Hotel Key
Chapter 20
Two Years Ago
Sitting in Jessica's styling chair, RickyJo was wishing her cousin would hurry up and get done with her. But she tried not to show her impatience. Jessica already warned her several times to stop fidgeting or she was going to end up with a lopsided haircut. Even though she felt like she had been sitting there for what seemed like about ten full lifetimes, RickyJo had to admit that her cousin did an amazing job on her hair. It was no wonder that Jessica was turning a mean profit with the salon she now owned. The remodel she did on the place had turned out beautiful, with hardwood floors and lots of mint green accents and chrome fixtures. She put in a coffee bar in the waiting area. And there was a separate lounge where people could relax while their color processed without worrying about anyone seeing them.
Finally, Jessica pulled her cape off and turned her towards the mirror. RickyJo couldn't help but smile. When it came to hair, Jessica knew what she was doing. One of the other girls passed by and complimented her. RickyJo smiled at the girl and then rolled her eyes once the girl walked away. That was the little blonde girl that was always sniffing around Daryl.
"You know," Jessica told her, "If you would start fuckin' Daryl, he wouldn't be fucking Tiffany." RickyJo rolled her eyes again. They already had this discussion about eight thousand times and she was not interested in having it again.
"Because that's always worked out so well for ya," she told Jess, raising her eyebrows at her. Jessica had to admit that her cousin had a point. In her experience, fucking a guy didn't exactly inspire them to be faithful. But this was different, anyone could see Daryl was in love with her cousin.
"Daryl's not his brother," Jessica told her.
"I thought you said all men were the same," RickyJo said, crossing her arms. Then she added, "...besides I have a date tonight with Laney." Jessica rolled her eyes, deciding she better keep her mouth shut about that little gold digging tramp. It would only start another fight between her and RickyJo.
Laney seemed nice at first, but Jessica came to dislike her quickly. She was moody and demanding and had a bad temper. RickyJo was the kindest and most caring person Jessica knew. And she deserved someone to take care of her, not a whiny little brat she had to constantly work so hard to please. Jessica knew RickyJo bought the woman a restaurant, which she was still covering most of the monthly bills for. And she was pretty sure her cousin bought the woman the car she was driving, even though RickyJo wouldn't admit it. RickyJo just had such a giving nature, it made Jessica mad to see her being taken advantage of. At least RickyJo wasn't living with Laney yet, although Jessica suspected the woman was pushing for it.
"You two going out to celebrate you gettin' published in that journal?," Jessica asked.
"Well, I guess," RickyJo answered, "...but it's also been one year since Laney opened her restaurant, so I didn't wanna make it all about me." Jessica shook her head but again she kept what she had to say to herself. Of course they weren't going out to celebrate something RickyJo did that was totally crazy and amazing. It had to be all about Laney.
"Can we still have the party for you tomorrow night?," Jess asked. RickyJo nodded. Jessica was surprised Laney hadn't thrown a fit over that yet, but she guessed the woman was working and RickyJo didn't tell her about the party.
"I invited Tiny and a bunch of the guys from his shop," RickyJo said, "Is that okay?" Jessica laughed. Now she knew for sure Laney wasn't coming. Laney didn't approve of RickyJo being friends with her tattoo artist. Or really anyone. She was extremely possessive of her time.
"Of course it's okay, it's your damn party, invite anyone you want," Jessica told her. Tiny was a great guy. Jessica fucked him a few times, but she was pretty sure RickyJo never found out about that. He wanted more, like to have her for his girlfriend but Jessica wasn't interested. She wouldn't mind sleeping with him again, but there was no point in trying to start a relationship. Any time she found someone she liked, it was inevitable that Merle would show back up and run the guy off.
RickyJo stood and hugged her cousin, telling her how much she loved her hair and that she would see her the next day for the party. Then she was off to drive back to the city and meet Laney for dinner.
When RickyJo got to the restaurant, Laney was already there, sitting at the bar. She had on a short white sundress that complimented her tanned skin. Her hair was braided back from her face and fell down her back in waves. She was drinking a glass of white wine. Laney loved wine and since she started dating her, RickyJo found she was slowly developing a taste for it. Laney told her beer drinking was for rednecks and truckers. RickyJo embarrassed her by ordering miller lite at an expensive restaurant once. So she switched to wine. It really wasn't so bad once she got used to it. RickyJo pulled up into the stool next to the woman and leaned in to embrace her, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek. Then she ordered a glass for herself of whatever Laney was drinking.
