by Jodi Olson
The water ran down her face, washing the suds of the soap and the salty tears of her heartbreak down the drain.
When she dressed and went to the living room, he was gone.
Seven
Jennifer had been ignoring Neal for two straight weeks. When it was her turn to dance, she could see that he would stop serving drinks to customers and watch her. On his last night she saw him go outside for a short time. Her thoughts were torn between wanting to hurt him and wanting him to stay. She wasn’t one to beg a guy to stay, and she wasn’t about to start now especially knowing there was someone else in the picture. She had her pride too!
Outside, Neal paced the parking lot. The silence between them was unbearable. He was leaving in the morning. He wanted one more night with her, and if nothing else a few minutes to say goodbye.
When he returned to the club he found Nathan with his arm around Jennifer. A bitter jealousy stirred inside him, the line of his mouth tightening a fraction more. He shot Jennifer a cold look before he spoke to Nathan. “Didn’t I warn you to keep your hands off her?”
“There is nothing going on, she was upset and I was just trying to comfort her. Besides you’re leaving in the morning, so why do you even care?” Neal knew Nathan wasn’t about to give him the fight he was aching for.
Only fifteen minutes before closing time, and he still couldn’t go and talk to her.
*****
Neal waited impatiently at the airport; he had mixed feelings about leaving. When his cell phone rang he saw that the caller was from the club. He had a strange premonition that something was wrong, but Nathan had seemed fine when he dropped him off at the airport this morning. “Nathan, what’s going on? My plane is delayed and it won’t be taking off for at least another hour.”
“It’s Cinnamon,” a voice whispered.
“Cinnamon, how did you get my fucking number?”
“I found it, doesn’t matter where. What matters right now is Jennifer is in trouble. If you love her like I think you do, you’ll help her. They took her.” Cinnamon spoke so low he wasn’t sure if he heard it right.
“Who took her?” He spat the words, wondering if Cinnamon was up to something, she seemed to be taking forever to answer him.
“It was Cameo and her brother Steve, Jennifer’s ex. Bet you didn’t know they’re related did you? They’ve been working together for a while now on making the new dancers leave for good, especially if they’re better than Cameo. She’s a very jealous person. I need to go before she finds me.” The the phone went dead.
Neal wondered if he should go back. Hell, he was trying to forget her, but that was impossible. He was hoping by leaving he would forget her. Fuck! He didn’t need this now. She was better off without him and anyway.
He raked his hands thru his hair and looked at the plane ticket. He tore up the plane ticket and tossed it into the nearby trash can. It took him nearly thirty minutes before he could get a cab. He did love Jennifer, but one failed marriage was enough, thank you very much. Still, he’d do everything in his power to make sure history didn’t repeat itself. He told the cab driver to step on it.
*****
Jennifer woke finding herself inside a room that was painted red, with one wall full of hooks, and hanging from those hooks were handcuffs, floggers and several other items she couldn’t easily identify. The room smelled like fresh paint, which made her queasy. When she was fully conscious she realized she was attached to ropes binding her hands and legs spread wide strapped to hooks on the floor. Where the hell am I and how did I get here?
The last thing she remembered was being in the dressing room changing, after everyone had gone home. She had told Nathan she would lock up when she left. Thinking she was alone in the club, she sat there thinking about Neal. As she was about to get dressed, she noticed Steve watching her from the door. Clad only in her thong, she lifted her arms to cover her breasts.
When she saw the rage in Steve’s eyes, she’d wished Neal were there to scare the bastard away.
“You’re mine. If I can’t have you then no one else will,” he snarled.
Steve grabbed her and shoved a foul smelling cloth over her mouth and nose. The last thing she remembered was Steve tying her hands together.
Now all she wanted was to tell Neal she loved him. Maybe he would have stayed if she had. An even more terrifying realization washed over her, what if I never get out of this place? Is Steve going to kill me? Oh Neal, I need you.
After what seemed like hours of working with the rope around her hands it began to loosen some. Unfortunately the straps around her feet seemed to be tightening in contrast. She was getting tired. Maybe after a little rest, she would try again.
*****
Neal checked the library first, but nobody had seen her all day. He had called her apartment but got no answer. The Swollen Pussy Club was next. Hopefully someone had seen her. Maybe, just maybe, Cinnamon had made all this up.
He arrived at the club and walked straight into Nathan’s office. His brother looked up from the papers on his desk surprised to see him.
“What are you doing back here?” Nathan’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“I was sitting at the airport, waiting on my flight when I got a phone call. It was one of your dancers, Cinnamon. I sure would like to know how she got my number, but the more important thing here is she said that Cameo and Steve took Jennifer. But that’s all she told me and then she hung up. Have you seen or talked to Jennifer since last night?”
“Hey little brother, you’re going to wear a hole in the carpet if you keep that up. To answer your question, no I haven’t. Last night Jennifer gave notice she wouldn’t be back. She told me she was only here to do research for a book she was writing. If you want my opinion, that isn’t the only reason why she left.”
“The carpet already has holes in it asshole, and I don’t give a fuck about the damn carpet. Did you ever question Cameo and Cinnamon about why the other girls quit working here? Are you going to do to help me find Jennifer? Or are you just going to sit on your ass and do nothing like always?”
