by Kylie Parker
“Holy shit…” He hummed. Jimmy turned his head to the right, looking for the waiter he had spoken to earlier. He had not gone far. He was taking an order from the adjacent table.
“Hey!” He yelled, curling his index finger. The waiter returned to his table in a hurry.
“You said she’s expensive!” Jimmy yelled in his ear. “How much is a private dance with her?”
“Five hundred dollars, sir. And she has a ‘no touching’ rule.” The waiter replied. Jimmy didn’t think twice. He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a large wad of one hundred-dollar bills. He counted five and handed the money over to the waiter.
“Here. Take me to the private room.” Jimmy continued.
“Thank you, sir. Follow me.” The waiter said. Jimmy rose from his seat and winked at Martin. Nicolas couldn’t take his eyes off of Anna, but Jimmy would not look. Following the waiter, he heard a number of crude comments on Anna’s appearance, but he was way too excited to bother. Incredibly, Andy’s sister had a big secret and he couldn’t wait for her private performance. The mere thought of seeing her naked drove his senses wild. But Anna had many questions to answer first.
The waiter led Jimmy to a dark room with a big, brown, leather couch. He dimmed the lights on his way out. Jimmy’s heart was pounding in his chest. In a matter of seconds, Anna would join him. He heaved a big sigh, before lying back, assuming a relaxed posture. His manhood twitched, as he imagined her naked body, filling his mind with all kinds of dirty thoughts. Jimmy was so eager to enjoy her performance that he kept tapping his fingers on the cushions.
“I hope you’re ready for me...” Anna’s voice echoed in the small corridor that led to the room. She had even assumed a fake accent. But Jimmy could not be fooled. As soon as he heard the sound of her heels on the marble floor, he jumped up, sprinted across the room and hid behind the door. Anna stepped into the room and stopped three feet away from the door. Jimmy slammed it behind her, before grabbing Anna by the wrist. He dragged her to the right. Jimmy pushed her back and pinned her against the wall. To his surprise, Anna didn’t make a sound. His stiff muscles loosened, as his imprisoning arms slid down the wall to finally rest on her shoulders.
“Teacher by day, stripper by night.” He whispered, with a smug smile on his face.
“Jimmy Holden. Why am I not surprised?” She wondered, pushing him back. Anna watched his smugness evaporate in her confidence.
“I met a sweet girl this morning. Have you seen her by any chance?” He asked.
“I met a refined gentleman this morning, too. Where is he?” Her question only puzzled him more.
“I don’t know what your brother told you about me, but I’m not a refined gentleman.” Jimmy confessed. “Just how the hell did you end up here? Don’t tell me you’re doing this for the fundraiser.”
“I’m not.” Anna shook her head sideways. “I thought you knew about my brother’s gambling. He’s neck-deep in debt.”
“And you’re here to help him out?” Jimmy’s smug smile reappeared. “What are you, Anna? A teacher, a stripper or a Samaritan?”
“Do you have any siblings?” She interjected the question that Jimmy had been dreading.
“I did.” He said with a deep sigh, running his hand through his hair. “I had a twin brother. But that was a long time ago.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” Anna got apologetic. “But I’m guessing you loved him. Is it me or did you get… upset this morning when I told you about the fundraiser?”
“It’s not you.” Jimmy reassured her. “I grew up in an orphanage. Of course I loved my brother.”
“Then you understand why I’m doing this.” She stated.
“I don’t get it. You moved in because your brother’s in debt? Where have you been all this time?”
“I was a teacher in Chicago, but I got a job here.” Anna muttered.
“And why did you become a stripper? Do you like the attention?” Jimmy’s last question insulted her.
“Is that what you think about strippers?” Her voice got high-pitched.
“I’ve met a few of them, sweetheart. Yeah, some of them love the attention. I just didn’t know if you were one of them.” Jimmy smirked at her.
“Some, not all.” Anna couldn’t hide her anger. “Take a seat.”
