Risk

by Raquel Belle

  “Jack, every woman, everywhere, has been a waitress in some way, shape or form at some point in her life. Even if she didn’t have the title and didn’t get paid for it.”

  “That’s deep,” Jack laughs, “got eyes on him yet?”

  I keep searching the room while trying to look bored and carefree, but I don’t see him. “Not yet, let’s give it a few minutes.”

  The waitress brings my fake-tini, I find out that her name is Laura and I tell her to please make sure that I get the same all night.

  When she leaves I hear Jack say, “Heads up. I see him, he should be on you in fifteen seconds.”

  “Copy that.”

  Melvin Whittaker walks in wearing a shiny blue suit. He has such a measured and calculated gait, it makes it look like he owns the place. It’s authoritative.

  He makes eye contact with one of the bar staff and draws a circle in the air with his finger—bring me a round. They obviously know what he wants.

  He goes to the only available table and sits down, loosening his tie. He starts to take in the room, seeing who’s around. I look away when he gets to me. I instead look at the guy who hit on me earlier. He’s going to come in handy, he’s standing at the bar with two other guys.

  I smile at him and take a long draw from my glass. I see him eye fucking me, slowly checking out every part of my body. He’s such a pig, I don’t even feel bad that I’m going to use him.

  A waiter brings Melvin a martini and a shot of what looks like tequila. They exchange some words and he attacks his drink like he can’t wait to get a buzz going—all the better for me.

  “Status?” It’s Jack.

  I talk to my olives, “All good, just need to create the right moment.” I take one more sip and there’s only a teensy bit left in my glass.

  I look over at Mr. Sleazy again and give him a come-hither look. He buys it—hook, line and sinker. He smiles and starts making his way to me.

  When he arrives, he places his beer down on the table, “Change your mind, sexpot?” He puts his hand on my thigh. Now I need to make a scene—I need Melvin to see me.

  “I said no once already, asshole!” I stand and push him away, grab my glass and walk off in Melvin’s direction.

  I try to look flustered, when I get close I pretend to lose my balance and put my hand out to catch myself. I use the one holding the glass and it lands on his table perfectly, the glass goes sprawling and there’s only a tiny bit of water spilled.

  It’s not enough of a mess for him to be angry, but it’s enough for me to start a conversation.

  “Oh shit! I’m so sorry,” I hold his shoulder and pretend to check my shoe, “maybe I’ve had one too many. I didn’t get any on you, did I?”

  “No, no, no, it’s okay,” he says, “looks like it was empty. You alright?” And there’s the opening.

  “I came out to get away from my husband for a while and these jerks won’t leave me alone.”

  “Husband huh?”

  “It’s a loveless marriage.” I smile when I take my hand off him, but stay close like we’re old friends who’re in on the same joke. “He’s hardly ever home, he’s mostly in New York. I spend his money on expensive crap I don’t need as revenge for the terrible sex.” I laugh like I’m intoxicated.

  “Sounds like quite an arrangement,” he smiles broadly.

  I signal my waitress for another.

  “It works for me,” I flash my most dazzling smile, “sorry, I’m Audrey,” I put my hand out, “Audrey Carruthers.”

  “Melvin Whittaker.” We shake.

  “Say, if you aren’t expecting company, do you mind if I sit with you? You look like the kind of guy no one would mess with. You can keep the creeps away.”

  “Sure, have a seat.”

  The waitress brings me a new drink and I cheers with Melvin.

  “Melvin Whittaker, the name sounds familiar. What do you do?”

  “I’m an art dealer.”

  “Oh, maybe that’s it,” I tap a fingernail on his hand, “I like to keep abreast of the art scene. Have you handled any pieces I’d have heard of?

  “Well, I authenticated and brokered the sale of Salvator Mundi, you know the last Da Vinci piece?”

  “Oh my God! Of course I know it! You’ve actually seen it? What was it like? In person I mean. God! What are the chances I would bump into someone who’s seen Salvator Mundi? Tell me everything!”

