Appleby Blush Ch. 06

"And the cameras?"

Alonso hesitated. "Set up. But I don't like it."

"Don't worry, my man. It's all there for personal records. No broadcasting, I swear." No broadcasting, sure, but if things went sour those recordings would be worth their weight in gold in compromising the cop. He nodded back to the dance floor. "What d'you think?"

The olive skinned man smiled.

The redhead was behind her friend now, a hand wrapped around the other girl's flat midriff, holding her close. The blonde tossed her golden ringlets about her sweet face, eyes closed, feeling the music. Her slim body arched against her friend, grinding backwards into Marcia's groin like they were fucking. He'd have liked to fuck them both, but tonight he'd finally get to sample his dream girl.

"Come on," Daly laughed, nudging him. "Time to hunt."

***

Kirsten washed her face for the second time in an hour. It was just as well she hadn't put on any make-up or her tears would have smudged it.

What did she expect?

Of course Matt had been mad with her. Mad wasn't the word—he'd been furious. Their intense fucking session had only fuelled his anger. He didn't even seem to want to understand her reasons for ending the relationship. He'd been more focused on how she could have fucked him like that before telling him the news.

Maybe if she'd just sat down with him when he'd arrived and explained the way she was feeling, she would have been able to make him understand. But even if they hadn't had sex, how do you tell someone you can't hold a relationship for more than six months? And how could she explain her long held fantasy for interracial sex?

She sensibly hadn't gone anywhere near that one...

The attractive cop bit her lip as she felt another tear form. What was that all about? She rarely cried. Why was she so emotional? It wasn't that she thought she was making a mistake breaking up with Matt. She knew that was the right decision, irrespective of any other consideration.

Walking back into the living area, she picked up the bottle of merlot and poured herself another glass of wine. She was drinking way too much, but it helped.

Okay, allowing her libido to get the better of her had been a big mistake. She hadn't intended for that to happen, she really hadn't, but he body was just screaming out in need. It still was. How could she be in such a continual state of arousal? The whole Wesley Snipes/Tony Daly thing was overtaking her...

She carried the glass of wine into her bedroom, spilling a few drops on the carpet as she unsteadily flopped down on the small stool. She should be thinking of bed but how could she sleep when she was feeling this way?

Her reflection bounced back at her from the mirror. Despite her best efforts to smarten herself, her skirt and blouse were all creased from her lovemaking. What was it about the slutty look that turned her on right now? Another though occurred to her and grabbing her make-up, she took a long gulp of wine and then went to work. How could she make her face match her appearance?

Working quickly, she blushed her cheeks into a mild rosy hew, and then decided on the light brown eye shadow and dark eye-liner. The thicker the better!

Her slutty, sexy look perfectly matched the way she was feeling, but just as she was admiring the finished product, he chimes of her doorbell stopped her mid thought. It could only be Matt. Returning to apologise for his outburst, and to ask for another chance? Or was he here to give her more well-deserved grief?

She paused, swinging around on the stool to stare at the open bedroom door. Through it, she could see the small hallway that led to the front door? Should she answer? Could she go through yet another argument?

The answer was no, but then again, it was the very least she owed him.

She'd run away from Tony Daly and as much as she wanted to do the same with Matt, that wouldn't be fair. She threw down the rest of her glass of wine, more for confidence than anything else, and reluctantly left the bedroom.

The sight when she opened the apartment door took her completely by surprise. It was a woman standing there, not Matt. And she looked as if she'd just stepped out of Vogue

"Miss Tobin?" the delicious accent said. "Kirsten? Sorry it's so late but I saw your light was on and I took a chance you might be available. I'm Carmella Santiago. Tony Daly's boss..."

***

Alice's white dress left nothing to the imagination and neither did her moves on the dance floor. Ever since they'd finished their Cosmo's and stepped onto the floor, she'd felt the same heat inside her that she'd experienced at the studio. The burning inside her body reflected itself in her uninhibited dancing. Arms above her head, she shimmied infront of Marcia, the two of them dancing so close it was like some kind of mating ritual.

