Black Dahlia (7 page)

“Good. I’m glad. Is this your first burlesque show ever?” She asked. 

“No, I’ve been to a couple before in Brazil and Vegas, but this one is special,” he said, giving her a heated look.

Mercedes smiled. “Cause you’re working?”

“No,” he replied honestly. Their eyes locked for a few moments. Mercedes was shocked at the desire Raul openly displayed. She knew his eyes were a mirror of her own, and she quickly turned her head.

“I’ll let you finish getting dressed. I just wanted to check on you,” he stated before turning and walking to the door. “I’ll be right outside the door if you need anything.”

Mercedes took a deep breath when the door closed with Raul on the opposite side. She knew something was happening between them, and wasn’t sure how she felt about it. Before she could think too long and hard about it, she checked the time and realized she now only had ten minutes before her next performance. She hurriedly changed her lipstick color to a shiny red and gave herself cat-eyes with black eyeliner before giving herself one last look in the mirror. She grabbed her black cane, she was using for her performance tonight and headed out the door. Raul greeted her with a smile.

“Ready?” he asked looking her up and down.

“Yup, it’s show time!” she said, excitedly, as Raul walked ahead of her, for safety purposes. Once they arrived at the side of the stage, they both looked on as another performer completed her performance. The emcee came up to tell the audience they were taking a five minutes break, and they would return with a very special performance. That was Mercedes’ cue to get in position.

“Good luck, Dahlia!” came a voice from behind. Mercedes and Raul turned to see a performer from earlier. Essence Almighty was her stage name. She and Mercedes had met numerous times throughout the years often performing in the same clubs.

“Thank you. You were great Essence,” Mercedes returned.

“Thanks babe,” Essence said, before turning her eyes on Raul. She eyed him up and down lustily.

“I don’t think we’ve met. They call me Essence, but you can call me whatever you want,” she flirted. Mercedes found herself annoyed at Essence’s open flirtation, which she knew was silly. Raul wasn’t hers. He was there helping her. Doing a job. Isn’t that what he’d called it-a job?

Raul smiled, but Mercedes found herself relieved when she noticed it didn’t reach his eyes. “Nice to meet you, Essence. I’m Raul.”

“Dahlia, where’d you meet this charmer?” Essence asked Mercedes, but kept her eyes on Raul.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” she mumbled.

“I’m sorry?” Essence asked.

“Oh, you know just on the corner somewhere,” Mercedes retorted. She didn’t want to tell Essence that he was actually there for safety reasons. She hadn’t told anyone outside of management and the owner of her troubles and wanted to keep it that way. Besides, Raul advised her not to. He believed whoever her stalker was could be someone she met or knew through performing. The trio heard the emcee return to the stage and begin her introduction.

“It was good seeing you, Dahlia. Good luck. Nice meeting you Raul,” she said, winking at him before heading towards the changing room.

“Ladies and gentlemen put your hands together one more time for the incredible, the illustrious, the unbelievably sexy, Black Dahliaaaaa.”

Forgetting all about Essence, Mercedes strutted on stage, clapping her hands to the electric beat of the music. This was her upbeat performance of the night. The rhythm electrified her, and she circled her hips as she spun her back to the audience and shook her ass to the beat. She spun back around and high kicked, allowing the crowd to see her fishnet covered legs. The claps and shouts increased, further igniting Mercedes’ playful side. She raised one side of her skirt before dropping it, teasing the audience over and over again, before she reached around and unbuttoned the skirt and let it slide down her firm legs. Kicking the skirt to the side, she dropped down to the stage, spread eagle and lifted and ground her hips to the beat, earning more applause from the audience. She stood and swiveling her hips and reaching around to undo the buttons at the back of her crop top. Slowly, she unbuttoned them one by one, and teased the audience some more before side stepping across the stage, and ripping off the shirt, and tossing it to the side. She bent at the waist, rotating her backside, before whipping her head back and coming up slowly, revealing her pasty-clad breasts and shaking them for the crowd to end the routine. Mercedes blew a kiss to the crowd before taking a final bow and exiting the stage.

