Dear Glory

3. Glorious Night

Chapter 3

Glorious Night

GLORY

W ith a croissant in my mouth and my arms full of all kinds of delicious yummies I’d picked up from the street shops, I waltz through the streets of Paris, feeling like I’m on top of the world.

I have never been so happy in my life. Not when I graduated design school. Not when I got my first commission for work… not never. And all it took was leaving my country!

“Bonjour!” (Hello!) I wave at the nice old woman who owns a fabric store that I’ve gotten well acquainted with in the small amount of time I’ve been here.

“Bonjour, mademoiselle! Nous avons un nouveau tissu aujourd'hui. ?a vous intéresse de venir le voir?” (Hello, miss! We have a new fabric today. Do you care to come see it?) she calls out to me, making me stop in my tracks. A new fabric?

Hmm… I ponder, taking a bite of the croissant, chewing slowly and thoroughly. It’s been so long since I cared about sewing, but since I came here and started visiting her shop while sight-seeing, I can feel the strong urge to hold needles and thread and create again…

I don’t remember when my feet carried me across the cobblestone, but I find myself in her dimly lit store, staring at the most beautiful fabric I’ve ever seen. I run my hands over the material and immediately my mind conjures up a design I’m dying to sew.

When was the last time I felt like this?

“Je vais prendre ca!” (I’ll take this!) I excitedly dance and she chuckles.

“Je savais que ca te plairait. Combien de mètres souhaitez-vous?” (I knew you would like it. How many meters would you like?)

“Quatre, s’il vous pla?t! Oh! Et je prendrai aussi ce kit de couture!” (Four, please! Oh! And I’ll take this sewing kit as well!)

“Je savais que le tissu conviendrait à votre go?t. Donnez-moi une seconde pendant que je le coupe et l'emballe pour vous.” (I knew the fabric would suit your taste. Give me one second while I cut and package it for you.)

“Pas de problème, prends ton temps et merci d’avoir pensé à moi.” (No problem, take your time, and thank you for thinking of me.) I stand there waiting while looking over the various patterns and kits she’s selling until she hands me my package and I pay.

“A plus tard, tu me manques. J’espère que tout ce que vous ferez se passera bien!” (See you, miss. I hope whatever you make turns out well!)

“Merci! Je ne manquerai pas de passer une fois terminé!” (Thank you! I will be sure to stop by once it’s complete!) I wave at her, beaming from ear to ear, damn near skipping to the hotel.

When I make it back, the bellboys immediately try to help carry my things, but I turn them down since I want to do things myself. The moment I make it to my room, I put away my groceries and sit on the floor with my fabric laid out, my white chalk pencil behind my ear and?—

My phone rings and I cut my eyes over to the phone, scowling. I bet it’s my dad again… he’s been calling nonstop asking questions about my time here. He has even sent the manager up to my room several times to inquire about me to the point I told the manager if he disturbs me one more time with a request from my father and it’s not due to an emergency, I will change establishments. That cut that behavior real quick.

I doubt he’s willing to lose such a high-value customer like myself who’s spending thousands of dollars a night, but in return, my dad has been dialing my phone at all hours of the day trying to get me to pick up, but I just combat it by spending more time outside the hotel where he can’t reach me.

Instead, I pop in the TLC tape and bob my head, singing along to “Waterfalls.” He’s not going to win the battle this time…

I’m my own woman and I’m free of his grasp, so he can call as much as he wants. I’m just going to sit my pretty Black ass on this floor and sew.

Placing the needle in the pin holder, I stand with hands on my hips, smiling at my handy work.

“You go, Glorinda!” I encourage myself. It’s some of my best work yet! Even though I don’t know what little girl and boy would wear this matching dress and shirt set, it’s still very cute. Maybe I can sell it to a boutique?

While I ponder on the thought, I glance outside, eyes going wide when I see that the Eiffel Tower is lit up. Whoa… when did the time get away from me? That seems to happen a lot while I’ve been here. I place the clothes gently and neatly on the coffee table then strip and hop into the shower. I turn the water nice and hot, taking my sweet time washing the day off.

