My case is on the floor in his room. I get my washbag and go clean up ready for bed.
‘Do not put on any nightwear. I at least want to be able to have a quick grope and enjoy the feel of a warm naked female at the side of me.’
‘Okay,’ I manage between yawns.
The next morning I wake up and Gabe is sat up at the side of me reading.
‘Are you wide awake already?’
‘Yes, Stella,’ he sighs, ‘because when you’re tired you can’t half fucking snore.’
Chapter 9
I’ve an appointment to meet Toni, the current Manageress of The Rodeo at eleven. I take a yellow cab to Soho where the club is. The cab driver pulls up and nods towards a building with tinted windows and a small black square sign is fixed to the door saying The Rodeo in gold writing. The logo has two cowboy hat symbols where the letter o’s should be. I get out, pay the cab driver and walk over to the entrance, smoothing down my lemon wrap dress. Not long after I ring the buzzer, the door opens and I’m beckoned in.
Toni introduces herself, shaking my hand. I try not to get stabbed by her extremely long talons, painted in a rich shade of gold. She’s tall and leggy with dark skin, and her brown hair is pulled back in a tight long ponytail, which I figure is probably a fake hair piece. She looks like a wafer thin Beyonce and I’d half expect her to launch into Single Ladies, were it not for the ice-cold persona. I swear there’s an ice mist rising from her pores.
I breathe a sigh of relief when she gives me a wide smile, ‘Nice to meet you Stella, let me show you around.’
This club is so different from the London branch. Here it lives up to its name, with framed pictures in sepia tones of half naked males and females. They’re dressed in cowboy gear with strategically placed cowboy hats and lassos. Down in the dungeon there are saddles to sit on and an array of ropes and bits for between teeth, giving a double meaning for going for a ride. Throughout, the neutral and brown lends a more sophisticated accent, rather than the blunt red of the London branch. London needs a makeover, I think. It should be more like this. The tables and chairs in the bar area are a shiny walnut. My attention is caught by another room that says ‘By Appointment Only.’
‘What’s in there?’ I ask.
‘That’s the Sybian.’
I must look as blank as I feel.
‘The Sybian. It’s a sex machine.’
‘I still don’t understand.’
‘Hang on,’ Toni says and goes in her pocket, extracting a key.
She pushes the door open and lets me go in ahead of her. I have no words for what’s in the room. It looks like the headrest of a car, except that on the top of it is a vibrator.
‘This is the Sybian saddle,’ says Toni, who then goes into salesperson mode, ‘designed to give a woman more sexual sensation, it focuses on providing stimulation to your G-spot and can teach you to become multi-orgasmic.’
‘And do people use these a lot?’
‘There’s a wait list for it.’
‘You’re joking?’
‘Don’t knock what you’ve not tried.’ She winks at me and opens the door for us to leave.
I’m not a prude and own my own vibrator, but the thought of sharing a machine that other’s use is a bit much for me. I let Toni close the door.
‘So how long have you worked here?’ I ask her.
‘Come through to the bar and we’ll have a coffee,’ she says, ‘Then we can chat.’
Toni tells me that she’s twenty eight, a Business Graduate and got the post after visiting with a ‘gentleman friend,’ and seeing the post advertised. She’s worked at The Rodeo for two years.
‘I love it. It’s just so different. No two nights are the same. Are you thinking of getting involved?’
‘I don’t know. My stepfather advised I see what the business is about. I have to say I’m intrigued so here I am.’
‘Well, we should set up some times for you to visit. There’s the general paperwork, dealing with security etc and then if you come along in an evening you can see what happens at The Rodeo.’
‘That sounds great, I’d love that. The London one isn’t half as nice as this one here.’
‘There’s been talk of refurbishment.’ She jumps off her chair, ‘well, I’ll be in touch. Sorry to rush you, but I have another appointment at twelve.’
I get up, surprised to be dismissed.
‘Get used to the pace of New York, Stella,’ smiles Toni, ‘It moves so fast it can make you dizzy.’
