“You folks wouldn’t happen to be heading west, would ya?”
“What’s west?”
The woman smiled, a bit slyly. “It’s not the direction that matters, it’s what’s there.”
“The Skin Show?”
The woman nodded. “That’s right.”
She said right like rahght.
“So, what is it?”
“I’ve been waiting on y’all all day, to give me a ride. You’ll find out all about The Skin Show.”
“Hang on.” Karen dropped back down in the seat.
“I was beginning to think you weren’t ever going to stop the little chit-chat.”
Karen shook her head. “She’s playing us.”
“You think?”
“Now, now. Don’t get snarky.”
“Sorry.” Lack of sleep was wearing on his nerves. “So, she wants a ride.”
“Yep. And, we’re supposed to give it to her. I’m guessing it’s all part of the show.”
“What should we do?”
“It’s your car. You decide.”
“We’re both agreed that she’s up to no good?”
“That’s right.”
“But if we give her a ride, she’ll get us to The Skin Show.”
“That, I’m almost sure of. I bet she knows Danny and Rosco, might even be able to take us right to them.”
“True. But, I don’t like the idea of this woman hopping in the backseat, and having her behind me.”
“No worries. I’ll get in the back and let her take the front. We’ll be able to watch her from all angles.”
That hadn’t been Andy’s original intention, but he liked the idea of having the woman up front. He would be closer to her, to those long smooth legs. Just an arm’s length away. He could touch her if he wanted.
I would never…
And, he wouldn’t. Even without Karen loitering in the backseat, he’d never have the guts to try something so bold. “All right. If she turns out to be too much of a freak, we can kick her out.”
“Agreed.” Karen opened the door and hoisted herself out. She waved for the woman to come over. “It’s your lucky day.”
“It really is!” She pranced over to the car. “Thank you so much!”
Karen leaned down and pulled the latch. The seat shot forward, and Karen climbed into the back.
“I get to ride in the special seat?” asked the woman.
“You’re the guest of honor,” said Karen, getting situated.
The woman pushed the seat back, clicking it in place. Then she scrambled in. She was so tall that her knees brushed the dashboard. Andy got a glance between her legs and saw a smooth band of skin between her thighs.
No panties.
Quickly, he looked away, his eyes glimpsing the gleam of her tanned thighs. He kept his eyes on the steering wheel as she adjusted herself.
“Don’t need this anymore,” said the woman, tossing the sign out. Then she pulled the door shut. To Karen, she said, “Got enough room back there?”
“Plenty.”
“Can I scoot back some?”
“Sure.”
In the corner of his eye, Andy watched as she reached between her legs to find the latch for the seat adjustment. She pulled up and the seat slid back. “Is that okay?”
“Fine,” said Karen.
“Good. I was awfully cramped. Sorry. I’m so damned tall.”
“It’s fine, I assure you.”
She turned to Andy. “Well, howdy to you.”
Andy looked at her, keeping his eyes aimed above her chin. “Hi.”
“What’s your name, cutie?”
“Andy.”
“And it is you.” Smiling, she held out her hand. “Call me Sugar.”
Andy heard Karen muttering something about Sugar having to be kidding. He ignored it, raising his hand to take hers. It felt warm and slick in his gentle grip, as if she’d recently applied lotion. He imagined her legs felt just as silky. He could feel his hands sliding up their velvety surfaces.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said.
“The pleasure’s all mine.”
Sugar winked. “It sure will be soon enough.
Clearing his throat to drown out Karen’s groan from the back, he took his hand away and put it back on the wheel. He could still feel the slippery touch of her lingering on his fingers. “So…where am I going?”
“Well…we need to be heading the other way.” She thrust her thumb behind her, aiming where they’d been traveling before the incident. “Got to get yourself turned around like you was.”
“Ah. I can do that.”
“I bet you can.” The tip of her tongue nudged between her plump lips, then ran a wet trail across their plump surfaces. “I bet you can.”