When I get out, I plop in bed, grabbing the remote for another blissful day of flipping through channels. I land on a French dub of Tom and Jerry when my phone rings. I stare at it for a long time, debating if I even want to answer it since I don’t want to hear my dad nag me. Even if he’s frustrating, he’s still my dad, and I know ultimately it’s because he loves me that he’s doing this. I need to show up for myself and keep drawing the line in the sand for the sake of my boundaries to make this behavior cease.

When it rings again, I pick up with a sigh, hanging the receiver between my ear and shoulder.

“Yes, Dad?” I mumble.

“Is that any way to greet your mother?!” my mom chuckles and I sit up.

“MOM!” I cross my legs and hold the phone to my ear, excited to hear from her. She’s not one to reach out too much since she knows how overbearing Dad is, so the few times I get to hear from her on her own accord it’s special. “I missed you, Mom!” I tell her truthfully. I always miss her.

“I miss you too, love, but I didn’t call for the sentimentalities I wanted to hear the gossip!” she laughs and I raise a brow.

“Gossip? I’m afraid there is none,” I sigh.

“WHAT!?” she gasps, appalled. “What in the world have you been doing for the last week then?”

“Well… I’ve been relaxing and… today I sewed and?—”

“Sweetheart, I’m talking MEN! What MEN have you been doing?!” she speaks so matter-of-factly that I’m forced to burst out in laughter.

“None… you know I didn’t come here for all that. I’m not looking for a man, I’m looking for myse?—”

“Glorinda, the best way to find yourself is in the arms of a man that knows what he’s doing and can treat you good! I don’t know not one woman that hasn’t learned something about herself in the arms of a man with a big penis, long tongue, and strong stroke.”

“MOM! GOD!” I screech, but she chuckles. This is why I love her. This woman is so classy but outlandish.

“I’m not wrong, though. You’re never going to learn anything about yourself cooped in that hotel. Go out, mingle, find the first man your daddy wouldn’t approve of and be daring!” she voices and I cock my head to the side, skeptical and a little put off at the idea since I’m a bit traumatized from my dad bursting in on me.

“Ugh, I don’t know…” I trail off, not necessarily opposed to the idea. I have been just sitting around and decompressing, but…

“There is nothing for you to know or think about. Simply go out, be beautiful, pick up a man and have a good time! I’m not telling you to fall in love, I’m telling to go have fun. Besides, I know you didn’t go halfway around the world to be chaste,” she chuckles.

“I didn’t… I can actually stand for a good time…” It really has been a long time. When my dad and Linus burst in on me, it was my first time sleeping with a man prior to Linus, king of the two pump chump brigade. But good dick? A man that could fuck mind-numbingly good? I don’t think I’ve had that even with the few casual partners prior to Linus. Which is kind of sad because I enjoy sex. It feels good and clears my head, so maybe she isn’t wrong.

“See? Now get your pretty self up and show them French girls how we Cross women show up and out!”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” I tell her as I shut the television off and hear her clapping.

“Aww sookie sookie, now you’re talking. Well, I’m going to let you go. Call me later and tell me about it.”

“Alright, Mom, talk to you later,” I hang up and immediately run over to my closet, thrusting it open, rummaging through it to find one of the few outfits I packed that are suitable for a night on the town. I pick out one that I absolutely know my dad would hate and quickly change.

The black body-hugging dress that would have even made Marilyn Monroe proud hugs my curves in all the right places, leaving just enough to the imagination. I pull out a pair of six-inch Jimmy Choo heels which elongate my legs, and as crazy as it sounds, it flatters my busty but lush figure even more.

For added measure, I oil my body down with coconut oil that I picked up from Venice, Italy when I spent the summer there to make myself feel better after Linus and I broke up from his harsh words that hurt me more at the time than they do now. I truly was devastated, considering I really liked him, but the trip made me feel better.

It makes my dark skin shine as if it’s glowing in the moonlight, and the smell is divine. The compliments I receive from men and women alike when I wear it always puts me in a better mood. Last but not least, I spritz myself down with my Coco Chanel perfume and fix my curls before snatching my keycard and Gucci bag, making my way down to the lobby where I ask them to call me a taxi and head to the VIP private lounge that I’d heard murmurs about even while back home.

