6. Bella
SIX
Bella
He sits across from me, his presence commanding, even in the midst of the soft jazz and murmured conversations.
“You been here before?” he asks.
“Do I look like the kind of woman who comes to a place like this?”
“You fit right in.”
“The only reason they haven’t thrown me out is because you spent five hundred bucks on champagne.”
“You wanted a drink.”
“I was thinking a glass, not a barrel.”
“You going to talk about booze all night or are you going to ask me the question you’re dying to ask?”
I take a sip from my glass. “All right. What is this thing you’re trying to find?”
His eyes darken a fraction, and he takes a sip of his drink before answering. “I could only share that with you if we were married.”
I feel a pang of disappointment mixed with curiosity. “Are you married?”
“No.” The answer is blunt, final.
“But you’d tell me if I was your wife?”
“Correct.” He stares at me, like he’s daring me to continue.
“Why?”
“A wife can’t be called upon to testify against her husband in court. You couldn’t use the information to get me put away.”
“So it’s something illegal? Is it drugs?”
“Ask me something else.”
I study him, the dangerous edge to his demeanor only making him more attractive. “Who are you really?” I ask. “You’re clearly hiding things. Is Alex even your real name?”
“It is.”
“How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
He shrugs. “I don’t want to lie to you. Up to you if you believe that or not.”
“And you’re spying on me because?”
“You don’t want to know,” he says, his tone dark and serious. “Once you open that box, it can’t be closed. Better not open it unless you have to, trust me. Next question.”
The intensity in his eyes makes me shiver with desire. “Why did you spend so much money to get the room you did?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady. “What’s so important about that room?”
He leans in, his eyes locking onto mine. “Because it’s directly above yours.”
My breath catches. “And why does that matter?”
“Because I wanted to get a camera into your room,” he says, his voice dropping to a low, seductive tone. “Fed it through the vents.”
“You are spying on me. Fuck, what the hell?”
“I needed to keep an eye on you. Wanted to get close to you too. That’s a bad idea, though. I see that now.”
I’m taken aback, but curiosity and desire surge through me. “Why?”
He explains, his voice calm and matter-of-fact. “I’m thinking of doing something that I shouldn’t.”
“What?”
“I was thinking of entering into a relationship with you.”
“With me? You don’t know the first thing about me.”
“I know your name is Bella Bennett. You’re twenty-one. Up to two weeks ago you were living with your father at 402, Newman Heights, Brooklyn. You left that property and spent some time on the streets before rocking up here a week ago. You have no friends apart from Lily Jefferson, fellow chambermaid. You aren’t on social media. You don’t have a car. Your dream is to run your own hotel one day. Shall I go on?”
“How do you know all that?”
“My job.”
I’m about to respond when my work phone buzzes. I glance at the screen, reading the message quickly. “I need to go back to the hotel.”
“Why?”
“Got to cover a shift at the bar.” I get to my feet. “You’ll have to finish that vat of champagne on your own, Stalky McGee.”
He meets my gaze. “Look, I’m only around for a couple of weeks. After that, it won’t matter whether or not I’ve found what I’m looking for. I’m going to roll the dice here. I want you to submit to me while I’m here. Come talk to me if you want to do it.”
“Submit to you how?”
“Obeying my commands in the bedroom. You’ve got my number, call me if you want to prove you’re no coward.”
The hotel bar is buzzing with activity, the clinking of glasses and the low hum of conversations filling the air. My mind is still spinning from the conversation with Alex. I try to push thoughts of him aside, focusing on the task at hand—cleaning up glasses and serving drinks.
It isn’t long before I feel his presence. I glance up and see him sitting in a dark corner of the bar, watching me intently. I notice he’s brought the bottle of champagne with him. Is that a test? Am I supposed to tell him he can’t bring it into the hotel bar?
He’s just sitting there, not saying anything, his gaze unwavering. I try to ignore him, but it’s impossible. Every time I catch his eye, my heart skips a beat.
Submit to him. Could I do that? Obey his commands? Let him take charge of everything? What would that entail?