“Oh my God,” sighed Karen.
Sugar had to have heard the comment, but she gave it no acknowledgement. She kept her gaze on Andy: her eyes tapering slightly, a sly smirk at the corner of her mouth. Andy knew she was putting on a show for him, but damn it, he couldn’t make himself not enjoy it. He was a sucker, and knew it. He’d become captivated by her looks, the imaginable feel of her, and the peach-like aroma emanating from her perfect skin.
Andy got the car turned around without any problems, proving Sugar right. Then they were heading west once again, with Sugar as the navigator now and Karen tucked away in the backseat like a kid put in time out.
Andy felt excited and uncomfortable all at once. He could feel Karen’s reproachful gaze on the back of his neck. Had she seen him gawking at Sugar earlier? Probably. Had she noticed Sugar wasn’t wearing anything behind that napkin-length skirt? He was sure of it.
It was her idea for Sugar to ride up front.
Yes. But, he’d been the one to point out how he wasn’t comfortable with Sugar riding in the back, where her hands were out of sight.
They weren’t out of sight now. Giving her a glance, he saw they were resting on her thighs, slightly squeezing. The golden skin dipped in under her fingertips. Her attention was diverted out the window, watching blurs of green whisk by.
Checking the clock in the dash, he saw they’d only been driving for thirty minutes with their new guest, but it felt like half the day had been burnt up. And, Andy couldn’t stop feeling as if he’d done something wrong, like he was trying to hide something from Karen, although he knew he shouldn’t be.
“So, what brings you two to The Skin Show?” asked Sugar without looking away from the scenery outside.
Andy shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Well…”
“What makes you think that was where we were going?” asked Karen.
Sugar offered a single snort. “Please. Don’t even try that with me. This road is the only way to it, so don’t play games.” She looked at Andy. “Well?” Her eyebrows lifted slightly. “How about telling me the truth? After all, we’re all friends here.”
Andy sighed, understanding it was useless trying to keep anything from her. He knew she’d been waiting for them to drive by, so what was the point? “My brother said we should check it out, so we’re trying to.”
“So you found the website?”
“If you can call it that,” said Karen from the back.
“I know,” Sugar said. “It’s so plain, ain’t it?”
“Why are they so secretive?” asked Karen.
Sugar snorted, shaking her head. She looked at Andy. “She’s a cop, ain’t she?”
“What makes you say that?”
“For one, she’s dressed like one, and B, she asks questions that are none of her business.”
“I’m a probation officer,” Karen admitted.
“Close enough,” said Sugar. “You got a gun?”
Karen’s wardrobe was not skimpy, but the gauzy fabric would definitely show if she had a weapon hidden somewhere on her. Andy doubted that she did.
“Maybe,” said Karen.
He wondered if she was lying. If she really had a gun, where was it during the roadside orde
al? Her purse?
Probably. She’d left it in the car. She probably didn’t think she would need it.
Andy checked the floorboard and saw Karen’s purse was not down there. It was in the back with her. So, if she needed to get the gun…
Why would she?
Easy: Sugar. But, he doubted she would try anything threatening. However, she did ask if Karen had one.
“It’s not allowed in the club,” stated Sugar.
“So, it’s a club?” asked Karen.
“A club of sorts.”
“Who are you really, Sugar?”
“I’m your way in. Now you better stop asking me so damn many questions or I’ll make sure you wait in the car.” Gone was the cute drawl. In its place was a strict notice.
Karen’s mouth slacked open.
Sugar glanced at Andy and smiled. “Besides, it’s Andy’s name on the list, you’re just his ‘plus one’.” She looked back at Karen over the seat. “Be thankful you get to go in at all. People like you wait months to get in, if they even get in.”
Andy felt as if he’d been sleeping with both of these women and they had somehow found out and were now battling for his affection. He’d always fantasized this to be a neat confrontation to witness. Being in the middle of this, he realized how wrong and stupid he’d been to even consider it.
