought then they were up to something, but how is it connected? Could Steve have paid them off?

Fuck…

—

BRRRIINNNNNGGGGG! A loud old fashion rotary phone smashes through the silence and everyone jumps again.

You continue to cover your breasts, your legs pause on their journey together, and the dress catches on your upper thighs.

Tim holds up his palm to you, “Stay.” He orders as he digs into his pocket, fishing his cellphone out as Dave just shakes his head in disappointment at this interruption.

“Hello,” Tim pauses and grins, “Hey Jack.” He glances up at you.

Your heart jumps.

He chuckles, “What are WE up to?” Tim smiles at Dave, who laughs shaking his head.

“Just hanging out… Nah… We’re just goofing around… Uh huh… Yeah…”

BRRRIINNNNGGGG!

The room phone rings again.

“Yeah…” Tim’s face abruptly turns to surprise and shock, “Says who?” He looks up at you, “Maybe…”

Dave looks from Tim to you, then back to Tim, completely not understanding the situation.

Tim chuckles, “Oh, you have spies?… So maybe we do have a bridesmaid up here… Haha… Okay…” He moves the phone from his mouth, covering the receiver, “Your pool boy is on the line.”

They both chuckle at the taunt tossed your way and you blush slightly as the room phone stops ringing. Your insides are completely mixed up. Jack on the phone brings back a memory of the pool… It brings with it feelings… Feelings that moments ago warmed you in ways you aren’t used to.

You can still smell the faintest taint of chlorine still in your hair, now dried from the earlier swim Jack had sent you on. Although it had been your idea to go to the pool, Jack was the one in charge, and he had proven it, making you trust him – and then leaving you without your dress.

And now, he is on the other end of this phone. At one point Jack had rushed out to defend you, yet on the other end of the spectrum he had also left with almost as much haste, disappearing with Alyssa… Alyssa… You can almost smell her. A second sniff, and you realize, you DO smell her.

You smell her on you.

At some point in the pool room, Alyssa’s perfume had transferred over. Looking at the phone in Tim’s hand, you wonder… Does Jack smell the same?

You suddenly feel a tightness in your stomach, and you realize you’ve become extremely interested in what Jack has to say on that phone. Where is he? WHO is he with? Is he adding to his bridesmaid collection? How large was that collection BEFORE you?

“Uh, yeah,” He uncovers the phone, “Okay, Jack. Yeah? Okay, yeah,” Tim makes a hurry up motion with his hand, “Nice, well, we do love that… I think Dave and I would be VERY happy to swap details with you tomorrow, Jack. Yeah, see ya later.” He hangs up the cell and stuffs it back into his pocket.

Your face shows none of what you’re feeling. Surprises? ‘Swapping details’?

You have no idea what any of that one sided conversation meant, but it sounds like Jack has left you again to fend for yourself, like at the pool, he’s there and then gone… With her…

Tim smiles, his eyes tracing up your body, “Soo… Continue.”

54. By Jack

Alyssa listens to the ringing on the phone and Jack’s voice – his tone on the phone was completely different from his face. Closing her eyes, she would hear a guy talking to some friends, boys kidding.

But to see the look on his face…

She feels bad for him, and for you.

“Hang on a sec, guys.” Jack takes the phone from his ear and holds it against his chest.

“What’s wrong?” Alyssa asks, concern in her voice.

Jack makes a motion with his free hand to hang up the phone, and Alyssa does so. Her heels click on the marble floor as she takes a step closer.

Alyssa takes in his face, his eyes, and sees the look… The concerned look. The look she wants to make go away.

“It’s going to be okay.” Alyssa says softly to Jack.

Jack says nothing, standing there, head slightly tipped forward and eyes glancing downward. His chest slowly raises and falls.

Alyssa considers repeating it, maybe he didn’t hear it. She glances over and sees Emily just standing there. Emily smiles politely at Alyssa as her eyes go between the two of them before shaking her head as she walks over to do some work at the other end of the counter.

Suddenly, Jack brings the phone up to his ear, “Hey Tim, I gotta go but you two enjoy yourselves, believe me, I know what it’s like to snag one,” Jack laughs but doesn’t smile, Alyssa blushes at his comment, “I’m having a little surprise sent up to the room, and don’t worry about it. It’s on me, just enjoy it.”