Mercedes exited the opposite side of the stage as Raul. She felt light as the adrenaline rush from her performance continued. She felt like she was floating as she walked down the hallway as she noticed out of the corner of her eye Raul walking behind her. She smiled as she entered her private changing room humming to herself and closed the door. Removing her boots and fishnet stockings, she put on a long, flowy grey skirt, removed her pasties and put on a black grey and white V-neck t-shirt. Just as she was finishing changing a knock on her door alerted her.

“It’s your costume,” Raul yelled through the door.

“Thank you,” Mercedes said as she pulled the door open, and retrieved her costume from him. Usually the stage kittens brought the costumes back, but because of the obvious safety concerns, Raul opted to collect the costume at the door, and hand it to Mercedes. She quickly packed and was ready to head out in a matter of minutes. She had another performance the following night, and it was after eleven. She was ready to get back to the hotel, bathe and get into bed.

“Ready to head out or did you want to watch the rest of the show?” Raul asked as she opened the door.

“I’m ready to go, unless you wanted to stay?”

“Nope, I’m good. Let’s go,” he said, putting his hand on the small of her back. They had taken a car to the club, and were taking one back to the hotel, which was only about a fifteen minute drive. Once they got to the hotel, Raul escorted Mercedes to her room, took her keycard to open the door. Sliding the key into the door, he told Mercedes to wait, while he checked the room as a precaution. Mercedes peeked in the room as he turned the lights on and carefully checked all the corners and even under the bed. She admired how his muscles bunched and tightened under his clothing. Still feeling the adrenaline from performing, she could feel herself growing hot with arousal as she licked her lips. At that precise moment, Raul turned to see her eyeing him seductively. He waved her in the room, letting her know it was safe. He walked to stand in front of her, with a casual smile.

“You were really great tonight,” he said in low voice.

“Did I live up to my reputation?” she asked playfully.

“You exceeded it,” he said as his hand reached up to sweep a curl behind her ear. His light touch sent chills through her body. She let her gaze roam over his face, until their eyes met. They stared at one another for a few heartbeats. Without a conscious thought, both moved in closer to one another at the same time. Next thing she knew, Mercedes felt Raul’s lips moving over hers. The feel of his lips on hers took Mercedes back to the first time they’d done this, in a different hotel. She felt his tongue on her lips, nudging her lips open. When she parted her lips on a sigh, Raul let his tongue explore her mouth. Mercedes let her eyes drift closed as she allowed him to plunder her mouth. His hand slid up her back to cup the back of her head. Mercedes let her hands slide around his waist as he pressed himself even closer into her body. She felt his hands move down her back to cup her ass, pulling her closer to his growing arousal. Mercedes moved her hands up to Raul’s head pulling him tighter against her lips, and pressing her breasts against his chest. Raul began moving her backwards towards the bed. Before she knew it, the back of her knees hit the bed. Raul continued to kiss a path down the column of Mercedes’ neck. She grabbed the front of his buttoned down shirt and pulled him down on top of her as she collapsed to the bed. His weight on top of her felt right. Raul placed kisses on the sides of Mercedes’ mouth, before moving down to her neck and the tops of her breasts. His progress was impeded by her thin t-shirt. Moving lower, he pushed the shirt up exposing soft, dark brown skin. He placed kisses down her stomach, stopping to dip his tongue in her belly button. Mercedes’ moans and the rise and fall of her chest let him know she enjoyed his touch. Raul needed more, and he could tell by Mercedes’ half-lidded gaze filled with desire that she did too. Raul moved down her body, pulling her long skirt as he went, exposing the black lacy thong she wore underneath. 

“Fuck,” he swore under his breath. Seeing her on stage nearly nude was one thing, but having her this close, feeling her supple skin, and hearing the hitch of her breath as he placed his on the top of her panty-clad mound, drove his desire higher than ever.

“Eat me.” It wasn’t a question and Raul sure as hell wasn’t in the mood to turn down a free meal.

