Dirty Nights

by A. M. Hargrove

  A myriad of thoughts rush my brain, like I just tapped the coke vial. Major boundaries have been crossed … boundaries I never under any circumstances cross. Hard limits have been broken. He trussed me up like a Thanksgiving turkey and I allowed it. Worse yet, I loved every second of it. Then there’s my checklist: bareback BJ—check; bareback intercourse—check; anal sex—check; bondage—check. What the hell am I doing here? This is all sorts of wrong and I don’t even feel bad about it. In fact, I’m obsessing right now over when I can do it all again. And then there’s his nagging question … the one I can’t answer. Because I don’t want to be gone. I want to stay in his arms forever. But I know that’s not possible. Once he finds out who or rather what I am, he’ll shoot me out of his life faster than a damn bottle rocket on the Fourth of July.

  TWELVE

  Ryder

  When I wake up to an empty bed again, I know exactly what I have to do. My phone is in my hand before I know it. Case promises to meet me in an hour at Joe and Mo’s.

  “Case. I need a favor. I want you to put one of your guys on someone for me.”

  Case laughs. “You mean you’re hiring me?”

  He never expected me to be one of his clients. “That’s right. You are a private investigator, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah. The best. Give me the details.”

  So I do.

  “Ryder. You involved with this girl?”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  “Wrong, buddy. As your NA sponsor, it is.”

  My mind chews on his response and he’s right. It is his business. He’s my best friend, too, and I know he has my best interests at heart.

  “Yeah. She shows up at my house. We fuck. She leaves.”

  Case laughs. “Sounds like a damn good arrangement to me. Why the hell do you want to follow her?”

  “Here’s the thing. I met her while saving her ass from a rapist.”

  “Did you call it in?”

  “No. She wouldn’t let me.”

  “Did she say why?”

  “Uh uh. And she wouldn’t go home either. Said she couldn’t. And now she shows up at my house every night.”

  Case is silent for a bit. “You got a name?”

  I give him everything else he asks for and he says he’ll have something for me ASAP. Case used to be a cop. That was before. He has a before, just like I do. He was beaten and left for dead. His aftermath, like mine, included drugs. A lot of them. He got kicked off the force. Then he went to rehab and ended up at NA. While he was in rehab, he met my physical therapist Dot. Meth was her vice. Small world we live in. When Case couldn’t be a cop anymore, he decided to use his connections and open up his own PI firm. He does well now and has several guys working for him full time. Cops work for him part time when they need extra money. He pays well and it works out great for both sides.

  “Ryder, what if we find out something you don’t really want to know?”

  “I’ll deal. Just find it. Follow her Case and let me know what you come up with.”

  “I love you Trust-Funders.”

  I laugh. “I know. We like to give you guys business, right?”

  My parents have asked me to meet them for dinner. I take a cab uptown and they already have a table. We meet at their favorite Italian restaurant on the upper East side. Nowadays, my mom is almost giddy when she sees me.

  “Ryder!” she says as I bend down to kiss her. She grabs my shoulders and laughs. “You’re huge!”

  “I’m working out a couple of hours a day,” I tell her. “Hey Dad.” I shake his hand and he pats me on the back.

  “You look better every time we see you, son. I don’t think I could be any more proud of you.” His eyes glisten.

  Looking him straight in the eye, I say, “Thanks Dad. For everything. But mostly for believing in me. And for giving me that ultimatum. I hated you and Mom for it at the time. But you did the right thing.”

  He nods and I know he can’t speak right now.

  “So tell us what’s going on with you,” Mom says.

  “Oh, the usual. Classes, working out and Narcotics Anonymous of course.” I laugh.

  “How’s school?” Mom wants to know.

  “Kicking my ass.”

  They laugh.

  “I’m glad we’re together. I wanted to tell you this. I’ve decided on a major. Criminal Justice.”

  Their faces both register shock. Mom’s looks like it’s turned to stone and Dad’s is a cross between ‘Holy-Shit-I-Can’t-Believe-It’ and ‘Thank-God-He’s-Doing-Something-He-Can-Actually-Get-A-Job-In.’