Alyssa moves closer. What is Jack saying? What is Jack doing?

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll see you guys tomorrow and I’ll want ALL the details,” Another laugh but no smile, “We’ll swap stories, count on it. See ya.”

Jack hangs up and looks at Alyssa, he takes a deep breath, his eyes close and he slowly blows the air out.

“What are you thinking?” Alyssa asks. She is getting worried.

Jack shrugs, and lets out a low chuckle, “To be honest,” He glances over at Emily, “And no offense intended, but I really wish Lisa was still here.”

Emily rolls her eyes, “She is. Jack, no more favors from me, okay? You want something just don’t come to me.”

Alyssa’s eye brows when she sees the look on Jack’s face, a look of surprise, confusion, and… relief?

Jack’s voice raises, “Wait, what? Lisa hasn’t left yet?” He checks his watch, Lisa should be home by now, “Why is she still on duty?”

Emily waves him off, “Lis isn’t. She left to go check on something, and now she’s got some guy dogging her or something.” She shrugs.

Jack leans in closer, almost coming across the counter, and his voice takes on a very serious tone, “Describe this guy to me.”

—

Steve runs his hands through his black hair, brushing it back, then brings his manicured hands down and places it on the pant’s leg of his expensive suit. Shaking his head, his blue eyes look down.

And his face changes.

Throughout this encounter he had his poker face on, revealing nothing and giving her no clues to what he had brewing. Now he shows emotions. He shows hurt. He shows worry. He shows betrayal.

And his body changes along with his facial expression.

He lets his shoulders slump slightly, as if he just had a bolder removed and he could finally breath.

Could he really been reading this right? Is Lisa innocent in this whole matter? Is this just a case of caught in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and with the wrong people for friends?

The silence fills in, as he ponders this, not completely sure anymore what role she may or may not be playing. If she’s even a part of the plan!

The quiet eats at Lisa, and finally she breaks, unable to take it.

“I’m really sorry,” She repeats, then takes a deep breath as if preparing for something as she digs into her pocket, pulling out a name tag and attaching it back to her uniform. “My name is Lisa, as I imagine you already figured out,” She offers up a weak smile, “And, well, if you want to take this to my boss, by all means, do so. The choice is yours, sir. I understand what I did, and I take full responsibility for it.” Her face is full of guilt as her eyes aren’t sure where to look, in his or down. She finds a middle ground where she’s looking just off to the side of his face.

“It’s alright.” Steve waves her off with his free hand, and he can see the surprise and shock in her face. She didn’t expect him to say that. Lisa went seeking forgiveness for her deed, and she wasn’t expecting to get it. Instead of laughing at her foolishness or grinning as he feels the advantage sliding to his side, he offers up a subtle hurt shrug.

“You were looking for your friend you said?”

“Yes…” She nods carefully, unsure of where this is heading exactly.

“I guess that’s alright, and I’m sorry too about before, I was really quite harsh and cold.”

Lisa leans up, her hands on her knees, eyes looking into his.

“No, it’s quite alright.” For a moment, he catches her eyes watching his body language, the obvious hurt. “Please, sir, if there’s anything I can do, let me know, I owe you that much for, well, before.” Lisa grins, suddenly trying to cheer him up.

Steve shrugs, lets silence fill the void yet again as he pretends to ponder what she could ever do for him. Yeah, how about you and Jack fuck off?

Instead he lets the “hurt” from his face and body seep into his voice.

“I’m just… under a lot of… Well… Stress.”

“Oh,” Lisa perks up and smiles brightly, and even Steve has to admit she has a charming smile. He’d like to wipe it off her face, though. “Well, sir, we do have some contacts with some wonderful masseuses if you’d like that. They work on short notice, even.”

He half-heartedly waves her off, although having this pretty little girl giving him a nice rub down certainly peaks his interests. Did he have enough dirt on her for that…? Probably not. Yet.

“No, no thanks. Tell me,” He looks up at her, his shoulders slump just a little more, “What’s your friend’s name? The guy you thought was here?”

Her voice changes, a little worry in it as the topic switches

back to the incident that got her in trouble in the first place.

“His name is Jack.”

Steve nods his head, eyes lower again, “So you came up here looking for your friend?” He repeats what she already told him to see her response.