“With pleasure, Querida,” Raul happily obliged. Quickly dispersing of Mercedes’ skirt and thong, he dipped his head, first licking her pussy lips. At the first swipe of his tongue, Mercedes instinctively raised her hips, urging him on. The taste of her juices on his tongue had Raul moaning. She tasted of honey and a taste that was pure Mercedes. He wanted more. Raul lost all patience, and began swirling his tongue around her lips, moving up to her clit. When he wrapped his lips around her clit, Mercedes moaned loudly, moving her hips and pushing her pussy into his face.

“More, Raul.” At Mercedes’ urging, Raul began sucking in earnest. Mercedes hands moved up to cup her breasts. Pushing her bra and t-shirt out of the way, she pinched and plucked at her nipples. Her hips had a mind of their own as they jerked trying to get as close to Raul’s mouth as possible. When she felt Raul slide a finger into her wet core, she cried out in sweet agony.

“Ahhh, you feel so fucking good,” she panted, just as Raul inserted a second finger. She felt him curl his fingers inside her as his mouth sucked even harder on her clit. The contact with her g-spot and the pressure on her clit had her orgasm sending waves of pleasure through her body. Her hips moved on their own accord, and Raul continued to suck her through it all.

Mercedes released her breasts, dropping her arms by her sides as she let her breath return to normal. Raul crawled back up her body rested his weight on his elbows, staring down at Mercedes.

“You taste delectable,” he said, his voice thick with arousal. He pressed a kiss to her parted lips. Mercedes immediately opened her mouth wider, tasting herself on his lips. Licking his bottom lip she sucked it into her mouth, nibbling at it before letting go. Raul pulled back staring into her eyes. She saw a range of emotions behind those beautiful brown eyes of his. Lust, desire, hesitance. It was all there before he blinked and they were all gone.  

“I want you to come somewhere with me tomorrow,” he said continuing to look down into her eyes. 

Mercedes blinked, “What?”

“Tomorrow morning. I want to take you somewhere,” he explained.

Still struggling to catch her breath Mercedes remained silent for a minute.

“Where?”

He smiled that same mischievous smile that made her stomach flutter.

“It’s a surprise.”

She eyed him cautiously, wondering where he wanted to take her. And more importantly, why had he stopped. She could feel his thick erection against her thigh. She knew he was turned on. She also knew by the look in his eyes that he really wanted her to say yes to his request. In that moment, Mercedes wanted nothing more than to make Raul happy.

She nodded, “Sure, why not?”

Raul’s eyes lit up, as if wherever he was taking her had special meaning to him. “Great,” he said pressing another kiss to her lips, “Be ready by 9:30 tomorrow morning.” His excitement pleased Mercedes.

“Okay.”

Slowly, Raul raised himself up off the bed. He turned to take one last look at Mercedes, naked on the bed. Never shy about her nudity she reveled in the desire she saw burning in his eyes. She allowed her gaze to sweep down his body to the bulge in his pants and smiled.

“I’ll let you turn in. Just knock on the door if you need anything,” he said gesturing to the door that separated their two rooms.

“Don’t forget to put the chain on,” he reminded her as he pulled the door closed.

After a few minutes, Mercedes got up and put the chain on and locked the door. She sighed caught somewhere between wishing Raul hadn’t stopped them from fucking and being grateful he had. She now knew that Raul’s mouth wasn’t just useful for charming the pants off a woman, but just as efficient in making sure a woman was happy she took her pants off to begin with. She didn’t know where this was headed with Raul, but she knew if she wasn’t careful she would end up, in over her head.

Raul woke up the following morning with a smile on his handsome face. He’d had a hell of a time getting to sleep last night. After leaving Mercedes’ room, he took a long, cold shower, rubbing one out while he was in there. When he came, the image of Mercedes’ face appeared. Her head was thrown back, her lips were slightly parted, and silently screaming as her orgasm washed over her, came to mind. It was an image he’d never forget as long as he lived. He hadn’t had any intentions of going that far with her last night, but watching her be so uninhibited on stage made his dick rock hard. He would never consider himself a jealous lover, but seeing her dancing nearly nude as men and women watched with rapt attention made him want to claim her for his own. He wanted to feel her and share something with her that no one in the audience would be able to share. But, he stopped before fully possessing her. He wanted to make sure the first time they had sex it wasn’t because she was hopped up on adrenaline from performing. He wanted to have her with a clear head.