  “Alright,” he smiles.

  ***

  Jack

  Deanna is on fire. They’ve been going for a while now. I’ve heard her talk about Da Vinci, Modigliani, Monet, Kooning, Klimt, Pollock and Lichtenstein and she hasn’t slipped up once. I’ve been following along in the articles on the computer but I haven’t had to step in at all.

  Whittaker sounds like he’s loving every minute of it and there’s no sign of them slowing down.

  Their conversation has been peppered with little nuggets of personal information. She told him that her husband, Xander, is fifty years old and works on Wall street. They keep two houses because she prefers LA. She’s quite sure that he’s having an affair, but she’s fine with it because she gets to do whatever she wants—even sleep with whomever she wants.

  Melvin has revealed that he keeps two houses as well, that he hasn’t found the right person yet and that he enjoys beautiful objects that are one of a kind. He went so far as to imply that Deanna was one of those objects. She gave him a throaty laugh that I’m almost sure was accompanied by some other action.

  Is she touching him? Is he touching her?

  I want to rip his fucking head off and shit down his neck because I can’t see what’s going on in there.

  She’s so convincing when she tells him how handsome he is…and I damn well know he means it when he tells her she’s the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen.

  I’ve never been a jealous man—I’ve never had something to be jealous about I suppose—but thinking about Melvin’s greasy fingers running over something that’s mine makes me want to kill him…slow. My blood is boiling. I don’t know how much more I can take before I go in there.

  Then I remind myself—Relax, Jack. It’s just an act.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Deanna

  I’ve just finished my third fake-tini and things are going great. I’ve got Melvin right where I want him.

  Under the table I’m slowly caressing his calf with the curve of my shoe, above it I’m gently stroking his hand with my nails—there’s touching, but not too much.

  My chin is resting in my palm and I’m looking at him like I’m star struck. I’m giving him my full attention while he talks…and boy does he have a lot to say.

  I think it’s just about time for me to pull the trigger on this thing when Melvin signals his bartender for a round…for both of us.

  “No, please, you don’t have to do that,” I say.

  “I insist, it’s the least I can do. It’s not every day I get to entertain a lady of such quality,” he smiles and puts his hand on mine. I smile back.

  I need to end this…now.

  I raise myself up slightly to look for Laura so I can give her the signal, but I can’t see her anywhere.

  “Everything alright?”

  “Perfect,” I sit back down.

  Shit. Let’s see if I can do this before the drinks come.

  “You know I heard there’s this private auction happening on Saturday. There’s an item that’s unlisted with an opening bid of $20million. I wonder what it is. Probably something amazing, that’s for sure. It’s only going to be revealed on the day.”

  He gives me a prying look. “Where did you hear that?”

  “Are you kidding?” I say, “it’s all over town, I’m surprised that someone in your position wouldn’t have heard about it. I harassed Xander to get me a ticket but he couldn’t be bothered because he won’t be in town. I tried on my own and even asked all of my friends. I tried everything. It’s impossible to get in to.” I sigh. “I hear
d only a certain number of invites went out and you can’t buy one for any price. Looks like one of the great treasures of the world is going to be seen by a handful of people and then disappear forever into a private collection. The art world eh?” I give him a sad, forlorn expression.

  Melvin smiles broadly in return. His eyes have a sparkle to them.

  The drinks arrive. From behind the waiter I spy Laura returning to her station from somewhere in the back, her mouth drops open when she sees what’s happening. She points to me and gestures questioningly—do I want my drink swapped out?

  I close my eyes and give her an almost imperceptible shake of the head. I can’t risk it. Not when I’m this close. She lets the matter go.

  Once the waiter is gone, Melvin raises his tequila, I raise the other.

  “To new friends,” he says.

  “To new friends.”

  We drink.

  It’s like turning the ignition on a car.

  Fuck.

  I close my eyes feel the shot hit me in the gut.