She pulled up into the stool next to the woman and leaned in to embrace her, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek. Then she ordered a glass for herself of whatever Laney was drinking.
"You're late," Laney told her. RickyJo shrugged. Five minutes really wasn't late as far as she was concerned. Laney looked her over. Her hair was blonder and had been straightened out smooth so that it fell down from her part in a long soft curtain. She was wearing jeans and a strappy tank top that showed off her tattoos. Laney was a little irritated that she had to wait, Usually she liked to make people wait for her. But they had a lot to celebrate tonight so she decided to let it go for now. "Your hair looks great," Laney told her, reaching over to run her fingers through it. RickyJo's hair was so soft, it felt like silk compared to her own coarser strands. She was already thinking about burying her face in it later while they were making love.
"Thanks," RickyJo told her, "...ya look beautiful." And she meant it. She loved Laney's tan legs and long dark hair, and she looked great in the dress she was wearing. There were other things she would rather be doing with the woman now rather than eating dinner with her. "Ya know I got a hotel room for tonight," RickyJo reminded her with a suggestive little smile. Laney smiled, she was thinking the same thing.
"Let's go there and order room service instead," Laney whispered to her. RickyJo downed her wine and left some cash on the bar to pay for both their drinks. Laney laughed at her. RickyJo was the only person Laney ever saw gulp down good wine like it was a budweiser.
They walked outside holding hands and Laney looked around for RickyJo's jeep. But RickyJo led her over to an old classic car. Laney didn't know enough about cars to know what it was but it looked like something James Bond would drive. It must be one of RickyJo's grandfather's old cars.
"It's a 1964 Aston Martin DB5," RickyJo told her. Seeing that didn't mean much to the woman, she added, "Its the car James Bond drives in the movie Goldfinger." Laney smiled. She was right about the James Bond thing.
"Is that the movie with Pussy Galore?," Laney asked.
"Oh yeah," RickyJo told her, "...ya know in the books she was a lesbian until she met James bond." Laney smiled. RickyJo read the book to every movie she had ever seen.
"Good thing I don't see him around here anywhere," Laney teased. Then she leaned over and put her hand on RickyJo's thigh, kissing her behind the ear.
"Better quit," RickyJo told her, "...if I grind this shifter my Poppa will roll over in his damn grave."
The girls went right up to the room, since RickyJo already checked in when she rented it out earlier. It was full of flowers and had sliding glass doors that led to a private hot tub. Laney got on the phone with room service and ordered every sexy thing she could find on the menu while RickyJo laughed about it. The champagne and strawberries she could understand, but what people found sexy about oysters, she had no idea. Laney had the funny idea to get in their lingerie before the room service guy came so they hurried up and got changed.
RickyJo had never even owned sexy undergarments before she met Laney. She was more comfortable sleeping in her old college t-shirts. But Laney took her shopping for something sexier and she found out she enjoyed wearing the soft silky garments. And even more, she liked seeing Laney wear them. Now she had half a dresser crammed full of the stuff at home. Sometimes she even slept in them when she was alone, but RickyJo learned quickly to put a robe over it when she got up in the morning to make coffee. She came out half asleep one morning and walked straight into Merle, who she didn't know was sleeping over on her couch. He was more than happy to offer his opinion on her outfit, complete with a smack on the ass. Should stay here more often if you're gonna be walkin' around in shit like that. She was wearing that silky black one she liked that time. But Laney's favorite color on her was red, so tonight she put a red one on. It was lace over the chest, and tied like a halter, leaving her back bare. The skirt part was sheer to reveal the matching red lace panties she had on underneath. She would rather put her hair up and out of the way, but Laney liked it down so she left it.
Laney went into the bathroom to change, and came out wearing red as well. This made both of them laugh. They looked like they were ready for porn. Laney's was a retro sixties outfit, with a push up bra and high waisted panties with little ruffles on the back. The girl goofed around, posing and taking pictures of each other with their phones. RickyJo got one of them together and sent it to Jessica.
"It's packback for the one she sent ta me of some guy's giant veiny boner," she explained to Laney. RickyJo was eating breakfast when she opened the text from her cousin and she just about barfed in her cornflakes. Fucking gross is what that was. Laney was laughing. Jessica was a whore, but at least she was a funny whore.
"Do you still have it?," Laney asked.
