Operation: Stripped & Stranded

by E Kay Sims

  Aussie pride. It was sad, actually. I always liked how Americans were so proud of the place they called home.

  I got caught up in the song for a while. When it came to a close, I glanced across again, but she was gone. The one real woman in this place, the one I would have bothered to give the time of day to and she had slipped through my fingers.

  But who was I kidding? I wasn’t Mr. Alpha Army Dude who went after what he wanted like a bulldog with a hankering for his best-loved bone. I wasn’t like Eric in any way. I couldn’t pick up a chick for the life of me. What the heck would I say to her? I could imagine it now. Hello… Nothing. Zilch. Nada. Then my brain would go into a frenzy trying to think up something to talk to her about, thus creating an extended and totally uncomfortable silence, and she’d walk away thinking I was a fucking weirdo or something.

  My heart began to pound in my chest. Fuck you, anxiety. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. I wouldn’t let it control me.

  As I made my way past the Bellagio’s fountain, I realised I hadn’t even paid attention to the show. No bucket list tick for me. I was totally coming back for this. Right now, though, I needed a drink. There were a million bars to choose from in this town from dives, to classy joints like Double Helix, to places filled with debauchery. All I had to do was pick my poison.

  PIPER

  Had I just walked off in the middle of the Star Spangled Banner? Fuck, I felt so disrespectful. But after what had happened to me tonight, after I was disrespected in such a way, I didn’t much care. I wasn’t sure why I was so rattled. I’d dealt with far worse than that suit in the past, so why should I let him get to me? He didn’t have power over me. No guy did. No guy ever would. Dancing and entertaining did not entitle a man to have power over me or any other stripper anywhere in the world. Fuck that guy.

  I shook myself off and straightened up. Lifting my head high, I smiled and put a bounce in my step. I walked all the way home like that. I lived in an apartment complex not far from the Strip in a small, one-bedroom apartment with a tiny kitchen and a mediocre oven—torture for a wannabe chef. I wasn’t going to be there forever. Once I cemented myself in one of Vegas’ high-end restaurants, I’d be able to buy myself my dream house. One day, I would own one of those fancy places out in the estates that had a huge kitchen with a double oven, six gas burners, room enough for a giant pantry and refrigerator, and bench space for miles. Then I could invite all the girls around for the best weekend lunches they would ever eat in their lives, and we could drink and party and swim in the magnificent swimming pool in my yard. No assholes allowed.

  I trudged up the steps to my door and let myself inside. I scooted past my purple, three-seater couch, dumping my bag onto it as I stepped out of my shoes and went into my tiny kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, I pulled out a tomato, a block of Parmesan, and a red onion. Then, from the pantry, I collected flat pieces of the French bread I’d cut up and grilled with garlic and the jar of my homemade tomato paste. Setting three of the bread pieces out on an oven tray lined with baking paper, I spread some of the paste onto them. Then I diced the tomato and onion and carefully set them on top of the pieces. I added the Parmesan as well as a few leaves of fresh oregano and basil to each piece and set them into the oven to cook.

  As I cleaned up, the smell of the bruschetta began to make my mouth water. I pulled them from the oven no more than six minutes later. After setting them on a white plate and drizzling them with the finest olive oil I could find in Vegas, I poured myself a glass of Raffaldini Vermentino and went to my small, white, two-seater dining table. I released a sigh of contentment as I bit into the first piece. It was amazing.

  I was interrupted by an alert on my phone. Opening the message, I saw it was from Tracy, one of my fellow shitkickers at Delmonico.

  How about this one?

  I scowled at the photograph of some random guy she’d just sent me and proceeded to roll my eyes. Tracy was a nice enough person, but she couldn’t quite deal with the fact that I didn’t feel the need to be with a dude. She was the kind of woman who couldn’t handle not having a boyfriend. When one relationship ended, she wasted no time in seeking out a new one. She couldn’t grasp the concept of female independence, and that irked me. I never wanted to be the woman who relied on a guy for my happiness, or anything else in my life. It was important to me to earn my own way, to say that I was successful to my own merit. I had bought my furniture, my own beautiful Honda Civic. I would become a top chef and I would buy my dream house.