  I break out into laughter. “Let me explain. I want to get my undergrad degree in Criminal Justice and then I want to go to Law School. I want to prosecute people like the ones who attacked me.”

  When it finally sinks in they beam. Really beam. If they could reflect light, they would. Tears dribble past my mom’s lids and my dad clears his throat a few times before he says anything.

  “Son, you make a father proud.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “Oh, Ryder. You’ll make a fine attorney. Yes, you will.” She digs in her purse for a tissue, then dabs at her eyes. “Now look, my mascara is running I’m sure.”

  “Mom, you’re beautiful, even with the black raccoon circles under your eyes,” I tease.

  “What? Oh dear.” She stands up and tears off to the restroom.

  “Son. You know you can’t ever joke about things like that with her.”

  “I know. But I wanted time alone with you. To thank you, Dad. These last months weren’t easy. Kicking the drugs was … well, there were times I didn’t want to live. I know you and I had our rough spots and that things weren’t always the greatest between us, but the only reason I’m alive today is because of your ultimatum. That and the fact that you and Mom believed in me. So thanks for kicking my ass and making me man up on all of this. It’s made me a better man.”

  “Jesus, Ryder. I’m more proud of you now than I’ve ever been.” He pats me on the back and I notice his eyes are glistening.

  “Thanks but save that for when I graduate. I have a long haul ahead of me.”

  “You do, but you’re young. It’ll fly by. You’ll see.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mom coming back. Dad laughs at her expression.

  “Ryder, one of these days,” she says.

  “Yeah, Mom?”

  We all laugh. The rest of the dinner is light hearted filled with easy conversation and trivial things. As we’re leaving, my mom mentions something to me.

  “Oh Ryder, give your Aunt Emmy a call. She says she hasn’t spoken to you in a while.”

  “Damn. She’s right.” I feel awful about that. Aunt Emmy, who’s really my mom’s aunt, is one of my favorite people. She was my huge supporter when I was a little kid starting out. She always believed in me when I wanted to dance and was the one who talked my parents into allowing me to pursue that path. She’s my Mom’s father’s sister, but she was with me throughout my recovery, even when I hit rock bottom. She always believed in me and never stopped loving me.

  “I’ll call her tomorrow. I’m sorry, Mom. Time seems to slip away from me.”

  “Please don’t forget. You know how much you mean to her.”

  “I promise. I love her too.”

  We hug and my parents head off toward their place a couple of blocks away. I decide to walk to the corner to grab a cab and I happen to glance across the street. Getting out of a dark sedan is a beautiful blond, dressed in a tight white skirt with a gold sequined top showing two inches of skin, and gold platform pumps. Her hips sway as she walks into a high-rise apartment building. I’d know that woman anywhere. I’ve memorized those legs and hips, that hair and the rest of that body. Now where in the world could she be going at this hour, dressed like that?

  That night I wait for Skylina, but she doesn’t show. My night is sleepless, and my cock is hard. All I can think of is her mouth and the way she sucks me, the sounds that co
me out of it when I fuck her hard and the feel of her lips on my mouth and tongue. When the sun comes up, I head for the library because they’ll be no studying in my own home for me. Everywhere I look reminds me of hot, hard sex and Skylina.

  A few days later, just about the time I think she’s gone forever, the buzzer rings and my gut clenches. Funny how one little sound can make my dick get hard.

  When she walks in the door, I don’t look at her, nor do I say a word. I know she will take a shower and brush her teeth, but I want to punish her for abandoning me. I’m pissed at her. My cock has missed her and it’s been hard for several days. Jacking off isn’t fun, knowing the relief will be short lived.

  She walks out of the bathroom and looks at me.

  “Come here, Skylina.”

  She hesitates, but then walks to where I’m seated. When she stands before me, I ask, “Where have you been?”

  “Around.”

  “That’s not good enough. Now answer me.”

  “I was busy and couldn’t come over.”

  “What was more important than us?”

  She looks down, unable to meet my gaze.

