Author's note: Readers wanted raunch? I'll give 'em raunch!
While Claudio was speaking to the waiter, Chantelle and I finished our ports and a busboy cleared our table. The dull orange glow of the sun was no match for the lights of the city, and would soon give way to the night. I was wondering if I was becoming a nuisance. I looked at Chantelle, who was organising her handbag.
"Chantelle, are you sure it's okay if I tag along again tonight? I don't want to overstay my welcome... or cramp your style."
"Nonsense Roger, of course it's okay. You must learn to stop being so cute," she grinned. "Actually I was hoping to convince you to come, I know someone who is looking forward to seeing you again."
"I don't need much convincing, I really love your place," I smiled.
"I'm glad," she said smiling at me. "Do you want to know who I'm talking about?"
"You know I do, I'm just trying to be less cute."
"Well it's not working," she winked.
She took a small black plastic box from her handbag, hesitated a moment, then pressed one of the buttons on it. In moments Jonathan, the head of security from the Domina Flagrante, came bounding up the stairs with a gun drawn.
Seconds went in slow motion as I assessed the panicked look in his eye, and the shiny silver magnum he held in his huge black hands. I literally flew out of my chair, one arm around Chantelle, knocking her to the floor and rolling on top of her.
I had my eyes clenched in fear as one second, then another, and then another passed. Just as my curiosity about what was happening started to peak, Claudio's wild cackling burst into my ears.
"What are you two doing?" he asked, looking down on us and laughing fitfully.
Jonathan rushed over, slipping the gun back into its holster under his black suit. "Gosh I'm sorry Mr. Moore, and Ma'am... I think you pressed the wrong button again Ma'am."
Chantelle was trying to stifle a giggle as I rolled off her, looking up into two smiling faces. Jonathan held out his hand for me to grab and I took it, but not before Chantelle leaned into me slipping her hand under my jacket, and kissed my cheek tenderly, whispering, "My hero." Jonathan then pulled me to my feet, and Claudio did the same for Chantelle.
Jonathan started quickly brushing me down, muttering, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle anyone, I'm sorry Ma'am, but you can't be too careful."
"It's all right Jonathan," Chantelle moved to humour him. "You were doing exactly as instructed. I just have to get this goddamned remote figured out."
"I think we should get out of here," I said.
"I agree," said Claudio.
"I'll bring the car around Ma'am."
"Thank you Jonathan."
Once he had left, the three of us stood there looking at each other.
"I guess I owe you an explanation Roger," said Chantelle.
All I could do was nod at her. I was quite freaked. The last time I saw a gun was, god, five years ago, when my ex-wife tried to talk me into buying one. I ended up deciding against the idea. I knew she couldn't handle one and I had no interest in using it. I knew who would be protecting who. Frankly I didn't want a gun in the house.
The three of us made our way out front to the waiting limousine. Riding in a limo was another first for me. I annoyed the both of them by pressing every button and throwing every switch. While Jonathan drove back to the Domina Flagrante, Chantelle began to tell me something I preferred not to know.
"I've had a series of death threats Roger. A female and a male are involved. I don't know who they are."
"Jeez," I offered, popping out another drink holder.
"You understand my life may be in danger?"
"I'm sorry Chantelle," I said, looking at her and paying attention. "I'm all ears."
"I'm just frightened, that's all. I mean poor Jonathan is not even trained as a bodyguard, but I don't know anyone else who would do the job."
"Why don't you hire someone?" I asked.
"I can't stand those ex-cop types, or ex-military types, who do nothing but ogle the girls and disrespect me and the way I live my life. They are oafs... they would be unreliable in a crisis... in my estimation, Jonathan is the best bodyguard I can find."
"I'm not going to question your judgment Chantelle."
"Thank you, Roger."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Honestly Roger, it's probably nothing... I've always had an overactive imagination..." Chantelle tried to grin, but it faded.
Claudio had been sitting back in a corner of the limousine, looking out the window. He suddenly sat forward and gesticulated wildly, like he was breaking someone's neck in mid air.
"If anyone ever hurt you, I'd tear them limb from limb!"
"Oh Claudio, don't be so dramatic..." said Chantelle unconvincingly.
The three of us sat quietly the rest of the way, which was only a few blocks, but took fifteen minutes in the evening traffic. Claudio turned up the music and Chantelle slid down in her seat and plopped her stiletto-clad feet in my lap.
"Massage?" she half shouted.
"Sure," I said loudly, and proceeded to unbuckle her shoes and slip them off. With a gentle and deft touch, I eased the tension in her feet.
She leaned back and closed her eyes. I sat back in the plush leather seat and wondered what the fuck I was doing there.
It struck me that Chantelle was about to tell me who was looking forward to seeing me, just before the 'incident' at the restaurant. I could only think of one person who might be looking forward to seeing me.
Josephine.
Josephine of the perpetually aroused nipples. Playful Josephine. Chantelle's Josephine. I really didn't know the nature of their relationship. Was Josephine Chantelle's to give? Or a free agent that had attached herself to Chantelle? They seemed pretty close. I really didn't know and was starting to feel a headache coming on. I smiled and shook my head.
