Mindfield (Sideways Eight Book 1) (20 page)

“The room says that. She’s athletic.”

“No dolls, nothing girlie. Why?”

“It’s what she loves, enjoys. Like me, I love my guns and knives. My three black belts in martial arts. I jump out of airplanes for fun.” Charley perused the books on the shelf over the desk. “She’s a versatile reader, many genres. Natalie read some titles more than once.” She removed a book from the shelf. “The binding is bent, and the cover is worn.”

“What’s the book title?”

“‘The Count of Monte Cristo’.”

“Imprisoned for thirteen years. Why would a young girl read this?”

“I read it as a kid.” She shrugged. “Loved it.”

“It has swords, so…”

Charley raised her hand. “Guilty.” She tapped her mouth with her finger. “Hey, would you like to go bowling one evening?”

“Love to.”

Chapter 23

Sirens and Studs

Fifty miles SW of Fairfax, VA – Sirens and Studs Swingers Club

Friday, 20 May – 8:03 PM

A multi-colored neon sign boasting the name Sirens and Studs with a martini glass and a couple in a provocative position, flashed above them as Murphy and Charley stood outside his black Roadster. Isolated on a country road, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains it stood alone.

The windowless two-story building appeared to be an office building. Colorful spotlights shined on each corner of the tan stucco rectangular structure. Blank and unassuming, except for the garish neon sign, the complex avoided attention.

Dressed in a strapless navy-blue jersey mini-dress, Charley raised her toes, balancing on the cheap four-inch black ankle strap heels. Make-up plastered on her face, cubic zirconia earrings dangled to her shoulders. The dark wavy wig flowed to the center of her back.

Snug boot cut hip-hugging jeans clung to Murphy's hips, leaving nothing to anyone’s imagination. His red formfitting t-shirt etched his muscles. The sleeves stretched around his biceps, leading to solid forearms.

They stared at each other.

Murphy placed his hands on her upper arms. “Char, you don't have to do this.”

“I've come this far. We have to know the truth.”

“If you change your mind it's okay. I'm behind whatever you decide.”

“Sean… I can't believe I'm scared. As many dangerous situations I've been in, I've never felt like this.”

“This is tense, it's tight, and there's no room for mistakes.”

She nodded. “I can do this.”

“Char, do you have any idea what goes on in these places?”

“Only what I've read. To know...” She shook her head.

“I wasn't expecting a full parking lot.”

“A lot of out-of-state license plates. If I don't go in now, I never will.”

“Let’s go.”

She sighed.

He dug in his pocket. “We need to wear these.”

“Ah, the rings, I forgot.”

He held out his hand. “Give me your hand.”

Charley shivered as he slid a gold wedding band and a one-caret emerald-cut diamond ring on her left ring finger. “Oooo, pretty.” Charley admired the setting. “It fits. Your mom's?”

“Yes. She has great taste.” He handed her a simple men's gold wedding ring. She slipped onto his left ring finger.

“Is this your dad's?”

“No, it belonged to my grandfather.”

“Your grandfather was tall like you?”

“All of us Murphy men are. My mom is tall too.” He regarded his left hand then her. “It’s official.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “How soon can we try to make babies?”

She smacked him on the arm and turned her head to hide her scarlet cheeks. “Sean, please.”

“You'll never have to say please.” He grinned.

Heat swept up her neck as her cheeks blazed. “Gawd.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“We have to act married to do this right.”

“Should we fight here or inside?”

Murphy's lip curled as he smiled and grabbed their backpacks. “I'll carry these.”

“I'll carry mine,” she said, taking it from him.

“Char?”

“Sean. I'll carry mine.”

“I'll file a protest later,” he said as he put his arm around her waist and locked her in close. “Put it around me, Char.”

“Put what around you?”

“Arm in arm.”

“Okay,” she said as she swapped her backpack to her other hand.

“Okay, wife, mind if I make a few requests before we go inside.”

“You’re pushing it big guy.”

“That too.” Sean snickered.

