Jameson Hotel - the Dark Suite Series: Parts One, Two & Three (26 page)

“Loving you is a bit overwhelming. My heart hurts when I think about
you, in a good way, but my mind’s still unsure about what the fuck’s going on.
I think we should break up.”

“What? Where the fuck did that
come from?
And
we’re not even...”

“Dating. I know. Then I’ll change my words so you understand... I think
we shouldn’t fuck anymore.”

The barrel of my gun runs under my chin. She’s kidding, right?

“Oh yeah?” I question.

“Stop it,” she sighs and forces the gun away from my neck. “I need to
be wined and dined every once in a while. I feel neglected.”

“Really?” I make a mental note of today’s date. I guess this is what
I’m in for whenever she’s ragging it.

With her hands on her hips, she raises her voice. “I may love you, but
I’m also losing interest, so you better do something quick if you want to keep
me.”

“Well, fuck. If you’re
gonna
be this much
work...” I smirk. “I thought you liked this lifestyle. You said it was exciting.
Now it’s not?”

“Be serious for like two minutes, would you?”

If my dick wasn’t happy I wouldn’t be able to deal with her menstrual
moan. “Alright. We’ve got a long day and I know we’re both going to crash after
work, but why don’t we go for a jog in the morning? That’s a good way to spend
time together, and you could use the exercise.”

“Huh.” Her mouth drops open. “Huh,” she expels again. “You know what?
Give me back the gun. I feel like using it all of a sudden.”

I smile and hide it playfully behind my back.

“Jules, do I honestly have to give up control of everything in this
relationship? Should I have my tat re-inked to read
Property of Julia
Barringer
,
instead of
Property of
Jameson Industries?
”

“Please?” she begs.

“Begging’s good.”

“Please?” she pleads with a sexy smile.

“Okay.” I bow my head in defeat. “I forgot, I’m supposed to worship my
princess, not just fuck her. Damn, you’ve captured my balls again.”

I can tell I’m still high or I never would have agreed to... I don’t
even know what I’ve agreed to yet. Thank fuck she’s not in high school or I’d
find myself going to a dumbass prom.

“How about tomorrow night?” I exhale. “We’ll do something special to
celebrate your love for me.”

“God, you’re such a bastard.” She drops her hands, presenting me with a
more tranquil pose and a grin. “Fine, but no fucking again until after the
date. Oh, and you
have
to use a
condom. I know I can’t get
preggo
on my period, but I
sure as fuck don’t want to pick up the hundreds of diseases you have.”

I love this back and forth bantering shit. We’re both trying to have
the last word.

“Too late, unless your blood has some special disease fighting
antibiotics to ward off my dirty flesh and semen bugs, you’re doomed.”

“Uh!” She throws her hands in the air.

“Ha!” I retort.

Her hands are back on her hips and my arms are crossed. She scowls. I
sneer. She steps forward. I step forward. She’s in my face. I’m in hers.

“I hate it that I love you,” she says.

“I love to be hated,” I reply.

We stare.

I lick my lips.

We kiss.

She sighs.

I love her.

AN OFFERING

A
s expected, my
family left in the middle of my busy workday, leaving no time for a long, drawn
out goodbye, which I despise anyway. I hugged my sister, shook Cove’s hand,
tousled the hair of
Dax
and
Xav
,
and gave them my usual sendoff, “don’t get killed.”

My nephews were still discussing tits when they got into the shuttle
headed for Reno. I never heard the rest of the conversation in their suite, but
I would say
Mera
either drugged
Dax
a second time before placing him in the box, or he was still coming off his
first high when we found him. That would explain his confused and dazed state.

Hell, I’m glad he didn’t suffocate.

The rest of the day was shit. I could barely keep my eyes open, even
after four cups of coffee. My hotel lobby resembled a stampede and the
restaurant was packed with people who weren’t even registered guests. Tourists
infested the place for the Marathon. I even had to call in a few extra workers
to open the bar early. I was counting both dollar signs and sheep throughout
the day.

I was disappointed there were only a few moments to admire Jules. When
her shift was over she went straight to her room and crashed. I worked a longer
day, but stayed mostly in the downstairs office with my hotel manager, keeping
my swollen nose hidden from the guests. The bump on my forehead is practically
gone, and soon my good-looking boy face will reappear. I’ll have to enjoy my
badass appearance while I can.

I managed to get a lead on
Mera
from one of
the owners of hotel in the downtown district. She might be staying in his place
under the name, Fantasia Cocker. Yeah,
Fantasia
Cocker
. No shit. Sounds like a fucking porn name if you ask me. That’s got
to be her. Now I need to figure out what she wants. I’m guessing revenge over
money, but who knows.

Somehow, after nearly falling asleep at my desk, I was able to make it
to my bed. I remember touching Jules’ door on my way to my suite, standing,
listening, wanting to lie next to her... yet, I slept alone.

