With his hand wrapped securely around the back of her neck, pressing her down, keeping her in place, she took a deep breath and tried to straighten her back.

Pride.

She dug her fingernails into the leather of the high back chair to position herself.

He applied more pressure and for a split second she felt fear, exhilaration, and something else…impending satisfaction.

Excitement.

She was excited.

Using all the strength she could garner she remained still.

The muscles in her thighs ached with the effort, and began to tremble.

His other hand roughly traveled the length of her torso until it came to rest on her haunch.

“Open.”

It wasn’t a suggestion.

She quivered slightly, wanting to scream.

She wanted to turn and face him. Let him know that she wasn’t frightened, but his hand held her menacingly in place.

She took a step to the left, precariously balancing her body.

The saliva built so rapidly in her mouth, her throat worked quickly to disperce it. She swallowed in quick succession, fearing the movement was something he would notice.

The small hairs on the back of her nape stood, her body trembled involuntarily.

But she knew better than to speak. It would only make it worse.

His hand vacated it’s position on her outer thigh and she took the moment to take a breath.

“Don’t.”

Her body froze.

She was afraid to anger him although every fiber of her being was screaming for release. She knew if she spoke, things could and would, most definitely, get worse.

Her abdomen tightened spastically and for a millisecond she feared he’d notice.

“Don’t do that again.”

His tone was low but she could hear the menacing tenor of his voice.

There wasn’t a way to let him know she wouldn’t.

She wouldn’t move.

She’d keep her breathing low and shallow.

Small even breaths, she said over and over…a mantra.

Wouldn’t do her any good to lose control.

She felt something rub between her thighs.

Wet.

Warm.

Hard.

“Don’t make a sound.”

She was frustrated. Unable able to nod or even give a sign that she’d heard him and would obey.

She found the onslaught of trembling that threatened to overtake her already overly stiff frame…agonizingly pleasurable.

Agonizingly pleasurable.

She thought for the briefest of moments those were the perfect words to describe the taut pressure, the aching need, the balancing on the edge of nothingness–everything–she felt.

She wanted to scream.

The vibration in her throat endangering the very small ground she had gained, and she rapidly swallowed again…over and over.

I don’t know if I could fucking do this.

I don’t know if I could fucking do this.

And without warning he pushed into her. Impaling her.

His cock, thick and rigid, pushed into her, invading what was hers, belonged to her moments ago.

Her fingers clenched tightly, digging into the expensive leather, and she bit down violently, immediately tasting blood on the bed of her tongue.

She sucked quietly.

He began to move slowly inside her, the length of him pressing. Pushing, against the walls of her tight, clenching pussy.

She continued sucking quietly at her lip again and somehow, as if he could sense, as if he knew, he began moving inside her keeping pace with her pursing lips.

Each suck on her lower lip matched the rhythm of his hips.

She felt a pull inside her.

Deep down inside her.

She knew it was a matter of mere moments when she would be thrusting her teeth into her lips again.

A fire built in her core.

It’s intensity causing her legs to waver slightly, and she silently prayed he didn’t notice.

Prodding her fingers deeper into the thick leather in an effort to balance her now failing limbs, she filled her lungs with air, inhaling slowly…deeply. Thankful the dizziness slowly dispersed.

“You. Wait.”

That was what she feared the most.

Without warning she felt a hard slap against the side of her ass that nearly sent her tumbling over. The sound reverberated throughout the small space.

Her knees almost buckling beneath her.

The searing heat from the blow spread rapidly, eventually trickling down to her pussy.

Her juices collected at her apex before beginning to run down the inside her legs.

She slowly pulled the air into her lungs once again, willing her body to ‘obey’ her.

The pressure building at an irrepressible rate.

The tension pounding between her temples.

Her temples pounding in time with his hips…her sucking.

“Wait.” His voice brooked no argument.

Every cell in her body screamed for release.

He grunted pressing down on her neck painfully.

She nearly collapsed when the full weight of his torso came to rest on her back. Her legs shaking with muscle fatigue.

His chest hair rubbed along her back.

Time stood still as she waited on the edge of the precipice.

“Now.” He breathed.

One word.

One word sent her body, soul and being into a whirlwind of emotion and sensation.

One word sent her soaring.

She screamed her release…wailing her pleasure.

Her legs weak, her fingers crippled with the exertion, she lifted her back upright and leaned against him.