The audience may have the ability to see her beautiful body on stage, but he wanted her more than the Black Dahlia. He wanted to get to know Mercedes, beyond the stage presence. Today he was taking her to a place he went to whenever he had time while visiting the city. After getting up, showering and dressing in a pair of loose fitting jeans and a dark Polo short-sleeve shirt he ordered breakfast for him and Mercedes. Next he knocked on the door that separated their room, checking to see if she was awake.

“Good morning,” Mercedes smiled as she opened the door. She was dressed in a pair of jean shorts and a white V-neck. Raul had a difficult time not allowing his eyes to trail down her smooth as silk skin and gawk at her cleavage.

“Good morning,” he greeted.

“I wasn’t sure what to wear. This okay?” she asked.

“It’s perfect. I ordered breakfast. It should be here in another fifteen minutes. Then we can eat and head out.”

“Breakfast? We can’t eat on the way to wherever we’re going? Which, you still haven’t told me exactly where that is, by the way,” Mercedes eyed him suspiciously, with her hand on her hip.

Raul found himself amused at the intimidating posture she tried to take, but didn’t let it show.

“It’s a surprise,” he said placing a quick kiss on her cheek, unable to resist touching her any longer, “Don’t worry, I’m not trying to kidnap you or anything, and I’ll have you back long before your performance tonight,” he said winking at her.

A knock at the door halted Mercedes’ response. “Come in. That’s probably breakfast. They’re early today. We’ll eat then go.”

After Raul checked room service attendant’s credentials and the food, he allowed him in the room to set up the table. The pair ate breakfast in Raul’s room, making small talk. Thirty minutes later the two were heading out of the door. Raul steered Mercedes to the subway.

“Where we’re going is only a few stops away.” Mercedes shrugged and didn’t move away when he encircled her waist with his arm and guided her down the subway steps.

“So you’re still not telling me where we’re going, huh?” She questioned again.

Raul smiled, “That would spoil the surprise, Querida. How did you sleep?” he asked steering the conversation away from where they were going.

Mercedes’ lips spread into a dreamy smile, remembering her blissful sleep and what transpired right before she fell asleep. I slept like a baby,” she purred, opting to leave out the part where she dreamt about the feel of his lips on her, hard muscles covered in gold colored skin, and the sexiest smile she’d ever seen on a man.

“Good,” he smiled down at her placing a kiss just beneath her ear. “This is us,” Raul said grabbing Mercedes hand, doing his best to ignore the small jolt of electricity that shot through him at the contact. He pulled her off the subway and up the subway stairs to keep her close to him in the crowd of exiting passengers. Though they were making a social visit, he never forgot for one second that he was with her because someone was stalking her. Mercedes’ safety was always in the forefront of his mind.

“It’s just a block up ahead,” he said, as they emerged from the subway underground. Mercedes strained to look ahead, trying to gain some sort of insight into where they were going. When they finally arrived Raul saw the left side of Mercedes’ luscious lips kick up into a half smile.

“Seriously?” she asked, excitedly. They stood under a large sign that read “Arte Capoeira” in bold black letters with images of the Brazilian flag around it.

“My cousin, Francisco grew up here in New York, and opened this studio about five years ago. I come whenever I’m in the city and have time,” he said answering Mercedes’ question. Usually, the studio was closed on Sundays, but Raul new Francisco routinely invited a few of his students and friends to the studio on Sunday mornings just to enjoy a light practice. Raul had been to more than a few of these sessions and wanted to bring Mercedes with him. Just as Raul went to press the buzzer to be let in, the door flew open.

“Primo! I thought that was you,” Francisco’s voice boomed as he pulled Raul into a bear hug.