I make the most of the afternoon shopping again. I visit Victoria’s Secrets and buy myself some pink underwear with black ribbons that make the sides of the bra and pants look tied together and a purple and black babydoll with matching pants and silk robe. Then I go and get my hair blow dried, before buying some new alluring purple glitter eyeshadow from Sephora.
I get made up and wait in the hotel room for Gabe to return, dressed in my baby doll. I pick up my kindle and read some of a well known racy romance to get me in the mood.
Gabe enters the room at six twenty-six and is entering me by six twenty-seven. Result. I come in minutes, wet and horny after my reading session.
‘You are a very naughty woman,’ Gabe narrows his eyes at me. ‘That is not K, you have led me astray.’
‘What’s K?’
He hands me a wrapped rectangular package. It’s heavy.
‘Please tell me this isn’t another dictionary.’
‘Open it.’
I tear off the paper and inside is a leather bound copy of the Kama Sutra.
‘Okay, there are one hundred sexual positions there to choose from. I chose K, but you can choose the positions. Sound fair?’
‘Very fair, Sir.’ I roll on to my front to read and my stomach growls. ‘Do you think you could order us some room service whilst I look?’
‘I am here to serve all appetites this evening.’ He leans over and bites the cheek of my ass.
‘Ow.’
‘Read,’ he says and goes to look at the menu.
I’m mopping up beef brisket gravy with a bread roll whilst still looking at the book. ‘Flipping heck Gabe, you have to be an acrobat for half of these.’
‘Oh, we’ll just have to do our best, have a practice. There must be some of the hundred we can do.’
‘Oh there is,’ I say. ‘Plenty.’
For position number one I choose the Rocking Horse. Gabe has to sit on the bed cross legged, leaning back to steady himself with his arms. I then position myself over him and lean down. We’re not very steady.
‘Floor, Stella. Gonna have to do this on the floor.’
One minute later …
‘Fuck Stella my knees are killing me, can we try something else?’
‘Get back on the bed Gabe,’ I demand.
He smiles and obliges.
‘Okay lie down, head against the pillow.’
I lay down with my head between his calves. This position is called the X-rated. I clasp hold of his calves with my arms while I straddle him. It’s difficult to keep him in me this way so I am careful to move very, very slowly up and down on his shaft. My legs rest over Gabe’s arms and his hands are very firmly on my ass, holding me and adjusting me onto his rod. The penetration is deep and exquisite. I feel in control even with his hands on my ass. As I feel him nearing I withdraw.
‘Don’t think so. Lots of positions left yet.’
He groans.
I sit on the edge of the work desk in the corner of the room and beckon him over with my finger.
‘I feel like a used sex toy.’
‘That’s just about exactly what you are, except I’ve not used you yet. Give me time.’
He pouts.
‘Okay,’ I lean back, ‘now.’
He enters me and I wrap my legs tightly around him in The Padlock. I hold on firmly to the edge of the desk as he kisses and bites my neck and thrusts deeply until he comes, taking me along with him.
‘Oh thank God, woman, I needed that
.’
‘Hey, we’re not done yet. Don’t bring me books with a hundred sex positions in, if you’re only good for three of them.’
He puts his hand on his stomach,‘But I’ve just eaten.’
I roll my eyes.
‘Okay, last one for now, Mr Full of Food. Back to the bed.’
‘Could you not have co-ordinated these a little better? I’m being manhandled everywhere.’
‘Quit complaining.’
I get him to lay back on the bed again and then I straddle him and lean back on my hands.
‘What a fantastic view,’ he says, nodding towards my B-cups which stick up like magnificent peaks in this position. This position also means he has easy access to my clit, which he immediately takes advantage of.
I move up and down on him and whilst I do, I’m brought to mind of the Sybian machine. I wonder if this is what it feels like? I move up and down whilst Gabe continues to caress me with his fingers and enter me with one alongside his shaft. My legs are aching with the position but it’s worth the discomfort, the build towards pleasure taking over. I have no idea what a G-spot is. I’ve heard of it but have no idea where to look for it, but this position gives me the most pleasurable sensations. As my climax comes closer I begin to rock myself harder and harder onto Gabe’s cock. I come in wave upon wave of satisfaction, but I don’t feel finished, so I carry on gliding up and down and sure enough I have a second climax just half a minute after the first.