He quickly brought his hands up to her tits and squeezed her nipples tightly…applying just the right amount of pressure.

She spasmed before her body tensed against his.

“Good.”

His approval came as his fingers ran up her slick opening.

“God…God…God.” She heard the whisper of air pass through her bloodied lips.

He leaned down and gently kissed her neck.

She waited for the strength to return to her legs before she turned to face him.

“I love you.” Her voice so raspy she wasn’t fully confident it was her own.

“I love you too.”

He stood at the bar. His back to the rail, a little hung over from the night before.

Not complaining.

He loved being a club owner…ran the show and got the ducks.

Slang for ducks in a row, or ho’s ready to suck.

He smiled slyly, realizing he had to find his three or four girls. He knew time was running out where he’d be able to fuck without the help of the little blue pill. But that wouldn’t not stop him. Sliding his dick into a warm sheath was one of the perks of the business, it was what he enjoyed most about owning a hot club. That, and first rate liquor. Only the best of the best.

Anyway, he scanned the crowd looking for a woman who would strike his fancy. This was typically a brunette with big tits and a tight ass. He could spot a fake set in a second. Hated fake tits and more so, hated padded fake asses.

He liked his ass with just the right amount of jiggle and liked his tits with the right amount of firm.

He’d walk the crowd, looking at the nights offerings, then eventually pick three, four and if he was feeling extra randy, five holes. He had his boy Jeremy on it now. His wingman. The guy that always delivered the goods. Nothing made him feel more like a king then when one by one each woman would be brought to his office, in order of desirability, to be fucked—in their pussies, their mouths, their asses, and one of his favorites, between their big and bouncy tits—then sent on their merry way. They got some perks too, tabs fully paid, full bottle service for them and their party. Their friends would think she was a fucking Goddess and she could put a notch in her belt for having the good luck of fucking him.

It always amazed him that none of these women ever complained about feeling used. Not that it would change how he did a thing. He never forced them. That was the part he love the most, they came willingly. And they wanted what he wanted. The wanted to come, and for them, the women that is, it was always more than once. He knew exactly how to pleasure a woman. And that one time in a hundred, when he found the real deal. The full package; tits, ass and an award-wining smile, who happened to have an insatiable hunger for sex. Those were the ones he’d fuck all night. But that didn’t happen often.

In fact, most of these holes where vying for his attention, and as long he got his rocks got off and she screamed, all was good. He didn’t even give a fuck if she faked it, as long as she did it well.

He briefly remembered a pair of amber eyes that implored him to impale her. Thrust his cock in and out of her so hard and fast she’d be chafed, and he knew she’d walk crooked for a week. Her mouth, more precise, her lips were swollen from sucking his cock dry. Hell, that was a definite turn on. But there was something that made him feel uncomfortable. Something he couldn’t put his finger on. But he knew he didn’t like it. It made his skin crawl. He needed to show her he didn’t fall for the holes. He got off, spent his load, slept and did it all over again the next night. He quickly pushed the thought of those amber eyes from his mind.

It took him a few seconds of scanning the crowd before his eyes stalled on the red headed beauty.

She was exquisite all the way from the top of her head, where the golden red tendrils fell down in a cascade of soft curls surrounding her face like a halo, and he smirked as he felt his heart rate increase. Fuck Viagra, he’d never need any drug with that one.

He took his time savoring the view, his eyes drinking in her beauty. He smiled when he felt his mouth actually began to salivate.

She had the softest-looking porcelain skin, both smooth and radiant and he was aching to touch it, feel it against him. He noticed her gracefully arched eyebrows, which seemingly hovered above the most striking green eyes he’d ever seen in his life.

Her nose was straight and perfect.

Her lips thick, plumb and pouty, promised more. He knew just looking at those lips, that he wanted his dick slipping between them. He reached down and felt his hard on throbbing under his palm like he was a fucking seventeen year old.

Just then, as if on cue, she smiled revealing teeth so perfect and white he was transfixed.

He noticed right away, her entire face lit up when she smiled.

He wrapped his fingers around the rail that circled the room, dividing the sitting area from the dance floor, feeling the need to steady himself and was fucking glad he had.

She turned and faced him and her eyes immediately found his.

Their gazes locked.

She looked down towards the floor for a moment, but he could see the smile that slowly spread along those plump kissable, fuckable lips and his heart raced again.