“Neal you need to calm down and stop being such an ass. Let’s check the dressing room and see if she left anything behind to give us a clue of her whereabouts. As far as Cameo and Cinnamon goes, they’ve been working at this club for years. As far as I know, neither would ever hurt any of the girls. All the girls who left said they needed a change and I let it go at that. You have nothing to worry about. I’m sure Jennifer is fine and she’ll probably walk through the door sometime tonight to pick up her check.” Nathan rose from his chair and put his arm around Neal. “We’ll find her - OK?”
*****
Neal didn’t know how much longer he could sit around doing nothing. Where was Jennifer? She’d never come in to get her check like his brother said she would. He’d called her several times but all he got was her answering machine. Right now he was glad his brother wasn’t right in front of him because he felt like punching something. The club would be closing soon and he couldn’t sit around and do nothing anymore. He’d been thinking about that room on the other side of the club all evening. He slipped into Nathan’s office and rummaged through the desk. There, taped to one of the drawers was a key. Maybe this was the key that unlocked the door to that special room.
Just as he was leaving Nathan’s office, he spotted Cameo. She flashed him a big smile to get his attention and stretched out her hand to touch his face,
He roughly thrust her away, hard enough to make her fall on her ass. Seeing the reaction on her face was priceless. “What do you want, Cameo? I told you before, I’m not interested in fucking you. Nothing has changed.”
“Since Jennifer has disappeared, I thought maybe you would change your mind. Once you’re in my bed, sugar, you’ll wonder what you ever saw in little Miss Jennifer.” She met his icy gaze straight on.
“If you know where Jennifer is Cameo, you’d better tell me now. If you don’t tell me, who knows what will happen to you
when I get my hands on whoever is responsible for her disappearance.” He started down the hall at a hurried pace.
“She’s with Steve.” She followed him down the hall, her platform stripper heels clicking a staccato cadence on the wooden floor. “My brother has plans for her and they don’t include you!”
When Neal approached the door the lock was open, and he heard a voice from inside that sounded like Steve’s. What the fuck is going on? As he was about to open the door he heard Jennifer scream. He jerked the door open and saw Jennifer hanging from the ceiling in nothing but her thong. Steve’s back was to the door; he hadn’t heard Neal enter. Neal wrapped his arm around Steve’s neck choking him. Steve had this coming. Anyone who’d hurt his Jennifer would be lucky to live to see the new day. Nobody, and I mean nobody, hurts my woman!.
Neal threw Steve to the floor and slammed vicious punches to Steve’s face. The sounds of cracking bones melded with the screams of the women.
Nathan finally pulled him off, “Neal, the police are on the way. You need to stop or you’ll kill him!”
Neal stood and glared down at Steve, his eyes seething. “If you ever come near Jennifer again, it will be the last time you ever do anything. No one will stop me from killing you then, not even my brother.” Neal walked to Jennifer and held her gently as he released her bound hands from the chains. He groaned as he untied the ropes; she didn’t seem to be hurt except for some bruising around her wrists and ankles from the ropes. Thank God for that, but she hadn’t said a thing since he heard her scream.
“You came back,” she whispered. She fell into his chest, swayed gently and passed out in his arms. Neal gently carried her to Nathan’s office, placed her on the black leather sofa and sat down beside her.
*****
As Nathan paced back and forth, Neal looked over at him “Who’s wearing out the carpet now? Why don’t you get her a glass of water? Make yourself useful.” Nathan left to get the water as instructed and Neal looked back at Jennifer; he hoped she came around soon as he was getting more and more concerned by the minute.
He’d found a blanket to put over her, to cover her nakedness. She felt cold to the touch and was pale. He hoped she wasn’t going into shock. How long had she been locked in that room?
She slowly opened her eyes; her fingers reached up and caressed his cheek. ”You’re really here.”
“Sweetheart, I don’t plan on leaving your side, ever again. While I was sitting at the airport I had lots of time to think. I was scared of what I was feeling for you. Even thought that if I left, the memories of us together would go away. Of course that would never happen. In the two weeks we’ve been apart, those memories have become more vivid with each passing day. I know now I can’t breathe without you, I love you, and I want us to spend the rest of our lives together - if you’ll have me.” He took a deep breath and grinned. “Will you marry me?”
She wiped a tear from her eye. “I thought you were going back to your ex wife. I remember you telling her on the phone that day you would be home soon.”
“Sweetheart, I was going back to quit my job, pack the rest of my things, and move out of my apartment. As far as Tina is concerned, she’s not a problem anymore. I told her I was through with her games, and she wouldn’t be getting any more money out of me either.”
“Oh Neal, I love you, too!” She threw her arms around his neck, the blanket slipping off and exposing her. “I even wanted to tell you that morning after we made love, but then I overheard you on the phone so I kept silent about it.”
“Jen, I think I fell in love with you the first day we met, seeing you on the floor, getting all pissed off because I didn’t help you get up. You’re so sexy, when you get mad like that.”
“The first day we met, I thought you were rude and an ass.”