‘Oh my God, oh my God.’
‘What was that?’
‘I multiple orgasmed.’ I laugh. ‘Gabe, that book is never leaving my sight.’
We sleep after that, curled together. Full of food and happily exhausted.
When I wake the next morning I wonder why my legs hurt so much and then I remember. Gabe climbs out of bed rubbing his knees. One of them has a friction burn. I walk over and poke him in it.
‘Ow, what was that for? It really hurts.’
‘What a baby,’ I laugh.
‘So where does Isabel live then?’
‘82nd Street on the Upper East Side. New York.’
‘That’s quite close to where my mother lives. What a small world.’
Gabe has hired a car and we drive through to the Upper East Side. We pull up near a grey painted townhouse. There are steps leading up to the front door. The house looks imposing with tall rectangular windows and a huge wooden arched doorway.
‘Wow,’ Gabe whistles, ‘The girl did good for herself.’
My phone rings. As Gabe begins to depart the car, I answer, annoyed that this call will cost me money.
‘Yes?’ I answer curtly.
‘Well Good Morning Miss Mulroney. It’s a beautiful day is it not?’
I freeze as I hear Arnie Gregory’s breath down the line.
‘It seems it wasn’t just my files I needed to warn you away from. There was quite an amusing happenstance this week, where my Personal Investigator ended up following yours.’
‘What do you want?’
‘Oh, just to wish you a pleasant reunion with your sister. I know you’re there now.’ I look around but can’t see anyone. My heart is beating heavily. ‘Enjoy, Stella.’
The line goes dead.
I’m unnerved. I need to see Isabel for information, but the fact she slept with Gabe is at forefront of my mind. She had him first. I’m now questioning whether this is a good idea. I get out of the car and run to catch up with Gabe who has just rung the doorbell. Too late to back out now.
‘Don’t you think we should have rung ahead?’ Gabe asks.
‘I didn’t want to give her the excuse to go out and avoid us. I preferred the element of surprise.’
Remind me never to say those words again.
The door opens and a young boy of around eight stands there. His eyes are pools of molten silver grey as they look at Gabe and myself.
I can barely speak and I can see the look of horror in Gabe’s own steely eyes.
I hear footsteps come running. ‘I’ve told you about answering the door without me Samuel Jacob.’
The woman stops abruptly when she sees us standing there. There’s no recognition of me, but she certainly notices Gabe.
‘Gabriel. What, what are you doing here?’
‘Is everything alright Issy?’ A petite woman with short blonde hair comes around the corner and I hear the words ‘Gabriel,’ come out of her mouth at the same time as the word ‘Mother,’ comes out of Gabe’s.
‘Oh dear,’ says my sister. ‘I think you’d better come in.’
L to R
THE ALPHABET GAME
PART THREE
L TO R
Chapter 1
As we walk into Isabel’s home, I feel like I’m following the Pied Piper into the river. Gabe looks like he’s been slapped in the face with a prize wet fish. I’m not sure how I feel. How many times can you experience shock before you’re immune and just numb?
I don’t take much notice of the interior of Isabel’s house until we reach the lounge which is strewn with the detritus of a child at play; Superhero figures and a play set are discarded in the middle of the floor.
Samuel looks at Gabe’s mother, ‘Auntie Maddie, you were playing WWE with me.’
‘Er, yes, but now we have visitors. So -’
‘Would you like to go on your X-box, Sam?’ cuts in Isabel.
‘Woah, yes, twice in one day,’ Sam runs off into another room.
Isabel beckons us to take a seat, her face has reddened slightly and she’s wringing her hands together.
‘How did you find me?’ she asks Gabe.
‘Private Investigator,’ I answer.
‘Look I don’t know who you are, but I was asking him.’ She snaps, clearly flustered.
‘I’m Stella, your father’s stepdaughter. Remember him?’
