Explicit Detail

by Scarlett Finn

  ‘I enjoyed our conversation,’ he said. ‘I look forward to sharing more meals with you, and more drinks.’ His hand touched her knee and slid up her stocking to the flesh exposed beside her suspender.

  ‘You want us to be alone,’ Flick said, aware that she’d promised Rushe that wouldn’t happen.

  Rushe was never far from her mind. The casino door opened and closed, causing a blast of noise from the frenetic outer space. A few seconds later, Rushe came into her periphery; he and Galante were moving past to sit on another couch. Both of the men looked at Whyte but disregarded her.

  ‘You have nothing to fear,’ Whyte said, doing his own staring back at Rushe and Galante, but eventually his attention settled back on her.

  Flick had to think fast on her feet, Rushe had been right, she sensed it now. If she didn’t come up with something, she’d be ducking and weaving Whyte’s sexual advances until this was over. It might work for a while, but he’d grow more suspicious, and perhaps more aggressive, over time.

  ‘I don’t fear you,’ she said, wracking her mind for a safety net. ‘But you’re such a powerful and attractive man; you could have any woman you want.’

  ‘I want you.’

  And from the way he touched the clasp of the suspender, it was clear he wanted a more thorough apology for her humiliation of him last night.

  ‘But—‘

  ‘Perhaps after your shift tonight we could—‘

  ‘I’m a virgin,’ Flick said, suddenly stalling Whyte mid-word and stroke, and causing her own frown that sought Rushe’s profile, though he was deep in discussion with Galante.

  ‘Oh.’

  Flick hadn’t meant to say that; she hadn’t consciously thought it. But now that she had said the words they made sense, and would explain her reluctance to be alone, or get physical, with him.

  ‘I can’t believe I just blurted that out,’ Flick said, clutching her face.

  The flaming in her cheeks would be understandable, and good cover, to Whyte. But it was really for the man in the room aware of her without looking. Rushe could come over here right now, pluck her up and fuck her, and they’d come up with a reason why for the rest of the room.

  On the other hand, if a man other than Rushe was to touch her and Rushe was to spot it, he’d drag her out, barricade the doors, and set the whole building on fire, consequences be damned. At the reminder of his primitive nature, Flick clamped her thighs together; Rushe actually could turn her on from across the room.

  ‘I hadn’t realised,’ Whyte said, after taking the time to process her revelation.

  ‘It changes things, doesn’t it?’ she said in such a way that if he agreed with her then he’d come off as a bastard. ‘I wanted to be honest, but didn’t want to say it. I wouldn’t want to tease you, or have you think I’d be easy... please say something.’ Though Flick hadn’t really given him time to.

  ‘I didn’t think they still existed,’ he said, looking into her eyes and letting his smile stretch. ‘It’s refreshing and endearing. I knew you were special from the first second I saw you.’ Whyte touched her face. ‘Your first time will be special too. I promise you.’

  Chapter Eleven

  ‘Spit it out.’

  ‘What?’ Flick asked Rushe’s reflection in the bathroom mirror the following afternoon. Working the night shift had flipped their traditional routine. Flick put her toothbrush away and wiped her mouth.

  ‘Something’s been tickling your snatch all night, what is it?’

  ‘Are you going to tell me about your night with Galante?’

  ‘You bartering?’

  Flick knew she had to tell him anyway, and she’d learned it was never smart to lay a challenge at Rushe’s feet.

  ‘You saw me talking to Whyte last night?’

  ‘Yeah.’

  She turned to face him. ‘I told him I was a virgin.’

  Flick had never seen Rushe smile so spontaneously. Usually there was some build up, some teasing or joking, but not today.

  ‘Well, Sweetheart, you should’ve told me that last night, I wouldn’t have fucked you ‘til you were unconscious.’

  ‘I’m glad you find it funny.’

  ‘Did I hurt you? I’m quite a big guy for a woman to swallow first time; you’re a pro, Sweetheart.’

  Flick glared at him, but the expert of the expression was unmoved, so she chose to shove past him instead but he caught her in the doorway and urged her back against the frame.

  ‘He’ll want to break you in.’

  ‘He can want all he likes,’ she said.

