Penthouse of pleasure - uncertain desire (German Edition)

by Blue, A. J.

  “I live on the top floor. But only temporarily,” I tell her.

  “You are staying with the three young men?”

  “Exactly,” I reply after hesitating. The elderly lady seems to be the boys’ neighbor. God knows what she’s seen. I feel myself blushing.

  “You must be the new housekeeper, are you?” she wants to know. “I knew your predecessor. I got to know her when I had a little accident. I slipped on the sidewalk and fell. Nicole helped me and secretly looked after me for a few days. She didn’t want her employers to find out. I don’t know why, but the gentlemen seem to be a little difficult. Typical executives, you know. Nicole is a nice girl. A bit too quiet, but very kind and helpful.”

  Now the woman has my undivided attention. Nicole must have been one of their girls. Is this my chance to find out more at last?

  “Yes, I’m kind of the new housekeeper,” I say quickly. “What did my predecessor say about the job then?”

  “Not much,” she replies with a shrug of her shoulders. “Only that she was working for my neighbors. But just as a temp. The gentlemen only ever hire temps. All of them very pretty, but none of them stays for long. I met a few in the hallway, but apart from a quick ‘hello’ they never said anything. Perhaps they were all foreigners. Are you foreign, too?”

  “I’m not,” I answer cautiously. I don’t think my roomies would approve of me talking to their neighbor. And apart from Nicole, all the others seem to have respected that.

  “I always meant to ring Nicole to see how she’s doing, but I keep forgetting. I sometimes forget things, you know.”

  “Do you actually have her number?” I ask excitedly.

  “I do. She gave it to me before she moved out.”

  I quickly concoct a little story. I want that number!

  “Could I have it? I don’t know how to work some of the appliances in the apartment. All those new gadgets, you know. She might be able to help me.”

  “Sure, why not. Come in for a minute and I get it.”

  Rejoicing inside, I follow the kind elderly lady into the house. Turns out she lives on the first floor. She’d hardly hear any of the nocturnal activities in the penthouse. Hopefully, I’ll never bump into the people living under us.

  “Come in...”

  “Katherine. My name is Katherine,” I reply and follow her into her apartment.

  Half an hour and two cups of coffee later, I leave Mary, that’s her name, with Nicole’s cell phone number in my purse. I promised Mary to see her again soon. In return, she promised me not to tell the guys about our acquaintance.

  “If the men act so strangely, I would prefer they weren’t aware that we know each other. Just like Nicole. I don’t want to get into trouble with them,” I explain to her.

  Getting through to Marcus to get back into the apartment is completely immaterial right now.

  I run down the street for about half a mile, then I sit down on a wall, take the note from my purse and dial the number.

  My nerves are strained to the limit. I listen to the phone ringing. Just as I’m about to stop the call, a female voice says: “Yes!”

  I nearly drop the phone!

  I take a deep breath. Now or never!

  “Nicole?” I ask nervously.

  “Yes. Who is this?”

  “My name is Katherine. I got your number from a mutual acquaintance – Mary!”

  It takes a few seconds before Nicole responds. “How do you know Mary?” She sounds wary. Too wary.

  “She’s like a kind of neighbor. I live on the top floor,” I reply bravely and wait.

  “Silence at the other end of the line. Total silence.

  “Hello? Nicole? Are you still there?”

  “Please don’t hang up, I pray.

  “Are you out of your mind to call me? I’m going to hang up. Don’t ever call me again, you hear me!” Nicole’s nearly screaming.

  “No!” I beg. “Don’t hang up! Listen to me, please! I accidentally ran into the three guys and I really need some answers! You are the only one who can help me. Please!”

  Anxiously, I hold my breath. If Nicole doesn’t end the call now, there may just be a tiny chance to find out more about my roomies.

  “What do you mean you accidentally ran into the guys?” Nicole still sounds very suspicious and I detect a hint of curiosity in her voice.

  “I met them three days ago in a bar and now I’m living with them...” I start.