‘Well,’ Isabel holds a hand to her chest, ‘Isn’t this just a day full of surprises? The stepsister I never met.’ Dragging a hand through her hair, she walks over to a drinks cabinet, unlocks it and pours a whisky out, with shaking fingers. ‘Anyone else fancy a scotch? I sure could use one.’
‘Why not,’ I say. I look at Gabe who is yet to really speak. ‘Get one for him too.’
I take in Isabel. She’s medium height, tanned, with dark blonde hair, that hangs untamed to shoulder length. It has a kink in it like mine used to get when a ponytail band held it back.
‘Is he mine?’ asks Gabe, jaw clenched.
I notice Isabel spills a drop or two of the whisky she’s pouring. Her back is held taut with tension, as if it pains her to breathe and I wonder if she’s pretending to have not heard the question.
Gabe’s mother looks at him. Her lip trembles as she says, ‘Yes Gabe, he is, but you were never supposed to find out.’
Gabe smashes his first into the arm of the sofa. Isabel flinches. She still hasn’t turned around.
‘Never supposed to find out I have a son?’ he spits. He stands up, shaking his head, whilst a disbelieving laugh exits his mouth. His top lip twists up in a sneer, ‘My own mother, one of the only people I have trusted my entire life, decided to keep the fact I have a son secret from me. Way to go Mother.’ He walks up to Isabel and snatches one of the drinks from the sideboard in front of her. ‘Cat got your tongue Issy? Feel free to join in at any time.’ His voice is like a distant rumble of thunder and I wait for the rest of the lightening that will bring this storm closer.
His mother interrupts,‘We agreed it was for the best. You were young Gabriel. Issy wanted to do it alone, but she confided in me and I helped her. She moved closer so I could be a support.’
‘I don’t fucking believe this.’ Gabe throws himself hard back into his seat on the sofa and places his head in his hands.
Isabel finally turns around from facing the drinks cabinet, her face eerily calm. ‘Don’t blame your mother Gabe, I’m the one who didn’t want you involved; you’d already tried to rescue me once and look where that got us.’
Gab
e’s head whips up, ‘But he’s MY son.’
She looks away, it’s like the sight of Gabe hurts her eyes.
She inhales and begins to speak. ‘Sam has a father. My husband. He calls him Dad. I don’t want anything upsetting that. He’s loved. His life is calm and ordered. Everything my own was not,’ her hands twist around the glass, ‘and I will keep it that way, for him.’
The sneer returns,‘Well maybe you should have thought of that before you went running to my mother.’
Isabel sits down on the couch at the side of Maddie, facing us. She looks Gabe clearly in the eyes this time.‘Actually I went to your mother to ask how she coped with being married to that Bastard. The one who took advantage of me. I hadn’t meant to tell her I was pregnant, but she was so lovely, I just broke down. She’s been amazing to me. The mother I’d have loved to have. Just remember that when you’re being pissy with her.’
Gabe looks like he’s going to fire poison darts out of his eyes at her, but he closes his mouth firmly and grinds his teeth.
She changes her gaze over to myself. ‘So, Stella, how’s my lovely father?’
‘Well I don’t know what your last opinion of him was Isabel -.’
‘Issy. Please.’
‘- but last I saw he was still the fucktard I’ve always thought he was.’
She folds her arms across her chest. ‘Oh dear. I thought he was happy with your mother. He certainly never should have married mine, he never loved her. That’s why he resented me, I came along to force his hand.’
‘He’s up for Father of the Year Award, alongside Arnie Gregory.’ I tell her.
Issy smiles.
‘He’s a control freak with my mother,’ I think about her being thrashed and try to shake the thought off. ‘He’s never wanted me around, so I guess that gives us a lot in common.’
Issy looks quickly at Gabe. ‘Yes we do seem to have a lot in common. Are you -?’
‘Yes we’re together,’ interrupts Gabe. Though with how he’s seated next to me, right at the opposite end of the sofa, you’d think we were at relationship counselling.
The Alphabet Game the Complete Alpha Series a to X, Y, Z Page 14
