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."