She lifted her hand and as if in slow motion pushed her silken strands behind her ears, almost painfully slow.

Her movements triggered a physical reaction and all at once, he was finding it difficult to breathe.

She was breathtaking.

Literally.

She was all encompassing.

She lit up the entire room, and her smile, it lit him up from the inside out, like hot coals in the pit of his stomach, the heat quickly spreading to his loins.

He felt himself harden even more.

He knew he had to have her.

Had to feel her.

Had to hold her.

Him along with every man in the room.

“Boss?”

“Yeah.”

“I got you a few ladies. They’re lined up near the steps.” He loved using the term ladies, as they were anything but ladies, the contradiction of the term humored him.

He glanced over quickly eyeing the ladies and almost laughed out loud. Not one of the litter was comparable to the red headed beauty that not only caught his attention, but totally captivated him.

“Fuck that. Jeremy. Put those bitches on hold.” His eyes scoured the room and he once again found her. “I’ll take care of this.”

“What ever you want boss.”

He glanced around quickly noticing that more than a few men were open mouthed, watching, caught in the spell she cast. The same one that had him transfixed.

She stepped down onto the dance floor and walked towards him. Her gait, slow and steady as she approached him. Her long legs moved stealthily like a jungle cat.

This is where we separate the men from the boys.

He didn’t let on that his heart pounded wildly in his chest but for a moment he doubted his own attraction and feared she set her sites on one of the other eager cocks looking to bury themselves into her warm sheath, but then he saw it.

The gleam in her eyes, as they once again focused on him. It was a sparkle, unlike any he’d ever seen, it set her apart from every other woman he’d every known.

Her hips swayed provocatively as she walked towards him and his cock throbbed to the rhythm of her hips.

He hadn’t realized he’d been holding his breath until the moment she spoke.

“Hello.”

“Hi.”

He was shocked at how insignificant his answer was. How it belied the storm brewing inside, emanating within the depths of his soul, as well as his groin.

He, who had his choice of any women, now found himself at this woman’s mercy.

He was undone.

“I’m Reny.” She extended her hand, her fingers, long and elegant, wrapped around his thick hand. His pulse giving away the storm brewing within.

He felt the electrical charge that flicked off the top of his skin, evaporating immediately into the ether.

“Pleased to met you Reny.”

“Likewise.”

He was sure she could feel his heart beating, as his hand began to sweat, belying the tumultuous feelings building inside him, but if she noticed she didn’t let on, she just smiled knowingly.

“And you are?” Her voice soft and pretty was deliberate.

“Zac.”

“Well, Zac. It’s nice to meet you.”

He was sure she noticed the dozens of eyes trained on them, but she acted as though she were oblivious to anyone but him.

“Would you like a drink?” He was finally regaining his senses. Felt his dick, still hard, but decided to change the electricity in the atmosphere, and feeling somewhat territorial and overly protective of the red headed beauty standing beside him he pulled her closer to him, breathing in the scent of her hair which was strangely familiar, and simply memorable.

He was aware of the heat radiating off her body, and the scent of her sweat triggered by the heat. It was enveloping. It was intoxicating.

“I would.” Her smile blinded him.

“I’ll be right back.”

“No.” Her tone overtly frightened. She looked uncomfortable for a millisecond, but quickly recovered. “I mean. I’ll come with you if it’s okay.”

He reached for her hand and squeezed it reveling again in its softness.

“Reny…I like it.”

“Me too Zac.” Her laughter sounded like bells ringing in his ears. Perfectly pitched.

She looked longingly at him and he nearly lost his footing.

What the fuck? Look at me. I’m acting like a love-sick school boy.

They had one drink standing at the edge of the bar, both leaning their backs against the wooden railing. Small talk filled the crowded space, but as each minute passed, the attraction between the both of them grew until it was palpable.

She leaned into him. Her body pressed up against him and his breath hitched.

She brought her hand up and pushed her long elegant fingers through the thickness of his hair, moving it to the side, the tips searing his scalp.

“You have soulful eyes Zac.” Her voice low and sexy nearly caused him to forget who he was for a moment.

“You are beautiful.” It was more a proclamation then anything else.

“Well Zac. I need a favor. Think that’s something you can manage?”

“Without a doubt.” He was the man.

“I need it now.” Now that was a proclamation.

“Here?” He asked before knowing what he already knew.

