"Hell-oween"
*******************
Halloween weekend. Duke was moving into his new apartment in the city with the assistance of Falcon and Flint, who helped bring his belongings from St. Louis. It was also the Annual Pimp-n-Ho Halloween Costume Charity Ball at Aquarius Suite, a decadent party at the club where local celebs dress up in outrageous Pimp-n-Ho themed costumes and proceeds from ticket and drink sales go to charity. It was a popular party theme in Southern California and Las Vegas that had made its way to Manhattan. Scarlett and Lady Jaye had been looking forward to the event all month long. Scarlett dressed Duke in a red crushed velvet pimp-suit with leopard print trim on the jacket cuffs, pocket covers and collar, topped with a matching wide brimmed hat with an oversized feather sticking out of the brim. Scarlett coordinated herself in a midriff-baring two-piece leopard print cat suit and knee-high black boots and an oversized white crushed velvet top hat. Lady Jaye dressed Flint as Hugh Hefner in his trademark black silk pajamas, burgundy smoking jacket and pipe. Lady Jaye wore a black silk classic Playboy Bunny bodice topped with a blonde wig and bunny ears. Since Falcon was joining the party as Cover Girl's escort she dressed him in too-tight pants with an open silk shirt and an oversized "$" medallion hanging on his bare chest, topped with a zebra print cowboy hat. Cover Girl wore matching zebra print hot pants and halter top with thigh-high boots. Looking outrageous for the occasion and loving it, the group was off to the ball.
*******************
AQUARIUS SUITE
The group settled in at their table with their drinks to observe all the other costumes, which provided sufficient entertainment. In some cases, the girls felt over dressed compared to the other guests. Suddenly the music quieted down as Baroness, clad in a black silk bustier and matching black silk floor-length fitted coat and black strappy platform stilettos, walked on stage to introduce the party host. "Good evening darlings, I'm Hollywood Madam Heidi Fleiss and would like to thank you for attending our fabulous little charity ball," she said as she started plugging her PR firm.
"She's in charge of this soiree? I'll bet she doesn't even know what charity it's for," Lady Jaye whispered to Scarlett. Scarlett nodded in agreement.
"And now without further adieu, your host for this evening the fabulous Howie Strong!" Baroness announced as Howie came out on stage.
"Welcome to the Annual Pimp-n-Ho Halloween Costume Charity Ball," Howie greeted the club patrons then continued talking about the charity. Scarlett looked up at the stage and in shock at the familiar sight, dropped her drink on the floor.
"Shit!" Scarlett gasped.
"You okay?" Duke asked in concern.
"Uh yeah, the glass just slipped that's all," Scarlett nervously explained. Lady Jaye shot her a perplexed expression. Scarlett waited until Duke went to the bar with Flint and Falcon to get another round of drinks. She leaned over and whispered to Lady Jaye and Cover Girl while pointing to the stage, "That's the guy who caught me when I fell off the dance platform." Lady Jaye choked on her drink.
"Howie Strong!?" Lady Jaye asked in disbelief.
"No!" Cover Girl gasped in disappointment, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Well, if that's who's on stage then yes," Scarlett replied. Lady Jaye shook her head.
"Stay away from that one. He's a pig, and that's one of his better qualities," Lady Jaye warned her.
"I got that impression of him from what few words I had with him. Besides, why would I want him or anyone else for that matter? I have Duke."
"Yes! Which reminds me! Okay ladies, pay up," Lady Jaye demanded as she held out her palm, "it's the end of the month and Duke's the newest Manhattan resident." Scarlett and Cover Girl pulled out their wallets to cover their bets.
"I have to admit Allie, I didn't think he'd do it," said Scarlett as she handed Lady Jaye a crisp hundred dollar bill then added with apprehension, "and I'm not so sure it was a good idea to manipulate him into moving here."
"He would have done it anyway, he just needed a kick in the pants to get him into gear," Lady Jaye reassured her as she collected Cover Girl's money.
