Page 8 of Undeniable

Hair messy, makeup runny, she looks radiant,but I know better than to grab the camera now and take a picture.She would freak for sure.I answer in English. "It’s on the nightstand on your left."

She looks at me like I have grown two heads, so I walk over and pick it up then hand it to her. Finally, she focuses, then smiles a lazy, satisfied smile up at me. "Grazie, Mister Big Man. What time is it?"

When I tell her, I stand back and get out of the storm’s path. She blinks rapidly as she absorbs this news and logs it mentally into her calendar, then her eyes widen and a look of sheer panic spreads across her face. She flings the covers off, begins rattling off in Italian how she is late for a gig, then sprints to the foyer where her clothes are. As she dresses, she calls her agent back and leaves a message. "I’m on my way. Do NOT replace me. Ciao."

I stroll in as she is putting on her coat and pulling her hair out. She stops, eyeing my nakedness, and smiles, then bounces up to me and puckers her lips.

"I have to hurry, Americano, but thank you for that fucking of a lifetime." She giggles as I place my lips on her waiting ones. "Let me give you my digits. We can hookup again, no?"

I’m silent. The moment of straight line truth is here. It won’t do any good or ease the pain if I tell her she was an exceptional fuck and truly fun, so I just shoot her down. "No."

"No?" She stops, blinks rapidly, then backs up with a confused look on her hurried face.

"That’s correct. There are no repeats."

"Ugh!" She yells. The shock of being dumped added to her panic of being late sends her out the studio door. She takes the time to slam it with force before she rushes down the stairs, cussing the entire way. I stroll out to the balcony to watch her run to her car. She stops on the sidewalk, looks up, shakes her fist at me, and screams one more perfect English parting shot. "You’re an asshole!"

"Yeah. I am. Ciao." I tell the sports car as it peels off. "Well, that went better than usual," I tell the empty studio as I walk back in. Picking up my camera, I take the digital card from it and mark it #633, then walk through the bedroom to my editing island and put it in the hard drive to upload. Walking back to the bed, I flop down on it, pull the pillows under my head and grab my phone. I call Darren.

"Aurei! Hey, Bro. What’s happening?"

"Ah. Not a whole helluva lot. What’s up with you?"

"An investment opportunity has come calling."

"Give me the pitch."

"A few years back I was talking to a Frat brother who owns Been Jammin' in Vegas. He told me he had discovered a dancer who had an unusual idea that turned out to be a gold mine. He called her his million-dollar baby and that she was a bonafide superstar. I told him if he came across another opportunity like that one to give me a call." He pauses. "He called yesterday."

"I’m listening," I tell him.

"This same dancer has been offering a niche service for a select few, very exclusive clientele for years and she has some serious repeat offenders. She came to him with the idea of expansion a few months ago because it’s growing faster than she can keep up with and maintain her other obligations." He pauses again.

"I’m listening. What is it?"

"She calls it 'Fucking Fantasies.'" He pauses for effect.

I nod my head at the boldness of the title. "Wow. That’s straight line. I’m all ears now."

Darren chuckles. "Bart said anything this girl does makes money. She’s like a money magnet and a business guru all rolled into one. He says she is really intelligent and has an intuitiveness that’s impressive, but he didn’t go into the nitty-gritty of what she actually offers in this niche service. He’s keeping that under lock and key for now. Since you’re familiar with Vegas, I thought you might be interested, and have some insight or at the least ask you to find out more for me. Do a little digging. I’m definitely interested."

"Sure. I’ll check her out for you. What’s her name?"

"Seary. Have you heard of her?"

"Hmm. Can’t say that I have, but I don’t run in those circles. I know people who do though. I can check her out for you. What’s the deal your buddy, Bart, is putting together?" I put my feet on the floor and my elbows on my knees and listen to the offer as he discusses the details of the deal. "Sounds like the investment is solid. When do you need an answer on the dancer?"

"Right away. He’s gathering the initial capital investors now."

"Ok. I’m actually on Thanksgiving leave at the moment. I’ll fly out and evaluate her. I need to touch base on my properties anyway. Do you want me to check in with Bart while I’m there?"

"No. Just spy on her and give me your honest opinion, if you think she’s a winner or not, and if you’re in or not. I know the deal is a good one."

"Affirmative. I’ll let you know by the end of the week."

"Appreciate it."

"No problem. Ciao."

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