"What that nasty dick pic?," RickyJo answered, "...hell no I deleted that disgustin' thing."
"Who's dick was it?," Laney asked.
"Who the hell knows," RickyJo told her, making her laugh, "I'm guessing a random European since he wasn't circumcised." Laney really started laughing. Penis of all forms was just disgusting but she wouldn't mind taking a look anyway. She never saw an all natural one before.
A knock on the door alerted them both. The food and drinks Laney ordered must be here. Laney pranced over in her outfit and swung the door open. Of course it had to be a very awkward looking young man that was bringing the food in. He stared at Laney, then remembered himself and pushed the cart in. When he saw RickyJo was in there too, his eyes bugged out of his head. Not only was she hot, but she was covered in tattoos and most of the way naked. He started putting the stuff from the cart onto the table, almost dropping some of it. Laney went over to help the kid before he spilled the crap everywhere. RickyJo had her to charge the order to the room but she got some cash out of her purse to tip the poor guy.
He got done getting the things off the cart and then just stood there staring at Laney. RickyJo walked over and handed the kid his tip and told him thank you. He backed the cart out of the room and Laney shut the door behind him, giggling like crazy. She really got a kick out of that. When she was done laughing, she walked over and popped the bottle of champagne, pouring them each a glass. They nibbled on the food Laney ordered and then refilled their glasses and took them over to the bed. There they nibbled on each other, using their fingers to dribble the wine onto the sensitive parts of their bodies and then licking it off. They made love to each other gently, the rough stuff they would save for later in the hot tub.
The two women lay together on the bed. Laney spread RickyJo's long hair out across the pillow and was laying on it, rubbing her face into it. RickyJo had the longest, softest hair of any girl she had ever been with. Aside from her tits, it was unquestionably her best feature. Laney could hear a weird buzzing noise that kept coming from over by the chair where RickyJo had left her clothes.
"I think somebody is blowing up your phone," she told her. RickyJo thought about ignoring it, but then figured she better check in case something was really wrong. Laney leaned up off her hair so the woman could get up. RickyJo opened the second bottle they ordered and poured herself a glass. Then she grabbed her phone, which was buzzing again. It was Daryl, and he started screaming the minute she picked up and said hello.
"What the fuckin' hell ya think yer doin' sending my brother naked ass pictures of yerself?"
"What do ya mean, I didn't send him anythin'."
"Tha fuck ya didn't, I seen the shit."
"Oh hell, is it me and Laney in red outfits?"
"Yes."
"That was supposed to go to Jessica. It was a joke after she sent me that nasty picture last week."
"Well yA sent it to the wrong goddamn phone."
"Ooops. So what is the big deal then." RickyJo was a little embarrassed she sent the picture to Merle, but in the end it was just her and Laney in nighties, not a penthouse centerfold.
"The deal is he was in the fuckin' shitter. Debbie picked up his phone and saw the shit. Then she went batshit crazy and they started fightin'. The neighbors called the cops and now Merle is in the damn slammer." RickyJo groaned.
"He's back with Druggie Debbie? I thought they broke up." Jessica was not going to like this.
"They got back together. Again. Told him to stay away from that crazy bitch."
"Well just go bail 'im out. There's money under my bed." RickyJo could hear Daryl grumbling obscenities on the other line and rummaging around.
"He's gonna have to stay here, he can't go back over to Debbie's!," Daryl grumbled.
"That's fine." RickyJo knew Daryl hated, just absolutely hated Merle staying with them. But RickyJo didn't mind him. He did his own dishes, unlike a certain other person, and it always made her feel safe having him around. Like having a big dog, but one that didn't shed or shit on the carpets. "He can stay in the guest room."
"His shit is still over at Debbie's house. He's gonna wanna go get it."
"Tell him me and Jess will get his crap in the morning."
"Alright. Aahaa! Found the money. Ya got too much shit under your bed. And there's a lot of fuckin' money in here. How many times I gotta tell you not to keep this much cash in the house."
"Goodnight Daryl."
RickyJo hung up and slugged down the rest of her glass of wine, then went to the table for a refill. When she looked over, she could tell Laney was unhappy. She was sitting up on the bed with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. Laney didn't care much for Daryl and liked his brother even less. All the crude lesbian jokes might have had a little something to do with that.
Laney knew there was nothing sexual going on between RickyJo and Daryl but she felt he was an obstacle in their relationship. They would never be able to move in together and have a real life while RickyJo was living with him. He was supposed to be moving out, not bringing more of his relatives and moving them in. The more she thought about it, the more irritated she was getting. Laney got up and started getting dressed.