"So what are you going to buy with your winnings?" Cover Girl asked Lady Jaye, who was admiring her lottery.
"Oh I don't know, maybe a new Louis Vuitton make-up pouch," said Lady Jaye. "Or maybe I'll just frame the money and hang it in the loft to rub Scarlett's nose in it."
"You WOULD!" Scarlett laughed. "Well if this works out I'll be happy to have been wrong."
"Wrong about what?" Duke asked as he snuck up behind Scarlett. "Your decision to leave the military?" Scarlett scowled at him. Lady Jaye and Cover Girl immediately put their cocktails to their lips and looked the other way.
"Duke-," said Scarlett in a warning tone. "We've been through this. I'll be 30 in the blink of an eye and I would like a life."
"Oops, just kidding, sweetheart. Sorry," Duke laughed then gave her a kiss on the cheek. A tiny smile peeked out of the corner of her mouth. "So where's Vincent?" he asked, trying to change the subject.
"Hopefully not getting us Eighty-Six'd from the club," Scarlett replied.
"I see him, he's by the deejay booth," said Cover Girl. "Is that Baroness he's talking to over there?"
Lady Jaye let out a hearty laugh. "Well no bloody good can come from that!" she said, still laughing. "I think he's in way over his head with that one."
"He's on his own, I'm not rescuing him from that one," said Duke.
"I'll go collect him," Scarlett groaned then got up from their table and headed off to the deejay booth to retrieve Falcon from Baroness.
*******************
"Falcon darling, my aren't you quite the ladies man," Baroness greeted him, touching his shoulder. "So are you just visiting or here to stay?" Falcon beamed at the attention Baroness was giving him.
"Oh, well, uh," Falcon stammered, "just visiting. I'm helping my brother get settled in the city."
"Oh REALLY?" Baroness asked with intrigue. "I mean that's too bad you're not staying around. We could use more strapping young men such as yourself to grace the city."
"Well, we could always make the most of the time I do have here," said Falcon, moving closer to Baroness while leering at her. "So is it true about you bad girls?"
"Darling, you have no fucking idea," Baroness growled as she ran her hand up his thigh then grabbed his crotch. Falcon gasped. "I'd make a MAN out of you, dear boy."
"Oh my God, I've always wanted to be with an older woman," said Falcon in rapture.
"OLDER WOMAN! How DARE you!" Baroness gasped in dismay as she threw her drink on Falcon and stormed off.
"Wait! What'd I say? I thought we had a good thing going, baby!" Falcon called out to her as he wiped the drink off of his face with cocktail napkins. Baroness continued to sashay away without breaking pace. Her work with him was done anyway. She got a piece of information and Destro had witnessed somebody more handsome and much younger than him flirting with her. Suddenly Scarlett was standing in front of her.
"And who are you supposed to be darling? The Cat in the Hat?" Baroness mocked her outfit.
"What do you think you're doing?" Scarlett seethed at the Baroness. "Stay away from Falcon."
"What's the matter darling - jealous?" Baroness taunted her. "If you want both brothers all to yourself then just say so."
"Oh puh-leez," Scarlett replied with disgust. "That's more your style, not mine."
"No dearie, my style is to do much better in my choice of partner. And you'd be wise to do the same instead of having the old one from your past life move to the city," Baroness sneered. Scarlett's eyes widened in shock as she wondered how Baroness knew so much about her personal life.
"My personal life is none of your business, or ANY part of my life for that matter!" Scarlett growled at her. "And why do you care anyway?"
"HA! Don't flatter yourself darling, I don't give a damn if you want to be a fool and throw your life away for a White Picket Fence and two-point-five kids with some Joe," Baroness casually replied as she pulled out her compact to touch up her face powder. "I'm just saying that you have a fabulous opportunity to do better and grab the Brass Ring. I know the type and he'll only hold you back."
"You don't know shit," Scarlett hissed as she turned to walk away.