“No…” Jimmy whispered, taking one step closer to her. Once again, he grabbed her by the wrists and pushed her back. This time though, he was much gentler. He slid his hands up her arms, looking right into her eyes. They reached her shoulders. He squeezed her flesh once, before running his thumbs across the fragile line of her collarbone.
“Jimmy, what are you doing?” She squinted at him, her voice shaking. “I thought you wanted me to dance for you.”
“You can keep the money…” One more, soft whisper escaped him, as he bent his head towards her. His eyes scanned her beautiful face. He couldn’t resist the temptation anymore. Jimmy pressed his lips against her mouth. Anna was stunned to stillness. He used his fingers to caress her neck. She would not fight him. In fact, just a few seconds later, Anna returned the kiss. With her hot breath on his skin, Jimmy cupped her face in both of his hands, as she ran her fingers through his hair. Her move sent his pulse rising.
“I just wanted to kiss you.” He whispered in her mouth, before slowly leaning back. “Goodnight…” Jimmy’s tender kiss had left Anna breathless. Unable to utter a word, she opened her eyes, as he hurriedly left the room. Jimmy strode out of it, with a faint smile on his face, but his heart was still racing. If anything, he got her curious. It wasn’t every day that a customer paid $500 for a single kiss. For the first time in his life though, Jimmy wasn’t worried about money. It could have cost him ten times that, but he would still pay it. Anna was not a typical school teacher and he loved that. Jimmy Holden discovered that he was attracted to her. Anna’s attitude was unusual. She was a lot more than he first thought.
“I think I’m going to like Highland Park. Who would have thought that the Czech sensation is Andy’s sister? I sure wouldn’t. I want to see her again. I’m saying ‘goodbye’ to those two hoodlums and I’m staying right here. Damn it, Andy. Did you have to be such a degenerate gambler? And I’m sure she’s hiding something. She wouldn’t say why she does this and she sure as hell looks like she’s been doing it for a while. She wouldn’t be so expensive if she was just a rookie.”
Chapter Five
Jimmy kept his mouth shut about Anna that night and the following day. There was no way that he would discuss something so delicate with his partners. At the same time, he kept asking himself the same two questions: Just how much money Andy owed and who he owed it to.
Martin and Nicolas were soon on their way to San Antonio. It wasn’t a tearful goodbye by any means. Jimmy wished he didn’t have to see them anytime soon. Despite their annoying attitude, they were loyal to him and he knew that they would come to his aid whenever he needed them, but he didn’t need help to conquer Anna, or so he thought. The fundraiser would be a good chance for him to see her again. More importantly, Andy would not be there. He had not known him for long, but he had a feeling that Anna’s brother would not like it if he saw him flirting with her. Jimmy dressed up and went to the fundraiser that night, in eager anticipation of seeing Anna again. Of course, such a public place was not suitable for courtship, but he wanted to be close to her nonetheless.
The massive front lawn next to the equally large school yard was full of people and especially, children. Dozens of banners and flags of almost every color imaginable decorated the aging building, while a small podium with a microphone was placed at the end of the stone pathway. Parents and grandparents were in a quite festive mood, talking to each other and laughing out loud at times. Jimmy scanned the place. He was the only one who had gone there alone. Anna was chatting with a few other women next to that podium. He chose not to bother her for the time being. Jimmy turned his back to her and preferred to gaze at the road on his right.
A few minut
es after his arrival, a massive, black SUV showed up. Its driver parked it on the left side of the road and stepped out of it. He was really tall, taller than Jimmy himself, but rather scrawny. The man in question had a dark-brown suit on. He folded his arms across his chest, as he leaned his back on the right side of his car, assuming a lazy posture. Jimmy had seen enough cops in his life. He could make no mistake. However, much to his surprise, he was not there for him. He had fixed his gaze on someone in the yard. Jimmy turned his head to the left. For some reason, Anna was staring at him. Before he could do anything, she began to walk towards him, fast.
