Tough Guy: A Hero Club Novel

by Jamie K. Schmidt

“Lisa or a Broadway. You have?” Eleanor nodded at Jackie.

  Jackie clutched my arm. “Is she okay?”

  “Is she all right?” Eleanor repeated into the phone. She listened for a minute and then nodded at Jackie.

  Jackie bit back a sob and then threw herself into my arms. I had to stand up, otherwise the chair would have dumped us on the floor. “She’s all right,” Jackie repeated and squeezed me tight. “I’m going to kill her.” Jackie thrust herself away from me. “Can I speak to her?” she said to Eleanor with a mock sweetness.

  I’m not sure what Eleanor saw on her face, but she recoiled back from it. “Is she with you?” she asked her daughter.

  Eleanor shook her head. “She’s not there.”

  “Can I speak to Dee?” Jackie emphasized.

  Eleanor cleared her throat. “Darling, Lisa’s sister is here and she’s very worried about her. Would you like to talk with her?” After a moment, Eleanor handed the phone to Jackie.

  “Hi, my name is—” Jackie didn’t get to finish her sentence. She tensed and then her knees wobbled. I quickly came up behind her and wrapped my arms around her. She was shaking. “Okay. Okay. I will. Thank you.”

  She handed the phone back to Eleanor. Turning in my arms, she looked at me and shook her head. “We’ve got to go.”

  “You got it.” I was more than ready to get out of here.

  “When can you come home?” Eleanor asked her daughter.

  “Let’s go.” Jackie tugged on my arm and made for the door.

  “Eleanor, it’s been real,” I said. “Dee is not going to be rehired. She can work at Denny’s for all I care.”

  “I think that’s for the best,” Eleanor said, looking up from her conversation to sneer at me.

  When we were back in the car, Jackie let out a small scream of rage.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Lisa was bartending at the Moondust Cherry Ranch two weeks ago.”

  “They give room and board?”

  “I doubt it. Not unless she was doing things other than bartending. Anyway, she’s no longer there. We’re still two weeks behind her. Dee wants to talk with me tomorrow, though.”

  “Why not tonight? We’re only a couple of hours away.” I gripped the steering wheel. I was up for a drive.

  “She’s got a full plate tonight. She’s not quitting her job and coming home. She didn’t want to tell her mother that.”

  “She’s an adult.”

  “So’s Lisa, but at least Dee answers the phone when her mother calls. I’m not telling my mother that Lisa decided to become a hooker.”

  “We don’t know that she did.”

  “No,” Jackie sighed. “We don’t, but why else would Dee want to talk to me in person unless it was to tell me something awful?”

  “Lisa could have gotten another bartending gig.”

  “Or maybe she decided to become a personal escort for the mysterious guy.” Jackie groaned. “I’m not sure I even want to know anymore. I just want her to call our mother. I’m still going to drive out there first thing.” She turned to me. “You’re coming with me, right?”

  I wanted to, but I had to meet with Grier in the morning. “I can’t do it first thing. Can we go after lunch?”

  “You don’t have to go with me,” she said, with a disappointed smile.

  “Yes, I do. Please wait for me.”

  “Are there a lot of whorehouses in Pahrump?”

  I hesitated. “Yeah.”

  “And you knew that when Zeke’s sister mentioned where Zeke was going?”

  I could sense the danger in the air. She was pissed and wanted to take out her anger on someone. I turned on the car.

  “Answer me, Miles.”

  Squinting through the windshield, I looked around for security cameras. It didn’t look like the gated community had any in the inner parking lots. Good. I drove deeper into the complex and pulled into what was probably a resident’s parking spot. I wasn’t planning on being here long. I turned off the car.

  “Miles,” Jackie said in a louder voice. “Did you know—?”

  I wrapped my hand around her ponytail and pulled her head close to mine, cutting off her sentence with a hard kiss. Thrusting my tongue into her mouth, I pushed my hand up her shirt. Cotton bra. I smiled against her lips. She struggled for about half a second and then she tugged up my T-shirt.

