EasterSpice

by Cynnamon Foster

  The woman flinched but barely looked up when we entered. She sniffled and turned her knees around so her back was to the entrance. She rocked gently back and forth on her stool as if trying to comfort herself.

  “Get up,” Rick spat. In two steps, he strode forward and grabbed her elbow, practically snatching her to her feet.

  I gasped. “Hey. That’s not—”

  Rick cut me off. “Don’t interfere in things you don’t understand, sir. I’m not going to hurt her.”

  The woman was beautiful. Her clothing was neither sari nor tunic, instead she wore a glittering Lehenga choli, as if she were in a wedding or Bollywood movie. She was very slender, and her perfectly flat midriff was exposed. A brilliant jewel, much more elaborate than the one Elisheba had worn, sat in the middle of her forehead, between her impeccably groomed brows. Her makeup would have been perfect had it not been pulled down her face by a river of tears. She didn’t give any indication that she could see me although she was looking in my direction.

  Rick talked firmly, but quietly. “What is the problem?”

  “She won’t eat, sir.” I hadn’t noticed that one of the woman from outside had followed us in. “She says she will starve herself until she is allowed to go home to her family.”

  The hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

  “Is this true, Veena?” Rick asked. “I will handle this. You must eat. This is for your own good. I promised your family I would take care of you, and I will. But you have to hold up your end of the bargain too. We had a deal.”

  “There is no deal, Mr. Rick,” the woman said. “This is not fair.” Her clipped speech was punctuated by small sobs.

  He snatched her again. “A deal is a deal.” Her barely five-foot-tall frame flailed helplessly, gold and jeweled bangles around her wrists and ankles glinted in the dim light. “You finish your end, and I promise you I will deliver mine.”

  I didn’t want to interfere, but it was hard not to. My body tensed and I cleared my throat. It was one thing to be a fly on the wall, but something altogether different to see a woman roughed up by someone twice her size. “Is everything okay?” I knew the answer to my question. The terror on the woman’s face spoke volumes.

  Rick turned to me. “Mr.—? I didn’t get your name?”

  I hadn’t intended to give it to him. “Mr. Comfort.”

  He nodded. “Mr. Comfort, everything is fine. I need to talk to my employee. She is concerned about a bad performance appraisal, that’s all. It comes with the territory. Things are mostly good and lucrative, but every now and then, there are disputes that must be settled. Will you excuse us? Sahara will take you to another area where you will be entertained for a bit. There is plenty here to enjoy.”

  I looked from Rick to the young woman. She looked away. Quickly, I contemplated my choices. I really had none. If I refused to go where he said, I might be kicked out, and I wasn’t ready to leave yet. Since I had no choice, I nodded and let myself be led back through the curtain.

  Chapter Eleven

  Desiree

  Elisheba was nowhere to be found. I hoped she was somewhere making herself useful and staying away from the drinks. I wasn’t sure what was in them, but they sure were powerful. After one, I’d almost forgotten what I was supposed to be doing and found that I was enjoying Rick’s company, maybe too much since we had just met. I was embarrassed. I had to do what I had to do. I’m sure if it was Sam, he’d do the same.

  I’d been sitting with Rick for about twenty minutes, and he’d already offered me more than one of his drinks. There were other people in the room, but the way he’d focused on me, you couldn’t tell it. Too bad I was taken, because he sure was hot. His age escaped me. He seemed to be older, maybe in his fifties, but he didn’t have an ounce of fat anywhere on him. Even through his expertly made shirt, I could see his stomach. He had better abs than most of thirty-somethings I knew.

  “Desiree,” he said. “Tell me why you came to India. You seem so out of place here. And so worldly. You live in America, but you’re African. You’re beautiful. I am intrigued.”

  I’d only be in the country a day or so and it was already hard to remember why I was there. My head was light from the drinks and he was so fine. Fine didn’t quite capture it. Rick had that something. He was suave. Old-fashioned sexiness mixed with impeccable grooming. Rick’s sexiness was making me miss Sam. “I came for business. How about you? How long have you been here?”