“What is better than the here and now?”

“Nothing. Not a fucking thing.”

“Now you are talking my language.” He lowered his hand once again and wrapped around his rock hard dick. He tried to shift himself. Tried to make it not so obvious. It was impossible.

He pulled her by her hand and led her through the crowded room, through the several pairs of eyes that were fixed on the attractive couple, past the pathetic line of women willing to throw themselves at him, practically begging him to use them as he wished. He navigated her up the stairs to the second floor where his offices were located.

He was sure he could hear the sounds of hearts of a few men breaking, but he couldn’t care less.

Once on the second floor, he walked her down a long hallway and over to a closed door, and after inserting his key pushed open the thick door and ushered her inside, making sure it was closed and locking behind them.

“Perfect.” She said as she slowly took in their surroundings.

There was a black leather couch, a long table with six chairs around it.

She spotted a door and nodded towards it, her eyes questioning.

“That’s my office.”

“Let’s go in there.”

“I aim to please.”

The bells rang again throwing him of guard, and his goal.

The main goal.

Having this woman beneath him. Taking his time as he inch by inch explored her perfect body.

He pulled the same set of keys out of his pocket and opened the second door. As it swung open he flipped the switch and looked up as the lights slowly came on, dimly illuminating the large space.

“You…work here?” She said doubtfully, and he physically felt his chest puff up. Still, her voice was low and sultry, her hand rested on his shoulder passively, a smile playing on her lips.

“I do.” He smiled back. In his familiar surroundings he was beginning to feel his normal confidence return. He regained his posture as he looked around the room, fanaticizing about the things he was about to do with her, to her.

“I think it’s perfect.”

He felt his cock twitch.

Perfect. Perfect.

Yes. It will be.

She leaned into him. He felt the softness of her rub against his thigh and nearly lost his mind. He had to have her and he had to have her now.

Almost as if she could sense his urgency, her arms encircled his neck and she stood on her toes, her lips so close to his he could taste her rum laden breath as it fanned over his mouth.

“I want to lick you.” Her was voice soft, but needy, as she ran her tongue up the side of his neck to his jaw.

He deftly lifted her onto the desk and stepped between her spreading thighs, his hands firmly on her knees. He was beyond hard. He could feel his dick thicken, stretching its thin skin to capacity, the thought of entering her preeminent in his mind.

He held her face in his hand and tilted her head to the side.

Closing his eyes, he leaned in. His nostrils flared, filling with the scent of her, the familiar scent of her.

He suckled the soft skin under her jaw and was rewarded with the trembling of her body.

He inclined further and rubbed the length of his cock against her thigh.

She was a woman of little words but her intentions were crystal clear. This woman was begging to be fucked.

He tugged her top down to her midsection, exposing the most perfect breasts he’d ever seen which were now proudly pushing against the soft fabric of her bra, making visible the outline of her large dimpled areolas and hard nipples. He was almost tempted to count the dots.

He once again noticed saliva building rapidly in his mouth and forcefully swallowed.

She wore an off the shoulder top with plenty of give enabling him to effortlessly push it further down. He cautiously removed each breast from the strained fabric and stood back to admire the perfection of her curvaceous form.

Everything about this woman was perfect.

He smirked, feeling the self-satisfied smile make its way to the corners of his mouth, as he slowly moved the straps slowly down her arms. Painfully slow.

She moaned as he lowered his mouth and began sucking and licking her pert nipples. He nearly lost himself as she thrust her chest forward, inviting him to take her deeper into his mouth.

He did.

She reached out and grabbed his hand in hers, pulling it down.

Down, down, down.

Where she lifted her skirt, her hand still guiding his, and placed his fingers at the gates of heaven, the apex between her silky thighs.

She pushed his fingers down and moved just so, using the tips of his fingers she thrust her body forward and began masturbating. The wetness that coated his fingers also lubricated the thickening lips of her vagina. She moaned as she began rocking her hips slowly at first, in a methodic rhythm, moving against his splayed fingers.

He could feel her moist folds thicken, nearly begging him to sink himself into their depth. She was ready.

He slowly pushed his middle finger into her and shuttered as she grabbed him and pulled him closer to her taking the flesh of his shoulder into her mouth and bit down hard.

She smiled as his body involuntarily jerked knowing she turned him on more as her teeth grazed his skin, breaking through the thin layer.