I woke up a number of times; my usual 1am, 3am, 5am, staring at the
ceiling for a while then getting out of bed to drink and pace. I kept thinking
about dumbass shit like my dad and that fucking box. I doubt
Mera
had any clue it was one of my father’s favorite taming
devices for Cove; she’s not that cunning. It was probably just an easy way to
keep
Daxton
hidden from the outside world until we
found him. But even so, it was more than disturbing for my brother-in-law.

The amount of sleep I was able to get was plenty and after a morning
jog, my dry toast and coffee, jerking off in the shower, and sending a text to
my sister, I was ready for a better day.

The second day of the Marathon was just as hectic, but tolerable,
especially since I could view Jules’ ass from the hotel’s main office. She glowed...
literally, whenever I saw her eyes, they reflected the dancing sparks from the
lobby fireplace. And her cheeks were flush in adoration for me. Those moments
caused my dick to twitch.

With our workday finally over, my family on a plane to St. Louis after
a day in Reno,
Mera
within reach and not much of a
threat, and
Dayne
still at the bottom of the lake, I
can spend the evening focusing on my woman.

And Fuck, I sure look good for her.

I’m sporting one of my finest black suits and a pair of
Brunello
Cucinelli
Shoes, a brand
that Cove drools over whenever he sees them on my feet. We share a love for
collecting exquisite footwear and if he’s lucky, I’ll buy him a pair for
Christmas, but only if I get a thank you for killing
Dayne
.

I gaze into the rearview mirror while pulling out of my garage,
checking my hair and teeth. My wrists are dabbed with my finest cologne and an
extra splash was added to my groin for our fuck tonight. We
will
fuck. I’m not looking my best
without getting pussy. Hell, I even slipped into a brand new pair of boxers for
her.

“Swanky, Mark. You look swanky,” I say to myself.

I’m keeping the details of our date a secret. I sent Jules a text that
I’d pick her up in front of the hotel at seven, and to dress erotic, yet
elegant.

Sure enough, she doesn’t disappoint. She appears in a black, off the
shoulder, long sleeve, knee-length dress with black heels and holding a long
double-breasted grey coat. Her hair is in a bun and she’s wearing just the
right amount of makeup. Total perfection. “Very nice, Jules,” I whisper.
“Sophisticated and
fuckable
.”

I park and walk up to her with a grin, kissing her hand then leading
the way to my truck.

“Good evening, Ms.
Barringer
.” I wink,
opening her door.

“Good evening, Mr. Jameson.” She winks back then sees one of my
signature lilies waiting for her on the passenger seat.

No, I’m not buying a woman flowers when my hotel is full of them.
Besides, it’s the thought that counts... and she seems delighted by the
surprise.

“
Ohhh
,” she says all starry-eyed, placing the
lily on her lap after she gets inside. I guess she enjoys the ultimate cliché
gift.

A few staff members have their eyes on the truck as I start the engine
and pull away. I’m sure they’re saying I’m a cradle robber, but I bet they
won’t pass up young meat when they’re my age. No one would.

“Does it feel like we’ve been apart for days?” I ask, as we head out to
Route 50.

“Yes, and we have.”

She’s staring at me.

“So you thought about me?” I ask.

“You bet I did.”

“And you’re happy that I’m taking you out?”

“Ecstatic, Mark. And I’m amused that some of the staff are jealous of
our relationship.”

“They’re not being assholes to you, are they?” I catch a glimpse of her
out of the corner of my eye.

“No, just teasing... and I like it. It’s fun being the center of
attention. I’ve never experienced that before.”

She’s still staring, perhaps noticing all my prep work for the
date
.

“You look beautiful.” I take her hand.

“And you look like Paul Walker,” she says.

“The actor who died?”

“He was incredible, hotter than Hell, and he didn’t die. He’s like
Elvis, Michael Jackson, and Princess Diana. They live on some quiet island
because they wanted to escape the media. He’s with them.”

“Why am I not surprised that you’re starting the evening by telling me
I look like a guy who died in a tragic car wreck.”

“He was handsome, like you.”

“But tough, right? Not just handsome, but Paul Walker was threatening
as well?”

“Hmm, depends on what role he was in, maybe... no, he was pretty much
just hot.” She turns away, commenting that my face looks better before asking
where we’re going.

I squeeze her hand. “It’s in town. A special place, like you wanted. I
promise it will be a night you’ll always remember.”

“I’m sure it will be fabulous... as long as it’s not the restaurant in
your hotel or a graveyard.” She sniffs the flower as I laugh at her comment.

“It’s not a graveyard.”

“You know I grew up here, so I’ve been to every restaurant in town...
can I guess?”

“Go for it.”

“
Maxwells
? The fancy restaurant on the
water.”

“Nope.”

“Okay, so it’s Callie Kay’s or The Red Lounge.”

“No, sorry. You disappointed?”

“Chili’s? Mountain Steakhouse? Pasta Pete’s?” She looks at her outfit
then shakes her head. “Am I overdressed?”