  “Skylina, look at me when I speak to you.” She won’t meet my eyes, so I reach out and pull her into my lap. Her naked body is almost more than I can endure, but I ask her again. “What’s more important than this?” And my mouth crushes hers. I take everything she gives back, until she’s breathless and pushes me away. My hand moves between her thighs and seeks out that place I know will make her come. “You’re soaked for me, Skylina.” I turn her in my lap, so her head rests on my knees and I spread her legs, exposing her smooth pussy awaiting my mouth. Sliding my hands under her ass, I lift her and say, “Put your legs on my shoulders.” My head dips and I swipe my tongue once, from her opening to her clit. She sucks in her breath. “Did you miss this?”

  “God, yes. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I tried to stay away, but I couldn’t.”

  “Why did you try to stay away?”

  “Because I’m … just because.”

  Giving her ass a firm squeeze, I say, “Tell me, Skylina. Why did you try to stay away?”

  “Because I’m not good enough for you, Ryder. I’m nothing,” she cries out. Her hands cover her face, as if she wants to hide from me.

  Grabbing her hands in one of mine, I pull them down and say, “No! That’s not true. You’re beautiful, Skylina. Don’t ever say that again.” Then my mouth finds what she needs, what she wants, and she cries out for something altogether different now. After she climaxes, I pull her into a sitting position and tell her to unzip my pants. She does and then manages to maneuver my stiff cock out of its prison. Her hand wraps around it and she does a slow pump. Damn, it feels good.

  “Turn around and ride me.”

  One thing I love about Skylina, she always does what I tell her. She turns and slides my dick into her wet pussy. Such nirvana. She has a nice tight pussy, and it feels so sweet when she comes all over me.

  “Lean forward.” I’m close to shooting off, but I want her to come, because I fucking love to feel her spasms rock my cock. She’s so damn wet, she’s getting my jeans damp too. I take my thumb and get it lubed up using her own juice and slide it into her ass.

  “Aaaaahhhhh!” she cries out. Her fingers dig into my thighs and she pants so loud it turns me on even move.

  Once I get past her tight opening, I move my thumb in and out a tiny bit and that makes her come. Fast. Always makes me wonder why women are so opposed to anal. Not Skylina. She’s coming all over the place.

  “Ohmigod!”

  When I feel her inner muscles tighten and clench my cock, that’s all I need to let loose. I thrust into her, hard and fast. And then I get mine. I grab her and pull her down on me, grinding into her as I shoot off. She whimpers as she leans back against my chest. My hand moves to her nipple and I tug on it until she moans. I want her to turn her head so I can kiss her. She does and our lips meet in a feverish exchange of tongues.

  “Go get in bed. I’ll be right there.” I watch her ass as she walks to the bedroom. She really does have a beautiful ass.

  I grab a piece of paper and an extra key. Then I scribble down my security code for the building and lay the note and key on her coat. Afterwards, I join her in the bed for some more fucking. The night is still young.

  Two days later, I’m headed to class when my phone rings.

  “Hey Case.”

  “I got some info on your girl.”

  “Shoot.”

  “Nope. I don’t work like that. When you free?”

  “I’m on my way to class. I’ll be done in about three hours.”

  “Fine. Meet me at Joe and Mo’s then.”

  “Cool. See you then.”

  Part Two

  ONE

  Ryder

  My Criminal Justice professor drones on and on about due process and I can’t keep my mind focused on his words. Class can’t end soon enough. My mind is not where it needs to be because I’m absorbed with what I’ll learn when I meet up with Case. The buzzer goes off and I all but sprint to Joe and Mo’s. When I spy him already seated, I can tell by the set of his mouth, he’s not happy. This isn’t good.

  “Hey,” I say, nudging his shoulder. “Coffee? Refill?”

  “Nah, I’m good.”

  “Be right back.” I pick up a coffee and join him.

  He has a file in his hand and slides it across the table to me. The file is labeled, “Skylina Mara O’Donnell.”

  Hmm. Didn’t know her middle name. I open the file and see her date of birth as October 14. Born New York, NY. Lenox Hill Hospital. Parents: Michael Brian O’Donnell and Mary Elizabeth O’Donnell. Blah, Blah, Blah.