He forcefully rubbed her clit with his forefinger before slowly plunging it deep into her softness.

He moaned audibly when he found her wet pussy was tight, her blood pulsed in a dancing rhythm around his fingers.

Circling his thumb over her hardened nub he got the reaction he sought.

She tossed her cascade of golden red curls back and released a long soft groan. She smiled that smile that he found so intoxicating and he was as lost in the moment as she was.

He began to push himself into her, his need growing with every second.

His skin tingled and pulsated, his mind shattered into a thousand different pieces, and all he could he could think about at that moment was his need to plunge himself into her, filling her with every inch of his throbbing cock; making his mark, claiming her as his own.

He slowly pulled his fingers from her and licked each one clean moaning at the taste of her. Wrapping his hand around his cock, he squeezed, reveling in the bittersweet feeling of pleasure and pain.

With her fresh on his tongue he lowered his head and licked her pouty lips. Biting them softly.

She shook her head away and pushed him back before slowly standing up. Her skirt swiftly fell to the floor in a whoosh of soft material.

She wore no panties, which strangely enough surprised him.

Lifting her arms up, she lifted her blouse up and off, her bra followed shortly, landing in the same pile on the floor.

Then she stood before him.

Naked.

Shining.

Almost luminescent.

She was flushed with desire, her skin on fire.

He clumsily pushed his already opened pants down, lifted his shirt over his head and tossed it. Not noticing where it fell, he didn’t care.

He shrugged out of his shoes, and stepped out of the legs of his jeans.

His hard-on reached out like a magnet searching to find its polarity, pulling him towards the slickness between her legs.

“Come here.” Her voice, husky with desire, sent a chill up his spine.

“I’m coming.”

“Not so fast.” She laughed delicately…bells.

He beamed.

Stepping closer into the arch of her legs he felt her opening with the tip of his slick cock.

Looking down he saw her juices glistening on his tip. She reached down and ran her finger over the head and smiled deviously looking up at him.

She had him burning for release.

Every nerve ending under his skin ached for his woman.

He needed to take her, but held his aggression back. It would not do to rush this.

This needed to be savored…enjoyed…remembered.

She sat her thick round ass on the desk and slowly leaned back her on her elbows, spreading her legs. Her large breasts – pointing upward – balanced perfectly on her small frame.

He tweaked her nipples between his forefingers and thumbs and slowly rolled them, shaping them, hardening them.

She arched her back against his slight grip and gasped loudly.

“Fuck me.” Her voice was breathy, almost needy.

He shuffled forward and nearly came immediately as he felt himself slowly slide into her; the crest of his cock rubbed against every nook inside her as he slid, one excruciating inch at a time, into her depths.

He lolled his head backwards and smiled at both his luck, and the ceiling.

He was so intent on plunging himself further into to swollen crevice he didn’t notice the tight pinch, but he heard a hollow laugh fill the sexually tense, enclosed space.

His body shook uncontrollably as a tremor shot through him from the inside out.

His eyes shot wide open, and he looked at her as the shock registered.

The world slowed down and stopped for several seconds and he stood transfixed, watching in amazement as she was sprayed in a fine coating of crimson. She wore a smile that told another story. One he would never know the answer to. She reached one arm out and pushed at his midsection. He teetered, falling backwards, his cock still hard as it slid out of her.

He tried to speak but his mouth filled up very quickly. He spit it out but his throat was overcome with what he could only assume was more.

He realized he was drowning.

He looked back up towards the ceiling and seeing no answer there, whimpered.

His view suddenly blocked by the most beautiful face he’d ever seen wearing a sardonic smile that she barely held at bay. It was tugging at the sides of her luscious lips.

He was confused when his body racked with a violent tremor that spread, as if in slow motion, from his toes to his head.

She lowered her face closer to him and he felt the soft sweep of her hair as it fell down like a curtain on the sides of her head.

“Before you die. Before you breathe your last breath, know who I am.” Her beautiful smile now contorted into a mask, a pained mask. “My sister Emanuela, you remember Manny don’t you?” She looked into his eyes, enjoying the panic she observed. “You left her in a pool of her own blood to die alone. I only want the same for you.”

