Wild Tide

by Tripp Ellis

  I raised a surprised eyebrow. "No. He's dating my sister."

  "Gotcha."

  "He came back here with the blonde," I said. "Red lace lingerie. Shoulder length hair. Had a Marilyn Monroe vibe."

  "Cherry Bomb?"

  "No. Not Cherry."

  "It's gotta be Mercedes,” Serenity said. "Yeah, I can ask her after she finishes up."

  "Thank you. I appreciate it."

  "No problem.”

  “Does she do extras?”

  “For a price. Are you looking for extras?”

  “No,” I said.

  “You don’t look like the type who has to pay for it.”

  I grinned.

  “I don’t do extras. But you did paid for a show, are you sure you don't want me to finish?"

  "If you want to,” I said, trying to sound disinterested.

  A sly grin curled on her full lips. "Oh, baby, I want to."

  She finished her routine, and as anticipated she left me feeling like an unlucky teenager on prom night. Our 15 minutes were up, and a bouncer knocked on the door.

  I pulled myself together and tried to arrange things. My cargo shorts were fitting a little too tight at the moment. I tried to think about baseball statistics instead of Serenity's curvaceous assets as I walked down the hallway.

  I rejoined JD in the main area who now had two girls dancing for him.

  "Did you have fun?" JD asked.

  "I put it on your tab, so, yeah. It was well worth it."

  He scowled at me playfully. "I don't want to know. I'll get the bill soon enough."

  The song ended and the two girls put their bras back on. One sat in JD's lap, while the other took a seat opposite me. She sipped on a drink JD had bought her.

  The waitress brought me another whiskey on the rocks, and JD nuzzled with a striking redhead named Sonja.

  I glanced around the club, looking for Ryan, but I didn't see him anywhere.

  A few minutes later, Serenity sauntered toward me. She leaned over, hanging her wondrous orbs in my face and whispered in my ear, "Mercedes said nothing happened. A little grinding, heavy petting, but he didn't want to pay for a tug or a BJ.“

  "Thanks for the info."

  "Anytime."

  I watched her saunter away to find another customer.

  "Don't cry, ladies, but I think it's time for me to go," JD said.

  The girls whined and made pouty faces.

  Sonja said, ”Don't go, Daddy!”

  "Alas, I think I have already exceeded my budget for the evening,” JD said.

  There were more frowns and sad faces.

  The only thing they were upset about was the end of their revenue stream.

  JD's eyes bulged, and he swallowed hard when he got the bill. He gave the waitress a wad of cash, and we said our goodbyes.

  We exited the club and stood on the sidewalk. The sky was pitch black now, and the nightlife of Oyster Avenue was in full swing.

  "That was some happy hour," JD said.

  He pulled out his phone and began to scroll through his contact list. He dialed Helen’s number. After a few rings, she answered JD's call.

  Within a few moments, his plans were solidified. He hung up the phone with an expectant grin on his face. “You're on your own for the rest of the evening.”

  I glared at him, envious. Serenity had gotten me all worked up for nothing, and I had no current booty call.

  To me, going to a strip club was like buying a car that you could never drive. Fun to look at, but sometimes you just needed to get into the driver seat and run through the gears.

  "You want me to drop you off at the marina?" JD asked.

  "No. I think I'll stroll Oyster Avenue and see what kind of trouble I can get into."

  He gave me a salute and said, “Happy hunting, sir."

  JD spun around and headed down the sidewalk at a brisk pace.

  16

  I had a slight buzz and a pocket full of testosterone. That was a recipe for poor life decisions. But epic mistakes make for good stories over drinks.

  Life is about the adventure.

  I strolled down the street, contemplating my options.

  Bumper was a dance club with thumping music, trendy twenty-somethings, and lots of designer drugs. Not really my scene, but the clientele was undeniably striking.

  Tsunami Jack’s was a casual beach bar that was always good for reggae music. Live bands would crank out Bob Marley covers that were nearly indistinguishable from the real thing.

