by Weber, Carl
“Paris is gonna lose her mind. She’s been feinding for some good stuff.”
“Shit, the fabulous Paris around too? Sounds like a hell of a start to a good party.”
“Don’t forget the name thing,” I whispered so that the driver couldn’t hear.
“Fuck yeah; I’m all about the Wimberlys.” He winked at me as we pulled up to the hotel. “Speaking of Paris. Isn’t that her not looking her normal fly self?” He pointed at my sister and Mr. Big Feet dashing in front of the car and into the hotel. I didn’t know what the fuck my sister was up to but it didn’t look good.
Nadja
30
After pacing frantically around my room, waiting for some kind of information about the job I’d sent Niles to handle, I decided to head down into the lobby. That way I’d be present when he returned. And even though I didn’t want to think about it one word kept haunting me: if. There was always a chance in his line of work that things wouldn’t go so well. That he’d get hurt, or wounded, or, worse, captured. And if that American bitch had anything to do with him not returning in one piece there would be no place in the world for her to hide.
I hit redial on my phone. “Did you find out anything?”
“No, it’s like she came out of thin air.” Navid appeared to be stumped.
“That’s impossible. She exists and you must find out who the hell she is and where she comes from and if she’s connected. Just do it!” I slammed down the phone.
The lobby was literally overrun with people, those at the business conference and others checking in and out. I took a seat so that I would be facing the entrance. Come on, Niles; get your ass back here. It had been four hours, more than enough time for him to handle things and return if they had gone well. It made me think back to the first time we’d gone on an assignment together. When things switched from me hating him and thinking of him as one more arrogant prick I had to put up with.
We’d returned from a particularly hairy endeavor with the Russians. I’d arranged passage for us out of the country, which we made with bare minutes to spare. After crossing the border we were helicoptered to Nice and a five-star hotel suite. It was the only room available, which meant we’d have to share. We were both functioning on pure adrenaline, having come dangerously close to being discovered. I’d made some calls, handling the cleanup, so he’d showered first.
As I entered the room finally clean and relaxed I stopped when I saw him staring at me. The look he gave was pure, deep, penetrating lust. Forget about undressing me with his eyes, his intense gaze went much further, ravaging me wholly and completely. I stumbled, caught under the power of his seduction. In that split second everything changed.
“I’d like to do things to you,” Niles’s husky baritone threatened.
My body reacted as if there were some invisible thread drawing me toward him. Next thing I knew my clothes were off and he was down between my legs, devouring me. His hands were manipulating my nipples, twisting them in sweet pleasure. My body tensed up because I felt like I was going to pee on myself. I tried desperately to hold it back but then it switched and I suddenly felt this sensation unlike anything I’d ever experienced. My breath was coming in aggressive spurts and I felt as if I were losing control of my body. Everything started convulsing into earth-shattering pieces. Each nerve ending in my vagina burst and spilled over, taking me with it. The room started spinning as I tried to gather myself and gain control to no avail. Finally after what felt like forever I was able to lift myself up on my elbows, my face flushed and confused. He stared down at me, a huge satisfied grin etched on his face.
“Oh, my God. That’s what sex is about?” I murmured in between short gasps of breath.
“No, darling, that was the warm-up,” he replied all smooth and confident.
Sex. I rolled the word around in my head. Feeling shy I grabbed his shirt off the bed and threw it on, covering myself. I’d never been naked in front of a man in my life. He moved to me, pulling his shirt open.
“Beautiful.” He leaned in and began licking my nipples, first gently then more forcefully. He grabbed a handful of my hair in between his knuckles, jerking me to him. His mouth crushed mine as he licked and sucked my lips. I felt myself go completely limp.
A couple of hours later, wet and satisfied, I lay beside Niles feeling deliriously happy and completely unfamiliar. Everything hurt but felt good at the same time. My inner thighs burned as if I’d been riding my prized stallion for too many hours, and my vagina was throbbing and pulsing. Pain and pleasure. Pleasure and pain. This man had done things to me I’d never imagined before that day. And the version I did know about from books and movies was strictly forbidden in my family, and frowned upon in my culture without the bonds of holy matrimony. It made me remember Amir, my fiancé. I winced when the vision of him entered my mind.