I try to concentrate on my work, but my arousal builds, making it hard to focus. Finally, I can’t take it anymore. I approach him, my heart pounding.
“I want to try it,” I say. “But only for one night. See what happens. Can I trust you to respect my wishes?”
He looks up at me, his expression unreadable. “Yes.” The tension between us is electric, the air thick with anticipation. “If you want me to leave you alone after one night, I will, but it’s not going to be easy for me. I’m used to taking what I want in this life.”
“One night,” I repeat, my voice firmer now. “And no one finds out, right?”
“I need it that way too.”
“You sure you haven’t got a wife waiting for you somewhere?”
“I’m sure.” His eyes lock onto mine. “Let’s start now, shall we?” He leans in, his voice low and commanding. “Go to the bathroom right now and masturbate in one of the stalls. Use this.” He hands me a silver bullet vibrator, his eyes never leaving mine.
My cheeks flush with embarrassment as I take the vibrator, quickly hiding it as a group of people pass by.
“Tell me when you’ve done it,” he adds, sitting back in his seat.
I swallow hard, the command both thrilling and terrifying. Just then, Mr. Harris yells at me to get back to work. I glance back at Alex, who looks like he wants to murder Mr. Harris.
“Sorry, got to go,” I mumble, hurrying back to the bar. I carry on cleaning, feeling the weight of the vibrator heavy in my pocket and the heat of Alex’s gaze on me.
Every task I perform feels like it takes an eternity, my mind consumed by the thought of what he’s asked me to do.
My arousal grows with each passing minute, and I can’t stop thinking about him, about the power he already has over me, the desire I feel when I think about obeying him. Finally, when the bar quiets down a bit, I seize the opportunity.
I slip away to the bathroom, my heart pounding in my chest. The bar's ambient noise fades as I close the door behind me, seeking the privacy I need for what I’m about to do.
I lock myself in a stall and take out the vibrator, my hands shaking with a mix of nerves and anticipation. I can’t believe I’m actually going to do this.
As I slide my hand under my skirt, a thrill of obedience courses through me, mingling with my intense arousal.
I close my eyes and picture Alex, his commanding presence, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that makes my knees weak. I can feel my pussy throbbing, wet and eager for release.
With trembling fingers, I turn on the vibrator and press it against my clit. The sensation is electric, sending shockwaves of pleasure through my body. I bite my lip to stifle a moan, my hips bucking involuntarily. Every nerve in my body is on fire, and I can’t help but imagine Alex watching me, his gaze filled with approval and desire.
My breathing quickens, each pulse of the vibrator bringing me closer to the edge. I feel the pressure building inside me, a tight coil ready to snap.
My mind is a whirl of sensations and thoughts of Alex, his voice in my ear, his hands on my body. I imagine him whispering dirty words in my ear, telling me how much he wants me, how much he loves watching me come.
I slide the vibrator down, teasing my entrance before pushing it inside. I gasp, the feeling of fullness exquisite. I start to move it in and out, my fingers working on my clit in time with the vibrations. The sound of my own wetness fills my ears, and I know I’m close.
My orgasm hits me hard, a wave of pleasure so intense I can hardly breathe. I cry out, my body shaking uncontrollably. The vibrator slips from my fingers, falling to the floor with a clatter. I'm left panting, my heart racing, my body still trembling with aftershocks.
I take a deep breath, savoring the feeling of release, before slowly getting up and straightening my clothes.
I take a moment to catch my breath, leaning against the cool wall of the stall. My heart is still racing, the aftershocks of my climax making my legs feel weak. I quickly clean up, my hands steadier now, and adjust my clothes.
As I step out of the stall, I glance at myself in the mirror. My cheeks are flushed, my eyes bright with a mix of satisfaction and lingering arousal. I take a deep breath, smoothing my hair and straightening my skirt. I can’t help but smile.
I walk back out expecting to find Alex where I left him but he’s gone. If it wasn’t for the bottle of champagne left on his table, I’d be able to tell myself he was never here at all.