Dark Alley: The Complete First Season (Dark Alley Seasons Book 1)

by D. S. Wrights

  “I must have made a wrong turn,” she said, trying to pull her look up from the ground, back to his pleasing face.

  Feeling a bit self-conscious, Alice hugged herself and ended up gently squeezing the envelope to her chest. Alice made another mental note – a real one this time – to check if the papers were creased, so she could exchange them if she needed to.

  “I haven’t seen you around here before,” he mused, looking at her with real interest, and Alice felt her heart speed up just a little.

  “Obviously, I’m not really familiar around here,” she smiled, almost shyly.

  Alice would never be able to tell him what had brought her here until she noticed that he was holding his hands behind his back. Inadvertently, she craned her neck, which he noticed with a charming chuckle. Now it was his gaze that fell to the ground as he revealed what he had hidden. An envelope of the very same kind as Alice’s own. Her jaw dropped.

  “Oh.” Was all she was able to produce and he chuckled again.

  “Well, this is awkward,” he said and chuckled once more. “Is this a transgression?” He quoted and Alice smiled crookedly.

  “I think, since we’re on the other side of that gate and we didn’t willingly tear each other’s masks off, we’re safe,” Alice answered, making a step towards him, leaning as if to share a secret. “But we probably shouldn’t tell anyone,” she whispered before straightening up again.

  “You’re probably right,” he nodded, playing serious with a furrowed brow.

  He then leaned towards her and softly said, “So would it be safe to ask you for your name?”

  He was close enough now for her to inhale his aftershave. He smelled like the ocean. Alice restrained herself from breathing in too deeply, otherwise she might feel dizzy afterwards, and it was already enough to be blushing.

  Did she really want to get to know him?

  Her eyes moved back to the large envelope in his hands. He was applying for a membership, just like she was. Could she really handle the idea? Then again, it was just a name, but the way he looked at her, Alice knew the next question would be for her phone number.

  Was he really interested in her? Or did he think, because they both wanted to join Dark Alley, that she would be his booty call?

  “You always meet twice, Poseidon,” she smirked at him, pointing at the envelope. “Then, I’ll give you my name, and maybe even my number.” She winked at him.

  “Poseidon?” He repeated, cocking one brow in amusement, and Alice felt her cheeks heat up even worse than before.

  She had said it... out loud.

  “Bad habit, sorry.” She grinned at him sheepishly.

  “Giving nicknames?” he mused. “I like this one.”

  For a second, it felt as if her heart came to a full stop. Why did she have the feeling that, if this name was free, he would choose it for himself in the Dark Alley?

  He looked at her as if he was hoping that she would at least give him the name she would choose for herself, but she had no idea. Or maybe he was trying to figure out how to name her.

  “Well, I hope we’ll meet again, then,” he said, giving her a warm smile and holding out a hand for her to shake. “Outside of…”

  Alice took his hand and shook it once, firmly, smiling mischievously as she answered. “Or maybe inside.”

  This place was already changing her.

  She left him standing right there where he was, and walked away with the same light step she had yesterday.

  Poseidon.

  ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦

  Alice barely recalled how she managed to kill the time until 10 pm, but as she looked around her apartment, she had been pretty busy. The laundry that had been laying around far too long had been cleaned and put away; the bathroom and the kitchen were tidy.

  When she finally stepped through her door into the corridor and looked back once more, she had to grin. Her new acquaintance was only a small reason for this facial expression.

  If she was really doing this and applied for a membership, she probably would finally have a reason to be as tidy as her mother told her to be, just to pass the daylight hours.

  Earlier that day the walk to the metro and the ride on it didn’t feel as long as the first time. Alice knew why: she continually relived every detail of the night before. It made her smile without even realizing it.

  She only noticed it when she looked at her reflection in the window. That was the moment she knew she was all in. When she brushed all social obstacles aside, it made her feel good, desired, and satisfied.

  Alice exhaled with relief before she got up and out of the subway car and walked to the stairs and out of the underground station. She held the envelope just like before, only now her step was more energetic.

  It was fun to muse who had invited her. Alice didn’t want to wonder if it was anyone she had met on her night out with the girls, which ended up to be her night out having fun, meeting new people.

  She had Jeff’s number, and found out that his little brother’s name was Ben. But Alice was pretty damn sure that it had been Mr. Scotch who sent her the invitation. She just wasn’t sure if it had been him in the alley.

  Just thinking about it made her heart speed up a little. She definitely would hand in the envelope, applying for a basic membership, which was free for both sexes.

  It was definitely the upgrades that paid for the alley and the space the club resided.

  Alice had seen the fees.

  However, she could imagine that if she had the money to spend, she would also like to request certain members as partners and a private room now and then, including catering and toys. Knowing that such a club existed made dirty thoughts easier.

  When she crossed the street this time, Alice neither hesitated, nor took the time to take a look at the gate. She knew where she was headed, and she was ready.

  Elm Street wasn’t busy at all on a Sunday night, and Alice wondered if the club was busy or not, if she could take a look inside, or if she had to wait until she sent the medical files they required for membership.