  ‘Did I make your first time special?’

  Apparently, Rushe wasn’t finished mocking her, but he delivered the line so believably with his dry wit.

  ‘I seem to remember your way of putting me at ease our first time was asking if I wanted you to eat me out before you fucked me.’

  ‘I’m that kinda guy, Kitten,’ he said with a stoic strut.

  ‘Tell me what’s going on with you and Galante.’

  Initially he said nothing, so Flick glued on her facial expression and undid one button on his jeans, then another, until she could gain access to slide her hand inside where she took gentle hold of his balls. Triumph came when he spoke.

  ‘He wants to open a second casino; it’s a great way to clean money.’

  ‘Clean money?’

  ‘Make it legit.’

  ‘Laundering,’ she said. ‘And you want to invest in the new casino? Why would he need money? The consortium—‘

  ‘I’m in the market for a membership.’

  ‘To the King Club? No.’

  ‘No?’

  ‘It’s too dangerous,’ she said, shifting her hands flat into his pockets. ‘That would involve you meeting with them all. If they find out—‘

  ‘What? Find out what, Kit? We’re not cops. We’re not collecting evidence or trying to bust the group.’

  ‘Do you think they’ll see it like that?’

  ‘You don’t see the world in the right way to be in this game.’

  ‘What does that mean?’ she asked.

  ‘They’re into serious shit,’ Rushe said. ‘Pissing them off could be suicide, but if we allied ourselves...’

  ‘But they’re bad people... criminals.’

  ‘What do you think I am?’

  ‘You want to work with them?’ she asked.

  ‘Might be lucrative.’

  Flick’s initial indignation waned when she realised he was watching her, not looking or checking her out, Rushe was watching. The master of forethought was judging her reaction.

  ‘You want me to see the world in neutral terms. We’re not on a crusade to save the world, but we’re not willing to step on anyone to better our own ends.’ Rushe remained silent and static. ‘You don’t want to be a member of the King Club, you’re a loner. The fewer ties the better. You’re testing me, to see how I react to the prospect of criminality.’

  ‘The heat’s mine, Kitten.’

  ‘Talk to me, where’s Lisa?’

  ‘Staying in the hotel, best I can judge,’ he said. ‘Galante Senior and his son Joey live there, Whyte too.’

  ‘Why can’t we just walk up to her room and—‘

  ‘Michael tried to pull her out that way,’ he said. ‘Lisa is being protected from the inside. They’re not giving her up.’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘Don’t know,’ Rushe said. ‘I get in with Galante, I get close to Joey, and then I talk to Lisa.’

  ‘That simple?’

  ‘It’s not simple at all. We can’t trust Lisa. If she wants to stay with Joey, then she rats us out and the lid’s blown off.’

  ‘So we have to gain her trust,’ Flick said, considering the new information.

  ‘Fuck trust.’ His brash response interrupted her thoughts. ‘We have to know the dynamic. If Lisa doesn’t want to be there, then getting her out is easy.’

  ‘She’s not being held against her will. You’ve already discounted that.’
r />   ‘How do you know?’

  ‘Because I do,’ Flick said, enjoying being under his scrutiny once more. ‘I know you, Rushe. I know when you’re testing me.’

  ‘She likes the money, the lifestyle.’

  ‘She likes screwing the boss?’

  ‘Galante is the boss,’ Rushe said. ‘From what I can tell daddy and son don’t get along.’

  ‘So she was screwing Joey, then saw daddy had more sway, so she shifted focus?’

  ‘I assumed the same but I have no proof yet.’

  ‘Why do you need proof?’ Flick asked.

  ‘Because if it’s power she likes we have to tempt her with more power, if it’s danger, if it’s money...’

  Flick nodded because what he said made sense, except... ‘You plan to tempt her, don’t you? There isn’t a man more powerful or dangerous than you. And there’s plenty of money in the bank for you to shower her with diamonds.’

  His hands rose to the top of her head and he stroked down her hair. ‘You’re dating another guy, got to even the score.’

  ‘She’s nineteen.’

  ‘Yeah, that age usually costs more.’