  Rick looked deep into my eyes. “I’ve been here a very long time. A lifetime really. I’m practically Indian now.”

  “But why would you want to live—”

  “In the midst of such squalor and poverty? Open your eyes. I know you can see what’s really here.” He shook his head. “There is so much more to India than that. You can make your fortune here.”

  I listened intently, not wanting to interrupt. He might be where I was starting my investigation, but Rick intrigued me in more ways than one. He was interesting, dangerous and extremely sexy. “Is that what you’re doing? Making your fortune? You can make your fortune in a lot of places.”

  He smiled. “Isn’t that what every businessman tries to do? Back home, or in the US I would be one of thousands just like me. Here, I’m special.”

  I shrugged. “Tell me about this business that is making your fortune. What do you do? What has kept you here in India, so far away from the family that I’m sure you have somewhere?”

  His eyes searched my face as if he was thinking hard. I blushed, then tried to shake it off. I wasn’t here to be flirted with. What was it about this man that practically reduced me to a tittering schoolgirl? Rick paused a long time. “You know, I think I can trust you. You have an honest spirit.”

  I blushed. I must be more convincing than I thought I was. He signaled over his shoulder without taking his eyes off me. A young, exquisitely dressed woman appeared at his side. She smiled at me, then bent over Rick from behind and he cupped his hand so I couldn’t see his lips, whispering in her ear. She nodded and left quickly. My host stood, then extended his hand to me.

  I struggled just a bit to get up. My legs had practically fallen asleep by now. “Any idea where my friend went?”

  “We’ll find her. She may already be enjoying herself. I’m going to show you what I do here. You sure you really want to see? You can never un-know something, once you know.” Rick gazed at me.

  I nodded, but tried to mask my surprise. “You mean this is your place of business?” I couldn’t be more lucky. I thought I’d come to gather a few clues. I had no idea I’d fallen right into the nexus—if this man was the main suspect.

  He extended his arm for mine. I looped it through his and walked in the direction he suggested. “This is my place of business and my home.”

  “I thought it was a party. Or a nightclub. Or something.”

  “It is both. I have several businesses wrapped up in one. I keep finding new ways to—”

  “Find your fortune.”

  He smiled. “Exactly.”

  The main room seemed twice as full as it had when I’d arrived. I’d been so busy paying attention to my host that I hadn’t noticed. Rick was very gracious as we made our way through it, stopping and nodding to the people who greeted him. The music was louder and people seemed more animated than they did earlier. I craned my neck to try to get a glimpse of Elisheba, but she was nowhere to be found.

  “Are you looking for our friend?” he asked.

  I shook my head. “You mean, Elisheba?” I laughed. “I just met her.” She would have to wait. I could look at her recording later if I needed to. I couldn’t give myself away because of her, that was for sure.

  “I’m sure she has found something to enjoy,” he said. “Or someone.”

  I looked at Rick in amazement. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear that he knew her.

  We’d reached a dark curtain, similar to the one we’d come through when we’d first arrived. “Pleasure is my primary business,” he said. �
�People come here for a good time. They want to party. I provide that.”

  Standing next to him, I surveyed the room we’d just walked through. People laughed and talked, and some danced as if they were in a trance to the strange, yet mesmerizing music. “From the looks of things, it appears that you are very good at that.”

  “You will learn that I am good at a lot of things.” He led me to a small room, so well hidden behind one of the curtains, I thought it was another alcove. “Tell me your fantasy.” Rick leaned so close that I could feel his lips on my ear. “Whatever you want. You are such a beautiful creature, it is on the house.”

  I didn’t know what to say, but I had a sense of what he was looking for. “Come again?”

  “Desiree, I’d like to come again and again, but I make it a point to never do that with patrons.” He paused. “I want you to sample my goods. I will show you how I make my fortune—but as a client.”