I heard that many celebrities and high profile people visit the lounge due to its American music and the electric and seductive atmosphere, which made It a must visit on my list while here.

I step out of the taxi all eyes turn to me, unsurprisingly. I know I look good, in fact, I look so good that when the attendant spots me, he asks no questions. He merely steps to the side and removes the rope for me to enter.

Walking through the halls, my body immediately buzzes from the loudspeakers making me nod my head. As soon as I enter the room, “Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe plays and all eyes fall on me again, but as per usual, I play it cool and head to the bar where the bartender doesn’t waste a second.

“Anything I can get you, mademoiselle?” the bartender asks in a heavy French accent, staring at me with lust-filled eyes.

“A martini, please,” I request.

“As you wish,” he answers as he pulls out a glass and instantly begins concocting my drink and slides it over to me. Nodding my thanks, I take the drink in hand and sip, casually dragging my eyes across the room, bobbing my head to the music, feeling over the moon.

This is ten times better than sitting at home with my mom and dad like I’m some retired granny.

No thanks. I want no part of that. I spent the better part of my life under his thumb, even though I know he did it for fear of me falling into the wrong crowd. However, it’s time for me to spread my wings and fly. I want to explore and do the things girls… no, women that are my age do. I just want to have fun! I want to take advantage of this three-month holiday and get into as much as possible.

“Good evening, madame,” I hear over my shoulder, knocking me out of my depressing thoughts.

“Yes?” I sip my martini, not bothering to look back.

“I could not help but admire you as you stepped into the room. Your radiance lit up this dark spa?—”

“And?” I slightly turn in my seat, setting my drink down and finally giving him my attention.

“A-and I was wondering if the mademoiselle would do me the honor of sharing this dance with me?” he stammers with his thick French accent and I look him up and down, assessing him. He’s undoubtedly handsome, so spending a dance with him wouldn’t be too much of a chore, but I wave him off and shake my head, disinterested.

“No thank you. Maybe next time,” I sip my drink, and his eyes go right to my lips making it clear he will defiantly reply with a “next time.” At that point, I might be inclined to say yes, but for now I just want to relax.

“Then please,” he takes my hand, kissing it. “Do not deny me perchance we meet again,” he persists and I throw him a smile which has him wiping drool from his lips.

“Maybe,” I tease and he licks his lips with promise, walking away. Well that was fun. I chuckle to myself. “Barkeep, another please,” I call and he quickly makes the drink, handing it to me. Before I can place it upon my lips to drink, I go still when I feel eyes on me.

Shuddering, I glance around cautiously, not trying to draw attention or let them know I’m on to them when I lock eyes with a man in the corner of the room that has me pausing from the sheer intensity of his gaze.

His face is half buried in the shadows, but just from what I can see coupled with the beautiful color of his bluish grey eyes, I can tell he’s leaps and bounds more handsome than the Frenchman who just approached me.

But unlike the Frenchman, his gaze is so feverish I’m forced to look away, which is not like me at all. While my father might be overbearing, he taught me the value of commanding the room and refusing to allow anyone to intimidate me into reconsidering my position, be that man or woman. But whoever this man is… that’s exactly the man my dad would hate and the very man my mom is talking about…

Flustered, I sip the martini in my hand, but my eyes continue to land on him. Each time I peek he’s always staring so intently at me. His gaze is so fiery I down the remaining contents of my drink and ask for another, suddenly feeling parched. Swallowing, I keep my eyes on him, letting him know I’m not intimidated.

When he cocks his head over and a smile lights his lips, I decide to challenge him by moving to the dance floor, where I seductively move my body to LL Cool J’s “Doing it Wild,” not taking my eyes off him. The song doesn’t finish before I feel a tap on my shoulder and turn to see a cute, boyish yet charming man standing in front of me.

“May I help you?” I lift a brow, frowning and analyzing him.

“Excuse me, ma’am. Our boss would like to have a word with you.”

“Me?” I cock my head to the side, reeling back slightly.