“Good evening.” She said with a grin. “Am I talking to the refined gentleman or the guy from last night?”
“Hey, Anna.” He returned the smile. “Like I said, I’m anything but refined. Who’s the cop?”
“How do you know he’s a cop?” Anna got curious.
“Macho SUV, cheap suit.” Jimmy laughed. “It’s not that hard to tell. Do you know him?” He asked, sipping some wine.
“I have a restraining order against him.” She confessed. Jimmy’s surprise was so big that wine came out of his nose.
“Jesus!” He exclaimed. “A restraining order against a cop? What did he do? Shoot you?”
“It’s a long story. Anyway, I need to ask you a favor.” She spoke in a small, hesitant voice.
“What is it?”
“Can you pretend to be my date?” Anna requested. “I just want him to see that I’ve moved on. Maybe he’ll get it through his thick skull that we’re over.”
“On one condition.” Jimmy brought his index closer to his face.
“What’s that?”
“That you’ll tell me why you got that restraining order against him.” He added.
“Ok.” She nodded.
“Walk with me.” He urged. The look in Anna’s eyes changed. She did not seem worried anymore and would not risk another glance at the cop. Jimmy did not like the idea of having to talk to a bunch of strangers. He was only interested in Anna. He did not like the noise that the children made either, but adults can be very nosy.
Anna completely ignored the several groups of people who were gathered close to the entrance on the left, much to his pleasure. The two of them entered the school building and went to the right. Heading towards the last room straight across from them, Jimmy felt his pulse rising once again. He didn’t know what Anna had in mind, but he wouldn’t ask. A desk was in the upper left corner of the room.
“Thanks a lot for tonight.” Anna said in her sweet voice.
“You still haven’t answered my question.” Jimmy complained. “What happened between you two?”
“Well, first of all, he’s not just a cop. He’s an FBI agent.” Anna stated, but Jimmy was not impressed.
“Whatever...” He mumbled.
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to talk about it. It still hurts.” All of a sudden, her voice got thick with emotion. “You can go if you like. You must think I used you.”
“Nah, forget about it.” Jimmy did think that she used him, but he did not want to force the issue. After all, he was all alone with her again, far from indiscreet eyes. Anna shut the door behind her. She then looked up at him, with a toothy smile on her face. Jimmy tried to verbalize, but she didn’t give him the chance. In a split second, her hands were on his broad chest. This time, it was Anna that kissed him. It was a brief, but demanding kiss.
“What was that?” He wondered.
“Payment.” She winked at him, leaning back. “This one’s free.”
“Last night was…”
“Strange.” Anna finished his sentence. “I mean, there you were, prying into my life, laughing at me. Next thing I knew, you kissed me. Why?”
“Do you want me to spill it out for you?” He teased her.
“Who are you, Mr. Holden?” She wouldn’t let up. “Andy said that you were here because you wanted to buy land, but you never did. What do you do? Are you a realtor? An investor, maybe?”
“I work in real estate.” Jimmy claimed. “I like Highland Park.”
“Which part?” Her persistence frustrated him, but Jimmy had the right answer.
“I’m looking at it.” He said with a smile. Things were going better and better for Jimmy, but their moment did not last. A loud, banging noise rocked Anna’s office. Before Jimmy knew it, he was lying on the floor, face down. Someone had kicked down the door. Anna’s stomach chilled with fear.
“What the hell are you doing here, you little slut?” Jimmy heard a deep, male voice.
“Ben!” Anna cried, as Jimmy looked up at the man, over his left shoulder. It was the cop he had seen earlier. He was furious, clenching his fists, glaring down at a terrified Anna, breathing heavily. Jimmy wiped the small amount of blood on the edge of his mouth.
“You’ve just made a big mistake…” He grumbled, putting his hands on the floor to support his weight. Jimmy bounced back up, flipped around and faced him.