All thoughts of pressing Marcia for information had long since left her. After all, the redhead had all but told her such details could wait for another time. Tonight was all about enjoying life as an Appleby girl. And how could you not have fun with Marcia around? The curvy woman was so wicked, practically spooning up behind her now as she ground her ass back against her. The uncomfortably hot feeling between her legs grew further.

She threw her head forward, blonde hair cascading across her face before she flipped it back. Chewing on her lower lip, she glanced at Marcia over her shoulder, feeling her friend's hands crawl across her rib cage and run in delicate circles over her body.

She also felt the eyes of the other dancers around them on her. On them! She could tell what they were thinking, too. It was just as Marcia had promised. If we do a little girl-girl act, she'd said, they'd have the whole room wanting them, fucking them in their minds. Men and women were watching them! It made her hot body perspire sex...

Maybe the two of them would go back to Marcia's later? Or perhaps the redhead would stop off at hers? What would happen if they did spend some time alone? Would the redhead try it on with her? How would she react if Marcia tried to kiss her? She giggled out aloud. More importantly, what would those red lips feel like? The redhead would be a good kisser, she was sure of that. The thought had been occupying her mind all night...

When Marcia had begun to entwine her curvy body around hers, the anticipation had grown. She'd made it clear that, despite what had happened while Marcia had shaved her, she wasn't into girls. Now, she was beginning to wonder if she actually believed that...

"Mind if I join?" A familiar, baritone voice drew her attention from her sexual thoughts. She'd lost count of the number of times they'd been hit on, and there'd been some attractive men, too. But Marcia had simply waved them away and danced closer. It was as if she was keeping Alice for herself. How had this one got through her guard?

"I don't..." she began, glancing around in expectation of the redhead cutting in and sending her suitor on his way. This time was different. Her voice faltered when she realized who it was, standing in front of her.

"Hi," Tony Daly grinned.

"Hi." Alice she answered, cursing herself for the expression on her face. She realised she must have looked like a deer in headlights. The photographer was the last person she'd thought she'd find here and if she remembered correctly, the last time she'd seen him she was masturbating in front of his camera.

If he sensed her discomfort, he didn't show it. "Fancy meeting you here," he said, with a laugh.

"You too," she flirted back.

"Oh, I'm here for a reason," he told her, his arms on her shoulders as she continued to move her body in front of him.

She watched his eyes flit across her undulating body and put an extra oomph into her movements. "Yeah?"

He grinned again, his vibrant white teeth beaming. "I heard you were here and wanted to see if you were just as sexy without a camera being trained on you."

Alice blushed. Their last contact was clearly on his mind, too. She thought of Kirsten when his powerful arms pulled her closer. Her fellow cop had asked if Daly had come on to her and clearly had some kind of soft spot for him. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all?

The feel of his thick cock as he pressed into her changed her mind. Was he really that big?

"So," she mumbled into his neck, trying to compose herself. "You're here alone?"

"No," he answered, practically rubbing himself against her now. He was growing against her body and it was impossible not to grind back. "I'm actually here with a friend of mine."

The blonde followed his eyes to the man currently dancing with a laughing Marcia. He was a good looking guy, although a little too thick-necked for her usual tastes. His hands were liberally surveying her full curves, just like Daly's were doing with her.

"I like you better," she murmured, pushing herself closer. Kirsten would hate her for this...

"I should hope so," Daly laughed, stepping back and relieving the pressure against her groin. His eyes swept across her heated body. "You look fantastic, by the way,"

The blush on Alice's cheek increased. So did the warm feeling between her thighs. "Thank you."

"You've got a great look."

"I have?"

"Very sexy," he told her. "Great in front of the camera, I could see that straight away. But it's pretty hot on the dance floor, too."

Alice felt her blush begin to colour her entire body and tried to dance away from him, but his large hands were already running up her hips, pulling her close enough that she could feel his erection brush her stomach. She gasped when they slid down her hips, eventually coming to rest on her ass as he pressed his penis against her stomach.

Alice began to speak again but only a croak emerged. It felt good in his arms—more than good—especially since she knew it was so wrong. Again, she thought of Kirsten, only this time it was her friend's interracial fantasy that popped into her head. Alice had never really thought about it, but now that she was in Daly's arms, she couldn't help but wonder...