“Yes ma’am.”

“Why?” I question, genuinely unaware.

“I’m afraid it’s up to my boss’ discretion to discuss with you, ma’am,” he apologetically inclines his head. I lift a brow smirking, turning back to the man behind the curtain who’s been watching me all night. Even though I know I shouldn’t, curiosity gets the best of me and I square my shoulders.

“Very well. You may lead the way,” I respond.

“This way please.” He walks off and I strut behind him until we reach the corner where the cutie guard lifts the curtain, and I see cigar cinder light up followed by smoke that bellows into the air in the form of a heart, making mine skip a beat as the man behind the shadow sits forward, sucking the air from my lungs and leaving a lump in my throat from how attractive he is. Damn, he’s a lot sexier than I even thought.

His auburn hair gleams in the faint light of the lounge, and his beautiful sharp cheekbones, oval face, and a strong masculine jawline, coupled with his keen eyes, are akin to staring down a lion who’s been starved. I take a step back only to bump into the pretty boy, nearly stumbling when my heel catches the tip of his shoe.

“I…” I should leave… this man is dangerous… I can’t get my words out and my heart races with distress… unease, TERROR, but that’s what’s so sexy about him. Something in the pit of my stomach tells me to run the fuck away and not to look back, but the pretty boy with muscles I didn’t know he had hidden behind that lithe form lifts me into his arms, holding me tight against his body. He walks me over to the man who still silently puffs on his cigar and stares at me. He sets me down in the empty seat next to him and walks over to the entrance, closes the curtain, and stands guard inside the room while two others guard are on the outside. “Wh…” My throat doesn’t work. Words won’t form, and I feel as if I’ve walked into a business meeting riddled with stage fright about to engage in a deal that will go south.

Never in my life have I felt such a wild, virile presence from a man with nothing but his gaze. I’m used to cutting men down with my sharp tongue, but how the hell would that even be possible when my mouth won’t even form a sentence?

“’ello, luv.” His thick accent shocks me and makes my stomach tense up. It seems all the alcohol I’d drank chose this moment to hit me. His words along with the alcohol feel threatening yet warm, making me weak in the knees even though I’m sitting down.

“Wh-who are you? What do you want w-with me?” I throw his way haughtily, but in truth, I just want to get the hell out of here, uncaring of his answers.

“Dinna yu know me?” he questions with a smirk, eyes roaming over me like he’s privy to information I’m unaware of.

“Know you?” I frown, narrowing my eyes and looking him over. I shake my head vehemently. “No, I have no idea who you are,” I purse my lips and he pouts, shifting his dangerous aura into one of sadness, but for some reason, that feels worse.

“Aww, well it’s no matter yu’ll soon get tu know me. So remember my name since you soon be screamin’ it,” he leans over, whispering his name in my ear causing me to shudder.

“A-Axil?” I repeat, more to myself than to him, but a huge grin spreads on his face, and he sits up, taking my hand.

“At yer service,” he whispers breathlessly, kissing the back of my hand, and the action alone has me simultaneously feeling those three martinis I’d sipped at the bar, but my mom’s words play in my head…

“Go out, mingle and find the first man who your daddy wouldn’t approve of and be daring…”

Be daring…

My heart thumps in my chest as his smell swims over me. I stand and swing my leg over his lap causing his eyes to go wide but he. Thankfully, doesn’t push me away, but instead places his hands on the small of my back, gripping me hard.

“Wh-what do you mean I… I’ll be screaming it, Sir ?” I challenge him flirtatiously, wondering why I’m feeling so shy in front of him.

“How audacious the little princess is,” he bursts out laughing loudly, making me jump, and I reel back, offended by his words.

“Princess!” I scowl, trying to move, but he pulls me closer.

“Aye, Princess, yu have a problem wit’ bein’ called that?” he asks seriously, and I swallow, flustered, trying to find the words. In reality, no woman would have an issue with being called Princess, but to me it represents something not as pretty as Disney makes it out to be.

“Yes! I have major problem being called that, especially by someone who knows nothing about me!” I snap.