She picked up his discarded shirt and wiped herself clean then walked over to where she’d left her clothes. She bent down and picked them up. Then dressed and removed the keys from his pocket. Stepping over the puddle that quickly spread out encircling his very handsome face and looking back for a moment, she locked the door behind her

As she made her way through the long corridor and down the stairs she pulled her hair up clasping it with a clip she retrieved from her purse, and determinably walked over to the table where she nodded to her friends before sitting in the vacant chair, reserved for her.

“Champagne please.” She said to the woman sitting at her left.

“I already ordered it. It’s coming. What took you so long?”

“It was far too much fun to rush.”

“Mmmm.”

Dani Cambrella walked into Charlie’s Tavern. Her nose crinkled as she sniffed, a cloud of smoke hung low. She sniffed again; it was a mix of stale beer, cigarettes, and if Dani’s sense of smell was on, a cigar.

“How fucking obnoxious.” She shook her head, “Bad enough there’s no smoking allowed, but a cigar… what a douchebag.”

She walked over to the bar and pulled out the barstool the furthest from any of the other patrons and swept her hand across the surface, hoping to only find crumbs. Satisfied, she sat down and pulled out a twenty, placing it on the bar. The sticky surface told Dani she was exactly where she wanted to be.

A dive bar.

A place where anonymity was a cloak.

The bartender, a tall gangly man, with gray hair and thick glasses stood in front of her.

“What are you drinking?”

“Gin and tonic, two limes.” She held up two fingers.

“Two limes,” he mumbled under his breath.

He shook his head as he walked away.

Yeah, two fucking limes.

He walked back to her with a highball glass filled with clear bubbly liquid and two slices of lime clinging to the side.

“Any gin?”

“I’d like Tanqueray Ten if you have it.”

If the limes got him, then the Tanqueray floored him.

He smirked snidely and said, “Lady, look around you, does this place look like we have Tanqueray Ten,” he stared at her like she was speaking Dutch, “how about Gordon’s?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Beefeater?”

“That we have.” He poured a decent shot before placing the glass in front of her.

“Thank you.”

“Welcome. Do you want to start a tab?”

“No,” she pushed the twenty towards him, “I’ll pay as I go.”

He returned with her change and placed it next to the glass.

Dani drank deeply, nearly draining her glass. Then reached into her purse and retrieved her cell phone, placing it on the bar. With the tip of her finger she scrolled through her emails, the words flying quickly, until she found what she was looking for.

The sender, unknown, the message, disturbing, and her reason to be anonymous.

You will soon pay for what you did to me and my family. 

You have ruined my life. 

You will pay.

She repeated in her head. A threat for certain, but Dani has had her share of threats from her share of lowlifes.

Danielle Cambrella, Private Investigator… Discreet, Effective, Affordable.

She was proud of the tagline on her business card. Had come up with it on her own; classy ivory stock with elegant gold script.

She scanned the room. An elderly couple at the far end of the bar had their hands all over each other; his cupping her breasts, hers his crotch. She watched, entranced for a few moments, before turning her head away.

Wow, that gives new meaning to eldercare.

She looked around the room and landed on the source of her wrinkled nose. A man sat across the U shaped bar drinking what looked to be whiskey, smoking what definitely smelled like a cigar, his face half hidden in the shadows. She took another sip of her drink before holding her glass up for the bartender. He nodded.

She lifted her eyes up, noticing the man sitting across from her was leaning forward. The dull lights above the bar cast a glow over his face, turning his eyes an eerie blue. She did notice he was looking directly at her.

Dani didn’t flinch. Didn’t look away. She kept her gaze even with his, and watched the red glow at the tip of his cigar following the fading red tip disappear as it was snuffed out in the ashtray. 

He lifted his drink and laughed out loud as she mimicked his motions. 

The cool refreshing taste of the gin and tonic slid into her mouth. She closed her eyes and smiled as the taste of fresh lime washed over her tongue.

'Now that’s a good gin and tonic'.

“Another?” The bartender stood in front of her. She hadn’t realized she spoken out.

“Yes. Just like this one.” 

“Sure.” He walked off. When he returned he announced “That one’s on Bill.”

“Bill?”

He stepped back affording her a view of the man across from her and pointed.

Dani lifted her glass up, “Thank you Bill.”

“My pleasure…” he paused.

“Dani.” She gave him her name before she could think it through. Fuck it.

“My pleasure Dani.” He stood up and grabbed his drink, “May I?” he asked, indicating her side of the bar.

“Up to you… be warned… I bite.” 