“I didn’t know you were in the city,” Francisco said, as he let Raul go.

Raul stepped back, “It’s only for a short trip,” he pulled Mercedes to his side.

“Primo, this is a friend of mine. She’s interested in Capoeira, and I thought she could sit in on today’s session.”

Francisco’s hazel eyes widened as he noticed Mercedes standing at Raul’s side. “A friend, huh?” he asked grabbing Mercedes’ hand and pressing his lips to it for a kiss.

“Any friend of Raul’s is a friend of mine,” he winked at Mercedes as she smiled brightly.

“I see flirting runs in the family.” Both men laughed.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Francisco.”

Francisco gave Mercedes another seductive grin. “Oh, the pleasure's all mine, Minha linda,” At this, Raul felt his jealousy grow at the flirtatious tone of Francisco’s voice.

“Can we come in?” he asked a little more forceful than he intended. Francisco blinked as if remembering Raul’s presence.

“Come. Come in. The others will be here shortly,” he said waving them in and up the stairs to the large room where they would practice.

While the trio talked, Raul explained to Mercedes it was usually only five to ten people who showed up on Sundays to practice and hang out. Usually they all would go to lunch at a nearby Brazilian restaurant afterwards. They often practiced for a minimum of two hours or so, working up a good sweat and appetite. Raul told her, they didn’t have to stay the whole time if she didn’t want, or go for lunch, but she told him she didn’t mind. Raul could see the intrigue on her face, as she looked at the pictures on the wall and the hand drums that lay in the far corner of the room. About five minutes later more people began to stroll in, and Francisco handed Raul a pair of pants and a t-shirt for Mercedes to practice in. He had to ask Francisco to lock up the gun he carried with him in the back safe while they practiced. When Francisco eyed him questioningly, Raul told him he was on a job and his cousin dropped it. Francisco knew what Raul did for a living, and that sometimes it required the use of firearms. He took the pair of pants and t-shirt Francisco offered him, for Mercedes and turned to take the clothing to her.

He found her staring at one of his favorite pictures in the studio. “That’s a picture of my Mestre Araujo.” In the picture, a brown-skinned woman who appeared to be in her mid-to-late forties looked as if she was standing on one hand as her other hand protected her face, and her legs were in a split position above her head. It was a common Capoeira stance. Mestre Araujo was one of the great, female Capoeira instructors to rise out of the Brazilian favelas. She was also Raul and Francisco’s great-grandmother. The picture had been taken in the 1940s and preserved over time. Francisco had hung it up in his studio as a way to pay tribute to his ancestors that passed down the art of Capoeira through the family lineage.

Mercedes jumped. “You scared me,” she scolded him before taking the clothing Raul offered her.

“She’s beautiful. She looks so strong. Did you know her?” she asked.

Raul nodded. “She’s our great-grandmother. She passed when I was ten, but she’s the one who began teaching me Capoeira,” he said proudly.

“That’s amazing. I bet she’s proud of you and your cousin for continuing on her teachings.” Raul felt a twinge of satisfaction in his chest at Mercedes’ words.

“There’s a changing room in back. We’re starting in another five minutes or so. You don’t have to participate, but Francisco grabbed these just in case you wanted to try your hand at it later on.” Mercedes nodded and told him she’d change into the clothing in case she decided to.

Forty minutes later, Raul found himself fully immersed in a Capoeira class. He felt exhilarated as the rhythm of the hand drums played out, and he and Francisco were surrounded by the other students, who clapped in time with the drums. Raul felt his heartbeat speed up as he spun, kicked and jumped to avoid Francisco’s precise kicks. He ducked and pivoted to counter Francisco's moves. His cousin loved to show off in front of an audience, but Raul was no slouch and he kept up with everything Francisco threw at him, and countered a few moves of his own. No harsh contact was made in their show-off, as this was only a practice. Whenever Raul or Francisco left themselves exposed to an assault, the other let them know with a light kick or touch to let the other know “I could have gotten you there, if I wanted.” In turn, the students surrounding them would clap or usher “ohs” and “ahs” to let the two know they saw the opening as well. Out of the corner of his eye, Raul saw Mercedes dressed in the traditional white pants and t-shirt with the school’s logo on it. She clapped in time with the music like the others. On occasion, he saw a look of worry pass over her face when it looked like Francisco would make contact. He sent her a wink to let her know it was okay. He secretly enjoyed the fact she seemed worried about him. He wanted to tell her he’d been practicing Capoeira almost as long as he’d been walking. Even Francisco couldn’t knock Raul off his game. After that set ended, Raul and Francisco stepped out of the circle and let two other students take over where they left off.