Nathan picked that moment to return to his office with the glass of water, and following behind him was a police officers. “Sorry it took so long, but this officer needs to talk to you.” He handed her the glass of water.
“Are you OK, little lady?”
She pulled the blanket around her. “Yes, I’m fine, just a little shook up is all.”
The officer sat on the corner of the desk and took out a notebook. “I have a few questions for you. Can you tell me what happened?”
Jennifer sipped at the water. “I was in the dressing room changing when Steve came in. Before I knew it, he had me drugged, and when I woke up, I was locked in that room and tied up.”
“Do you know him?” The police officer looked behind him as Steve and Cameo were being led past the office.
“Yes officer, I know him, Steve was an old boyfriend. I don’t know why he locked me in that room and tied me up though. I do know he was jealous that I was moving on. Cameo never did like me from day one. She also wanted to be with Neal, and didn’t like that we were a couple. That’s all I know.” Jennifer began to shake as the fearful images came back into her mind.
The officer noticed her reaction. “I think you should go to the hospital to get checked out.”
“No, I’m fine. I only have some bruises. He didn’t have enough time to do anything else to me.”
Neal interjected, “I think you should know something about Cameo. Steve is her half-brother.”
The officer closed up his notebook. “Thanks, I think I have all the information I need for now. We’ll get back with you if there are any more questions. Tomorrow you’ll need to come down to the station and sign your statement.”
“I’m so glad this is over. I warned you about Cameo being trouble, didn’t I?” Neal glared at his brother.
“Yea, you did say that a few times. Sorry I didn’t listen to you.” Nathan tried giving a half smile.
“Nathan, I just asked Jennifer to marry me.” Neal grinned from ear to ear.
“Well hell! What did she say? Don’t keep me in suspense.” Nathan was glad his brother found someone to finally make him happy.
“She hasn’t answered me yet.” Neal looked at her, waiting for an answer, hoping to God she would say yes.
Jennifer smiled at Nathan and then turned to Neal. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Nathan gave her a hug and congratulated them both on the upcoming marriage. “Let me know when you set a date so I can be there.”
“Of course you’ll be there. I want you to stand up with me, be my best man.” Neal hoped his brother would one day be as happy as he was this very moment.
“You know I’d be more than happy to bro,” Nathan declared.
Jennifer rose from the couch, making sure the blanket was secure around her. “Neal, I’m exhausted, can you take me home please?” The more she thought about what she’d been through the last few days the more she realized her emotions were in overdrive.
After another hug from Nathan, they went to the dressing room so she could get dressed. Once they were in the car, Neal spoke up. “Are you sure you’re okay? Maybe someone should check you over.”
“I’m fine, just a little shook up is all. All I want is to go home and crawl into bed. I feel like I could sleep for days.” She gazed out the window, trying to hide the tears she’d held in for the last twenty-four hours.
Eight
Once they were safely in her apartment behind a locked door, she finally relaxed. Neal held her close, running his hands up her arms to her neck, moving her hair to the side. Leaning her body back against his, she felt his hard erection pressing into her. The kiss he placed on her neck made her dizzy with desire. His warm breath cascading over the damp skin he’d just kissed made her sex ache for him. Slowly gliding his hands over her shoulders, he ran his fingers up the column of her neck.
He cupped her chin in his warm hand, his touch a soft caress that left her breathless. A delightful shiver of wanting him ran through her whole body. He stood so close, she could feel the heat from his body, and his hot sensual gaze left her cheeks warm and flushed.
Neal finally broke the silence between them. “Do you have any idea how sexy
you are when you blush baby?” He kissed her forehead, trailing a path down her face until his lips met hers. Pulling her bottom lip into his mouth, he devoured her softness in a mouth watering, weak-in-the-knees kiss. His tongue moved out of her mouth and traced her lips before he wrenched away, looking at her. He took her hand in his and led her down the narrow hallway to her bedroom.
He dropped to his knees in front of her; gliding her dress up her body, he caressed her legs as he slid the material over her skin. Jennifer leaned her head back, his touch making her tremble with need. He finally lifted the dress over her extended arms.
“I like that there are no buttons on this dress, I don’t think I could stay focused long enough to do buttons right now. I want you so bad it hurts.”
He looked at her; she stood in front of him, completely naked, every perfect curve on display for his pleasure. He groaned, “You are so beautiful, even more so than the last time. I need to be inside you, Jen.” His fingers curled around her hair and pulled her closer to him. They were so close he felt her heart racing. His erection thickened as he rubbed his length against her thigh.
She lowered her hand to the front of his jeans, unfastening and zipping them so she could rub her hand over his erection. As she took his maleness in her hand she gave him a gentle squeeze. “Make love to me, I want to feel you deep inside me.”
He removed his jeans and boxers in one fast pull, dropping them to the floor. He was hard and thick, ready to make Jen his again. Reaching into his pocket, he extracted a condom and looked at her.
“Should I put it on, or do you want to do it?” He asked her at the same time her hand was ripping it out of his hand. She tore into the wrapper, taking the condom out. She ran her hand over the length of his shaft sliding the condom over his hardness. Giving her a sexy grin, “I have plans on loving you all night long and every night starting tonight.”