  I looked at the guy in the photo again. He was attractive and all in a dorky kind of way. A little too lanky for my tastes, but looks weren’t everything. I knew that. I simply wasn’t interested.

  Another message from Tracy popped up. Well?

  I decided to mess with her.

  Are you asking if I approve of you going on a date with him?

  Her reply came instantly. Nooooo! I’m asking if you will!

  You already know my stance on this. I’m too busy to get involved with anyone.

  Maybe if you got involved with someone, you wouldn’t be nearly a busy, because you’d have someone to help you and take care of you.

  I gritted my teeth, biting back my anger. I can take care of myself, thank you very much. And you could, too, if you tried.

  This isn’t about me. Tracy responded.

  It’s late. I’m tired. Goodnight.

  Don’t be mad!

  Goodnight, Tracy!

  I switched the screen off and tossed the phone onto the couch. I drained my wine glass and carried the dishes to the sink. My dream home will also have a dishwasher, I vowed. I made my way to the bathroom and shed my clothing. I spotted some dark marks on my neck and shuddered. Jesus, the asshole had left his mark on me. I was going to have to get creative with my wardrobe tomorrow.

  I showered quickly, scrubbing off the grime of the kitchen and the worries of the night, then sank, naked, into my queen-sized bed. I loved sleeping naked; I loved the feel of the soft sheets against my skin. I tried to block out the image of the asshole as I fell into a dreamless slumber and told myself that tomorrow would be much better.

  ERIC

  W

  hen she asked, “Your place or mine?” I felt myself harden instantly. For a second all I could do was stare back at her as a million thoughts raced through my mind. It was the strangest thing. I felt like I’d known her forever. It was like fate or lady luck or destiny had suddenly decided to open up the universe and bless me with a gift by sending me in the path of a goddess. I remembered asking myself, Is this real?

  “Uh,” I said, like a complete idiot before I recovered enough to continue, “I have a roommate, and I’m not sure when he’ll be back. Should we go to your place?” I watched her face closely, trying to read her.

  “Okay. We’re on the same floor, actually. I’m at the other end of the hall, though.” She sounded nervous.

  I took her hand where it rested on the table and helped her stand at the same time I came to my feet. She glanced at me shyly but didn’t pull away. My heart had started pounding in my chest, and my dick was uncomfortably pressing against the zipper of my tight jeans. Shit! How was I going to hide it? Not bragging but I’m not average-sized. I stood facing the table and grabbed my unfinished water and downed it, then the rest of my beer all while picturing unpleasant scenes in my mind’s eye. God only knows I’ve got plenty to draw from. It helped. Still holding her hand, I led her from the lounge. We meandered our way through the shops; I didn’t want to rush, I wanted to savor the anticipation.

  As we walked along, I started to notice she had a barely perceptible limp. I didn’t say anything; I didn’t want to ruin the moment. She held my hand comfortably as if we weren’t strangers. I’d never experienced an immediate connection with someone like I felt with EZee. Her nickname suited her personality. She was easy to be around, and our conversation was effortless and without the self-consciousness that I usually felt when on a first date. First date? Hell,
this wasn’t even a date but it had sort of turned into one.

  As we neared the elevators, I couldn’t help my growing attraction to her and I’d started to visualize her naked. Fuck! That’s all it took and I was rock hard again. I slowed down my breath and heart rate, but it took some effort. No one else was on the elevator when the doors parted for us. I went slightly ahead of her, automatically scanning for threats before I caught myself doing it. I’d been stateside for two weeks, and I was still on high alert, soldier mode. Deep breaths, take deep breaths, I reminded myself. She didn’t seem to notice, or if she did, she didn’t mention it.