The limo then stopped, and the music went off at the same time as the darkened glass separating us from Jonathan smoothly and quietly slid down.
Jonathan turned around and said, "We're here Ma'am."
"Thank you Jonathan," Chantelle replied, while straightening in her seat and putting her shoes back on.
Chantelle looked at me and read my mind.
"You are coming in aren't you Roger? I'd really like to have another chat with you about a few things."
The sparkle had returned to her eye. It must have been something to do with feeling comfortable on her own turf. I couldn't help but smile.
"All right, but just for a couple of drinks."
Chantelle smirked at me. The door of the limousine opened and the enormous frame of Jonathan loomed in it, with his huge hand reaching into the car.
"May I help you out Ma'am," he asked.
"It's all right Jonathan," she replied looking right at me. "Roger can escort me, you go get the door open."
"Yes, Ma'am."
I helped Chantelle out of the limousine and we walked quickly to the doorway with Claudio riding shotgun close behind. I was wondering about the nature of these threats and whether or not Chantelle was playing them up or down. As we stood inside and Jonathan took our coats, Chantelle again seemed to read my mind.
"I'm sorry about this Roger."
"It's all right Chantelle. Let's get a drink and relax."
"You read my mind."
Well, that was a first.
Chantelle rose to her full five foot two inches plus heels and took a deep breath, visibly exhaling tension. She looked first at me, then at Claudio, and smiled a cheeky smile.
"Let's go down to the Dungeon!"
"The Dungeon?" I asked.
"Mhmmm... this might knock your socks off Roger, so hold onto your hat." Chantelle was a changed person.
We three walked side by side deeper into the Domina Flagrante, past the salon and on past the main staircase and around a corner to a huge set of double doors, through which the muffled beat of music pulsed. The song was by Depeche Mode, but I couldn't remember the name of it.
"Roger, Claudio, let's have some fun!"
She stepped forward and took the handles of each door in her hands and pulled. Of course the heavy doors opened effortlessly, and it was like she "threw" them open with a flourish. The music was loud but fortunately something I liked. I almost bounced down the stairs as the three of us walked arm in arm. I had no idea what to expect.
The scene as we rounded the corridor leading to the Dungeon took me by surprise. It was basically a bar and dance floor with a twist. It became apparent almost immediately that this was the area the regulars frequented. People sat on plush leather lounges or kneeled on sumptuous ornate cushions. Some stood at the bar, some were dancing, and some were obviously mingling and 'playing the field'. Some of them were clothed, and some were less so.
"What is this place?" I half shouted to Claudio.
"This is where people come for some fun!" he roared, before disappearing into the crowd on the dance floor.
"Look out!" said Chantelle, laughing and pointing.
At that moment I was almost knocked over by a flying Josephine. She jumped into me with her arms wide and I had barely enough time to adjust and catch her. Fortunately I did and I held her in my arms grinning. I don't know why but she kissed me strongly and mouthed the words, "I missed you", before wriggling free and standing before me blushing madly.
"I think I've had a bit to drink Sir!" she yelled a bit too loudly.
"So I see," I said loud enough for her to hear, with a big grin on my face.
"Come with me!" Chantelle beckoned over the din. Josephine grinned up at me and hooked her arm in mine. We followed Chantelle between the bar and the dance floor into the back corner of the Dungeon.
A waiter, sans shirt, picked up the reserved sign from the table to which Chantelle had led us, and rushed off with drink orders. In moments he returned and we settled in to watch the crowd with drinks in hand. Josephine leaned into me, pressing her breast against my arm.
"May I sit in your lap, Sir?!"
For some reason I glanced at Chantelle, who nodded ever so slightly. I leaned into Josephine's ear and spoke more softly.
"Of course you may, it would be my pleasure."
She giggled with a girlish smile and clambered onto my lap. I slid my arms around her as she sat upright and looked first at Chantelle, who smiled, then at me. I did likewise.
"What's the time?!" she yelled too loudly.
I looked at my watch. It was almost ten o'clock. I wondered briefly where the time went.
"Almost ten!"
"Great! Watch!"
We sat and watched the writhing bodies on the dance floor and the comings and goings from the bar. Minutes ticked by and Josephine seemed to be getting more and more excited. I wondered for the umpteenth time what was going on. Chantelle just shrugged. Suddenly the music stopped and a big cheer went up from the crowded floor. Josephine cheered too and clapped while bouncing in my lap. I looked across at Chantelle. She just smiled.
Then all hell broke loose.
A loud gong of a bell tolled and people started rushing everywhere. Then another gong and I realised only about half the people were actually doing the rushing. Another bell tolled and men and women were kissing and cuddling. Another bell and then another, with some people kissing others shoes, some kneeling before others and caressing the standing one. Josephine looked at me and leaned into me, kissing me hard and reaching down between her legs to stroke between mine.