  Jackie traced her nails over my chest, digging in slightly against my abs. Pulling her head back by her ponytail, I sank my teeth lightly against her throat and she whimpered.

  Kissing up to her ear, I growled. “I suspected. I didn’t want you to be upset if it turned out to be nothing.”

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m not mad at you.”

  “Wait for me tomorrow before going up to see Dee?”

  “I haven’t decided.” She smirked.

  I kissed her again, sliding my lips over hers. I was deliberately rough, and she ground her mouth just as hard against mine. I pulled her hair again and she panted out a whimper. The sound went straight to my cock.

  “Are you going to wait for me?” I asked again, pulling her ponytail to tilt her head back.

  “You’re starting to convince me,” she said, her eyes glazed over with passion.

  “I guess I’ll have to try harder.” I went back to her mouth because she was irresistible.

  Jackie fumbled with the button and zipper on my pants.

  I reached up under her skirt and got a handful of granny panties. I chuckled. Jackie groped inside my underwear and pulled out my cock. “You want something?” I said, my voice husky. I leaned my head back on the headrest and enjoyed her firm strokes.

  “Don’t forget to pull my hair.”

  My eyes went wide as she leaned over and engulfed me deep in her throat. My fingers tightened on her ponytail and she moaned around my cock. The vibration nearly sent me into orbit. I let her slide her mouth up and down, watching her lovingly suck and lick me. She looked up at me with laughter in her eyes and took me deep before sliding me all the way out of her mouth. She made a popping sound as the tip came free. Her lips were puffy from my kisses.

  “Was that all right?” she asked, batting her eyelashes at me.

  I pulled her hair and guided her head back down. “I didn’t say stop.”

  Her entire body shivered, and she gave a little scream when I bucked my hips up. The scream turned into a moan when I held her head there and fucked her mouth with small soft strokes. I lifted her up by the ponytail, still wrapped around my fist, and brought her up so I could kiss her sweetly, as she took in deep gulps of air.

  “I’m going to have to switch hands,” I said, untwisting her hair from my fingers.

  “Why is that?” she purred, kissing me.

  I pushed her back down toward my lap. She eagerly took me in her mouth again and bobbed her head up and down with slick slurping sounds that had my eyes rolling back so hard in my head I saw stars. I flipped up her skirt. Her white granny panties were in my way, but I would do my best. Reaching between her legs, I pushed away the soaking wet fabric between her legs and rubbed my fingers through her soft folds.

  Jackie bobbed her head faster. Each slide of her mouth drew another ragged breath from me. I fingered her, trying hard to find that little button from this angle. I wasn’t quite making it, so I thrust three fingers inside her as deep as I could. Her thighs locked around my wrist as she rocked back against them. I used my free hand to tug up on her ponytail.

  “I’m going to fucking explode.” I tried to pull her up, but she swallowed around me instead.

  “Oh fuck,” I moaned.

  She writhed on my fingers, but never stopped licking and sucking.

  I started to shake. My entire body clenched. She was dragging everything out of me, and I was powerless to stop her. I desperately wanted her to come, but I lost all control of everything when she swallowed again. I was deep in the back of her mouth and I couldn’t stop the floodgates as her body moved in time w
ith my thrusting hips. I pulled her hair as I came, pumping into her as the world ignited into fiery pulses of pleasure.

  “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!” I chanted. It was the only word I knew. When she pulled away from me, I was completely boneless and entirely under her spell.

  “Did you?” I asked.

  She licked some of my come off her lip and shook her head. “Nope. You owe me.”

  I reached for her, but she slid back into the passenger seat.

  “You’re good for it.”

  I stared at her open-mouthed, still unable to process anything but the feeling of her wet mouth taking everything I could give her.

  “Do you want me to drive?” she asked sweetly.

  Yeah, I was definitely paddling that ass red later.

  Chapter Twelve

  Jackie Mitchell

  “How was that for trashy?” I asked Miles once he recovered enough to operate the motor vehicle.

  “Five stars,” he rasped.

  My body still hummed from the rush of enjoying his body. I almost wanted to play with myself while he watched, but I was genuinely afraid he was going to crack up the car.