“You get the hell out of here, Mr. This is none of your business.” Ben urged, turning his gaze on Jimmy.
“The blood on my mouth says it is.” He disagreed, as he eyes lit with rage, right before grabbing the cop by the collar of his shirt. Jimmy spun him around once and threw him at the library that lay on the left. Ben’s body shattered the glass. Several big shards of glass landed next to him. Two, smaller ones pierced the skin of his forehead and his left cheek. Jimmy was too upset to stop. Just when he started towards the battered cop though, Anna’s voice forced him to stop.
“Jimmy, please don’t!” She begged. “I think he got his lesson!”
“I’m going to sue your ass for assault.” Jimmy threatened him. “The lady’s my witness. You’re going down, motherfucker.”
He stormed out of Anna’s office, wishing that he didn’t need to do that. Regardless of his past with Anna, Ben was still a federal agent. However, he felt the urgency to protect her and himself from him and he would not sit back and watch him abuse her like that. On his way out of the building, he came across several people who had heard the commotion. Jimmy needed some fresh air. Only the children were there when he got outside. He leaned his back against the wall on the right, licking the small wound on his lips.
“Son of a bitch…” He said to himself, trying to catch his breath, with adrenaline rushing through his veins.
“You didn’t have to do that.” Anna said, joining him.
“Are you serious?” His voice got high-pitched. “That son of a bitch just destroyed your door and called you a slut, for God’s sake! What about that restraining order? Isn’t it valid here?”
“Yeah, he did, but you could have killed him.” Jimmy did not appreciate her reprimanding tone.
“I don’t care!” He yelled. “I’m done here, Anna. You take care.”
“Well, I’m not.” She claimed. “You can go if you want. No one’s stopping you. I just think I owe you an explanation.”
“I’m all ears.” He croaked, folding his arms across his chest.
“I’m free tomorrow night. Come pick me up at nine. This is clearly not the place to talk about it. We’re both really upset.” Anna commented.
“Really? You think?” He got ironic.
“Please don’t be mad at me. I thought he’d leave once he saw you with me.” She explained.
“He’s the Federal Government, Anna. He can do anything he wants.” Jimmy complained.
“What about that date, Mr. Holden?” Anna made her voice sound sweeter, as a smile lit up her beautiful face.
“Alright.” Jimmy said with a nod. “Nine o’clock it is. Goodnight.”
Chapter Six
Unfortunately for Jimmy, he had found even more reasons to stay up all night. The incident with Anna’s ex-boyfriend and the fact that he had lied to her worried him. Still, in his confusion, he had also found a reason to be happy: She had asked him out. Jimmy first believed that he should get rid of the FBI agent, but deep down, he knew that Anna would suspect him. Ben Thom
son was an outsider. No one in Highland Park had a motive to kill him. Therefore, he rejected that thought and decided to handle the matter a lot more carefully.
His lie would complicate things but Anna hadn’t been honest with him, either. She would not discuss her issue with Ben. Noticing her pain, he would not insist, but in Jimmy’s opinion, it was time for her to finally tell him the truth. He had done some good things for her, although they hardly knew each other and coming clean would be a much more preferable way of thanking him. The thing that Jimmy dreaded the most however, was the truth about what he did. The night of the robbery was still spinning in his mind. Certainly, he would like to have met her under different circumstances, like in a nightclub. Nevertheless, Jimmy had no regret over the heist, neither did he feel guilty for threatening her with an assault rifle. In his mind, he had done nothing wrong. Anyone could be in Anna’s place. The fact that she was there instead of Andy was a mere coincidence.
The moonlight reflected in his blue eyes, as she opened her front door that night. Anna had a pink towel wrapped around her head and she had her bathrobe on. Jimmy welcomed the sight, but before he could speak, she opened her eyes wide, turned around and sprinted across the narrow corridor.
“Not yet, not yet, not yet!” She said. Poor Jimmy didn’t even have the chance to hand over the lilies he had bought her.