"Hmph, he must really rock your world!" Baroness called out to her.
"I hate you Baroness," Scarlett muttered in contempt as she continued walking away. So what if he DOES rock my world? Scarlett thought, hoping Baroness was wrong about everything else she said. No, Baroness was just being her spiteful self, right? Duke wouldn't do that, would he? Then again there was that so-called joke he made ten minutes ago, she recalled as she wondered exactly how much truth there was behind it. She motioned to Falcon to make their way back to the group table.
"Hey Pimp-Daddy," Scarlett greeted Duke at the table as she straddled his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I hope you weren't on stroll. You're all mine tonight, pussycat," said Duke as he played with the strands of hair around her face that peaked out from under her hat.
"Nope, I'm all yours," Scarlett sighed as she lightly stroked the nape of his neck with her fingernails.
"Careful, I'll take you right here," Duke playfully warned her as he ran his hands along the exposed skin on her lower back.
"Please don't, I don't want to see that!" Flint groaned at them. "Hey Huggie Bear, get a room or a nice dark corner!"
"Shut up, Hef. Go take some nudie shots or something," Duke replied.
"I already have all the nudie shots I need," said Flint, giving Lady Jaye a knowing look. Lady Jaye smacked his arm.
"Dash!"
"It's Hef," Flint reminded her. Lady Jaye rolled her eyes.
"So Lady Jaye, are you like Playmate of the Year or what?" Falcon asked teasingly.
"More like Playmate for Life," Flint corrected him as he pulled Lady Jaye into a loving embrace. Lady Jaye beamed. Did he just say For Life? It sounded good to her.
"Do you think Falcon can stay at Flint's tonight since he'll be at the loft anyway?" Scarlett whispered into Duke's ear. "We haven't christened your apartment yet and I want to play Rescue Captured Scarlett From Cobra." Duke's eyes nearly popped out of his head. They hadn't played that game in awhile.
"Done and done," Duke groaned as he clenched his jaw in restraint from the anticipation and excitement.
"Good."
*******************
*******************
Halloween weekend. Duke was moving into his new apartment in the city with the assistance of Falcon and Flint, who helped bring his belongings from St. Louis. It was also the Annual Pimp-n-Ho Halloween Costume Charity Ball at Aquarius Suite, a decadent party at the club where local celebs dress up in outrageous Pimp-n-Ho themed costumes and proceeds from ticket and drink sales go to charity. It was a popular party theme in Southern California and Las Vegas that had made its way to Manhattan. Scarlett and Lady Jaye had been looking forward to the event all month long. Scarlett dressed Duke in a red crushed velvet pimp-suit with leopard print trim on the jacket cuffs, pocket covers and collar, topped with a matching wide brimmed hat with an oversized feather sticking out of the brim. Scarlett coordinated herself in a midriff-baring two-piece leopard print cat suit and knee-high black boots and an oversized white crushed velvet top hat. Lady Jaye dressed Flint as Hugh Hefner in his trademark black silk pajamas, burgundy smoking jacket and pipe. Lady Jaye wore a black silk classic Playboy Bunny bodice topped with a blonde wig and bunny ears. Since Falcon was joining the party as Cover Girl's escort she dressed him in too-tight pants with an open silk shirt and an oversized "$" medallion hanging on his bare chest, topped with a zebra print cowboy hat. Cover Girl wore matching zebra print hot pants and halter top with thigh-high boots. Looking outrageous for the occasion and loving it, the group was off to the ball.
*******************
AQUARIUS SUITE
The group settled in at their table with their drinks to observe all the other costumes, which provided sufficient entertainment. In some cases, the girls felt over dressed compared to the other guests. Suddenly the music quieted down as Baroness, clad in a black silk bustier and matching black silk floor-length fitted coat and black strappy platform stilettos, walked on stage to introduce the party host. "Good evening darlings, I'm Hollywood Madam Heidi Fleiss and would like to thank you for attending our fabulous little charity ball," she said as she started plugging her PR firm.