“No. You’re perfect.”

She’ll never be able to figure out what I’ve got up my sleeve. I don’t
do anything half-heartedly and I sure as fuck don’t enjoy the standard, run of
the mill, dinner date. “Jules, this won’t be some shitty evening in some shitty
restaurant where we have to sit and listen to all the shitty tourists in town,
talking shit.”

She laughs, “Well, shit, Mark.”

“The restaurants are booked solid anyway. I could buy my way in, but
why? Dining with a hundred other people and being unable to hear one another
isn’t how we should spend the evening. Right?” I glance over and see a nod then
turn back to the road. “Now are you disappointed?”

“No.” She pulls the bottom of her dress further down and fidgets in the
seat. “But, why did you ask me to dress this way?”

“For me.” I bring her hand to my lips and place a soft kiss on her
flower-scented skin. “For us,” I whisper, turning into the Tahoe Mountain Pines
Ski resort.

“Oh nice, I forgot this place has a restaurant. It’s beautiful here,
too bad there’s no snow. I would’ve loved to see the people skiing down the
slopes.” She looks at me and asks, “Why isn’t this place packed like all the
rest?”

“It is.” I grin, motioning to the parked cars. “We’re not eating at the
restaurant.” I drive past the lodge, along a dirt road and through the pines,
coming to a stop next to a van owned by the resort. I help Jules out of my
truck, smiling proudly that she still hasn’t a clue about our upcoming
adventure.

“What kind of surprise is this?”

I stop myself from saying,
the
kind that will make you want to fuck me at the drop of a hat
, and instead,
respond like a pussy by saying, “the kind of surprise every good woman
deserves.” It hurt, god that hurt, but by her blushing cheeks I can tell I said
the right thing this time.

“Wow.” She grabs my arm when she finally notices the gondola air lift
ride before us. “Wow,” she says again. “Are you kidding me?”

Good. She’s stunned. I was hoping for ‘shock and awe’ tonight.

“Mark, wow. Are you serious?”

A man in a dark wool coat and black leather gloves opens the door as we
approach. I nod in appreciation when I see everything I’ve requested is in
place. A table has been set up with a black tablecloth. On top is a basket of
bread, white dinner plates filled with pasta, and an open bottle of red wine.
Our glasses are already filled and the pasta sauce smells magnificent. The
gondola is lit with two candles and two orange roses glow next to the flame.
They remind me of her - a glowing sunset. They’re a nice touch and something I
didn’t ask for. I’d say the outrageous cost of setting this up was worth it.

“Mr. Jameson.” The man pulls me closer to talk in private. “It will be
a forty-five minute ride up the mountain and another forty-five down. I’ll
return at that time.”

I nod and thank him as he shuts the door and locks us inside.

Julia’s face is radiant.

“Here’s your fairy tale,” I whisper, pulling her chair out.

“This makes up for
everything
.”

“I’m glad you’re pleased.”

“And you’re being so nice. It’s sexy. I think you even deserve bonus
points. Damn, this must’ve cost a fortune.”

“It would seem that I believe you’re worth it.”

“See, it’s hot when you say things like that. This is exactly what I
wanted.”

The car starts to move and she laughs in delight. “Mark, this is
incredible. We actually get to have a nice meal together, just the two of us,
riding up a mountain in a gondola lift, while viewing the mountains to the
west, the lake to the north, and the lights of the city to the east? This is
crazy!”

I smile and take a gulp of wine then another. Yes, I must be insane.

“You really do have a lot of money, don’t you?”

That’s a new question for her. She never asks about my money. “Yes. My
father left me quite a bit, but I earned him that money, so it was mine in the
first place. Then I made a fortune selling his porn company. Even after my wife
took a chunk in the divorce battle, I’m still set for life.”

“Whoa.” She sets her elbow on the table with her chin in the palm of
her hand and gawks. “So why do you have the hotel?”

“I like to be in control of things, I enjoy keeping busy and having a
job, and I’m very fond of money. It’s a good feeling knowing my bank account
keeps growing each day. I don’t believe I’d be able to sleep if I knew money
wasn’t coming in.”

She nods, still gazing into my eyes.

“Plus, I’ve never been fond of big city life. My wife and I had a house
in the burbs back in Philly, same in Vegas, but even that was too crowded and
suffocating for me.”

“You don’t enjoy being around people, do you?”

“I’d be in the wrong business if I didn’t enjoy being around people. I
own a hotel after all. What I’m referring to is my private life. I have a few
very close friends, including my family, but other than being around them, I
enjoy seclusion. Jameson Hotel seems to be the right business and is in the picture-perfect
setting for my lifestyle.”

We begin our meal, admiring the scenic view. It’s dark, but the lights
from the downtown area glitter and reflect into the shoreline of Lake Tahoe. I
see a few cars curving along the mountain road then disappearing into the
pines. Jules keeps repeating how romantic it is and that she never would’ve
expected anything like this, especially from me.