Charley elbowed him in the ribs and hid her smile. They sauntered to the entrance door, stopped, their stationary on each other. Murphy placed his hand on the brass door handle and waited.

“Go ahead,” she said as she swallowed deep.

He opened the door for her as they entered the lobby. Its aged motif was reminiscent of the seventies. The shiny red tile glowed against the black painted walls. Heavy gold drapes hung over a large mahogany double theater door. To the left was the registration desk. Hesitant, they made their way to the counter.

“Evening, welcome to Sirens and Studs. My name is Richard, how may I help you.”

“We are Donald and Deidra Downing. We have reservations for a new membership weekend.” Murphy said. “Here's the confirmation, our marriage certificate, and copies of our driver's licenses.”

“You're from Maryland,” Richard said. “I've been there lots of times.”

“We requested a certain room,” Murphy said. “It's our lucky number.”

“Lemme guess, eight,” Richard said as he looked at their marriage license. “Well now, I see why, eight, eight. Your eighth anniversary is coming up soon. I hope you visit us during your happy occasion.”

Charley turned her head, placed her index finger in her mouth, and pretended to gag.

Murphy slipped his arm around her, pressed her against him, pinching her waist with his fingers. “You okay sweetness?”

“Sure thing, studly,” she said, crossing her eyes at him.

Murphy smiled. “You're so adorable when you do that. I hope they stick someday.”

“There would be two of you, no thanks.”

“More to love.”

“I'm still trying to love this one.”

“Ah, the banter of true love,” Richard said. “Mr. Downing, sign here and I'll get your keycard for Playroom Eight. Will you need help with your luggage?”

“Nah, we can handle it.”

The desk clerk handed Murphy two keycards. “One for you and one for the missus.”

“Thank you.”

Charley's fingers dug into his side the closer they approached the oversized mahogany theater doors, which led into a world neither had seen. As Murphy slowly opened the door, he looked at her and hugged her a little tighter. Inside a darkened vestibule, standing side by side, they stalled, and took a deep breath. Charley laced her fingers in his. “Sean.”

He squeezed her hand. “As long as you’re with me, you’ll be safe.”

Charley swallowed so hard she gulped. “I’m ready.”

Murphy opened the enormous door, and they entered a gymnasium-sized room.

“Oh, my gawd.” Charley’s mouth dropped open, her eyes colossal with shock and disbelief. “Did I step into the movie set of 'Eyes Wide Shut'?”

“No, it's more like Sodom and Gomorrah, or worse. Hell, porn isn't this bad.”

Filled with the debauchery of an unconditional orgy, they were the only ones clothed. Members were scattered about the room engaging in a variety of sexual activity.

“Some of the guys aren't using condoms,” Murphy said. “They're stupid. Wouldn’t management would require it?”

“Condoms? You're fixated on condoms?” She closed her eyes. “Oh, my gawd, Sean,” she said as she turned into him, buying her face into his chest. “Ten o'clock, in the corner. A train.”

“Holy shit, that's…”

“Jessica Cooper.” Charley tried to force her eyes to look away. “How many are in line?”

“One, two, three. About seven, but I stopped counting.” He tugged her dress. “Uh, Char, someone else we know is here.”

“Who?”

“Mr. Thurgood.”

“I'm gonna need eye bleach.” She attempted move from him.

He held her in place. “Don't Char, you don't want to see this. Cooper rolled over for some backdoor work. Oh gross, the first guy isn't wearing a condom.”

“What’s Mr. Thurgood doing?”

“I’m not positive but I believe he and Jessica are married. She’s on all fours and he’s watching men having… damn. Okay, we need leave.” He kept her from the line of sight as they continued to their room.

Through the door, they turned left to Playroom Eight. Murphy slipped the keycard into the slot. The door clicked, the green light appeared. His arm still clamped around her, he opened the door.

Charley laughed hysterically.

Murphy joined her.

“This is so gaudy.” She snickered.