  “What?” Nicole sounds shocked. “You didn’t reply to one of their ads?”

  “No,” I quickly reply before Nicole changes her mind and hangs up after all. “I just met them and I’m a bit out of my depth at the moment. The men are really nice and I’ve never experienced anything like it, but I don’t know if I can cope in the long run.”

  Oh, God! You can’t be serious! You must be an absolute greenhorn!”

  “Well, I guess I am!” I reply cautiously.

  “You should move out immediately. It’s not a game for rookies!” she says.

  How interesting that Nicole calls what happens in the apartment a game, I think.

  “It’s not quite that simple,” I tell her. “I’m in a bit of a tight spot right now. I’ve no money, no job and nowhere to live. Staying with the guys is something like a temporary way out.”

  “Not a good idea,” says Nicole, “the consequential damages are extremely high!”

  “What do you mean?” I ask.

  “Listen to me. I can’t help you. You know the contract. I don’t want to get into any more trouble. I’ve already said too much,” she tells me.

  “No, please don’t hang up! Can’t we meet somewhere?”

  “Meet?” Nicole sounds terrified. “You shouldn’t even have my number. It was a mistake giving it to Mary. I never thought she’d pass it on to one of their girls.”

  “Please, Nicole!” I beseech hear. “I won’t tell anyone. I’ve also broken the rules by calling you. Please meet me!”

  For a few seconds there’s no response from the other end of the line. Nicole seems to consider.

  “Send me a text with your email address. I’ll think about what you said and get back to you in the next few hours. I’m only doing this because I find it irresponsible of the men to invite a total novice to the apartment. You also have to delete my number from your contact list and the text after you’ve sent it. Better safe than sorry!”

  Quite abruptly, we end our brief talk. I really hope that Nicole will agree to see me. I have so many questions!

  I quickly send her a text with my email address and then delete her from my outbox. As promised, I also delete her number from my contact list and stow the slip of paper with her number in one of my purse’s little compartments. I doubt anyone could find it there. I only discovered it myself recently.

  A little baffled I sit on the wall and watch the sparrows fighting over a discarded sandwich. What a simple life you have, I sigh.

  Whatever did I let myself get into?

  The thought of being alone with Marcus until tomorrow evening is quite disconcerting. I’ve no idea how that might work out!

  But I can’t run away from him forever. I should really see if he’s back.

  36

  A few minutes later I’m standing at the front door again, ringing the bell. A small part of me is hoping that Marcus still isn’t back. A substantially larger part is hungry and has to hit the can.

  “Hallo?” Marcus’s voice over the intercom sounds irritated.

  I sigh. “Hi. It’s me. Can you let me in, please? I don’t have a key!”

  “Why should I? Didn’t you make it quite clear that you don’t want to spend your precious time with me?!” Marcus responds.

  “For Christ’s sake, man, don’t be such an idiot. Just open the door!” I say.

  “What do I get in return?” he wants to know.

  “My everlasting gratitude!” I roll my eyes. Why, of all those three, does it have to be Marcus who’s always at home? I would gladly
trade him in for Liam or Alex without a second thought.

  “How about a blow job in return? I actually quite enjoyed your little number over dinner the other night,” resounds from the intercom.

  “Shush,” I say because right at that moment a mother is pushing her pram past our house. Her eyes wide open, she looks at me in horror and shakes her head. She must have overheard what Marcus said. How embarrassing!

  “Could we possibly discuss this in private? There are other people right here,” I say in a muffled voice.

  The buzzer answers my question.

  Marcus is leaning against the door to the penthouse and grins when I step out of the elevator.

  “What?” I ask.

  “I knew you’d be back!”

  “Didn’t have much of a choice, did I? I sure wouldn’t be here if I had an alternative. At least not when you’re the only one around!”

  “Gee, come on, Kate. Why can’t you be nice to me for a change? Just give it a go! We could have a lot of fun together!”