"She's in charge of this soiree? I'll bet she doesn't even know what charity it's for," Lady Jaye whispered to Scarlett. Scarlett nodded in agreement.
"And now without further adieu, your host for this evening the fabulous Howie Strong!" Baroness announced as Howie came out on stage.
"Welcome to the Annual Pimp-n-Ho Halloween Costume Charity Ball," Howie greeted the club patrons then continued talking about the charity. Scarlett looked up at the stage and in shock at the familiar sight, dropped her drink on the floor.
"Shit!" Scarlett gasped.
"You okay?" Duke asked in concern.
"Uh yeah, the glass just slipped that's all," Scarlett nervously explained. Lady Jaye shot her a perplexed expression. Scarlett waited until Duke went to the bar with Flint and Falcon to get another round of drinks. She leaned over and whispered to Lady Jaye and Cover Girl while pointing to the stage, "That's the guy who caught me when I fell off the dance platform." Lady Jaye choked on her drink.
"Howie Strong!?" Lady Jaye asked in disbelief.
"No!" Cover Girl gasped in disappointment, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Well, if that's who's on stage then yes," Scarlett replied. Lady Jaye shook her head.
"Stay away from that one. He's a pig, and that's one of his better qualities," Lady Jaye warned her.
"I got that impression of him from what few words I had with him. Besides, why would I want him or anyone else for that matter? I have Duke."
"Yes! Which reminds me! Okay ladies, pay up," Lady Jaye demanded as she held out her palm, "it's the end of the month and Duke's the newest Manhattan resident." Scarlett and Cover Girl pulled out their wallets to cover their bets.
"I have to admit Allie, I didn't think he'd do it," said Scarlett as she handed Lady Jaye a crisp hundred dollar bill then added with apprehension, "and I'm not so sure it was a good idea to manipulate him into moving here."
"He would have done it anyway, he just needed a kick in the pants to get him into gear," Lady Jaye reassured her as she collected Cover Girl's money.
"So what are you going to buy with your winnings?" Cover Girl asked Lady Jaye, who was admiring her lottery.
"Oh I don't know, maybe a new Louis Vuitton make-up pouch," said Lady Jaye. "Or maybe I'll just frame the money and hang it in the loft to rub Scarlett's nose in it."
"You WOULD!" Scarlett laughed. "Well if this works out I'll be happy to have been wrong."
"Wrong about what?" Duke asked as he snuck up behind Scarlett. "Your decision to leave the military?" Scarlett scowled at him. Lady Jaye and Cover Girl immediately put their cocktails to their lips and looked the other way.
"Duke-," said Scarlett in a warning tone. "We've been through this. I'll be 30 in the blink of an eye and I would like a life."
"Oops, just kidding, sweetheart. Sorry," Duke laughed then gave her a kiss on the cheek. A tiny smile peeked out of the corner of her mouth. "So where's Vincent?" he asked, trying to change the subject.
"Hopefully not getting us Eighty-Six'd from the club," Scarlett replied.
"I see him, he's by the deejay booth," said Cover Girl. "Is that Baroness he's talking to over there?"
Lady Jaye let out a hearty laugh. "Well no bloody good can come from that!" she said, still laughing. "I think he's in way over his head with that one."
"He's on his own, I'm not rescuing him from that one," said Duke.
"I'll go collect him," Scarlett groaned then got up from their table and headed off to the deejay booth to retrieve Falcon from Baroness.
*******************
"Falcon darling, my aren't you quite the ladies man," Baroness greeted him, touching his shoulder. "So are you just visiting or here to stay?" Falcon beamed at the attention Baroness was giving him.
"Oh, well, uh," Falcon stammered, "just visiting. I'm helping my brother get settled in the city."
"Oh REALLY?" Baroness asked with intrigue. "I mean that's too bad you're not staying around. We could use more strapping young men such as yourself to grace the city."