Lisa nods, “Yeah, I,” She blushes slightly, “Well, as I said when I didn’t see him here, and the problem seemed already handled, I figured I’d knock on the door and just kinda gauge the issue, make sure he was alright…” Shrugs, “He doesn’t really like other’s getting into his business, so sometimes I get sneaky when I’m worried. I’m really sorry.”

Steve leans up and pats her knee, “It’s okay. You’re a good friend… So, it was Jack, huh? That was his name…” Steve almost says to the room.

He sees her interest peak at his word usage…

Steve enjoys toying with her emotions, sliding them back and forth, back and forth…

55. By Jack

Alyssa is so close to me, I can smell her perfume. It’s nice, nothing too strong or too “girlie”. It’s just a nice, pleasant smell. A middle ground. 

And it does nothing to help me. I don’t even know why I thought of it.

The elevator doors remain open, and my eyes move between the numbers. Which to push? I was going to have Alyssa ring that door, and when they fell for the bait, I was going to do what I wanted to do earlier outside: I was going to let out every bit of anger and rage I had inside me.

I didn’t care there were two of them, I wouldn’t have cared if there were five more of them. I was going to beat the living shit out of Tim and Dave. 

But now… I feel defeated again. No matter which button I push, I lose.

I can’t win…

I can’t be in two places at once…

I… I can’t pick…

—

Their eyes dart all over, from your hands covering your breasts to your underwear barely keeping any details hidden, your legs flowing out from the skirt, the heels only making them look all the better…

Continue, he had said.

They grin brightly as your eyes close, and your legs come together slowly.

The smooth texture of your dress running down your hips… Thighs…

Knees… Calfs… and covering your feet.

Seductively you step out from your dress, one foot, and then the other.

“Fuck…” You hear a whisper from the couch in front of you, and you smile at the compliment. You open your eyes and see them both sitting there on the couch, almost afraid to move, their eyes glazed over, entranced by your dance. Stepping closer, covering your breasts still, you stop at Tim’s feet and lean down, letting your hair hang and Tim locks eyes with you.

And his eyes are wide.

You smile and reach out, your hands sliding from your breasts, baring them as you place a hand on one side of Tim, and then the other. Before they had taken every moment to gawk at your breasts, but now Tim’s eyes never leave yours and Dave sits stunned, watching the staring between you both.

“Excuse me.” Your eyes stare into his as you carefully crouch in front of him and your hand moves across his pants leg, reaching gently into his lap.

“Do you mind?” You ask innocently.

He shakes his head and says nothing, lost in the moment and the excitement.

As you grip the bra, your fingers can feel his hardness, and you let the tips of your fingers linger a moment longer than they need to, teasing him, seeing his eyes turn to pure lust as you lift the bra up and slide it on in front of them.

The soft material brushes against your nipples and sends shivers down your spine.

Tim grins down at you kneeling before him, finally speaking.

“So, you really want that camera, huh?”

You look up into his eyes and open your mouth…

56. By Jack

Alyssa wants to hug Jack, wrap him in a warm embrace and make him BELIEVE it is okay. Because it is. It is going to be okay. It is.

She leans against his chest with her shoulder and head, and he almost collapses. Jack starts to stumble back as Alyssa quickly reaches out and grabs his arm, helping to steady him again. Alyssa carefully puts her right hand on Jack’s side, holding him, and then places her left hand on his other side.

“Sorry.” Alyssa whispers.

Slowly, she pushes them around to his back and Alyssa places her head on his chest, “It’ll be okay.”

Alyssa frowns against him… He isn’t hugging her back. Why? Why isn’t he hugging her? She squeezes him tighter, almost crushing herself against Jack.

That’s when he speaks finally, a low tone, but somehow different from the last few times he has talked, “Alyssa…”

She slowly turns her head, lifting it off his chest and looking up into his eyes, “Yeah…?”

He smiles, “I have an idea.”

Alyssa’s brows raises, “Huh?”

—

This is a gamble.

A total fucking gamble.

Madness was written ALL over this plan.

Total fucking madness.

But what choice do I have?