  Reefers had the same vibe, but Scarlett worked there, and it didn’t seem like the best place to hang out for multiple reasons.

  I made my way down to Keys—an upscale piano bar. It had that old-school vibe with mahogany wood panels on the walls, crown molding, and a bar full of top shelf liquor. The wait staff wore formal attire, and a pianist tickled the keys in the most sublime of ways.

  The crowd was elegant and sophisticated—and that precluded my entry. The doorman stopped me as I tried to enter. “Can’t let you in like that.”

  He didn’t approve of my T-shirt and cargo shorts. This was a coat and collared shirt type of place. Slacks, dress shoes, no sneakers.

  I was about to pull out my badge and throw my weight around when a sultry voice said. “He’s with me.”

  “Yes, of course, Ms. Varga.”

  The doorman pulled the door wide and motioned for me to enter.

  I smiled at Luciana and waved her into the bar before me. Two bodyguards in suits followed her, but I cut them off, stepping in line with Luciana. “Thanks. It seems you certainly have pull around here.”

  “It’s one of my favorite places. Good music. Strong drinks. Nice clientele.”

  “Except for me, of course.”

  She looked me up and down. “I’ve seen you look better.”

  I arched an eyebrow at her. But at least she was honest.

  “You clean up well. But this…” she looked over my attire. “This is dreadful.”

  I shrugged. “I worked a charter earlier. I didn’t expect to be out on the town.”

  The maitre d’ gave me a dire look as I entered. He scurried off to the coat room and within a few moments, he returned with a suit jacket for me.

  I looked ridiculous.

  I felt like JD wearing a suit jacket with a T-shirt and cargo shorts.

  Luciana laughed.

  I modeled the jacket for her, pretending to be on a runway at fashion week in New York.

  She laughed even harder.

  “I think that makes the ensemble worse,” she said.

  I shrugged.

  “If you are going to be seen with me, we have to do something about that outfit.”

  She snapped her fingers, and one of her bodyguards stepped to her, ready to take orders. She looked me up and down, then whispered in his ear. He scurried away after receiving his secret instructions.

  “What was that about?” I asked.

  “What are you drinking?”

  “Whisky. Rocks.”

  She smiled. “A man after my own heart.”

  She leaned against the bar and placed an order. The bartender eagerly filled two glasses and pushed them across the counter.

  Luciana and I clinked glasses, and I took a swig of the fine whiskey.

  "I thought you were going to stop by my office and take a look at the project plans," Luciana said.

  "Sorry. I got sidetracked."

  "Well, my offer still stands."

  "Good to know."

  She took a sip of her whiskey. Her full lips left a deep red stain on the glass.

  We shared a lingering stare.

  "So, what brings you out this evening?" she asked.

  "Just blowing off some steam."

  "I love this little bar. It's cozy, elegant, and they have some wonderfully talented piano players and jazz singers. I find myself here more than I care to admit."

  "Had I known, I would have stopped in more often.”

  We shared another pa
use that was thick with unspoken tension.

  "Tell me, what did you do before you were a deputy for the Coconut County Sheriff's Department?"

  I shrugged. "A little of this, a little of that."

  "I see."

  "And how long do you plan on volunteering for the department?"

  "I don't know. I think it's just a temporary position. But, the job has some perks. I get a shiny badge, which gets me into a lot of venues. And, in some small way, I get to make the world a safer place."

  "An idealist?"

  I chuckled. "No. Just trying to do my part. You are either part of the solution, or part of the problem, right?"

  "Amen."

  We clinked glasses again.

  I could watch that woman sip whiskey all evening. To say she had an alluring quality was an understatement. I was jealous of the glass.

  "I can’t imagine that a handsome man like yourself would find himself alone on a Saturday night. Surely you have options?"

  "I'm not alone. I'm with you." I smiled.

  Her eyes smoldered at me.