It was Marcia's voice that interrupted the spell. "Hey, Alonso's invited us into the VIP Lounge," she said, resting her head on Alice's bare shoulder for a moment. "Come on, let's check it out!"

Alice hesitated, trying to think things through. Was all this getting out of hand? It was one thing getting up close and personal with a guy she was picking up for a one-night stand, but this was different. She was on duty in enemy territory.

"What's up, girl?" Marcia whispered, sliding an arm around her stomach.

"Um, think I'm going to pass tonight."

"Are you sure, Alice?" the redhead asked, looking at her with those green eyes and leaning close enough to whisper in her ear. "You wanted to know what this life was like, didn't you?" Her teeth bit down on the blonde's earlobe, pulling it down and then letting it go. "We'll talk about it tomorrow. But for tonight, come and find out."

With a giggle, she swung away and the man—Alonso?—began to guide her from the dance floor. Alice watched them go.

She paused again. There were so many things wrong about this situation. She was on duty. Daly worked for Appleby, and anyway, it was Kirsten who had this thing for him. Her logical mind and operational instinct screamed at her to turn around and leave.

But... her body was telling her she was so horny she could scream...

When Tony Daly took her hand, she obediently followed.

***

Kirsten's initial shock at meeting Carmella Santiago translated into an early defensiveness. If Tony Daly was under suspicion, this woman was a prime suspect. After all, it was unlikely anything untoward could be happening at the agency without the stunning looking Columbian woman being involved. The research Alex Goodwin had carried out had indicated that not only did she run the business for Donald Appleby, but also that she'd been closely tied to the businessman ever since she'd won the Miss Universe title.

Good old, Alex. He had contributed something to the mission after all.

Yet for the first half an hour, Carmella chatted so easily to her that she could have been a good friend who'd simply called to see her to check how she was. She made conversation about everything other than the agency itself and what had happened with Kirsten.

It was only when they were on their second glass of wine that she approached the subject. "Tony tells me you've ignored his calls today..."

Kirsten hesitated. Part of her wanted to declare that she was no longer interested, that something else had come up. Given the extent to which she'd succumbed to Daly, she knew that would have been the safest and most sensible course of action.

On the other hand, wasn't this the break they'd been looking for? It was a chance to get close to the heartbeat of the agency—Carmella Santiago herself. She couldn't pass this up because of her own fears, could she? If she'd let Sandra Wilson down as a result of her sexual encounter with Tony Daly, then this opportunity was a chance to redeem herself.

"I... I've been kinda busy..." It was lame, she knew.

"Didn't you have an appointment at the agency again this afternoon?"

"Yes, but—" Damn. Where did she go with this one?

Carmella cut through the hesitation like a knife sliding through butter. "I understand your dilemma, Kirsten."

The brunette stared into those knowing eyes. "You do?"

"Of course. You won't be the first model to get cold feet after fucking their photographer." For a moment she paused, allowing the effect of her words to wash over the blushing woman. When she continued she spoke softly, her voice matter of fact. "You're not married, are you?"

"No."

"Boyfriend?"

Kirsten hesitated. The woman was very direct and she needed time to think. "We've just split up."

"Because of what happened?"

"Not at all." Maybe Tony Daly had hastened the end of their relationship, and maybe not. But it was definitely on its last legs anyway. She just hadn't handled the ending very well.

"Good. In that case you should also know that what happened with Tony isn't an issue with me, either, or with anyone at the agency." Carmella paused, holding up her empty glass. Kirsten quickly refilled it. "Models often get involved with their photographer, or with other models for that matter. It makes the world go around. The only thing that's important is the end result. Fantastic fashion shoots and incredible fashion shows."

Kirsten replaced the bottle on the table, deciding against refilling her own drink. With the alcohol she'd consumed earlier, she'd already consumed far too much and it was an effort to stay as sharp as she needed to be. She stared thoughtfully at the Colombian woman, evaluating what she was being told. Did everyone in the fashion world treat sex so lightly?

"That's why I'm here, Kirsten," Carmella went on, comfortably stretching her body along the sofa. "Believe me, aspiring models are two a penny and I don't put myself out for just anyone. I have far too much on my plate. But we see real potential in you, Kirsten. It's up to you, of course, but it would seem such a waste to throw that potential away."