My hand grips Alyssa’s tightly, I almost drag her along but she keeps up despite being in heels. Into the employee locker room first, I release Alyssa’s hand, quickly open my locker and grab my bag, tossing it onto the table. I almost rip it open as Alyssa leans down, not understanding my plan – not that I have the time to explain the plan or for me to explain how it is going to work.

Alyssa is just going to have to trust me.

Fuck, I’M not even sure it is going to work.

The thought surprises me. Of course it’s going to work, why wouldn’t it? Remaining upbeat isn’t an easy task, but the other end of the spectrum isn’t going to help me any…

I find what I am looking for, shove it in my pocket, and feel my fingers brush against something lacy. I had forgotten those… I leave my bag out on the table, “Come on.”

I half run out of the break room.

“Hang on.”

I glance back and watch as Alyssa quickly removes her heels and runs over to my side with her shoes in hand, “Let’s save them.”

I smile – for real.

It doesn’t take us long to make it to the kitchen, which at this hour was closed – for food anyway.

The deeper we went in, the louder the sound got. This little clack, clack, clack sound you could barely make out over the reggae music – Jimmy Cliff – playing. We turn the corner in the kitchen, and I grin at the four guys hunched down. The dice roll out, slam against the counter and bounce back into the room, and the shouts follow.

“Bloody hell, you’re fucking robbing me!” One of them says with a grin.

“All day, baby, all day!” Another shouts with an obvious smile you could hear in his voice.

I don’t know this group all too well, first name basis yes, but nothing beyond that really. They were a collection of bus boys, bellhops and the other “lowlifes” of the hotel, the underbelly of the beast that helped it to run.

I knew of their games back here, and their gambling, hell, I’d even played in a few games. It was mainly dice games, total random luck, no real skill other then who could pocket the most rabbit’s feet. However, it had it’s other benefits besides being a good way to lose money…

I whistle, and they jump. I laugh as Alyssa’s eyes go between me and the group, she smiles politely not sure what is happening.

One guy looks up at me with daggers in his eyes, his black hair slicked back and his skin pale under the kitchen lights.

“Fuck you, Jack,” Carl says, with a frown, “You gave me a heart attack.”

I grin, “Then why are you still talking? Got a minute?”

He glances at the other three, “You fuckers touch my money and I will break each of you in alphabetical order.”

They laugh at him, “We won’t be here by the time you learn the fuckin’ alphabet.”

The double bird follows as Carl walks over to me, his work shirt is open to reveal a t-shirt underneath that reads, Rehab Is For Quitters.

“What can I do for you, Jack?”

I grin, realizing he probably isn’t going to believe, or understand what I want.

Not that he needs to.

“You can get me a REAL good bottle of champagne, a clean needle and your help in something.”

He raises an eye brow, and searches my face for an answer he’ll never find.

“And I need them NOW, Carl…”

He gives me a scowl that says what he doesn’t need to form into words, which as always was the same thing, what the fuck?

I hold out my hand causing him to glances down at it, “Do this for me, and I’ll give you all I got.”

When Carl looks back up he smiles, “Give me a sec.” He says as he reaches out and takes them from my hand, before turning back to the group.

I step over close to Alyssa, her eyes watching me the whole time, wondering I imagine what the hell I’m doing.

So at least we were on the same page about that. But we needed to be on the same page on something else.

I place my hands on her arms, and lock my eyes with her, although her attention is already focused on me I want her to understand how key the details in this plan are.

“This is so important, Alyssa, I can’t trust anyone else here with this.”

She nods, “I understand.”

Oh God, Alyssa, I hope you do…

57. By Jack

Jack, Carl and Alyssa stand in the elevator with two destinations illuminated.

Alyssa watches Jack, trying to read his face, ignoring this stranger Carl, but Jack is quiet again, his head slightly lowered.

He notices Alyssa watching him and looks up with a smile, “So, Mike’s getting married, huh?”

Alyssa nods, “Yeah, she’s okay.”

Jack pauses slightly, “Oh.”

The elevator doors open, and Alyssa step out slowly turning around, her eyes move up to Jack’s, “Wish me luck.”

Jack half grins, “I was about to ask the same. Good luck. Remember what I told you both, it’s so important.”

Alyssa nods, “She’ll be okay. Good luck.”

Carl offers up a nod and a smirk in response.