He walked around the bar with his drink in hand and happily for Dani, his cigar in the ashtray where he’d left it.

“I’ve been bitten before. I’ve had my shots.” He smiled as he placed his drink down and pulled the chair next to Dani out.

She shifted in her seat.

“So what’s…”

“Bill,” Dani cut him off, her hand in the air, “please don’t give me ‘the nice girl in a place like this’ line.”

He tilted his head back and let out a chuckle, “I was going to ask you, what’s the appeal of a gin and tonic that had you rolling your eyes?”

“Oh. I’m sorry…” Dani blushed, relieved for the cover of darkness.

“You looked lost in that drink.” He smiled and for one second, she was lost. “Don’t get me wrong it was sexy as hell… that euphoric look on your face.” He shook his head.

“Mmmm, euphoric? I was thirsty, and it was refreshing. I guess that could be somewhat euphoric.”

“Now this might sound like a line, but it’s not. Trust me.” He looked directly at her, “You look very familiar to me.”

She turned her head and ran her eyes from top to bottom. He was tall, with dark hair and light eyes, strong jaw, handsome as all hell, and looked out of place in a suit… not to mention this place. 

Then it hit her… like ice water in the face. She knew this man. She followed this man. She investigated this man. His wife… what was her name… Julie Sommers hired Dani to get the proof her husband was cheating.

A chill ran up her spine as she remembered how much she was turned on watching this man have sex with a variety of women. He was very resourceful, and creative. He liked his sex spontaneous and in a variety of places. There was even one time outside a New York City hotspot between buildings.

Dani remembered the video camera shaking as she filmed him with a woman against a brick wall. She delivered the photos and the films as paid for. But she didn’t give that tape to Mrs. Sommers. That one she kept for herself. She actually blushed as she remembered watching it over and over while she masturbated. She’d never done that before.

This man was very virile to say the least.

“I’m sure I would have remembered you. I never forget a face.” She lied.

“Well, let’s take care of that right away.” He extended his hand, “William Sommers.” His eyes held her captive, and she was unable to turn away. She’d forgot how handsome he was. She felt her flesh heat up, her face redden while her nether region began throbbing.

Quickly recovering she extended her hand, “Danielle Cambrella.”

He took her hand in his, “Nice to meet you Danielle.”

“Dani.”

“Dani it is.”

“So to quote a cliché, how is a beautiful woman like you, in a dive like this drinking alone? Meeting someone?”

“More like avoiding someone.”

“Sounds mysterious.”

“It’s not really. I just didn’t want to go to my usual ‘dives’, thought this one was as good as any other.”

“Well, lucky for me you chose this ‘dive’.”

“Now William, that was a line.”

“Bill.”

“Bill,” she said smiling. Maybe tonight wasn’t going to be as bad as she first thought.

After two more drinks, the sexual tension was building.

“Hungry?” Bill asked.

“For what?” she replied.

“Food. What were you thinking of?”

“Sex.” Dani was nothing if not direct.

“I think that can be arranged.” He took her hand in his and lowered it to his lap.

She almost gasped when she felt the size of his erection. 

“Well then, arrange it.” Dani was feeling more than a tingle at this point.

“As you wish.” He raised his hand and called out, “Doug.”

Doug was there in a flash. Dani was surprised the man could move so fast.

“Let’s settle this.” He pulled a bill from his pocket, “keep the change.”

“Thank you Bill.”

As they walked out the door and got into a cab Dani asked him, “This a regular place for you?”

“Nope. First time here.”

“Oh.” She was curious.

Bill stepped aside so Dani could enter his apartment. She looked around then turned to him, “Where’s the bedroom?”

“Lady knows what she wants.”

She reached out and grabbed his sizeable erection. He reacted quickly reaching around her, unzipping her dress. She stepped out and stood before him in a bra, thong, thigh-hi stockings and a pair of black stilettos.

“Jesus Christ,” he mumbled.

He pulled her body to his, and she felt his hardness between her legs, she was throbbing at this point. 

“Jesus Christ,” he repeated himself.

“Fuck me.”

“I intend to,” he replied.

He lowered his arms and lifted her up, she wrapped her legs around him as he walked to the sofa. 

***

“That was amazing,” Dani murmured, out of breath.

“That was fucking great.” He smiled raising his hips up and down for emphasis. “Now that we got the monkey off our backs, let’s refuel.”