***

As soon as they'd had a chance to put their things down in the empty back lounge, Marcia had grabbed Alice's hand and dragged her inside the bathroom to 'freshen up'.

"Aren't you pleased you decided to stay?" Marcia beamed, their eyes meeting in the mirror. She handed the blonde a drink she'd acquired from somewhere. "Come on, drink up. It'll make you feel better."

Alice stared at the pink liquid in the martini glass. "Another Cosmos? I can't."

"You can," Marcia insisted, practically tilting the glass in the blonde's hand until the young blonde took a long sip. "That's better. Finish it first, and then we'll go back to the guys."

Alice took another sip, longer this time. What the heck—why not? She giggled to herself as she glanced idly around the room. If she'd ever formulated an image of what a 'champagne room' would look like, the private bathroom off the VIP Room was it. White couches, more purplish black-lighting, and gossamer curtains.

"Alonso owns Aura," Marcia told her, as she looked at herself in the mirror and touched up her glossy red lipstick. "God, don't you think that's so sexy?"

"Yeah." Surprisingly, Alice meant it. Shit, everything was sexy right now. The situation. The woman next to her. The Cosmos. The men waiting for them. Even the silvery white counter tops felt sexual.

"He's hot, don't you think?" Marcia said, replacing her lipstick into her purse. Alice felt tingly as the redhead grinned slyly at her. Whatever the curvy redhead had on her mind, it would be something sexy. "But not as hot as Tony. You like him?"

Alicia found herself nodding. She shouldn't be admitting that but it was obvious enough anyway. She stared in the mirror, barely recognizing herself. She looked so hot... she felt so hot... her need for sex was written all over her face. Could the others see that, too? Is that what Marcia was up to, pairing them off? She licked her lips and then finished the Cosmos, holding the empty glass up so that Marcia could see.

"Good girl," the grinning redhead murmured. "Feel good?"

Alice nodded again, resting back against the counter.

"Want something to make you feel even better?" The curvy redhead was already diving back into her purse and removing a familiar, powder-filled vial. With another mischievous grin, she tapped a little of the coke out and formed two short lines on the compact mirror. "You have a note?" she asked Alice with a crooked smile.

Alice's throat dried up as she remembered the pulses of light she'd experienced when Marcia had fed her some coke in the dressing room. Not trusting herself to talk, she dug into her purse and reached out with the first bill she grabbed. Marcia took it from her slowly, running up a thumb across Alice's hand.

"Thanks," she whispered, rolling it into a tight tube. Holding her hair back, she quickly did one of the two lines. "Mmm..." She breathed deeply through her nostrils, staring at the ceiling. Without looking, she handed the note to Alice.

The blonde licked her lips, remembering the effect it had had on her while she was being shaved. Thinking... thinking that she was Vice. She had sworn to protect the public against this! Somehow, that thought made her even more excited and she tried to comprehend what was happening to her. Still, she clamped her thighs together and shook her head.

"No. I told you, I don't..." she hesitantly said, staring deeply into those gleaming green eyes. "Aren't you afraid of getting... you know... addicted?"

Marcia smirked again, wordlessly finishing off the second line of white powder for her. "Nope," she smiled. "I just don't make a habit of it." Dropping the compact into the purse, she made for the door, but paused as she brushed by the blonde. "But if you change your mind, just ask." Her finger traced the side of Alice's face and ran across those heart-shaped lips. "You're one of us now, Alice. Remember that."

When she finished her pass and pulled open the door, Alice slumped against the counter, caching her breath. Before she could compose herself, she heard Marcia's voice calling out back to her through the open door. "You coming?!"

***

The conversation had gone even better than Carmella had anticipated. She'd wondered whether the reason for this woman's no show today was that the Met had discovered something. Even though Donald had questioned Kaminski, and the Homicide Cop had confirmed they had nothing, she still hadn't been sure.

She was now.

Kirsten's reaction confirmed that fact. This was simply a case of another woman getting cold feet following her session with Tony Daly. In normal circumstances, she'd have shown the woman the video and fed her more Blush. A second session was usually enough to convince them that their future lay with Appleby modelling.