  The very idea of Rushe so much as touching another woman made her nauseous, but she heard his imperceptible teasing. He’d never cheat on her; Flick knew his loyalty to her was bone deep.

  ‘Are you seeing him tonight?’ she asked.

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Galante or Joey?’

  ‘Joey and Lisa have been locked in their room,’ Rushe said. ‘Last anyone saw them was Monday.’

  ‘Monday? It’s Friday, what have they been doing all week?’

  Rushe let his hand shift to the wood of the doorframe and slide up so his body loomed over hers. ‘Now that I’ve taken you for a test drive, maybe I’ll show you.’

  Flick groaned and nudged her weight on his to gain entry to the bedroom again. ‘Do you want me to cook?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Are you going to take me out to dinner?’ Flick put her arms in the sleeves of his red and black check shirt, which was now her shirt.

  Rushe didn’t wine and dine her – the nicest establishment he’d taken her to was a sports bar. Not that he’d been intending to take her there, not until she pestered him all the way down the street and into the place.

  ‘I’ve got plans,’ he said.

  ‘You have to tell me what’s going on with Galante,’ Flick said, buttoning the last of the shirt. ‘Are you planning to give him money?’

  ‘Not until I’m sure it’s a good investment. He’ll show me how the place works. We’re meeting Whyte tonight. When is your next date?’

  ‘Monday,’ she said.

  ‘Where are you going?’

  ‘The casino.’

  ‘Good,’ Rushe said. ‘It’s crowded enough. I can keep an eye on you.’

  Flick wanted to remind him that she didn’t need to be watched, but she knew the prompt would be futile. So she made her way out of the bedroom and into the kitchen, thinking about what to make to eat. Opening a cupboard, she took out the pasta and put it on the counter. In the next breath, Rushe’s form materialised behind her, stalling her breath in her throat.

  ‘Don’t do that,’ she whispered over her shoulder. ‘You scared me.’

  ‘Good,’ he mumbled. ‘Keep you on your toes. You’re getting too comfortable.’

  Gathering her hair into his fists, he pulled her head back to land on his chest, and he rasped his stubble against her forehead. ‘He gave you a phone?’ Rushe asked, and Flick nodded. ‘Do you know why I don’t have a phone?’ Flick had barely enough give to shake her head. ‘They’re traceable.’

  ‘I don’t—‘

  ‘If they choose to look... we can’t both keep coming back here every night. I’ve been complacent.’

  ‘But—‘

  ‘It’s your tits,’ he said, releasing one fist from her hair, his thick arm came around her to take the shirt where the buttons met. Ripping his hand downward, the buttons shot out in all directions as plastic shrapnel.

  ‘Hey! I love—’ His hand clamped over her mouth.

  Scratching his chin downward, it stopped at her temple. ‘That shirt... you were so goddamn vulnerable. You’re gonna get us both killed.’

  Flick tried to move, but his strength held her skull against the wall of his chest. Her attempt at speech only made her squeak, and his pressure increased.

  ‘I’m going to stay at the hotel. I won’t be back until this is over,’ he grumbled. ‘Don’t open the door to anyone.’

  Frantic to have a say, to make an impact, all Flick could do was fumble behind herself. Catching the corner of his jeans pockets, she tried to pull, but she only succeeded in squeaking again.

  This had to have been in his head all day, Rushe had to have known that this was his plan, but Flick had been ignorant to it. Sometimes she forgot how constant his mind was. If she had sat down to think about it for a second she would have seen it herself.

  Both of them coming back here was dangerous. Galante could be curious about Rushe, maybe he didn’t trust him. Rushe could spot a tail, but she wouldn’t. She hadn’t even been looking, not properly.

  In addition, this address was on her employment form. Flick hadn’t had any other option but to put it down. Now that Whyte had given her a phone, which Rushe wouldn’t trust to be legitimate, it could be traced too. But Flick didn’t want Rushe to go.

  Still he kept one hand over her mouth, but the other found her breasts. The span of his hand accommodated one breast, then the other.

  ‘I’m gonna watch you, Kitten,’ he said, rubbing his face in her hair as his touch thrummed down her abdomen. ‘You be a good girl, keep your guard up, and don’t trust anything. Don’t trust Whyte, you hear me?’ Flick nodded. ‘I’m gonna let you go, but I don’t want you to speak. Words won’t change my decision, I don’t want to hear how you feel, and crying is only gonna piss me off.’