  I look up to see Case’s eyes trained on me.

  “What?”

  “Go on. Keep reading.”

  “Why don’t you just tell me? I get the feeling I’m not going to be pleased about any of this.”

  “If you want it that way. Skylina is an only child. Her dad was a stockbroker, mom a pharmacist. Everything was great. Until.”

  “There’s always an ‘until’ isn’t there?”

  “Usually. Anyway, the mom started stealing drugs from the hospital she worked for and got caught. Went to prison. The marriage ended. Skylina lived with the dad for a while but when the mom was released, he sent her back. Apparently, he got remarried and the new wife was young. It says she didn’t want a daughter around. Who knows? So Skylina goes home to a drug-addicted mom who can’t find a job because she’s an ex-con who lost her license to practice pharmacy. She’s now doing street drugs because we all know the prison system feeds those addictions. She’s also a hooker, feeding her drug habit. We’re not a hundred percent on this part, but we think mommy dearest pushed daughter into hooking for her. There’s a bit of a disconnect here. But jumping ahead a few years, when she’s eighteen, she goes to work for Exotique-A. Ever hear of it?”

  “Nope.” By now I’m getting antsy as hell.

  “It’s a strip club. Owned by a guy named J.D. Rowe. J.D. also has an escort service, a.k.a. a prostitution business, on the side. Skylina is a hooker for him. But she’s one of his ‘special’ girls.” He curls his fingers when he says special. “Meaning she only gets the richest most elite clients. She has a list of restrictions, or hard limits, that her clients have to abide by.”

  “Restrictions?”

  “Yeah. No intercourse. No blow jobs without the use of condoms. No kissing. Things like that. Oh, and

  Skylina, or Lena as she’s known professionally, is closed for new clients. In other words, she’s got her list of regulars and doesn’t take anyone new.”

  “A fucking prostitute? She’s a fucking hooker?” I’m incredulous and sick at the same time.

  “Pretty much in a nutshell. Yep.”

  “Fuck! I knew there was something, but this? Goddammit!”

  “Look man, I’m sorry. Looks like you were feeling something for her.”

  “Uh, ye
ah. That and she has a key to my place. Why the hell did I jump the gun on that? I should’ve waited to give her the damn thing until you came back with your information on her. Damn it!” I slam my hand on the table in frustration.

  “Ryder. In all of this, we really couldn’t find anything bad about her.”

  I laugh. Derisively. “Oh, and being a prostitute is good?”

  “No, but being a drug addict isn’t either. People have all sorts of reasons for doing things. Don’t discount hers. Sounds like that mother of hers is a piece of work. And her father. Sent her back there because the new young wife didn’t want a kid? Really? Wouldn’t that fuck any kid up?”

  Ignoring his analysis, I ask, “So where’s this Exotique-A?”

  “Not too far from here.” He gives me the address. I know exactly what I’m going to do. Lena is going to have a visitor.

  TWO

  Skylina

  Mom’s been as mean as an angry hornet. Every chance she gets, she tries to slap me or make some comment about how I’ll never amount to anything. Really Mom? Didn’t you kind of make sure of that when you forced me into hooking when I was sixteen? Jeez, the woman has serious issues. It never fails though. As many times as I’ve heard her say those ugly things to me, they always sting when I hear them. She’s cracked my heart so many times I’m surprised it’s still intact. There should be little pieces of it all over the place by now.

  My nerves are all jangled up by the time my hand presses the bell. When the buzzer makes that loud sound, my anxiety claws through me even more. This is going to be awful. My hand is fisted and getting ready to knock when the door opens and there stands Marianna.

  “Skylina. It’s so wonderful to see you, dear.” Her thin arms enfold me and for a small woman, her strength is astounding. She squeezes me and I suddenly find myself teary eyed. My mom used to hug me, all those years ago. Things were different then. The only times anyone’s hugged me since has been for sex. Other than Marianna. And it feels so good I have to rein my emotions in. Pull yourself together Sky, or she’s gonna think you’re a loony tune. I duck my head so my hair curtains my face, and quickly swipe my tears away.