"Well, we could always make the most of the time I do have here," said Falcon, moving closer to Baroness while leering at her. "So is it true about you bad girls?"
"Darling, you have no fucking idea," Baroness growled as she ran her hand up his thigh then grabbed his crotch. Falcon gasped. "I'd make a MAN out of you, dear boy."
"Oh my God, I've always wanted to be with an older woman," said Falcon in rapture.
"OLDER WOMAN! How DARE you!" Baroness gasped in dismay as she threw her drink on Falcon and stormed off.
"Wait! What'd I say? I thought we had a good thing going, baby!" Falcon called out to her as he wiped the drink off of his face with cocktail napkins. Baroness continued to sashay away without breaking pace. Her work with him was done anyway. She got a piece of information and Destro had witnessed somebody more handsome and much younger than him flirting with her. Suddenly Scarlett was standing in front of her.
"And who are you supposed to be darling? The Cat in the Hat?" Baroness mocked her outfit.
"What do you think you're doing?" Scarlett seethed at the Baroness. "Stay away from Falcon."
"What's the matter darling - jealous?" Baroness taunted her. "If you want both brothers all to yourself then just say so."
"Oh puh-leez," Scarlett replied with disgust. "That's more your style, not mine."
"No dearie, my style is to do much better in my choice of partner. And you'd be wise to do the same instead of having the old one from your past life move to the city," Baroness sneered. Scarlett's eyes widened in shock as she wondered how Baroness knew so much about her personal life.
"My personal life is none of your business, or ANY part of my life for that matter!" Scarlett growled at her. "And why do you care anyway?"
"HA! Don't flatter yourself darling, I don't give a damn if you want to be a fool and throw your life away for a White Picket Fence and two-point-five kids with some Joe," Baroness casually replied as she pulled out her compact to touch up her face powder. "I'm just saying that you have a fabulous opportunity to do better and grab the Brass Ring. I know the type and he'll only hold you back."
"You don't know shit," Scarlett hissed as she turned to walk away.
"Hmph, he must really rock your world!" Baroness called out to her.
"I hate you Baroness," Scarlett muttered in contempt as she continued walking away. So what if he DOES rock my world? Scarlett thought, hoping Baroness was wrong about everything else she said. No, Baroness was just being her spiteful self, right? Duke wouldn't do that, would he? Then again there was that so-called joke he made ten minutes ago, she recalled as she wondered exactly how much truth there was behind it. She motioned to Falcon to make their way back to the group table.
"Hey Pimp-Daddy," Scarlett greeted Duke at the table as she straddled his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I hope you weren't on stroll. You're all mine tonight, pussycat," said Duke as he played with the strands of hair around her face that peaked out from under her hat.
"Nope, I'm all yours," Scarlett sighed as she lightly stroked the nape of his neck with her fingernails.
"Careful, I'll take you right here," Duke playfully warned her as he ran his hands along the exposed skin on her lower back.
"Please don't, I don't want to see that!" Flint groaned at them. "Hey Huggie Bear, get a room or a nice dark corner!"
"Shut up, Hef. Go take some nudie shots or something," Duke replied.
"I already have all the nudie shots I need," said Flint, giving Lady Jaye a knowing look. Lady Jaye smacked his arm.
"Dash!"
"It's Hef," Flint reminded her. Lady Jaye rolled her eyes.
"So Lady Jaye, are you like Playmate of the Year or what?" Falcon asked teasingly.
"More like Playmate for Life," Flint corrected him as he pulled Lady Jaye into a loving embrace. Lady Jaye beamed. Did he just say For Life? It sounded good to her.
"Do you think Falcon can stay at Flint's tonight since he'll be at the loft anyway?" Scarlett whispered into Duke's ear. "We haven't christened your apartment yet and I want to play Rescue Captured Scarlett From Cobra." Duke's eyes nearly popped out of his head. They hadn't played that game in awhile.
"Done and done," Duke groaned as he clenched his jaw in restraint from the anticipation and excitement.
"Good."
*******************