“Fair, but that’s why I’m tryin’ tu get tu know yu, me bratty litt’l princess,” he raises a brow, speaking in a smooth baritone voice that has me quaking.

“No thanks,” I roll my eyes but jerk him to me. “I don’t need you to get to know me, but tonight… tonight I’m down for a little fun,” I lean in, licking his lips and he smirks.

“Glory, I’m too greedy to only feast fer one night…” Axil whispers in my ear, making me hiccup from him slurping my lip into his mouth. Glory? I’ve never been called that… I don’t know why, but it sounds dirty.

“D-don’t call m-me that. No, better yet, how do you know my name?” I grind on him, making him grunt.

“I know everathin’ about you…” he growls, grasping my hair and yanking my head back, licking my neck and I think I cum a little.

“That’s disgusting. What are you, a stalker?” I moan when I feel his dick jump his pants against me. Alarm bells ring in my head, but I’m too intoxicated to care.

“Luv, if this is what yu consider disgustin’ than whoever is feckin’ yu isn’t duin’ it right,” he chuckles nastily in my ear. “I want to watch unspeakably disgusting thin’s bein’ done tu yu.”

I think I say something, but I can’t remember when my mind goes completely blank being in his arms.

“Oi… how much did yu drink?” he chuckles, swatting my ass, making my eyes go wide in shock and something else I can’t put a name on. I have never… ever… EVER, not even once been spanked, even by my own dad!

“Wh-what the h—” I slur, unable to finish my sentence. Did I drink more than I thought ?

I should go… I clumsily think to myself. I know my mom told me to have fun, but she didn’t say recklessly leave with a man while I’m too intoxicated to think and consent.

Pulling from his arms surprisingly easily, I stumble, though thankfully, I don’t face plant onto the ground thanks to the pretty boy who catches me.

“Careful, Ms. Glory,” he smirks down at me with gorgeous brown eyes, making me gasp as I try to push from his arms, but I feel someone press against my back, sandwiching me between them. I turn, thinking it’s Axil, but I come face to chest with a tall chocolatey man I hadn’t noticed before I look up at his well over six-foot height as he smiles beautifully.

“Hello, Ms. Glory.” He looks me up and down. I glance over to Axil, who’s watching intently, puffing on his cigar with hungry eyes as if daring me to do something, but I back up, ass bumping into pretty boy. This time, my eyes go wide when I feel something huge press against my ass as something else massive presses against my thigh, leaving me faint. Jesus… what in the world?

I have never been surrounded by such sexual tension. In my drunken state, I feel as if I’m going to be eaten piece by delicious piece by all of them.

The alarm bells turn to sirens and I pant, truly unable to take it…

“St-stop,” I moan, clapping my hands over my mouth, shivering as goosebumps spread over my body and my breathing hitches.

I have been in many compromising situations… more than I am willing to count, but none… not even one, has topped this.

Axil sighs, almost disappointed as he puffs on his cigar. The chocolate man moves behind me as Axil reaches out and lifts my head. I’m ashamed to say I barely fight him. When his thumb swipes over my lip, I open my mouth ready to curse him out, but I don’t get a chance to because he blows the cigar smoke into my mouth before placing what is probably meant to be a gentle kiss but might as well be the nastiest kiss of my life. To add insult to injury, he’s doing all of this while the pretty boy and the sexy chocolate man standing behind me make no move, leaving my already weak knees useless.

“Yer such a tease, Glorious, but I’ll be responsible this time. I’d rather yu be sober anyway, but next time… I’ll have me way wit yu an’ yu’ll like it,” he growls. “Du yu understand?”

“I…” even in my inebriated state, I can tell this man will not take no for an answer. To be dead honest, I don’t want to tell him no anyway, so with the small amount of sanity as I’m still holding onto, I place my hands around his neck and poke out my ass, smiling brightly at him,

“Yesh, shir.”

“Bloody ’ell, yu’ll be the death o’ me,” he grunts as he picks me up and carries me through the club. I rest my head on Axil’s chiseled chest prior to my eyelids completely failing me. Everything goes dark with only one thing on my brain. Damn… it appears coming to France was a better decision than I thought.