  “Define being nice. Should I say ‘dear Marcus would you please let me suck your cock‘?” I retort glibly.

  Marcus laughs. “That would do for starters! I wouldn’t object!”

  “Right,” I say, inwardly cursing again. “Can I come in now?”

  He nods, lifts me up and throws me over his shoulder. It all happens so fast, I’ve no time to react. One of my hands is beating his back while the other frantically clutches my purse.

  “What are you doing? Let go of me!”

  “Not before you apologize!” he asserts himself, carries me over the doorstep and neatly kicks the door shut behind us.

  “You want me to apologize? You must be out of your tiny little mind!” I snarl. “I wouldn’t know what for!”

  “You’re real lucky that I have to go easy on you today. Otherwise I would tie you up in my room to give you a good spanking and a screw!” he gnarls.

  Although his words make me see red all over again, they still trigger a pleasant tingling sensation in my womb.

  You traitor! I curse my desire.

  “I’m not into S&M. Let me go! Right now!” I quickly retaliate.

  “You’ve no idea of all the things you may be into,” Marcus replies sardonically. “And I wouldn’t call a little spanking S&M!”

  Without thinking, I bite his back. Not particularly hard, but enough to make him yelp and drop me abruptly.

  Marcus glares at me. “You bitch!”

  I spin around on my heels, run into the bathroom and lock the door behind me. I really need to hit the can. My bladder is about to burst.

  Phew, that feels better, I think relieved when the pressure eases. Last night my private parts were still protesting a little after all the action, but now they have recovered. No burning sensation, no more swelling. The boys did handle me relatively carefully. Presumably, I’m already ready for sex again.

  If Marcus only knew, I think with a grin.

  I’d actually reckoned that he’d follow me or at least knock on the bathroom door, but there’s no sign of life outside.

  I carefully open the door and peep around the corner. No Marcus. I wonder if he’s pissed because I bit him. But I didn’t bite all that hard and he did provoke me.

  Just as well Marcus isn’t my steady boyfriend; he’d drive me insane, I think and head towards the kitchen. I’m in urgent need of a decent cup of coffee. The ditchwater from the diner was just about good enough for watering the plants. Certainly not for waking me up.

  “Right, okay, I’ll try to be there. I might bring someone along. What? No, absolutely not!” Marcus’s voice comes from the lounge. I cautiously take a look and see him standing by the window with his cellphone at his ear. He seems irritated. I’m not sure if that’s because of me or the phonecall. I decide to ignore him, take a mug from the shelf, put a pod into the coffee maker and press the start button. But instead of delivering the coffee I’m craving, the machine suddenly starts to splutter and hiss.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Marcus is standing beside me and quickly presses one of the coffee maker’s buttons. Silence.

  Stupid gadget, I think.

  “What do you think?” I reply. “I was trying to blow up your kitchen. Wasn’t that obvious?”

  “Just cut it out!“ Marcus looks me in the eyes and puts a finger on his lips.

  “Cut out what?” I want to know.

  “Just stop with your constant bitching. It’s really getting on my nerves!”

  “I’m getting on your nerves? You started it with your accusations. And just because you’re jealous!”

  “Come again?”

  “You heard me. You’re jealous because I get on better with Liam and Alex than I do with you. And let me tell you something: it’s your own fault. You are fucking impossible you... you... you macho bastard!” I’m so wound up that I start to stutter.

  “Right, come with me!” Marcus grabs my wrist and, none too gently, pulls me with him.

  What is this? Does he want to sleep with me after all? I feel the fine hairs on my neck standing up. I don’t want any bodily contact with Marcus right now. I’m far too shaken. Besides, I find him anything but congenial at the moment.

  Of course I’m aware that the contract I signed obliges me to sleep with the three guys whenever they want. But I also have the right to say “no”, if I’m not feeling too well, for example. And earlier Marcus himself said that I should take it easy. He can fuck off so.

  “What are you doing? Let go of me!” I shout.