"Come on Laney," RickyJo said, "don't be like that." Laney said nothing and just continued yanking on her clothes. RickyJo sat down and crossed her arms over her naked breasts. If Laney wanted to leave, she wasn't going to beg her to stay. When Laney got into one of her moods, there was no reasoning with her anyway. Now she was stuffing her things back in her overnight bag before she stormed out of the room, slamming the door closed behind her. RickyJo got up and put on a fluffy robe from the bathroom. She thought about calling Laney's cell and apologizing, but she really felt like she didn't do anything wrong. And she was tired of dealing with Laney's little shit fits. Especially after she just arranged this whole romantic evening just to make her happy. Maybe this time she would wait a few days and make Laney call her, like Jessica was always telling her to do. RickyJo picked up her phone and threw it down again. Then she had an idea. She picked up her phone and dialed Daryl back.
"What now?" Nice way to answer your phone, she thought.
"Laney just stormed out and left."
"That's because she's a fuckin' bitch. What's she pissed about this time?"
"Merle staying with us I guess."
"What does she care, he ain't stayin' at her fucking place!" RickyJo fought back a giggle.
"Who knows? Anyway, I paid for this really nice room with a hot tub and everythin'. I don't wanna just leave, ya wanna come and hang out with me?"
"Can I order whatever I want from room service?"
"Yes." RickyJo laughed.
"Do they have pizza?"
"I don't know you asshole. Are ya comin' or not?"
"What should I do with Merle's dumbass?"
"Drop his ass back off at the apartment first."
"If I leave him there alone, he's gonna straight go back over to Debbie's house." RickyJo sighed and rolled her eyes. She knew Daryl was right.
"Are ya still at the apartment?"
"Yes."
"Get in the cabinet and take all the car keys." She could hear Daryl laughing. It was a good idea. Merle's ass wasn't going no where with no car.
"Which hotel are ya at?"
"The Four Seasons. Call me when you get here I'll come down and meet you in the lobby."
"Alright, see you in about an hour."
"See you then."
RickyJo clicked off. Then she decided she better get her naked ass dressed. She dug through her bag, hoping for sweatpants. But all she brought were her bikini and sex clothes. And a sundress to wear home tomorrow. She sighed and pulled the jeans and tank back on that she was wearing earlier. She watched some tv until Daryl called back, which was about an hour later. Then she shoved on her sandals and grabbed the room key, heading down to the lobby. She had to wait down there a minute and when she saw Daryl walk in her eyes widened. He was dressed in khaki pants and a button down shirt, tucked into his pants. She knew he wasn't dressed up for her benefit and wondered if she was keeping him from other plans. RickyJo wrapped her arms around the man hugging him tight. He smelled good too.
Attached to the lobby there was a small convenience type store, where RickyJo took Daryl so he could buy some beer before they went upstairs to the room. She still had most of a bottle of wine, but she knew he didn't want that. Then they went up and decided to soak a while in the hot tub and get drunk. Daryl checked the place out a little first. RickyJo wasn't messing around, this place was totally swank. Too bad she was wasting all this on that little bitch Laney who probably thought it wasn't nice enough, Daryl thought. Nothing was ever good enough for her.
RickyJo was in the bathroom putting her suit on, Daryl had not thought to bring one, so he just figured fuck it and got in naked. It was just RickyJo around anyway and over the years she had seen about everything there was to see. She came out in the smallest string bikini he had ever seen. He could see all her tattoos now, even the private ones. It had been awhile since he had seen her when she wasn't fully dressed. She was on some new exercise kick, some kind of yoga this time, and the results spoke for themselves. When they had first met she was all thin and wiry with full breasts that looked out of place on her body. Now she was fuller in the hips and legs, but in a good way. She was still thin, but her body looked softer and more womanly. Her tattoo guy finally finished that big lizard he put on her left hip and thigh and even though Daryl had thought she was crazy getting that thing, he had to admit it had turned out totally badass. She also had two nautical stars, one on each hip, that he had not seen before.
RickyJo set her wine down and lowered herself slowly down into the hot water. She was actually feeling a little relieved that Laney was gone. It was hard to really relax with her around. Now she was starting to wonder again what Daryl was dressed up for. She thought about asking him, but if he was dressed up for a date she decided she didn't really want to know about it. Instead, she just smiled at him and slid down further into the water, leaning her head back and resting it on the edge of the tub. She heard the little flick of a lighter and then the smell of smoke. Laney did not approve of pot smoking and RickyJo was trying to quit.