The red and gold velvet wallpaper appeared faded against the shag carpet flattened by years of use. To the right of the room was a round bed with a red crushed velvet bedspread. On the wall behind the bed hung gold lamé drapes parted down the middle. The ceiling over the bed had mirrors with a small disco ball. In each corner were black strobe lights. Across from the entrance door was a credenza with a cheap stereo.

On the left side of the bed was a rack with an assortment of straps, leather cuffs, scarves and other items. On the other side was a nightstand with a small garish lamp and a telephone.

The dresser against the left wall had a microwave, television, and a video camera secured with a cable to the floor. To the left of the dresser was a mini refrigerator.

Beyond the bed was the door to the bathroom.

Charley faced him, dug into her silver bag, and lifted out a tube of lipstick. After she uncapped it, she ran it over her lips.

“Charley, there's no—”

“Shh, come here, in case we're being watched,” she whispered as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “It's not lipstick. It's a device that detects pulses for cameras, listening devices, and other electronics.”

“You don't need lipstick,” he said into her ear as he wrapped his arms around her. His lips brushed over her earlobe as her breath warmed his skin.

“I'm getting readings,” she whispered against the nap of his neck.

“So am I.” He smiled.

“Here we go. Television, stereo, camera, two cell phones, our data tablets, and a landline.” She peeped over his shoulder. “Must be the one on the nightstand next to the bed.”

“How long will it take?”

“When the scan is complete, the green light will come on,” she said, watching the activity on the LED.

Murphy’s heart raced. “Take your time.” He slid his hand from her shoulders to the slope of her back. “We want to make sure.”

“It's done.” Charley backed away from him. “Nothing, they aren't watching or listening.”

Charley stepped to the bed and opened the nightstand drawer. Inside she found numerous sex toys, only a few of which she knew what they were. She found a green jelly-like plastic rubber ring with a dolphin and showed it to Murphy. “What's this?” she said as she removed the wrapping.

“Uhm… it's uh… penis ring with… the… uh… dolphin is for… uh… female pleasure,” he said as he swallowed deep.

“Female pleasure?” she said, viewing her body, her arms level with the ground and the ring draped over her index finger. “Where would I put it?”

Murphy smiled and scratched his eyebrow with his thumbnail. “No Char, the man wears it.”

She held the ring in front of her face, holding it by the dolphin and peered at him through the opening. “Ah, so the little dolphin stimulates the female.” She examined the plastic marvel. “It goes around the base of a penis?”

“Yes.”

“Humph, interesting.” She shrugged. “I love dolphins. I swam with them in the Bahamas. Friendly little fellows.”

“Well, I believe you would like that friendly little dolphin.” He blushed.

“Why?”

He rubbed his forehead and clicked his mouth. “Charley, have you ever had sex?”

Her face went blank. She turned, tossed the ring in the drawer, and slammed it closed. “Well now.” Charley turned and pointed at the bed. “I've never seen a round bed before. Let’s check it out.”

She crawled onto the bed and sat in the center. Leaning back with her hands bracing her from behind, she raised her left knee as she dug her heel into the mattress.

“What are you doing?”

She extended her hand out to him. “C'mon.”

Murphy hesitated to subdue what was bubbling within him. He joined her on the bed with his chest facing her shoulder.

“I have to take off my clothes,” she said, looking towards the bathroom.

“Wha… what?”

“I can't put my gadgets in my g-string now can I?”

He peered behind her, gazing at her butt. “You have on a g-string?”

“Yeah, a purple one. Your favorite color right?”

“Yeah.” He grinned.

“I'm trying out method acting. If I'm going to do this I may as well play the part.”

“Do what?” he stuttered.

“I have to change clothes. I can't go into the vent wearing this.” She pointed at the vent overhead. “It's cold in the shaft. The air conditioning’s on.”

“Oh.”

She flopped back onto the bed, her head hitting the pillow. “Hmm, you should lie down and see for yourself.”

Murphy laid on his back, his attention on her.

“It's hard.”

He covered his jeans zipper with his hand. “What?”

“The mattress, it's hard.”

“Oh.”

“Why is it so hard?”