—

The cart makes a slight squeaky noise as it’s wheeled down the corridor. Squeak, squeak. It begins to grate on Alyssa’s nerves as she walks along side Carl. She looks to him, and her eyes go over the transformation that had taken place down stairs.

He had looked like such a mess, but buttoning up and straightening out his uniform, fixing his hair and a splash of water to his face had done the trick – he didn’t look like a dead beat to Alyssa anymore. Well, not really.

Carl sees her watching him, and he chuckles, “Paranoid, huh?”

Alyssa’s face contorts in confusion, “What? I’m not.”

Another chuckle emits from him, this time louder, “Not you, Jack, whatever he’s got planned here is fuckin’ weird. Do me a favor, sweety. Tell him to lay off his own shit, will you? Last thing I want is to lose my dealer, or have him rat on me.”

Alyssa frowns, just nods to make this man she didn’t like shut up. But he has a point. She doesn’t exactly understand this plan fully either, and that is after Jack had told her what to do.

Alyssa feels a chill go down her spine, and she suddenly feels concern again. She HATES this feeling, and it has crept up on her several times tonight already. You were right to run. You were right to get out.

Alyssa glances back at the path they have traveled, and it wouldn’t be hard to just turn around, check out and leave forever.

Yes, she can do it. She balls her hands into fists, her nails pressing painfully against the palms of her hands. Alyssa can escape – just like you tried.

Her shoulders slump as her mind returns to the task at hand. Alyssa couldn’t bare to be in that situation again, and she… she… she…

She grabs the handle on the cart and pushes it, making Carl almost stumble as the cart jerks, “Whoa, what the fuck?”

She looks directly into his face and holds his stare, “This thing go any faster? Come on.”

Carl looks at this petite girl, and he grins broad, “Alright, alright, little spit ball.”

Alyssa sets a marching order, and Carl follows her pace. They reach the room – your room – and Carl knocks with three quick raps of his knuckles, “Room service.”

Alyssa watches his face before walking off down the hall and turning the corner. She peeks back around to watch as things unfold.

 

58. By Jack

 

 

Three quick raps on the door and everyone jumps, looking back at it.

“Room service.” Someone says on the other side.

“Jesus!” Dave says, standing up. Interruptions! He couldn’t believe this: room phone, cells phones, the door, what else could go wrong now?

Tim glares at you, the look of lust gone, “Sit.” He points back to the chair, and you slide over in your see through underwear as told, head lowered and face red again.

The two of them go to the door and just shake their heads, not believing this night at all anymore – not that they were really believing it before, either.

Dave looks through the peep hole, then glances back at Tim.

“It’s, well, room service.”

Tim smirks, “Jack’s surprise for us.”

“Shall we?”

Tim laughs, taking a look back at you, “We do like surprises, right?”

Dave opens the door and usher the cart inside. The man glares, with eyes brows raised, at you nearly naked sitting there. You cross your legs to gain as much modesty as possible and lower your head to avoid eye contact, but this only let’s you see just how little the bra actually does to cover your anatomy and you can see clearly that he has a very good idea of what your breasts and nipples look like.

“Party, huh, boys?” He asks, not taking his eyes off you.

Tim nods, as all three of them look at you trying to cover yourself now with this stranger in the room, but with wearing only a set of sheer underwear finding it a hard task to complete.

The man pulls out a bottle of champagne from the ice bucket, displays the label to both of them, “Jack says enjoy,” He smirks looking at you, “And I see I should really be getting out of your hair so you can get back to the enjoying part, I’ll show myself out.”

He places the bottle back in the ice bucket, slips his hands into his pockets and lets himself out, the door closing behind him. Tim grabs the bottle, unwraps the top, loosens the wire cage and works on the cork.

Well, struggles with it. Dave grabs a hold of the bottle from Tim and laughs, shaking his head, rolling his eyes.

He places the bottle against his stomach, slides his hands up and grips the cork, and with a pull nothing happens.

“Hang on.” He says, wiping his hand on his shirt and then giving it another try with the same result.

“Let me.”

They look over at you, to each other, then back to you.

Tim shrugs.

Dave hands you the bottle.

It’s cold, definitely chilled right. You take a hold of the cork, grabbing on the fat part of the bottle with your free hand and slowly turn it. On the second rotation, you hear a little pop and remove the cork.