  “You alright?”

  “I’m great,” I smile at Melvin, inside I’m cursing myself.

  “You know, Audrey, that auction you were talking about…that’s my auction.”

  “What? No. You’re lying,” I pat him on the arm and smile, then break eye contact like I don’t believe him. I take a sip of my drink. Six parts gin, two parts vermouth, two olives.

  Fuck.

  His smile gets even bigger. “I’m not,” he shakes his head.

  “Really?” I laugh, “Well, if that’s your auction, what’s the secret lot?”

  “That…I can’t tell you unfortunately,” he takes my hand in his, “I mean, if word got out, it would ruin the surprise.” He kisses my hand. My skin is crawling.

  “You’re such a tease,” I say. I pull my hand away and take another sip. I have to speed this up, so I go all in. “It was lovely to meet you, Melvin, but Xander is probably waiting for me. I should go.” I down what’s in my glass and stand up.

  I’ve started the engine and now I’ve added some gasoline.

  “Okay, tell you what,” he grabs my hand, “I’ve had two extra tickets that have been burning a hole in my pocket all month, right here,” he taps his coat, “just in case some special circumstances were to crop up. I can’t think of anyone or any circumstance more special than you.” He pulls out an envelope from his pocket and hands it to me.

  “You’re joking, right?” I tilt my head and smile.

  “I’m really not,” he laughs, “everything you need is in that envelope. Come on through on Saturday, you’ll be my guest, and you’ll get to witness the unveiling first hand. If you like what you see, then maybe we can pick this up,” he gestures between us, “where we left off?”

  I hold his face and whisper in his ear, “I think I might like that Melvin.” I kiss his cheek and run my hand over his thigh. I’ve got to leave him wanting more so he doesn’t get suspicious. “I hope you’re not full of shit,” I wink at him. He laughs.

  I start walking away and sway my hips in a way that leaves him something to remember.

  “Saturday,” he calls out as I’m near the door.

  I turn back to give him one last smile and I’m out of there.

  “Fuck.”

  “What?” It’s Jack.

  “I’m on my way out, let’s get out of here. Now.”

  “Roger that.” I pull off the earrings and toss them in the clutch, then stop the call on my phone.

  I burst out into the night and the Escalade is already running, I hear someone’s horn blare at me because I cross the street so recklessly. I jump into the passenger side. I don’t look at Jack, I can’t, not yet, I just tell him, “Go.”

  As soon as the car is in motion I throw the purse and the tickets on the backseat, open the glove compartment and find a box of tissues, some wipes and some sanitizer. Lilly has made this standard issue for every vehicle in the fleet. I start wiping the clown makeup off.

  I scrub my hands, my face and my lips. My lips most of all…till they’re almost raw. Then I take off all the jewels and leave them in the back. I kick off my heels and point to an alley for Jack to pull in to. He doesn’t ask why, he just does it.

  “Kill the engine,” I say.

  He does.

  I hike my dress up and climb onto him while I reach for the controls to lower and recline his seat. I take hold of him and kiss him like I’m in a frenzy. He responds in kind.

  My hands find his belt and I begin to undo his pants. He lifts himself to slide out of his boxers and jeans in one go. His erect cock slaps my ass. I know he can taste the gin on me but he doesn’t say anything. I need him inside me.

  I need him.

  I devour his mouth like he’s the only one that can save me.

  This isn’t desire or passion or lust. If I don’t have him inside me…I feel like I’ll die.

  I bite him, I claw at him, he doesn’t just let me, he does it back.

  My cunt is dripping, I reach behind me for his cock.

  “Condoms,” he says.

  “I don’t care,” is my reply.

  I take his massive cock in my hand and guide myself onto him. I lower myself slowly, I don’t take my mouth from his. He fills every inch of me.

  At that very moment it starts to rain, violently…like the heavens opened and it’s pouring out its wrath. Torrents of water beat down on the Escalade. A storm equal to the one brewing inside of me…and only Jack can save me from drowning.