  The gate opened easily and silently. Alice closed it behind her and made her way towards the doorman, curious if it was Big Guy again. It was.

  She couldn’t help but approach him with a broad smile, giving him a slight nod.

  “Good evening,” she said, softly.

  “Good evening, Miss,” he answered in the same friendly, but rumbly voice. “Welcome to the Dark Alley.” His eyes instantly landed on the envelope in her hands.

  Alice didn’t see any use in saying anything as she handed over the signed contract. Big Guy took it, but didn’t look inside, just moved his black light flare over the paper to see the same mark that had been on her card.

  “We’re pleased to see you return,” he stated eventually, and the envelope vanished from his hands.

  She had no clue where it went.

  “Are you here to stay?” he asked.

  Alice was struck by surprise. For whatever reason, she didn’t expect to be allowed to stay over until her membership was already accepted. Big Guy obviously had read her mind again. “Your membership is pending, not non-existent,” he explained. “Especially if a long-term high-valued member would like to meet you again.”

  “King of Diamonds?” She guessed blindly, remembering the doorman had mentioned such a name and the highest membership status was diamond.

  It made sense. She could picture Mr. Scotch picking such a name for himself, even though he hadn’t looked like the billionaire type.

  The doorman raised his eyebrows in return.

  “You are very observant, Miss,” he replied, not answering her guess, but for Alice it was just the same as saying ‘yes’.

  “I can provide you with a plain mask, which I can store for you here.” Big Guy continued as if she hadn’t said anything. “You are allowed to choose a mask from our catalogue. It will be waiting for you three days after ordering.”

  Alice tilted her head slightly, but the puzzleme
nt was obviously written all over her face.

  “We try to avoid confusion through similar masks, which is why every member has a plain mask for being anonymous and an individual mask if he or she wishes to be recognized,” the doorman explained patiently; Alice remembered reading something like that in the brochure. “I will send the catalogue to your email-account, but please make sure it does not fall into the wrong hands.”

  “Of course.” Alice nodded.

  “So, would you like to stay?” Big guy repeated his question and Alice had to think about it.

  She wasn’t prepared, wearing something simple as a pair of blue jeans, a Bordeaux-colored blouse and sneakers.

  Wasn’t the Dark Alley exactly for this?

  There was a certain dress code and she still did fit in perfectly, so why was she even thinking twice?

  “Yes,” she answered with a nod. “I’d very much like to stay over.”

  Big Guy nodded, turned around and returned with a velvet tray on which lay three black masks of different sizes. All of them were covering the area around the eyes, as well as the nose and the cheekbones. They reminded Alice of The Phantom of the Opera.

  “Please make sure that it fits properly, so that you won’t have any discomfort wearing it.”

  Alice nodded again and tried on the one that appeared right to her, only to take the one next to it, which was slightly smaller. That one was a perfect fit. She pulled at the ribbon and placed it at the back of her head.

  “This is the one,” she proclaimed.

  “Very well,” the doorman smiled, friendly, and turned away to put the remaining masks away. “Please, let me know what you are interested in today, and I’ll have you set up with the right candidate,” he requested as he faced her again, this time with his tablet in hand.

  Alice had no idea what to ask for.

  Now she could imagine the convenience in requesting a certain member.

  “The same as last time?” she asked carefully.

  Big Guy only nodded and started typing quickly. She obviously wasn’t the only one with a good memory.

  “Have you already thought of a name for yourself, Miss?” he inquired.

  Again, Alice couldn’t answer instantly. She had thought about names for herself, but hadn’t come up with anything. She didn’t want to call herself after a hand of cards or a Greek goddess, either. So she kept thinking and thinking, distorting her mouth in the process like she always did, and then it suddenly came to her.

  “Deadly nightshade,” she said to herself. “I mean Belladonna,” she said a little louder, “and I would like to have a dark mask with those blossoms on it. Would that be possible?”

  Alice hoped that someone hadn't already claimed that name. But Big Guy nodded and started typing again. His fingers quickly glided across the smooth surface with a speed that didn't surprise her.

  “Very well, Miss Belladonna,” he spoke to her again, and looked at her; hearing her codename for the first time shuddered goose bumps across her skin.

  “Your alley is the second on the left.” He continued, inquiring. “Do you remember the safe words?”

  “Yes,” Alice nodded, feeling giddy all of a sudden. “Red is ‘Stop’, yellow is ‘Caution’.”

  “Your date will join you shortly, watch your step and enjoy your stay,” he said his usual lines.

  Alice smiled at him, before she turned to walk down the alley for a second time.

  Second on the left. A sense of delight caught possession of her. If she ever got the chance, she would tell him thanks, in a very special way.

  Alice got to her alley easier than the first time around, even though she hadn’t her light to shine the way. Maybe it was because she was able to imagine her path.

  The same nervousness that tingled her skin the first time around came back even stronger. Why, exactly, she couldn’t tell. It probably was because she was not prepared this time. For whatever reason, she wanted to kiss. A part of her was annoyed with herself for not thinking of it earlier. Then again, maybe it was for the best. If those kisses weren’t good, it could ruin everything. Maybe that’s what the rule was for.