  His hand left her mouth. From his crouched position, his other arm locked around her waist so as he straightened his stature, he took her off her feet. Carrying her through into the living room, he sat her on the dining table and pulled out a chair away from the table. As Rushe sat, he unbuttoned his jeans and kept his butt at the edge of the seat.

  ‘Sit on it,’ he said, holding his dick in one hand.

  Flick was still thinking about what he’d said, so she managed only to look at it. Rushe reached forward to grab her wrist. Yanking her to him, he parted her legs with his feet so she stood astride him on the chair.

  ‘You’re gonna get your tight cunt on my cock now, understand? You’re gonna sit right there in my lap and fuck yourself. I want to see those tits bounce, you get it? You gonna be a good little kitten? Speak.’

  ‘Yes,’ Flick managed to say.

  ‘You do what I tell you. Your cunt’s gonna fuck the jizz right out of me, she’s hungry, and I might not feed her again for a while. Sit!’

  Lowering herself down, Rushe kept himself in place to seek her opening. When he prodded inside Flick let her weight go and she sank down onto him, taking him deep. Her inner muscles clenched around his throbbing organ.

  ‘Good,’ Rushe said without emotion, and he shoved the shirt from her shoulders, sending it down to the floor. ‘Now fuck your pussy on it.’

  With her feet on the floor, Flick had good leverage, so she straightened in the squat, then descended again. Her hands fell to his shoulders, but Rushe smacked her arms away.

  ‘Put them behind your back, on your ass.’

  The position would be more awkward, but Flick didn’t deny him. When her arms went back her shoulders followed, forcing her breasts out and up. Rushe took them and squeezed them together. Licking the length of her cleavage he pinched each nipple and gave both of them a shake.

  ‘Move faster,’ he said, giving her breasts a slap.

  As he commanded, Flick picked up the pace. The glitter in Rushe’s feral eyes sharpened when her breasts bounced in time with her motion. Sna
tching her waist, he pulled her body against his, letting her breasts ricochet against him. Rushe turned his face down into them, and the scratch of his stubble seared into the sensitive flesh.

  Taking him deep each time, Flick had felt the pressure teeter within her from the start of this escapade. But she wanted more, so she tried to angle her clit closer but Rushe still had a hold of her waist, he was calling the shots.

  ‘Stop!’ he demanded, and shoved her hips down so his dick thumped up inside her. ‘Close your eyes.’

  Flick wasn’t entirely sure what Rushe wanted to do. His preoccupation with her breasts had kept his gaze away from hers, exactly what his new request succeeded in doing too.

  ‘You’re the perfect whore,’ he whispered, when she complied.

  Both were used to him occupying this passage within her but Flick felt he was heavier now, fatter, somehow larger than he had been.

  ‘Straighten your legs,’ he said, and his hands swept around her ass to her thighs, forcing her legs straight without disturbing the position of their connection. Flick yelped out and her eyes opened. Now he really was bigger, or rather she was smaller. Her internal walls squeezed around him, trying to force out this alien invader while simultaneously trying to keep him locked in place.

  ‘Close your eyes,’ he said again, impatient by her reaction to this manoeuvre. ‘I don’t want you to touch yourself while I’m gone.’ This was a contradiction to what he’d said the last time he left her. But he cradled a breast in each hand and suckled her nipples in turn.

  The tremor of pleasure shook her diaphragm and travelled through her ribs. The combination of him stretching her and his warm tongue swirling her nipple made Flick’s arms relax. She wanted to touch him, but she didn’t want him to stop.

  Except he did stop; he must have deduced that her shoulder muscles had loosened from the way her breasts had shifted. He grabbed her elbows and forced them behind her back until they almost touched.

  ‘Do you want me to bind you? To keep you tied up here in the spare room, until you prove to me that you can be trusted to do what you’re told? Nothing but my sex toy? Would you like that, Kitten? Like to be another piece of gym equipment, maybe I’ll let you suck me off while I work out, maybe live on a diet of spunk and water.