“I guess it is like a safe word, but contextually, it’s not quite the same. A safe word is almost exclusively used in sexual situations.”
“I see. But the idea is the same?” She nods noncommittally, but I’ve come to recognize that as hergood enoughgesture when explaining things to me, “Wonderful. What word would you like to use?” Something terribly vulgar, I imagine. Though the thought of her shouting the wordcuntto get away from danger has me smiling ear to ear.
“Avocado,” she tells me without even a moment of deliberation.
What?“Avocado. Wh-why?” I must be missing something.
“Because it’s a word that is rarely used in conversation. So I could say something likeHey I think those avocados on my sandwich were bad,and only you would understand what I’m trying to tell you.” She explains.
“My little warrior is a genius,” I kiss the tip of her nose and spin towards her bags. “Go take a shower and get ready to go out. Do any of the shows tonight pique your interest?”
She shakes her head and wrinkles her nose, “No. Honestly, I’d rather go check out the club. I’ve heard it’s gorgeous, but I really didn’t bring any kind of upscale nightlife clothing.”
Smiling, I tell her, “You can just leave that to me. Now go get ready and I’ll leave the dress right here,” I pat the couch at the foot of her bed.
* * *
An hour later, we enter something called a night club, led by Norman. He scans a card with the man at the entrance and explains that we are Fritz’s guests, not so subtly threatening that there will be consequences if we are not shown a good time.
The man grabs a little device that looks similar to a cell phone but without a screen. Bel leans over and whispers to me, “That’s a walkie-talkie. Like a phone but… for closer distances I guess?” as the man calls for someone named Marie.
Within moments, a young lady in a black get-up and an apron approaches us. She looks at Bel, glances at me, then her attention immediately goes back to her.As it should, she’s a vision.Bel looks so incredible tonight that I’m surprised I didn’t drop dead when I spotted her.
“Hi! I’m Marie! I’m your bottle girl! So, so happy to meet you! Follow me!” I lead Bel in front of me with a hand on her bare back, thinking again that Idefinitelymade the right call on the dress. With each step, the short dress lets me almost believe I’m going to get a glimpse of her perfectly lush backside.
“I’m Bel, and this is Caspian,” she tells her as we walk.
“Oh, believe me, I know,” Marie grins at us and holds her arm out, showing us to a table far too large for just the two of us. “Fritz sent word over earlier that his guests be shown every luxury and that you not be allowedto spend a fucking penny.” She holds her hands up and curls her index and middle fingers of both hands at us for emphasis, “Have you guys ever had bottle service before?”
We both shake our heads, so she continues, “So, basically, you tell me what kind of liquor you want and how you like it. I’ll bring you a bottle and all the goodies to go with it. If you want a mixed drink, let me know and I can have the bartender make it for you. Same for beer. As long as you guys are here, I am at your beck and call.” She hands us both a copy of a cocktail menu from her apron before continuing, “You look like a tequila girly, and I’d bet all the money in my pocket that you’re a craft beer kinda guy.”
“You are 100% right,” Bel laughs as she grabs my arm in humor. “He would be a fancy beer guy. Just bring us whatever’s good and will make you the fattest check.”
“You got it,” she winks at us and spins on her heel to get our beverages. We sit in awed silence, looking around us at the scenery for a minute before Marie comes back with a small team of women in matching outfits behind her, carrying an array of drinks.
“I couldn’t decide on just one thing, silly me.” She shrugs, “So I had a couple girls pick their favorite shot, cocktail, and beer.” I watch as Bel’s whole face lights up in excitement.
“Now listen, babes. The goal isnotto get wasted. I’m here to take care of you, not hospitalize you. So a few ground rules.” She starts lifting her fingers to count, “Number one, drink water. You have ten bottles in that little ice bucket so you have no excuses. Two, try a few little sippies of each drink, and then just keep your favorites. Three, get up and dance so you keep the blood flowing, not just the liquor. And four, when you’re done partying, let me know so I can send some food up to your suite. Got it?” At Bel’s energetic nod, she moves aside so all her colleagues can start placing the drinks on the table.
“I will be right there,” she points behind us to where more servers are in similar attire, “Just wave me down if you need me. Enjoy!” She wiggles her fingers and bounces off, smiling and chatting with her teammates.
“I like her,” Bel tells me as she starts sampling all the colorful drinks in front of her.
I agree, “She is very friendly and seems to enjoy her job.”
Bel picks a favorite, continuing to sip just the one, “And this place is gorgeous. I can’t believe we get to be here.”
“Youare gorgeous. Do you like your surprise?” I can’t help myself, I want to please her. I need to know she loves the garment as much as I love it on her.
Bel rubs her hands up and down the sleeves, “It’ssooo soft.It kinda reminds me of-” she stops short.
“Reminds you of…?” I push.
“Your antlers.” She looks down, trying to hide her blush, but it practically glows in the dim light dancing across her face. I really do my best not to, but I laugh so hard that she jumps. Now that she mentions it, her dress does bear a striking resemblance to my antlers. Were she to draw a few little white stars and fasten some gems on them, they would look the exact same as her dress.
“That was not on purpose, I assure you. I just saw these,” I tell her, running my finger along the little v-shaped slits on each thigh that have spread wider now that she’s seated, one and then the other, “and knew I had to see it on you. You are even more stunning than I imagined.” I kiss the side of her head and continue sipping on the drinks around us.
Before too long, she stands up and starts dragging me out of the booth towards the dance floor. Immediately, Marie pops up and says, “Go ahead, I’ll keep an eye on your things. Have fun!”