Holding the bottle in your hand, you look up at them, see their stares and then take a slug from the bottle before handing it to them.

Tim takes it and takes a good swig himself. Dave takes the bottle from him and grabs a grip of Tim’s shirt, turning him away from you.

“Okay,” Dave whispers with an evil grin, “We’ve got her in that sexy underwear…”

He glances back at you with that same evil grin that sends a shiver down your spine, then returns to looking directly in Tim’s eyes.

“Now what?”

Tim takes the bottle from Dave, drinks it down, then hands it back to you. You take a long drink.

He smiles at Dave, and leans in to whisper so you have no chance to overhear what so ever.

“I don’t know dude, I was on a roll and then she started dancing like that and I went blank.”

Dave lets out a chuckle, “I know!” His tone loud but hushed.

—

Alyssa’s heart throbs, beats against her chest bone, and she feels the worry welling up inside her. This isn’t going to work. She presses her back against the wall, turns her head and looks down to the door again – still closed. Oh God, this isn’t going to work.

Please… Please… Open… And it does, almost as if her wishes were answered Carl comes out of the door, closes the door behind himself, and shoves his hands into his pockets, whistling as he walks towards Alyssa.

“Well, there we go. I did my end of the deal.” He grins like he won the lottery.

Alyssa looks to his face, trying to read him, he didn’t take this very seriously. He didn’t know what is at stake.

“Is the door open?” She asks, her voice solid and strong – despite her reservations about this actually working.

He shrugs, and as his shoulders drop back down so does the feeling in her stomach at his reaction.

“It was when I left.”

Alyssa nods her head down the hallway, “Go get your stuff from Jack.”

He smiles and bows, “Good luck, deary.” Every step that takes him away from her causes a reaction in her she doesn’t like. Alyssa slowly feels alone again. Scared. Her limbs start to shiver, and she hugs herself in response.

Then she quietly opens up her purse, and looks at her watch. The time ticks.

It ticks very slowly.

1:21am…

59. By Jack

Every step hardens me.

Every step puts up a wall inside me.

Every step places another piece of armor on.

Every step hides the fear inside me.

Every step I try not to think.

As much as I should be preparing myself for the confrontation ahead, I can’t help but wonder what Carl and Alyssa are doing. Is this plan working? I shake my head and try to force the darkness back. I couldn’t worry about that. That part of the plan was out of my hands.

I need to focus on what I can affect, what I can control, and that is preparing myself for what lies in a room ahead of me. Every passage I walk down is the same, endless uniform corridor after uniform corridor, the numbers on the doors are the only indication that I’m not stuck in some Twilight Zone episode where the hallway continues and continues never ending. Although the lack of Rod Serling helped to dispel that idea as well.

Lost in thoughts for a moment, just that moment, and the door sneaks up on me. I find it right in front of me, and as I stare at it, I feel like it’s looking back at me.

I’m almost surprised to see it. I expected – hoped – I would have more time. Time to think… Time to plan… Time to… fuck, I don’t know anymore. I stare at that door, watch as my hand reaches up, independent of my own thoughts (confusing as they were), and knocks.

I am about to enter the lion’s den…

With no plan.

—

Lisa smiles weakly, “I’m really sorry if he caused you any problems.”

Steve shrugs, “Thanks, but really, it isn’t your fault… But if that’s the last time I see him, I’ll… Never mind.”

Lisa places her hand on Steve’s knee, “Is there anything I can do to help at all? Something Chilton couldn’t help with? I could get you a free night,” Lisa grins trying to cheer him up, and giggles slightly at what she just said, “For real this time, I mean.”

He shakes his head and holds in a fake laugh, letting it dribble out with his pain.

“I’m sorry, I just… I… I can’t get the image out of my head…”

He swirls the glass in his hand and looks almost like he’ll down it back.

“I can’t get the image of your friend fucking my girlfriend out of my head…”

Steve glances at her.

Sees her body, the way it tenses.

Hears her breath, as she gasped as he spoke that last sentence.

Sees her eyes, the way they look at him, wide and in complete shock.

Her lips, trembling, and the way her mouth hangs open.

Lisa’s eyebrows raise as the rest of her face drops.

“Oh…”

Gotcha.