  We ordered another drink and found a table. We sat and talked, listening to the piano player tickle the ivories. It wasn't long before Luciana’s bodyguard returned with a new suit in a garment bag. He handed it to me.

  "Try it on," Luciana said. “We’ve got to get you looking presentable."

  "You want me to change right here?"

  She arched a sculpted eyebrow at me. "If you like."

  I smiled. "I'll find the restroom.

  The men’s room was elegantly appointed with fine Italian marble, floral arrangements, and an attendant with every imaginable fragrance of cologne. He took the garment bag and assisted me while I changed into the attire.

  The Alesci suit fit perfectly. It was a complete ensemble with a spread collar shirt, slacks, and Bandini leather lace-ups. I admired the garment in the mirror.

  It was a nice suit, and I knew it had cost over two grand.

  I tipped the valet $20, stuffed my beach clothes in the bag, and returned to Luciana.

  “Much better!“ Her eyes sparkled.

  "How did you know my size?"

  "I have an eye for detail. And fashion." She smiled. "Do you like it?"

  "I love it. What do I owe you?"

  "For the suit? It's my gift."

  I eyed her suspiciously. "You're not trying to bribe a deputy sheriff, are you?"

  She burst into laughter. "If I was trying to bribe you, I would hand you a duffel bag full of cash."

  I wondered how much cash?

  "But, if it makes you feel better, perhaps we can arrange a trade?" There was a devilish tone in her voice, and her sultry eyes smoldered.

  17

  After a few hours, and a few more drinks, we were both pretty lit up.

  Luciana may have been an evil real estate developer ready to kick Harlan out of his home. But she was also hot as hell, and I had to admit, we were having a good time.

  The bar got pretty crowded as the night rolled on. Luciana suggested we find some place quieter. That some place happened to be her home.

  Who was I to argue?

  We piled into a large black SUV, along with her bodyguards and personal driver. We raced through the streets of Coconut Key in the black Cadillac Escalade that couldn't have been more than a month old. It still had that new car smell, and the scent of fresh leather filled the air.

  Luciana put her hand on my thigh and eyed me lasciviously. Her hand traced its way up the Alesci inseam, and I did my best to pretend that I wasn't affected by her touch.

  The driver kept eyeing me in the rearview mirror suspiciously.

  Luciana liked playing games.

  I was more than willing to be her sparring partner for the evening.

  The SUV pulled into the circular drive, letting us out at the front door. Her home was nothing short of spectacular. A modern two-story right on the beach.

  The entryway was tiled with imported Italian marble. The expansive living room had floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a picturesque view of the ocean. Though, I couldn't see anything but the pool through the windows. From the darkness, I could hear the waves on the beach crashing against the shore.

  The house was built in a U shape around the pool, and the place felt like a resort.

  The driver pulled the car around to the garage, the two security guards checked the area, sweeping the entire house. They returned to the living room and informed Luciana that everything was clear. She thanked them and dismissed them for the evening.

  The two of them disappeared down a hallway, but I didn't imagine they'd be too far away in case of emergency.

  "They're very protective of you," I said.

  "I pay them very well to be that way."

  "You must have a lot of enemies. Or you're extremely paranoid."

  "A little paranoia is healthy, don't you think?"

  I agreed.

  "And, as you see, in my line of work sometimes people can get a little angry with me." She moved close and flung her arms around my neck.

  We stared into each other’s eyes for a long moment.

  Then, she inched closer.

  She planted her full lips against mine, and we melted into each other. Our tongues danced, and I could still taste the whiskey on her lips, and the cherry flavor of her lipstick.

  Her hair smelled divine, and her skin was flawless.

  My hands traced the curves of her waist and found their way down to her sweet cheeks.

  I grabbed a handful, and a subtle moan escaped her lips. Warmth radiated from her body.

  I pulled her tight against my body, and her leg wrapped around me. We swayed in the middle of the living room, entwined in a passionate embrace, trying not to fall over.