  I brace one arm on the back of his seat, the other one is around his neck, his are around my back with his hands tangled in my hair. I start to ride him…hard.

  I suck on his tongue, his lips, his chest, his neck. He does the same to me, my breasts, my neck, everywhere. It’s like we’re rabid.

  I go faster and it’s like I can’t breathe, but I don’t care, I’m fighting to kill this feeling boiling up inside me. There’s an urgency that I can’t control. I feel tears start to spill. I grab his face and shove my tongue into his mouth again. I sit down fully, taking the length of his cock all the way and start to grind him.

  My heart is pounding, he pulls at my hair and that spurs me on. He goes to my neck with his mouth and I start to ride again. It’s building, I’m close. I feel his rhythm change and I know he’s close too. I pound into him and raise myself to smash his face in my tits. I don’t want him to see me. I bury my face in his hair and ram into him over and over.

  I’m coming. I’m coming...almost. I’m almost there.

  I take my pace to another level and fight till I explode.

  I ride the wave and keep going. I bite into his shoulder to stifle the scream that I let out. I hear him let out a deep growl and shoot his hot load inside of me. I hold him tight but I don’t stop. My body is on autopilot. My whole body is shaking and I keep riding, I can’t stop.

  His cock is throbbing and spasming inside of me. He holds me tighter, like he’s trying to force me into his body through some kind of magic.

  I feel…I don’t know. I feel like I’ve taken an antidote to poison. We shudder together, once, twice…three times…I feel him shift his cock in me and then he holds me down so I won’t move anymore, he holds me so tight. The wave ends, and then we’re still…

  A minute goes by.

  I’m dead weight on him.

  Is it all out of me now?

  I just listen to the rain and the sound of our breathing. We’re like that for a few more minutes, just breathing and holding each other.

  The tears have stopped. They stopped with the orgasm.

  Jack slowly moves me back and brushes the hair away from my face. He looks into my eyes, it’s the first time since I got back in the car that we’ve looked at each other—really looked at each other.

  I rest my forehead on his. I see something there, something in his eyes…something I want so much but I’m so scared to believe.

  Everything ends, and nothing this good is meant to last. I don’t wa
nt to get hurt…not again. I’d rather be alone.

  He kisses me, but this is not like before. This one means something. It’s soft, tender and…loving? He kisses the remnants of my tears away and then holds me.

  The rain goes away as suddenly as it began. Moments later I climb off him without a word. We’re both sloppy and sticky. I hand him some tissues and use some on myself.

  We straighten ourselves up and he starts the car.

  We don’t talk. What’s there to say?

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Jack

  Back at the hotel garage, we grab all the stuff out of the car and hold hands as we make our way up to the room. There are so many things I want to ask Deanna but it doesn’t feel like the right time.

  Despite how good she was at the Wolf Club tonight, I know the whole thing took it out of her—playing the role…having to drink. I don’t know what she’s going through but now is not the time to push. All I want is to be there for her.

  Once we’re inside I help her pack the jewelry away in the boxes. We still haven’t said a word to each other since the sex in the car. It’s time to break the silence.

  “Uh, I’m going to give these back to Anton and have him check out the tickets,” I say. I hold her by the shoulders as I talk but she won’t look at me, “Can I pick up anything special for dinner?” I try to give her a smile but she’s not even looking.

  She shrugs, sighs, then walks to the bathroom while she pulls off her dress. I hear the shower turn on. I hate seeing her like this. How do I make it better when I hardly know her?

  ***

  I visit with Anton and return the jewels, confirm that the tickets are legit and then fill him in on my next moves. After that I head downstairs in search of something that will lift Deanna’s spirits. The best I can come up with is a thousand-piece puzzle of a theme park with cats from the gift shop.

  I figure it’s something we can do together, it might take her mind off things and it doesn’t require a lot of talking—maybe she’ll even get a kick out of it.