  Alice leaned against the back wall facing the entrance, waiting for her partner to enter just like she had done before. Maybe that was the reason why she jumped when suddenly somebody appeared next to her. He obviously had come from the club, which she hadn’t seen yet.

  He instantly began to invade her space and smelled of musk and heavy notes that somehow seemed to make her dizzy. Her stranger was barely taller than her, but broad and muscled.

  “I didn’t have you before,” he stated, his voice thick with lust, instantly infecting her. “I like women who don’t have the need to be persuaded.”

  That was pretty much what she had ordered.

  His hands framed her face beneath her mask and slid over her throat to her collarbones, across her breasts, down her stomach, to her hips. He grunted as he reached her jeans, but quickly started to undo them, like there was no time to waste.

  “You’ve got a perfect body,” he said in a husky voice as he pulled her jeans down her buns to over her knees. “I can’t wait to feel you from the inside.”

  Alice could hear NineInchNails’ Closer in her head.

  Just when her abdomen was bare, he turned her around, kneading both of her ass cheeks. Her palms slapped to the wall, barely managing to avoid her face connecting with it.

  “Oh, you’re a real woman,” he murmured, and she could hear his arousal in his voice.

  Obviously, he liked her full form, even though she always thought that she had too much fat on her hips. Just when she felt seductive, his hands abandoned her, but returned a moment later, when she could hear him unwrap a sheath and handle it.

  Alice felt hot and full of need, without having any idea how she ended up aroused so quickly. She pressed her hands against the wall and arched her back, waiting impatiently for him to enter her.

  When his hands returned to her hips, a moan escaped her throat, merging with his groan as he realized that she was ready for him.

  “Are you wet for me?” he whispered hoarsely, and she could feel his fingers searching for her core, quickly sliding into her folds, making her gasp.

  Alice could feel him explore her entrance with his cock, lifting up her butt to meet him.

  When he found her, he slid in easily, filling her up just enough to make her pant. He wasn’t as big as she wanted, but large enough to give her the satisfaction she needed, if he knew how to handle himself.

  “You’re perfect,” he whispered, pushing himself deeper inside her, pushing against her so that she had difficulty meeting him. “Tell me your name,” he demanded.

  “I don’t have one yet,” Alice lied, standing her ground as he started to move.

  He knew what he was doing, yet Alice believed she deserved to be picky. This man was good, but not large enough, she decided. Her thoughts vanished into thin air when he started moving with a quicker and harder pace. This stranger knew what he could do with the tools he was given, but then again, these were the perks of Dark Alley – there were enough for Alice to choose from.

  Dark Alley:

  Club

  Dark Alley Ep. 2

  D. S. Wrights

  Six

  Alice had been waiting for five days straight. Not going to the Dark Alley on weekdays was something she had promised to herself, although she couldn’t really say why exactly.

  No one would be able to mark her as desperate. That was one of the very best things about the club - the anonymity. Still, she was nervous about going there during the week.

  Especially after the little package that she had found waiting on her doorstep. Her heart hadn’t beat that wildly just because of a little box since she was a child, and she disciplined herself by opening it slowly, cutting through the cord with a pair of scissors and unwrapping it carefully, folding the paper together neatly, before opening the box.

  There had been a smaller box inside,
its black surface shimmering. She slowly removed it from the larger cardboard box, forcing herself to first put the waste paper away before looking inside.

  Alice held her breath, and had done so every time she opened each box, pulling off the cover to look at her personal mask for the very first time.

  It was just as she had imagined it.

  The mask itself was such a dark blue that it almost looked like black, especially because of the lilac and star-shaped blossoms on either side of the cheeks.

  Alice had been staring at it each evening when she couldn’t distract herself with chores, or none of her friends had time for a chat. She had even worked late, hoping that it would exhaust her enough that she wouldn’t want to go, but nothing helped.

  Now it was Friday evening and her boss had sent her home early so that she wouldn’t have too many overtime hours. Alice was sitting at her kitchen table, gently holding her mask in both hands. She hadn’t tried it on yet, and somehow she felt freaked out by the idea of looking at herself with her mask on. It was odd, and she couldn’t explain her trepidation.

  That was why Alice had already decided to leave her mask at the entrance of the Dark Alley once she had gotten there this week. Not only because she didn’t want to be tempted by it, but she was afraid that one day someone might find it in her apartment because she hadn’t been careful enough. There was no way of explaining the mask to her family or Bianca without making something up. She didn’t want to lie to them, and she didn’t want them to accidentally discover it.

  Not telling her best friend about the Dark Alley was already hard enough. Lying straight to her face was not an option. Just staring at the mask brought back memories of her first encounter, which had been adventurous and lascivious, and her second which had been more rational and calculating.

  If she had a chance to decide, she wouldn’t meet the second guy again. The first one, however, definitely was in for a rerun. If she had only asked for his name – his code name, of course, she didn’t want to break the rules – it would have told her more about him. Alice was sure of it.