“I have to call off my wedding,” I shouted, panic rising in my voice.
“For what?” Niles reacted.
“For us! Isn’t that obvious?”
“No! I don’t mind teaching you what you need to learn in the bedroom. I’ve never been with a woman who was as good as you were your first time but I don’t expect you to leave your man.”
“Of course I will. I can’t marry him now. Not after this.” I couldn’t believe I’d have to spell it out for him.
Niles sat up, staring down at me. “Whoa, Nadja, I’ve never been a one-woman man. I’m simply not capable of it.”
“But? What about today?”
“Today was two grown adults playing their version of ‘Let’s Get It On’ like a seventies song.” Niles grinned at me, pleased with his rhyming.
“But I’m not a whore. I don’t sleep around; for that matter, I’ve never slept with anyone. I have been saving myself for the man I am going to marry. And now that we have slept together—”
Niles cut me off. “I’ve never been able to commit to any one woman. It’s never been about the women. Like you. You’re amazing and any man would be lucky to have you but I just have this block. Maybe it’s one of the hazards of my job. I can’t afford to allow myself to be that vulnerable in my line of work.”
I was shocked by his coldness. It was always my vision that I would marry the first man I slept with and now he was telling me that wasn’t the case. I was hurt. I felt used and didn’t know how to react. “I want to be your one and only woman,” I assured him.
Two policemen rushing into the lobby along with a civilian tore me away from my memories. It was obvious that they were looking for someone. I hoped to God it wasn’t Niles. Minutes later he entered and Paris was with him. The civilian turned toward them.
“There.” He pointed at Niles and Paris. This was bad. Very very bad.
Paris
31
After the long hike with Niles, we hitched a ride the last five miles back into Valencia where we had someone buy us a quick change of clothes. The Hotel Balneario Las Arenas Balneario Resort never looked so good when I limped into its impressive lobby, legs feeling like licorice.
Two municipal police were strutting around the lobby. Place must’ve served damn good coffee otherwise the hotel guests were gonna begin to think maybe this wasn’t the nicest place to be spending their money. I went to complain about the po-pos to Niles, but in just that tiny moment of distraction, he’d gone ghost on me without a trace. Well, fuck that nigga. I’d finally gotten some dick, so I was just looking forward to a long, luxurious bath followed by a deluxe down pillow beneath my head anyway. Many of the business conference attendees were checking out, so I kept it movin’ and charted a path to the elevator through the guests and luggage-filled carts.
But as I moved, one of those fuckin’ po-pos spotted me for real this time, no mistake. Damn me for looking so good; I always stood out even when I was tore down. It was hard being a splash of mocha goodness out here. And no denying it or attributing it to weed-based paranoia this time. His eye was trained on me as he stepped lively in my direction, saying somethi
ng I couldn’t yet hear or understand.
“Aww, mother fuck me,” I muttered under my breath, too worn to put up a fight anymore. I could already feel myself being fitted into a prison jumpsuit and the cuffs tightening around my wrists. And that’s not the kind of jewelry I like. If they’re going to pin all those bodies on me, I’m gonna be a legend on the inside . . . unless I get the death penalty, I thought, trying to find a silver lining in what was to come. Did they even have a death penalty in Spain? Damn you and your bitch ass, Niles.
But life threw me an underhand toss for once.
“Es el! That’s the one!” the voice from an old man alongside the po-po squeaked. “She took my scooter and didn’t return it!”
The Vespa? They were here because of the Vespa?
I would’ve laughed with relief if it wouldn’t have caused more trouble for me than it was worth.
“Excuse me, señora,” the other officer who’d cut off my path to the elevators chimed in. I kept his eye contact with one of my smiles, hoping he wouldn’t focus on my myriad scrapes and bruises I’d done my best to conceal. “May I see some identification?” he asked.