  “Okay.” Marcus releases my hand so unexpectedly, I stagger and have to prop myself against the wall so I don’t fall.

  Idiot, I think.

  “Be so kind and put on a jacket. We’re taking a little trip!” he informs me.

  “Where are we going?” I ask in alarm.

  The last time I went out with Marcus he pushed me out of a plane. What’s he planning now? I certainly won’t jump out of a plane again, or go bungee jumping or anything related. Neither will I pet tarantulas or swim with piranhas or God knows what.

  He can forget it!

  37

  “I’m not getting in if you don’t tell me where we are going!” I’m standing in the underground car park in front of Marcus’s little electric speedster, my arms ostentatiously folded across my chest.

  “Stop it!” Marcus snarls, irritated.

  “Are you nuts? I’m not a dog. Down, Kate! Heel, Kate! You could at least tell me where we are going.”

  “Some people talk too much and suddenly disappear in the basement!” Marcus eyes look dangerous when he walks over to me.

  Nobody would actually notice if he made me disappear right here and now. There’s nobody in the car park.

  Help, I think. He’s insane after all. I thought him a little psychopathic from the start.

  “What are you doing?” I ask uneasily, clutch my purse to my chest like a shield and grope around for my cellphone. Glancing at it, I see that I have no reception. Not one bar. Damned car park! Could the emergency number still work? I doubt it...

  “Put down that purse and turn around,” he demands and pushes me against the car.

  “Wha...what is this supposed to mean?” I stammer.

  “What do you think?” he says and slowly unzips his jeans. “I’m going to fuck you now. I don’t care if you’re still sore. It doesn’t seem to work any other way with us two. Perhaps you’re a little tamer after!”

  “What if I don’t want to?”

  “What if I don’t care?”

  I quickly contemplate kicking Marcus in his privates and running away. But then he pushes my hair to one side, exposes my neck and starts kissing my throat. His fingers wander to my cleavage and gently fondle my nipples.

  As much as I mentally abhor him, my body can’t help itself from responding to his caresses. I feel myself relaxing. My nipples start tingling and harden.

  “There we go,” Marcus mumbles and very gently bites my earlobe. His warm bre
ath at my ear and the sensual sound of his voice melt my last bit of resistance. I put my hand behind my back and stroke his already slightly erect penis with the tips of my fingers.

  Marcus quietly moans. I decide that the time has come to change the power balance. From now on, I’m in charge!

  I turn around so quickly, he hasn’t got a chance to keep hold of me. Quick as lightning, I kneel down and take his erect cock into my mouth.

  “What...” he starts, but can’t finish the sentence. Let the games begin! The tip of my tongue plays with his helmet while my mouth and fingers massage the shaft.

  “Stop it,” he pants. “I’m nearly coming!”

  “Alright!” I abruptly let go, get up with a grin and walk over to the passenger door. “Shall we?”

  “You bitch!” Marcus growls. “You don‘t seriously think that I let you get away with this that easily.”

  “That’s exactly what I think,” I smile and gesture towards the elevator with my head. Marcus’s eyes follow the movement.

  “Shit!” he curses and rapidly zips up his pants. Just in time. The elevator door opens and an elderly gentleman steps into the car park. When he spots the two of us, he gives us a friendly nod. I lift my hand in greeting. Marcus nods back at him, too. His eyes have that menacing glint again when he opens the passenger door for me.

  “Thank you,” I grin and get in.

  One nil to me. Tee-hee! Thank you, Mister.

  38

  “Id‘ wipe that smug grin off my face if I were you. Don’t think for one moment that we’re done. You’re definitely still in for it today,” Marcus hisses a few minutes later.

  We’re at a red traffic light, waiting for it to turn green. I’ve decided to keep my trap shut. If he doesn’t want to tell me where we are going, I’ll have to accept it, like it or lump it. But this time I don’t want to be talked into anything I don’t want to do. True, I’ve signed the contract, but that doesn’t mean I’ve given up my free will.