  There wasn’t much time to think and only a few answers I could give. I could say no thank you, and possibly be asked to leave or have Rick lose interest, or I could walk blindly into whatever it was that Rick was offering. It was my turn to stare at him. He was gorgeous—even for a much-younger man, but could I trust that he wasn’t going to throw me into some crazy dungeon and flog me? With Elisheba disappearing, I was without backup, even if her only way of helping might be to find a cell signal and call someone.

  Any other day, I might have hesitated, but something was working on me. I wasn’t sure if that something was the mysteriously delicious drink that Rick had given me, or if it was his incredible charisma. Slowly, a smile spread across my face. I nodded. “Okay,” I said finally. “I’m game.” A bead of sweat popped onto my brow and I wiped it away with the back of my hand.

  Rick’s own smile eclipsed mine. “Perfect.” He faced me, putting both his hands on my shoulders. “We have one rule here. Privacy is the utmost importance. Everything is your choice. What you choose is private. Just between you and your operator, and they forget it as soon as the night is over.”

  “I don’t understand.” Had he said operator? What in the world did that mean?

  “You will.” Rick pushed another curtain aside, revealing a door. He reached inside his shirt and pulled out a skeleton key attached to a chain that hung around his neck and thrust it into the keyhole. The door swung open effortlessly.

  It was beautiful. The room was decorated like a Western-style living room, but was very contemporary, in shades of purple and green. The lights inside were dim but I could still make out the features of the room. Rick bowed, then gestured toward the door of the room. “Ma’am, please enjoy your evening. Step into your own personal loving room.”

  Hesitant, I peered inside the room. As far as I could tell, it looked nothing like a torture chamber. Sam’s voice echoed in my head. “Do what you have to. The mission comes first.” Reed, of course, would insist that I throw myself in front of a moving vehicle if it helped him to find out the information he needed to know. I took a deep breath and stepped forward.

  Rick didn’t move. “Your personal attendant will be with you shortly.”

  I turned around in surprise. “You’re not coming?”

  He shook his head. “No,” he said. “This is your journey. Enjoy it. Be comfortable.” As I stared at him, he closed the door between us and left me standing there staring at the door where he had been.

  I had no cell signal. I checked and then double-checked as I meandered farther into the room. Soft music started playing. American-type jazz. I had no idea what I was supposed to do, and I was so busy looking at my phone that I walked smack into what felt like a tree trunk.

  But it wasn’t a tree at all. “Oh, I’m sorry.” I really hadn’t noticed anyone in the room, although I had no idea how I could have overlooked this one. He was gorgeous and shirtless. His chin-length dreadlocks highlighted his square jaw and dimpled chin.

  “No need to apologize.” I took a step back so I could see all of him as he paused. “My queen.”

  “Excuse me?” Was I being punked? “Who are you?”

  “I’m your operator for the night. That is what you need to know. Since you didn’t fill out a profile, we had no idea what you would prefer. We have chosen one of our most popular fantasies for you instead.”

  Unsure of what to say, I pursed my lips. “Most popular?”

  He nodded. “Of course, if after we get started you decide that you wish something else, we can switch.” He led me farther into the room, to a couch in the center. “I’m going to blindfold you, but I won’t hurt you. I promise you will enjoy yourself, if you just relax.”

  By now, my heartbeat pounded in my ears. What had I gotten myself into? “Do you have a name?”

  He shook his head, but smiled gently at me. At that moment, I really didn’t care what his name was at all. “You’re trembling. Here, have another drink.” He handed me another Milky White.

  “What is this stuff anyway?”

  “I’m surprised no one told you. We make it here, for our guests. It’s very similar to Raki, and it turns white when you add ice cubes. It has a very calming effect. It tends to make people lessen their inhibitions.”

  For some reason, that made me feel less guilty about enjoying it so much. I tipped the glass to my lips. Its effects were almost immediate. The warmth of the drink washed over me and I was instantly calmer than I had been when I entered the room, in fact, I was calmer than I had been all night. I was still aware, but there were some things that I just didn’t care about anymore. It didn’t matter that I had no idea where Elisheba was. All I could feel was a growing heat between my legs. Normally, I was a very carefully reserved person, but tonight, nothing mattered.