She smiled wickedly.

“Gin and tonic?”

“Love one.”

“Two limes.”

“I love that you paid attention.”

“I always pay attention.”

He stood up and walked naked to the kitchen.

“Fuck me,” she said low.

“What?”

“Never mind.” She blushed.

“I thought I heard a ‘fuck me’ request.”

“Okay, you got me. You did.” 

“Here you go.” He held out a glass for her.

“Thank you… and thank you.” Her meaning clear.

“I’m ready to roll.” 

“Me too.”

She sipped her drink and placed the glass on the table.

He pushed her back and she grabbed the material of the sofa between her fingers.

Dani felt the heat build inside her. She released the sofa and grabbed his silky hair between her fingers pulling his head down to hers running her tongue along his lips tasting a smooth caramel sweetness. Bourbon. She’d know it anywhere.

His face contorted, and he pushed his hips against hers.

He rolled over and stood over her.

“Now that was fucking good.”

“Hell, that was amazing...you’re amazing.”

He handed her the drink she’d left on the table.

“Restroom?” she asked.

“There. Second door on the left.”

She returned a few minutes later and walked over to where she’d thrown her purse,  reaching in she pulling out her cell.

“Damn it.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I just remembered I need a file emailed to me first thing in the morning and my phone is dead.”

“Use my computer.” He pointed to the corner of the room.

“Thank you. You’re a lifesaver. I’ve got to have this file for a meeting. I’ll be right back.” Dani looked at him standing there, feeling her insides heat up again.

Sitting in front of the opened laptop she opened his email program and was about to hit the ‘compose’ button when she noticed her email address. Confused she clicked on the email.

She turned around to find him standing there. It didn’t register at first.

“I told you you’d pay,” he said as he ran the blade over the soft flesh of her throat.

She lifted her hand to her neck. Her ears throbbing as she let out odd gurgling noises through her fingers.

“Stupid bitch. Lost my family because of you…”

That was the last thing she’d heard.

This place it was everything...a dream...a home. A place to live, eat, rest, sleep. 

Trees so green, I challenged the color. The sound of birds chirping, and flittering wings that filled the small space with such a light, delicate wind, that would brush against my cheek. Small things.

The peace so finite, I felt free. 

Without them. 

Without pain. 

The sun shone brilliantly, its glow warmed my face...my body. 

Smiling I rolled over...and for a moment sucked air into my lungs before I felt the intense pain roll over my tired body. My side ached as if it were ripped open.

I slowly opened my eyes.

Succumbed to such sadness, I questioned my worth.

I found a gray sky. Dark, damp, ominous. 

I sensed more than felt the warmth of the tears that slid down my parched skin.

I dreamt of a day gone by. A life lost. A time that no longer existed.

I hated that dream. I'd hated that it repeated itself so many times. I actually, hopefully, questioned my reality. But no. Here was the truth. 

Here I lay on my side, the cold ground cradling me, and wished I were dead. 

Dead like the lost souls who aimlessly walked the steps once filled with commerce, children, life, happiness—my happiness—chomping with teeth, the sound alone that would propel me into a sadness like no other.  Darkness...lifeless...hopeless.

Day two hundred twenty-eight.

I've been counting, although I promised myself I wouldn't.

Not that it brought me solace. It didn't bring me ease. It just brought me the lost reality that was my life. 

I think of a time when men and women weren't pit against one another. When mere 'birds' flung up towards the windshield of another driver was satisfying enough a retribution. Where the worst food would now be considered gourmet in comparison. Where warmth, through and through, was expected and not a millisecond in a memory felt a long time ago. When the world was full of war, but even paced. Where people tolerated one another. Where survival was a subway ride home.

It all seems so silly now.

Legacy?

What legacy will I leave? Having no children to impart my old fashioned wisdom, or righteous indignation, I find myself alone. Very alone.

I've decided my legacy, whomever will find it and benefit, will be something that will bring peace.

My legacy is a gun—a working gun and a bullet. A single bullet. 

Do not waste this gift. Don’t do as I have done. I've learned the hard way, I should have taken that very legacy from my own father. I've learned that the world falling is just that. 

Falling into an abyss you don't, you can’t, see coming.

Enjoy the last dip on the roller coaster that once was life. There is no light here, nor will there ever be. Only darkness.

A void.

Take my work as truth. Take what I offer.

Take it.

Peace.