He wished they’d never let Sugar in the car.
If we didn’t, we wouldn’t know how to get there.
Maybe they shouldn’t find it. What was he thinking getting involved in this? He should have given the laptop to Kaufman, letting him handle it. It could be him stuck in the middle of this uncomfortable exchange.
It almost felt as if Sugar had somehow taken them against their will, but without any force.
Sugar settled back down in the seat, bringing her left leg over her right knee. The skirt tugged back, showing all of her leg and the side of her buttocks. Her flat stomach creased slightly from the folded position. She pulled off the emerald green sandal from her foot. Flexing her toes, she sighed. “Feels good.” She sighed again. “Now, Andy?”
“Hmm?”
“Just keep driving. We’ll be there around dusk.” She looked out her window. “Looks like the sun’s changing its position, so we’re right on time.”
“Can you at least tell me…what is The Skin Show?”
Sugar tickled her thigh with a finger. Smiled. “It’s best you find that out on your own.”
Andy’s stomach went squirmy.
Sugar must have noticed his grimace. “It’s okay. Don’t be nervous.”
“It’s hard not to be. I’m driving to some strange place, and I have no clue what I’m getting into.”
“You make it sound so enigmatic.”
“It is.”
Sugar almost looked as if she felt bad for him. Reaching over, she took his hand from the steering wheel. Her thumb brushed his knuckles. He fought hard to keep his hand from shaking.
“I understand. Let me help you calm down.”
Andy was about to ask her how she intended on doing that when she pulled his hand to her. Uncrossing her legs, she rested his hand high up on her thigh. Then she guided it higher. His pinky skimmed wetness.
Sighing, Sugar’s lips quivered. “There…”
Karen asked, “What’s she doing with your hand?”
“I’m holding it,” said Sugar. “Mind your business.”
Surprisingly, Karen stopped talking. Leaning back, she gazed at the Camaro’s ceiling. Then she closed her eyes.
Sugar’s breathing intensified as she made his pinky rub up and down. It slipped over wetness, felt droplets trickle over the tip. Andy’s penis hardened so fast it caused his testicles to throb. The head strained against the front of his pants. He wanted to adjust them, but didn’t dare take his hand away from Sugar. The other hand had to stay on the wheel, or he might crash. He didn’t want anything ending this moment.
He knew he shouldn’t be allowing Sugar to manipulate him like this. But, he was powerless to stop it.
Then she pushed his pinky in, and Andy stopped trying.
Chapter Sixteen
A dulled, wooden marker sat on two planks at the aperture of a dirt road that resembled more of a busted wagon trail. Vines and ivy swirled all over, traversing at the center and snaking down its lumbered legs as if trying to slowly crush it like a constrictor. In the wash of the headlights, Andy caught the faded words Wildlife Preserve.
The sun wasn’t entirely down yet, but it was sinking fast. Blood-red light filtered across the sky. Scabby clots of clouds strangled the sun’s golden hues. Under the canopy of trees over the road leading in, it was dark as midnight.
The car bounced when the tires left the blacktop onto the uneven gravel.
“Just keep driving,” Sugar said.
Andy did. He kept a firm grip on the steering wheel as the tires bobbled over gullies and trenches in the old road. His pinky felt numb and useless. The skin seemed pale and a little shriveled as if he’d been swimming for too long. He still couldn’t accept how he’d allowed Sugar to exploit his pinky. Although she’d been silent the whole time, he knew she’d had multiple orgasms thanks to his tiny finger. She’d shuddered while juices spurted, dribbling down his pinky, over his knuckles. There were little moist dots on the seat from Sugar’s releases. He hoped they would wash out.
Karen had fallen asleep shortly after Sugar reprimanded her intrusiveness, and was oblivious to what had happened.
Thank God…
She might have pulled the gun out had she known.