  The last white drink must have been stronger than the ones I had earlier, because in a few seconds, I really didn’t care about anything. My operator led me to the couch, and I gladly half lay, half sat on it. The jazz in the room became more mellow. He towered over me. “Milady, your sexual fantasy is about to be fulfilled.” He wrapped a silky band around my eyes, and I didn’t care about that anymore either.

  No one had said out loud that this was about sex yet, but I was able to sense it from the minute I’d walked into the door. More than one of the patrons seemed to be checking each other out as if they might eat them alive. The thought made me giggle.

  “I haven’t started tickling you yet,” the operator said. “Is something funny? I assure you that my intent is not to amuse.”

  “Can I call you something else? Other than operator? It sounds weird in my thoughts.”

  “You can call me anything you like. Is there a name that comes to mind?”

  “Yes, there is. I like Reed.” I gasped as soon as the name tumbled from my lips. Why had I chosen that name? Why not Sam? The only Reed I knew was my boss, and if Sam had a best friend, he would be it. I had no time to be shocked.

  “Reed it is, then.” He touched me gently on my shoulders, massaging them, then he slid his hands down my body and removed my shoes, one by one, throwing them over his shoulder. Reed started to massage my feet, gently at first, then with more force. I moaned. A tingling sensation started between my legs. How was it possible that I was turned-on? From a stranger touching my feet.

  I didn’t stop him from removing my tunic. I didn’t care that this man was a stranger. I heard the door open, then close again. I jumped, but he put his hand on my thigh to calm me. It worked. Reed sat on the floor with my foot between his legs, then raised my foot to his mouth. He licked the underside of my big toe, then put it fully in his mouth and sucked gently. “Oh my goodness,” I said. “That is intense.”

  I touched his face and could feel his mouth curve into a smile, but he didn’t stop. At the same time, another pair of hands came from behind the couch and cupped my breasts. My head whipped up. “What the—”

  “Don’t be alarmed,” a gentle voice said. “I’m only here to please you.”

  “I thought Reed was here for that. I thought h
e was the operator or whatever the hell that is.”

  “We will both be servicing your needs tonight. Someone apparently thinks you are extra special.” He was behind me. Reed kept sucking on my toes, taking his time with each one. I relaxed again as this new operator slipped my bra straps from my shoulders, then expertly removed my bra. He leaned over and fondled my breasts. Shooting chills danced all over my body. What was happening to me? Number two gently placed a clip on one of my nipples and took the other breast in his mouth.

  I moaned, but neither stopped. My hips gyrated by themselves. Reed concentrated on one toe and guided my hand to my pussy at the same time. I needed no extra prompting. I slid my hand down the front of my skirt, moving my panties aside. Together, they were driving me insane. I rubbed my clit, slowly at first then, as my operators increased their intensity, I increased mine. Any inhibitions I might have had were completely gone now. I arched my back off the couch. This was certainly an unexpected perk of the job.

  Chapter Twelve

  Sam

  Okay, I was practically thrown from the room where Rick was having his “employee problem�� and just about dragged to some other area of the property to wait, or do whatever. I should be angry, but I wasn’t. Instead, I was intrigued. Rick’s minion had taken me to a room that was very much like a stadium sports box, complete with gourmet-looking spread. This was some bizarre shit. I didn’t know what Reed thought was happening here, but it was absolutely not what I’d expected. That woman, or employee or whatever he’d called her, had been practically in shackles. I’d have to be sure to report this back to Reed. We’d known something was fishy, but I was sure he was far off base on that one.

  Rick was at the center of the whole thing, I was convinced of that, but I wasn’t sure how the dead woman fit into all of this. She hadn’t died here as far I could tell, but what was the connection between this place and the hotel where the woman had been found dead?