  I leaned back against the far wall of the elevator when the doors closed and pulled her into my arms. She didn’t resist. My hands moved to the small of her back and then circled her narrow waist. She was tall for a girl, maybe five-foot-nine but I was still much taller. She had to tilt her head back to gaze up at me with those incredible eyes. They weren’t quite green but had brown flecks around the pupils. I was a goner. I pulled her tighter, and there was no hiding my erection as it made itself known, twitching against her belly. She blinked up at me and bit her lower lip between her perfect white teeth. My dick twitched again, and she let her body melt against me. Without any thought or effort on my part, I found my lips on hers as a jolt surged between us. I kissed her passionately, hungrily, as I devoured her mouth, my hands slid to her ass of their own accord. Her ass was tight, firm, and filled my hands perfectly. I pressed her hips into mine and pulled her up on her toes so I could press the head of my dick at her entrance. She moaned into my mouth, and the next moment the elevator doors opened on our floor, startling us both.

  We were breathing hard, and I had to steady her when she tried to step back from me to exit the elevator. I put my arm around her and she led us down the wide corridor in the opposite direction of the suite I shared with Gil. Her room was identical to ours I noticed when she opened the door, exact same floor plan. She ushered me in and shut the door, activating the deadbolt. She flipped a switch that controlled a lamp on an end table near the sectional in the living room, which cast a dim light over the room.

  “Here we are.” Her voice was breathless, and I noticed a little shudder go through her as she set her purse on the table in the wide foyer. “Do you want a drink, I have bottled water?”

  “Sure,” I responded, giving her a moment to pull herself together. She suddenly seemed nervous and more than a little flustered. I understood, I felt the same.

  She walked over to the minibar with the mini fridge and leaned down to open it. My eyes strayed to her sweet ass and my cock felt ready to explode. Fuck! If I wasn’t careful, I was going to embarrass myself.

  I pulled out my phone and shot Gil a text. Don’t wait up.

  Gil’s text came in shortly. Don’t worry about me, Thornsen. Have the time of your life. ;)

  I guess you get the bed tonight, bro. I shot back quickly.

  I may or may not get there. I’m enjoying all these bars.

  Good night.

  Sleep tight… or not. ;) ;)

  I put my phone back into my pocket as EZee handed me the bottled water. “Thanks,” I said, and took it from her. “Had to let my roommate know I would be late, or he’d worry.”

  “Oh, you must be close, then?” She looked up at me, standing about a foot away.

  “Yes, we are. Since high school. Tomorrow is his birthday, that’s why we’re here.”

  “I don’t want to take you away from the festivities––”

  “You’re not,” I interrupted. I took a sip of the water and set it down next to her purse on the table.

  “I’m sorry, where are my manners? Come in.” She waved her hand toward the sunken living room.

  I followed her to the large charcoal sectional and sat down beside her, sinking into the plush cushions. She gazed at me for a moment and then turned away putting her hands in her lap. I sensed her increased nervousness. “Look, we don’t have to do anything. I really enjoyed dinner with you tonight. You’re great; I like talking to you. But if you want me to go, I will,” I said, trying to put her at ease.

  Her eyes swung back to mine as she shook her head. “No, no, that’s not it at all.” She paused, then gently rested her hand on my knee right beside hers. “I had a really good time, thank you. Thank you for dinner. It’s just,” she paused again, “I uh, I never do this––have never done this and it’s been a really, really long time since I, uh, well, uh, since I’ve dated,” she finished.

  I let my hand cover her smaller one. “I understand. It’s been a while for me too. I just got back from a three-month deployment in Afghanistan.

  “I thought you looked military.”

  “Oh yeah, what gave it away?

  “The hair, your posture, the way you carry yourself.” She laughed, and I loved the way her eyes twinkled. She was beautiful anyway but when she smiled, she was drop-dead gorgeous! My heart thumped loudly in my chest. “I bet you’re something in uniform, mister badass.” Her hand found its way to my chest when she turned toward me.

  My pecs tightened and my nipples hardened at her touch. I leaned in and brought my free hand up to cup the back of her head. I drew her closer until our lips were an inch apart. “I’m going to kiss you now, EZee.” She sucked in her breath. “Do you have a problem with that?”