If there really was a gun.
Karen was awake now, and he feared she might smell the musky scent of their bad behavior. He’d broken his one firm rule and smoked in the car in hopes of masking it. Hopefully it hadn’t enhanced it.
After Sugar’s last orgasm over an hour ago, she hadn’t spoken until this last order. Several times, Andy had been tempted to force Sugar out of the car, but he never got further than the actual thought.
Just like now, he knew he would do nothing to ruin this. He wanted to think it was because of Danny, and he supposed most of it was. If he searched deeper inside himself, he’d realized he really wanted to be here. In a strange sort of way, he was enjoying this. He hadn’t disregarded Nicole, or Lou Manchu. He also hadn’t forgotten about the series of events that had led him here, especially the incident at the vegetable stand.
But, they hardly seemed to matter as much as they had a short while ago.
And, realizing that made him feel terrible.
“Almost there,” said Sugar. Even in the shadowy car, Andy detected her smile. “You’re going to love it here, Andy. I’m sure of it. Like others, you’ll be more than willing to sacrifice all you have just for a taste…”
Sighing, Andy wanted her to be wrong, but somehow he knew she wasn’t.
The interior suddenly erupted with blinding light as a loud rumble shook the seat under him. Looking in the rearview mirror, Andy saw the brightness coming up from behind, boring down on them like a train, fast and bright.
“What is that?!” cried Karen. She plugged a finger in each ear.
Andy felt his grip on the steering wheel tighten. He looked at Sugar, expecting an answer, but saw she was still only smiling. The light was so harsh it looked as if the sun was driving up their backside.
The light was right on top of them now. Just as it looked like they were about to be rear-ended, the light parted.
Motorcycles roared by each side of the car, zipping past the windows. Once they were a safe distance ahead, they merged back together in a formation of four in front of the Camaro.
As the ruckus of their engines faded with the distance between them growing, Sugar sighed as if tasting something wonderful. “I love me some biker boys.”
Andy was sick with himself for feeling a twinge of envy by her statement.
The trees began to sink away from the road, opening on a large clearing. Although, it could hardly be considered clear.
Cars were everywhere. The motorcycles zipped through the path between the parking areas. Standard sized vehicles were on one side, semi-trucks on the other. Some of the semis had trailers attached to them, but most did not. It looked as if there was a section near the front for the bikers.
“Park to the left.”
Andy turned at the first opening he came to and drove past flanks of cars. Most of the vehicles they passed were coated in dust. Some looked dirty enough to have been neglected in a junkyard somewhere. Mixed in with the filthy ones were cleaner ones. shimmering faintly under the moonlight. He wondered how long ago they were left there.
Abandoned…
Andy shivered.
“Just find a spot and cut the car off,” said Sugar.
Karen leaned forward, folding her arms on the seat, and resting her chin on top. “There’re no empty spots.”
“Doesn’t matter. Just park somewhere.”
Andy reached the end of the line, pulled up beside an old Honda hatchback that looked as if it hadn’t been touched since the early 90s, and shut off the car. When the motor died, the faint sounds of blistering heavy metal coasted through the air.
Megadeth.
Andy recognized the song.
“Tornado of Souls.”
Sugar turned to him in her seat. “A metalhead?”
“All my life.”
“You really do belong here, don’t you?” Sugar winked, flung the door open, and hopped out. She slammed the door, rocking the car.
Andy sighed.
“Wow,” said Karen. “When the hell did we fall down the rabbit hole?”
Andy shook his head. About to say something, Sugar’s hand slapped against the passenger window, making him jump. The pale shape of Sugar’s hand gestured them to come on.
“Can’t keep the princess waiting,” said Karen.
“Guess not.”
Andy got out first, then raised the seat so Karen could follow. It had gotten cooler outside, but the air was still heavy with soggy heat. His clothes felt clingy and uncomfortable.
The Skin Show Page 13
