Thread: Four Letters (Ariamella and Dane Stalling)

Marisa leaned forward and Cameron enjoyed the implied invitation even more than the alluring view of her cleavage. Her skin looked like silk with a pulse. He licked his lips. The desire to be seen, to be noticed, was universally human and he found it to be one of the most attractive things about a woman. If she thought she was controlling him with a peek and a wiggle, well, that was fine. And it was working. If he was honest with himself, he had to admit it was working. Part of Cameron didn't care. If this happened, it was a one-night thing. What did he care if she put a bit in his mouth and steered him all over the countryside, especially if that countryside was gift-wrapped in her stunning red dress. But there was something smug about the way she wiped her mouth, the way she teased, and it made him burn. He knew she would be easy if he played her game. He didn't want her to be easy. Being on top, he said, has nothing to do with it. That's just schoolboy dominance. Pissing contests, notches on bedposts. Sexual positions are tools in the hands of artists, and art is much more interesting than dominance. Anyone who forgets that is a lousy lover. Cameron smiled. He was on thin ice. It would get thinner. He took a bite and watched Marisa watch the room. The pickup amused him. The initial turn down, the flash of the card. Most pickups were one kind of transaction or another. He's buying more than just one night, Cameron said, She's going to call in sick tomorrow, and maybe the next day. Maybe it will be worth it. Marisa's face had a pleasant glow. She was down to her last sip of beer and when she pulled her hair aside, she showed the curve of her neck. You have a stunning neck, he said, looking in her eyes. He reached out and touched her, ran his finger from just below her ear to her shoulder. You shouldn't hide it. Marisa pointed out the girl making eyes at him. She was tiny woman with a jet black pixie cut. She could have been an elf with bright green eyes. You think she wants me, huh? he said, but he shook his head. I don't think so. She's playing the room, finding her biggest competition. That's you tonight. She's going to try to steal me from you. I think I'll let her a little. Cameron looked directly at the girl and smiled. He waited a full three breaths, then he barely gestured with his head. She took a suggestive swig from her bottle of beer, grinned, and walked over, hips swinging. She wore low-cut jeans and there was a hand's breadth of porcelain skin between the bottom of her white tank top and the edge of the jeans. Her left shoulder and upper arm were decorated in colorful tattoosMexican skulls, tropical flowers, and a line in Spanish, No deseo mas que mi locura in evil looking script. Cameron sipped his beer as she walked over, watched how she moved under the tank top. She stopped in front of him and set her bottle down on the table, her back to Marisa. You look like trouble, he said, grinning up at her. She picked up his beer and took a long pull, and set it back down in front of him. You have no idea, she said. I'm Noir. Of course you are. I'm Cameron. You're fun to look at up close. He took some time to admire her ink, noticed a thorned vine on her hip that disappeared into her jeans. I have more, she said. I counted on it, he said, and let his eyes flick over to Marisa's face for a second. I'm working tonight, helping my colleague out with a project. She's a sex reporter. Noir seemed to notice Marisa for the first time. No shit. Like ten things that will drive your man crazy in bed? She laughed and kept her eyes on Marisa. She counted her fingers slowly. One two three four five six seven eight nine ten. Let me know how that turns out. She wiggled her fingers and picked up her beer and slipped her pinky into the bottle. I can teach you one thing that will blow his... Tomorrow night, Cameron said, The Misfit in Santa Monica. Noir turned to him and nodded. We'll fit right in. Then she turned back to Marisa. She bent over at the waist and kissed her on the cheek and whispered something in her ear that Cameron couldn't hear, then she walked away, dropped a ten on the bar, and carried her beer out the door, dangling it loosely by the neck.