  “I still want dinner and a show.”

  “Anything you want.”

  I was having a hard time managing my emotions. On the one hand, I was giddy and horny and loving every minute of being with Miles. That was Las Vegas Jackie. New York Jackie was a strung-out mess of worry, anger, and frustration. It was no wonder that I liked Las Vegas Jackie better. She was a hell of a good time.

  But I had to get Las Vegas Jackie under control so we could find Lisa once and for all and then Las Vegas Jackie could have the rest of the week and Miles all to herself. Miles’s phone rang.

  “Is that your mother this time?” I asked, feeling restless. Maybe we could stop back at my hotel for a quickie before dinner.

  “Not likely,” he said, flicking a glance down to his phone. “Shit.”

  “What?”

  “It’s Highway.” Miles brought the phone up to his ear. “What? Are you busting my balls? This better not be a fucking joke. All right. I’ll be there as soon as I drop Jackie off.”

  My heart sank. “What’s the matter?”

  “Apparently there’s a gas leak in the club.”

  “Oh no.”

  “I don’t fucking buy it, but they had to clear out the bar and I’m hemorrhaging money until I can get there and yell at the inspectors for shutting me down.” He tossed the phone into the middle console with disgust. “I’m sorry. I know I promised you a night out.”

  “That’s okay,” I said. “Take me back to the Wynn. I’ll order some room service and we can rent a movie when you’re done with this mess.”

  He quirked an eyebrow at me. “Are you sure?”

  “Well, I suppose we could watch porn, but I got to be honest, I get bored and want to fast forward to the good parts.”

  “You’re perfect, you know?” He stroked his thumb down my cheek.

  “Far from it, and I might jump you before you get time to eat so maybe have a sandwich before you come over.”

  “I’ve got to keep my strength up.”

  I was disappointed, but I’d live. To be honest, I was pretty tired. I had hit the ground running—dancing—ever since I landed. It wouldn’t kill me to take it easy tonight. Miles pulled right up to the cul-de-sac entrance to the hotel and kept the doors locked while I kissed him goodbye. I could certainly get used to having him in my bed for the rest of my time here. When I was sure he was as hot and bothered as me, I shifted back to my own seat. He unlocked the door and the doorman held it open for me.

  “1492,” I said as I exited the car.

  “The year Columbus discovered America?”

  “My room number.” I let myself look my fill of him, uncaring that we were holding up people who wanted to get into the hotel. I wanted to take a picture of him. My lover. Just to prove to myself when he was gone that I didn’t dream him up.

  “I’ll see you later,” he said.

  I floated up to the room, remembering the feel of Miles against me. I felt like dancing, but honestly, my feet were killing me. When I got up to my room, I ran a hot bath. Dumping a whole container of the complimentary sweet bath salts into the tub, I shucked off my clothes and put on the fluffy white robe and slippers they provided. Bliss. I flipped through the room service menu trying to find something that would keep for a couple of hours if Miles was delayed. I wound up picking two club sandwiches and subbed the fries for pasta salad.

  After I placed the order, I put on the television music channel. The bath was calling my name. The quick shower I had taken at Dalton’s was just to clean up instead of soaking into my overworked muscles, so the bath was going to feel decadent. The smell of lavender was making my eyelids heavy. I had to hold it together at least until room service got here. I might as well check my e-mail, so I didn’t get avalanched next week.

  I didn’t want to think of Lisa, but she crept into my thoughts anyway. I was debating whether to let her know I was hot on her trail, but I didn’t want to spook her into hiding. Three weeks ago, she met a gray haired man, quit her job and moved out of her apartment in Las Vegas. Two weeks ago, she was working in a brothel slinging drinks after an unsuccessful run at trying to be a dancer. Was she living with him or did he convince her that she could dance horizontally instead? I stopped clicking through my e-mails when I realized I wasn’t comprehending a word of what I was reading. I called Lisa on the off chance that she would pick up. She didn’t. I wanted to tell her I knew she worked at the brothel, but again, I didn’t want to scare her off.

  “Stop being a selfish bitch and call me.”