“It’s up in my room,” I replied, glad he’d find no weapons on me if I was suddenly patted down. “Is something wrong?” I asked all innocent-like.
“Humph. Americano,” the officer standing beside the old scooter rental guy snarled in near perfect English for my benefit. Somewhere I was sure I could scrounge up a bullet for his Mario Kart–lookin’ ass.
“Is there a problem here?” a familiar British accent said. Niles had reappeared to my defense, acting all gentlemanly and suave again. Had even switched into one of his power suits. So he hadn’t abandoned me? Points scored.
“Señor, it is none of your problem,” the smart aleck one said to Niles as he stepped forward, waving him off.
“It is if you’re mucking about with my girlfriend. The Yank’s with me,” he retorted, asserting authority as he stood his ground. Heh. He called me his girlfriend . . . even if he did call me a “Yank,” too. “Now . . . what is the matter?” Niles stressed.
“The señor here. He claims this woman took his scooter and didn’t return it.”
“Well, she couldn’t have done that because she was with me. She rented the Vespa. And I, being foolish, took it for a spin and got it stolen. I was embarrassed and assumed she’d paid this gentleman for his inconvenience while I was attending these dreadful mandatory seminars. Honey, did you pay him yet?”
“I . . . I was just about to, muffin,” I replied, going along with it while batting my eyelashes. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m sure we cost you some valuable income due to its absence. How much will it take to solve this?” Niles asked as he produced a wallet and promptly removed a wad of cash. Looking at him now, you would never know he was a hit man. Something I could take to heart in the future when I needed to dial it back and hide in plain sight.
“Mucho gusto, but we still need to file a report.” And as he said the words, the bitch who tried to grab Niles attention on the boat appeared at his side.
“Officer, I am Madame Hosseini,” she snapped. “These people are my business acquaintances. I can vouch for them. Surely this isn’t going to become a problem?”
“Oh, Madame Hosseini, of course not. No problem at all.” The policeman bowed and scraped to her as if she were some damn nobility.
“So you will accept the money and understand that it was a mistake. Americans do not function with the same rules and class as Europeans.” She gave some fake-ass smile, which made them all laugh as they stared at me. I was about to go off on her but Niles squeezed my arm, warning me to calm me down. “I’m sure we can work something out?”
“Of course, Madame Hosseini.”
“What about the Vespa? It’s—” I was whispering to Niles but he cut me off.
“The cleanup crew will handle it.” Damn he was sexy as hell when he took control. Bitch liked that but that Persian heifer was about to get schooled. Paris style.
“Paris!”
I turned to see Rio and DJ PLUS 1NE stepping to me. I fled in their direction, squeals and hugs all around. This had been our running buddy for years before Rio and I went off to school. In the meantime he had blown way the fuck up. Leave it to my brother to get the very best. I turned to see that bitch studying us. She was already too damn far up my ass for my comfort. I would have to find out her story.
“You’re not your normal fabulosity.” DJ PLUS 1NE twirled me around.
“Decided to take a ride on a Vespa. Fell and shit.” I groaned dramatically.
“From the look of the grass stains you didn’t fall alone.” Rio nodded toward Niles, who had his head pressed together with that chick.
“You coming to see me work?” DJ PLUS 1NE grabbed my attention.
“Got my fly dancing shoes ready to move.” I made a little move to signal my readiness to hit the dance floor.
“You heading up to the room?” Rio asked.
“A room!” I responded, winking at my twin. “I got some trouble to get into first.” I laughed. “I’m sure I’m not the only one.” I pointed to the two of them, who were looking awfully cozy. Yeah, shit was going down all over this hotel.
I stepped over to Niles. It was time to interrupt his little discussion. We weren’t done with our one-on-one just yet. They were obviously in the middle of an intense discussion but I couldn’t care less. I grabbed him by the arm. “Let’s go!”
“Excuse me but when someone saves your ass you should thank them,” she snapped.
“Nobody asked for your help. I could handle it myself.”