“What do you think?” he asked Mercedes as he worked to catch his breath.

“I think that was fabulous,” she said close to his ear, so he could hear her over the crowd.

“You two look like you’ve been doing this since birth,” she joked.

“We have, pretty much. You want to give it a try?” he asked. When Mercedes looked like she wanted to say no, he grabbed her hand. “It’s okay, Querida. No one expects you to do any flips or spin on your head. We’ll start out with the basics.”

For the next hour, the class broke out into partners, where each member was able to practice their skills. Raul taught Mercedes the basic move known as the
ginga.
From the outside it appeared to be simple, when one arm was brought up to protect the face, while the opposite leg steps back. However, just about every move in the sport originated from the ginga and it can never be too perfect. Raul watched as Mercedes practiced moves and a number of kicks he taught her. She already had a decent base level of skill from her kickboxing practice and dancing. She seemed to be a natural, but he didn’t show her too much, not wanting to tire her out before her performance that night. At the end of class, he and Mercedes accompanied Francisco and the group to a local Brazilian eatery. The large group was easily accommodated as they were Sunday regulars to the restaurant. They ate and laughed, as Francisco regaled the group of his days traveling all over the country teaching capoeira seminars. Mercedes even let it slip that she was in town for a burlesque performance, and she ended up inviting the group to her performance that night.

Mercedes and Raul spent the rest of the day enjoying Time Square, and taking in the sights and sounds of the city. Shortly after six that evening, they headed back to the hotel to allow Mercedes time to get ready for her show, and get to the club by eight that night. As Raul watched Mercedes perform her first set he got the same feeling he had the night before. He watched Mercedes dance to Eartha Kitt’s
Careless Love
and wondered if the song had some underlying meaning for her. He could tell by the expression on her face that she felt the lyrics of the song. He wondered if she had been hurt by love. If some careless person from her past toyed with her heart and emotions, and that’s why she was reluctant to get involved in a serious relationship. Raul knew that for whatever reason, Mercedes had a fear of commitment. He could tell in the way she held back when he seemed to get too close. He could tell just by talking to some of her past partners. The previous week he spent a few days talking to a couple of Mercedes’ exes to see if they could possibly be behind whoever was stalking her. His team was still tracking down two of her most recent exes, but from what he was told by the others painted the picture of a woman who was into dating, but not for the long haul. He planned on asking her about her exes, but not until they were back in Atlanta. For now, he was content looking at this beautiful woman on stage as she spun, dipped, and gyrated her hips to the music.

****

“Okay, I’ll be back around 5 or 6. I have my cell phone on if you need anything,” Raul told Mercedes as he came down the stairs, to leave for work. They had just returned from New York on an early morning flight, so he could make it into the office before 10 a.m. Mercedes’ performance went well last night and she was ready to unpack, and do some redesigning on new costumes and even practice a new set. She was feeling good about the way the weekend went. She even thought that just maybe Raul was overreacting to the whole stalker situation. Mercedes wondered if the person who broke into her home wasn’t just trying to scare her a little, for whatever reason and now had moved on. The trip to New York went off without a hitch. Maybe she could move back home and resume her regular schedule. She felt herself getting a little too attached to being around Raul. She had begun to feel particularly comfortable in his home. And she knew that if they kept down this road, it could lead to developing serious feelings for this man. She knew with Raul it wouldn’t just be sex. She couldn’t let that happen. Not while she was living with the man. He seemed to read too deeply into her inner thoughts as is.