Drying one of her hands on the towel behind her, RickyJo slid over closer to Daryl so he could hand her the joint. She took a long drag, holding it in for a few seconds before she blew it out and coughed a little. He took it back and she went for a drink of wine. Then they passed it back and forth until it was about half gone. Daryl put it out, saving the rest for the morning. RickyJo could feel all the muscles in her body slowly relaxing one at a time. It was like she had a balloon full of tension inside her and someone let the air out. Daryl was leaning back in the corner seat of the tub. He watched RickyJo wiggle around trying to get comfortable. Reaching through the water, he caught her by the wrist and pulled her over to him. She felt like she was floating. He moved his legs apart and sat her between them so she could lean back against his chest. Then he put his hands on her shoulders and started rubbing her neck and back.
"That feels so good," she said softly, "...if I fall asleep don't let me drown, okay."
"If yer tired, lets go lay down," he suggested.
"Will you still rub my back in there," she asked in her soft sleepy little voice. Lots of people got louder when they got high or drunk, but she just got sweeter.
Daryl got himself out of the tub, and gave RickyJo an arm up. If she noticed that he was naked, she didn't say anything. She just wrapped up in her towel and grabbed her glass of wine, tipping it up to drink the last of it. They went back inside, the air conditioned room feeling freezing after the warmth of the tub. RickyJo was poking around in her things looking for something to sleep in. Daryl dried off and pulled his boxers and the tank he had been wearing under his shirt back on. He looked over to see RickyJo staring into her bag laughing.
"What's so funny," he asked her. She was high so it might be anything.
"I was coming here with Laney," she said, holding up a black silk nightie, "so this is what I brought to sleep in." Daryl started laughing, now that was funny.
"Put it on," he said, "I will see if I have any ones." She picked up a pillow and threw it at him then headed for the bathroom to change. "Make sure ya take another picture fer my brother," he called after her. She leaned back out and held up her middle finger at him. He was having a good laugh but when she came back out, Daryl almost choked on his beer. RickyJo had her hair hanging over her shoulder in a long braid and she was wearing a robe, but it was hanging open, revealing the outfit she had been holding in the air a minute before. The nightie was soft and black and hung down low in front to reveal a generous portion of cleavage. Even though it covered more than the bathing suit she just had on, it was much sexier. Maybe it was how soft and thin the fabric looked. RickyJo noticed Daryl was staring at her with his mouth wide open like a fish. She giggled and tossed part of the robe behind her, sticking her hip out.
"What do ya think?," she teased.
"I think ya oughta lose the robe," he told her. She laughed and pulled it closed instead, tying the belt. Then she went over to start poking through the food on the table. Daryl got up and she felt him come up behind her, putting his arms around her. RickyJo turned and hugged him back. He tilted her chin up so he could get his mouth on hers and she felt him pulling her robe open. He reached inside it and wrapped his arm around her waist. RickyJo braced her hands on his chest, pushing Daryl's body back and away from her. But he grabbed her waist tighter, crushing her to his chest.
"I just wanna kiss you," he told her softly into her ear. There was a long pause, and then he felt her arms go up around his neck.
"Okay," she said. His hands moved up her back, then he took her face in his hands and kissed her softly on the lips. Daryl waited, giving her a chance to respond. This was hardly the first time they fooled around together and he knew if he went at her as hard as he wanted to she would freak out and make him stop. She twisted her hands up in his hair, kissing his mouth with soft tiny little pecks. He wanted to grab her hair and shove his tongue down her throat. Then push her down on the bed, rip her clothes off and have her. The more he thought about it, he knew the more they kissed, the closer he was going to losing his self control. He slipped his tongue between her lips, tangling it up with hers and kissing her until he felt his dick start to throb in his pants. Then Daryl caught RickyJo by the hips and moved back and away from her.
"I thought ya wanted to kiss," she said quietly. He could tell it wasn't a complaint, she just wanted to make sure he was alright.
"Decided I want pizza instead," he said. She smiled and tossed him the room service menu. He sat down to read it and RickyJo came in behind him and gave him a lingering kiss on the cheek. She hesitated before she spoke quietly into his ear.
"If I'm ever ready for more than a kiss," she promised, "...you'll be the first to know."