  Still heady from the liquor, it was a challenge.

  Soon her lipstick was all over my mouth, my cheeks, my ear, my neck. She ripped open the shirt she bought for me, and buttons scattered across the tile, rolling to hidden places under the leather couch.

  The trail of lipstick made its way down my pecks, down to the abs that cost me 500 crunches a day. She unbuckled my belt, and before I knew it, she was making a fairly convincing argument that her project would indeed benefit the community.

  Luciana excelled at oral arguments.

  Before I was able to make a counterpoint, she slinked out of her dress and pulled me onto the leather couch.

  Our naked bodies collided.

  We did our best to break the mid-century modern furniture, but it survived our pummeling.

  Moans of ecstasy filtered through the cavernous house.

  I was so lost in the moment that I forgot all about the security guards. Surely they could hear? At that point, I didn't care who heard.

  When it was all said and done, we collapsed on the couch, sweaty and breathless.

  I buzzed with euphoria—and a little guilt.

  What was I going to say to Harlan?

  I may have been sleeping with the enemy, but I was sure he would understand.

  Whatever momentary guilt I felt quickly vanished. I basked in the afterglow for a few moments, staring at the ceiling with Luciana in my arms.

  Her delicate fingers stroked my chest. "Thank you. That was fun. I needed that."

  "Thank you," I said.

  "Maybe we can do it again sometime,” she proposed. Then, without missing a beat, “Javier will take you back to your home. Or to wherever you want to go."

  I looked at her with a curious glance, a little shocked. "Are you kicking me out?"

  She patted my chest. "You're a big boy. You can take it."

  "Wham bam, thank you, man!" I said.

  She mocked me, playfully making a pouty face. "Aw, are you feeling vulnerable? Used?"

  I made a pathetic face.

  She laughed. "Please. Don't even pretend to be upset. You just got to bang a hottie with no strings attached, and you didn't have to work at it.”

  "I worked a little."

 
She rolled her eyes.

  “You bought me a suit, and in exchange, we had sex. Does that make me a gigolo?”

  “I bought you a suit. We had sex. Two unrelated events.” A naughty grin curled on her lips. “But, call it what you want, sweetie.”

  She pried her sweaty body off the couch and stood up. She bent over and scooped her dress from the floor. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go take a shower and go to bed. I'll see you around, Deputy."

  She vanished up the staircase.

  I lay there for another moment, then got dressed. My shirt hung open from the lack of buttons, and I definitely looked like I had a good time.

  Her driver, Javier, waited for me by the car. He got the door for me, and I climbed into the backseat. He hustled around the front and sat in the driver’s seat. “Where to?"

  "Diver Down."

  As soon as the words escaped my lips, he dropped the car in gear and zipped out of the driveway.

  In a few moments, we pulled into the parking lot of Diver Down. It was still open.

  I thanked Javier, dug into my pocket for a tip, and handed it to him. He gave a nod of appreciation, and I climbed out of the SUV.

  The Escalade sped away, and I stared at the restaurant for a moment. I decided I probably shouldn't walk into the bar looking the way I did.

  I didn't know what I was going to say to Madison about Ryan, and I sure as hell didn't want to bring anything up tonight.

  I knew there was a possibility that he was sitting at the bar, waiting for her to close down. I was usually pretty good about hiding my emotions—I had to be. You can't give yourself away when you're a clandestine operative undercover in a foreign territory.

  But this was a little different.

  I wasn't sure that I could keep my anger from showing through, which would most likely cause a scene.

  I’m not sure why it got under my skin so much, but Madison was the only family I had left. I wanted to make sure she would be with someone who would treat her right.

  I staggered down the dock and climbed aboard the Wild Tide. From the fridge, I grabbed a bottle of water and guzzled it down. I didn't want to be dehydrated in the morning—though I’d probably have to make a trip to the head in the middle of the night.

  I descended the starboard stairs to the master suite, peeled off my clothes, took a shower, then climbed into bed.