  She shook her head, and that was all I needed. At first, she was startled when my lips touched hers—there was that intense jolt again between us, an instant fire. I knew it would be like that, just like in the elevator. I let my tongue explore her parted lips and then slowly penetrated her mouth. She let out a sigh of content as her body relaxed. She tasted sweet like strawberries mixed with the wine she’d had at dinner. Her tongue touched mine tentatively at first, but as the fire once again raged between us, her arms came up to circle my neck, and she became more aggressive when I eased her down on the couch. My hand gripped her hip, squeezing lightly before I slid my fingers under her ass and pulled her underneath me. I wedged my leg between her thighs and she moaned softly into my mouth. Hungrily, I pressed my raging erection against her pubic bone, then adjusted my hips so I pressed against her entrance and she wiggled her hips beneath me.

  We found a rhythm that had us both panting and needing more. Suddenly I pulled her up and onto my lap to straddle me. She laughed with surprise but soon our lips once again fused together. My hands found her ample breasts through her thin shirt, and she began to mewl like a kitten when I tweaked both her nipples through the soft material of her shirt and bra.

  “Ummm,” she moaned as I massaged and cupped her breasts, kissing her deeply. “Please,” she begged in a whisper, drunk with her desire.

  “Please, what?” I asked, nearly out of control. “Tell me what you want, EZee.”

  “I want you,” she responded.

  “Tell me how you want me,” I demanded as I pulled her shirt up over her head then tossed it to the floor. “You want me to fuck you right here on the couch?” My hands went to the front closure of her black, lacy bra.

  Her hands gripped my forearms as her thighs tightened around mine. “In the bed.” She gazed into my eyes. Hers were luminous in the dim lamplight as she tilted her head toward the massive king-sized bed on the other side of the half wall that divided the sleeping area from the living room.

  I didn’t waste any time. I slid my hands to her ass and effortlessly stood up with her wrapped around me. Another gasp escaped her lips and I quickly carried her up the two steps and over to the bed where we fell unceremoniously in a tangled heap of passion. My hands found her bra and before I could stop myself, I had ripped it off her in a frenzy of lust and sucked one perfect taut nipple into my mouth as my fingers found and tweaked the other between my thumb and forefinger. Her hands were pulling at my clothing unsuccessfully, so I stopped long enough to pull my shirt off, coming up onto my knees between her thighs. We both froze for a moment, taking each other in. She looked fragile lying there on the bed, half-clothed, her dark hair fanned
out against the light colored comforter. The seconds ticked by as I watched her magnificent breasts rise and fall with her breath.

  “I want you.” My voice had become a low growl.

  I watched as she licked her lips and then reached a hand up to caress the snake tattoo on my right side. I flinched at the contact of her heated fingers and felt my cock twitch as it pushed against the zipper of my tight jeans. Her gaze dropped to my waist and her fingers followed. She brought her other hand up to the waistband of my jeans and mesmerized, I watched as she undid my pants. She struggled with the zipper, my massive erection made it difficult, but I enjoyed the anticipation as her fingers worked the front of my pants. Finally, she had the zipper undone and helped me wriggle my jeans down to mid-thigh. I stood and removed my wallet from my back pocket then took out a condom and dropped them both onto the nightstand. I kicked off my shoes and finished pulling my jeans off, kicking them to the side as well.

  Her eyes swept my body as I hooked my fingers into the top of my underwear. Slowly, teasingly, I slid my underwear down giving her a show. When my cock sprung free, she sucked in a breath as her eyes widened.

  “Oh my God!” she breathed. “Holy, hell!” Quickly she scooted toward me to the edge of the bed and brushed my hands away to finish the job of undressing me.

  Then she gazed up at me as she wrapped one hand around the base of my cock causing it to pulse. Fuck! The head glistened with precum, and my balls tightened painfully.

  An involuntary moan escaped my throat. I grabbed her hand and wrapped it tighter around me, to give her a moment to mentally prepare herself. My dick hardened even more if that was possible as she started to explore. “Easy, Everett, or you’ll make me come right here and now.”