“Just go away. You rude American.” She dismissed me, turning back to Niles.
I maneuvered so that I was standing next to him again. Gave her a glare that said “don’t push a bitch.” “Unless you want to watch some nasty catfight you better get me out of here. I’m ready to go!” I gave him a look that said everything. Smart boy took the bait.
“Nadja, if you can handle that loose end. We’ll talk later. I’ve got to get cleaned up,” he finished, almost apologetically.
“Yes, I need a shower.” I slid my hand into Niles’s, shot Miss Thang a satisfied smirk, and stepped toward the elevator. Yeah, even busted I knew how to get my man.
Rio
32
DJ PLUS 1NE and I high-fived watching the Paris show. My little sister certainly had her game on ten when it came to getting Niles all to herself.
“Get your man.” I snapped a gay finger in the air.
“She is the business!” He laughed.
“Don’t fuck with Paris. She always gets her man.” I smiled, watching her saunter to the elevator with her prize in tow. “So do all of us Du . . . Wimberlys,” I stumbled before spitting out my cover name. “They just got to decide if they want it.”
DJ gave me a stare, letting me know that he was still way up on my jock. Who’d have thought that after all these years and him blowing up so big he had his pick of DL brothers and straight up out the box guys that he’d still give me the vibe that I was his preference?
“So nobody locked you down yet?” I wondered out loud.
“Eh! When you spend your life in the clubs for a living the DJ groupies become nameless, faceless chicks who don’t even care that you’re gonna use them and throw them away. It’s like they just want to say they had some. I get so much action I’m getting bored with it. It was crazy when I started but after I blew up I couldn’t tell who wanted me and who wanted the perks of dating me. You know how that shit can go, all the way to the new reality show, DJ Exes,” he joked.
“Don’t kid. How many no-talent, no nothing cling-ons landed clothing lines and can now charge fees just to show up at the clubs? This is all just because they were fucking the right people. It makes a guy wanna back all the way the fuck up.”
“I hear you.” He nodded.
The bellman led us up to DJ’s room. I insisted on the best hotel but Eduardo let me know
that he wasn’t swinging for a suite. Still, the room was nicer than most folks’ houses. He handed him a tip and closed the door.
“Shit, Rio, you knew me when I was sleeping in the storage rooms of clubs ’cause I had nothing. Hell, you were the one who hooked me up with my first place.”
“I couldn’t have you homeless.”
“So, you’re still confused about why I been holding out hope?” he added, which knocked me the fuck out.
“What?”
“Oh, you didn’t know I work the whole pendulum. Close your mouth.” He laughed at me.
“You’re gay?”
“No. I like sex.”
“So you’re on the down low?”
“Beats being low down but, no, I prefer women; but I ain’t gonna turn down no good dick.”
“Serious?” I was floored by his admission. Was this really happening?
“What about this?” He leaned over and shoved his tongue in my mouth. “Let’s just say Paris wasn’t the only one inspiring brothers to play Marvin Gaye songs.” After finishing his seductive kiss and stunning the fuck out of me, DJ pulled out his weed and rolled a spliff.
“Want to get high?”
“Nah, man, I got work to do,” I reminded him.
“I work better high.” He took a hit, getting blazed. Tried to give me a contact but I leaned away from him.
“Long as you bring it. I gots a lot riding on tonight.”
“And I got a reputation to uphold,” he said, and we both knew he wasn’t talking about DJing anymore.
Niles
33
“Mmmm,” she moaned, which was getting me excited.
I fought back the urge and commanded myself to stay calm. I knew exactly what she was feeling. While she showered, I’d surprised her by arranging a romantic couple’s massage. After the day we had, dodging bullets and risking life and limb, the least I could do for the woman that saved my life was extra relaxation. Not one, but two sets of hands touching all over my achy body: one doing my upper body, while the other concentrated on everything from my tapered waist down. The aromatic oils being coaxed into my sore muscles by the two masseuses flooded my nose, relaxing me even further.