  I probably shouldn’t have said that, but I was pretty damn mad at her.

  Staring at my phone, I wanted to call Miles, but I didn’t want to come off as needy. Just because I was on vacation, I shouldn’t expect him to drop his responsibilities. And yet, it felt so damn good to be the center of attention and number one in someone’s life—even if it were for just one day.

  It had been a pretty good day. I got to dance. I made some cash. I got laid. I blew a guy in his muscle car. And if I were lucky, I’d get the chance to roll around on the mattress with him this time.

  I called him. The animal attraction was dialed up to holy shit between the two of us, but I wanted to get to know him. I knew that was stupid. I was leaving in a few days. You didn’t date a vacation fling, you took all the good stuff and left out all the drama.

  I got his voice mail too.

  “1492. Knock hard if I don’t answer, I’m getting sleepy. But I still want you.”

  That sounded trashy and sweet.

  Scrolling through pictures of him on the Internet, I couldn’t believe this tough guy was all mine.

  “For the week,” I reminded myself and stretched myself out in the hot water.

  Bathtubs were the best for fantasies. While I lay there soaking, I let myself dream that I’d auditioned for a Las Vegas show. Like my off-Broadway deal, I would be content to start small in the chorus and work my way up to lead dancer. I kicked up a few times, splashing water everywhere. Wincing, I shifted position. I was still a little sore from my time at Dalton’s and then being wildly fucked in Miles’s office.

  I wondered what he was doing now and if he was thinking of me. I wish he had picked up.

  Shaking my head, I went back to my fantasy. I’d be a Las Vegas showgirl and Miles would be my boyfriend—a boyfriend who was surrounded every night with beautiful, naked women. Groaning, I sank under the water. I’d be eaten alive with jealousy within the first week.

  In fact, what if Miles had already handled the gas leak and was back in the club right now? Would he choose to stay there tonight to make sure everything was all right instead of coming over? And if he did, would I have the right to be pissed? I flicked the water in agitation. Now I was making up things to get mad at. As if I didn’t have enough rage building up for Lisa and her perhaps pimp.

  A qu
ick text never hurt, right?

  How are things? Are you almost done? When are you coming over? I’m horny.

  No. Just no. I deleted the text.

  I wanted to talk to someone. My mother was out. Miles was busy. I didn’t know anyone else here. And then I remembered Chance. I bet he could help me out. I called him up and he answered immediately.

  “Jackie, my favorite stripper.” Strip-pah.

  His accent was the bomb. I heard a low background noise of people talking and dishes rattling. It didn’t sound like he was in a club.

  “Were you guys still at Dalton’s when the gas leak got called in?”

  “Yeah, too bad too. Things were starting to get good.”

  “Did you smell anything?” I stared at my toes, which were getting all wrinkly in the tub. I should probably schedule a pedicure. I wouldn’t even expense it to Lisa if she called Mom this week.

  “Nah, but my senses were a little dulled by all that tequila.”

  “Where are you guys now?”

  “We’re grabbing something to eat and trying to decide if we want to gamble or go looking for trouble.”

  “Are you guys up for a road trip?”

  “What have you got in mind?”

  “Lisa was spotted at the Moondust Cherry Ranch in Pahrump. That’s about two hours from here.”

  “Cherry Ranch, huh?”

  “Chicken Ranch,” I said.

  “That’s a big step from stripper.”

  “She was bartending two weeks ago there, but I’m worried she might have expanded her job search to the other ranches and other occupations. Do you think your friends could go to the neighboring . . . um . . . brothels and look for Lisa?”

  Chance laughed for a good half a minute. “Let me get this straight, luv. You want me to convince this bunch to go look around a house of ill repute.”

  I winced. “Several of them, actually. You know prostitution is legal there, right?”

  “I am aware,” he said solemnly. “Okay, let me see if I can tear these louts from their burgers. Oi, you want to go to a crib and check out some Mollies?”

  “Bonzer!” seemed to be the response.

  “I don’t know, Jackie luv. They seem to want to go out in the desert and watch some bush telly.”