Actually, being Charmaine's 'pet' had its perks. Nydessa, by doing her mistress' bidding, could mix business with pleasure. She knew she was to keep her eyes on Ms. Noire, but she wanted to enjoy the club scene. Nydessa, in her retro skintight black spandex ensemble, massive 80's blonde hairdo, and garish makeup, blending in with this crowd was a snap.
And Nydessa liked to people watch, that is she was always checking out Cosmic Chaos' clientele. Those beautiful, energetic young people who wore the latest in clubwear –– tight and shiny lamé, lycra, PVC, and leather –– ordered all the 'in' cocktails, and imbibed the whole retro atmosphere that made Cosmic Chaos famous.
It was the usual Friday night, with canned 80's and 90's dance mixes blaring from the loudspeakers, the lighted dance floor awash with color, the numerous big-screen TV's showing classic music videos. Now Dessie was aware of the subliminals planted within the AV equipment, and every song, every visual image were rife with subliminals so powerful that even she couldn't resist succumbing to their potent suggestions. No wonder Ray has so many supporters. And no wonder Ray's latest poll numbers shot through the roof. Charmaine had her reasons for backing (or was it using?) Ray, but Nydessa never learned of those reasons. Oh well, she thought, might as well do as I'm told and not ask too many questions.
Already Nydessa had second thoughts about her role as Charmaine's lackey. It pained her to think that she was already party to murder – Taylor's murder. And it troubled Nydessa even more that Charmaine wasn't exactly the cuddly type. Oh, the sex was always top notch, but, to Dessie, something was always missing – such as actual love.
What did it matter? Nydessa had a roof over her head, cool clothes to wear, plenty of good food, and not a care in the world. But there was so much more Nydessa wanted and Charmaine wasn't exactly giving it.
On this night, before the band hit the mainstage, Nydessa, as her usual pattern, went to the bar and ordered a Cosmopolitan (a sophisticated drink made famous on Sex & the City, one of Dessie's favorite TV shows), chatted with Audra when she had a chance, then mingled with the crowd. She even allowed a couple of guys to dance with her, although she told them under no uncertain terms was she interested in them. She was gay, case closed.
Anyway, Nydessa passed the time dancing and mingling, waiting for the band to take centerstage. With this crowd, it would be difficult to get a good look at Satine Noire, but Nydessa had it all planned out. She would pretend to be just another of the club's regular patrons; no one would be the wiser that she was in actuality, Charmaine Shade's personal spy. And Nydessa was never found out when Taylor got caught. At least Metacorps had yet to pin that murder on her, and Nydessa could breath a bit easier. But that guilt kept gnawing away, making it that more difficult to follow Charmaine's orders.
With a sigh, Dessie maneuvered her way toward the edge of the stage. She was tired of dancing, so all those cute guys (and gals once word got out Dessie was a lesbian) got a polite "thanks but no thanks" once Drowning Freedom was about to play its first set.
All the while Nydessa planned to sneak backstage (well, she had to -- it was the only way to Charmaine's underground lair), perhaps meet with Satine Noire, get to know the woman and pretend to be her friend. That strategy worked with Taylor, but what if it doesn't with Satine?
Nydessa pushed those thoughts aside as the booming male voice of the DJ blared over the crowd announcing the club's star attraction.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls," the DJ announced over the PA system, "Cosmic Chaos is proud to present its own #1 band, Drowning Freedom featuring that sexy-hot, fantastic rocker...SATINE NOIRE!"
Lights go down in the club as the stage lights shot their multicolored beams in all directions. The band, six people strong, launched into its traditional intro of classic 80's covers. Silhouetted atop the stairs, she, Satine, stood, microphone in hand, her curvaceous body swaying with the throbbing beat. Immediately the spotlight shone on her, and the crowd went wild. Never before had the club's patrons seen a more beautiful woman.
Satine was dressed in a retro ensemble that almost matched that of Nydessa's. Skintight black spandex jeans, an equally clinging multi-hued lamé tube top, and black patent spiked heels only accentuated her incredible curves. She was of medium height, olive-skinned, and boasted a wealth of long, thick raven hair and deep soulful brown eyes. Her makeup was reminiscent of the 1980's – those glittering eyes and lips, the iridescent red lipstick, and long lush lashes. She was a vision of loveliness and eroticism.
Nydessa's eyes never left this woman; she was that smitten. Never had a woman made her feel that way, not even Charmaine. OK, so Charmaine was a great lover, and a real beauty to boot. But as Nydessa so recently began to feel, there was always something missing. This Satine is quite a lady! So sexy and pretty, and she can belt out a mean song.
Forgetting her mission, Nydessa soon found herself lost in Satine's soulful renditions of classic 80's hits. From "Take Me With U", to "Lucky Star", Satine's smouldering voice wafted over the crowd like smoke from a distant fire, engulfing its listeners, overcoming them with its power.
Now Satine, in full rock-n-roll mode, and feeling more relaxed on her first night, began to turn it loose. Her lithely curvy body twisted and wriggled during every song. She played with the mike, letting her body slide and hump against the stand as if it was a man's long lean member ready to penetrate her. She scanned the crowd, gratefully appreciating the thunderous applause after each song. Her eyes lit upon Nydessa, who by now felt a sudden wetness deep within her woman's depths. It had been quite a long time since a woman, not even Charmaine, made Nydessa wet automatically, and just from one smouldering look.
Dessie leaned closer to the edge of the stage as Satine sang her last song. It was "The Beautiful Ones", a Prince classic. Her eyes still on Nydessa, Satine weaved her body seductively as the band played through the intro. She then sang:
Baby, baby, baby
What's it gonna be
Baby, baby, baby
Is it her or is it me?
Huh? Nydessa thought she was hearing things. Is Satine singing this for a man in her life, or is she directing those lyrics at...ME?! She has to, or else she wouldn't still be looking at me as if...
She has that look, we can tell...gays can tell...Satine looks at me the same way Felicia did back in high school...that same longing, loving look...Felicia was my first, and my folks had to find out, threaten to send me to boarding school to get me 'deprogrammed'. I am what I am...that's why I left home. Oh Satine, could you really be in love with me? Or is it all just an act?
But it was no act. The more Satine got into the song, the harder she looked at Nydessa. But Nydessa didn't know that 'Satine' was really Melody Starr, a spy on undercover assignment, and Melody began to feel stirring within herself. All while performing tonight, Melody had nearly forgotten about Kent, but once she laid eyes on this incredibly sexy young blonde beauty, the desire rose in her tenfold.
OK, thought Melody, I know I'm bisexual, and I was in love with Kent, but not any more. But...this feeling...it won't go away. It's as if this girl needs me as much as I need her...I can't for the life of me take my eyes off her...
Now the song increases in power and volume. The lyrics become more direct, forceful, almost frantic as the singer pleads with her lover.
What's it gonna be baby?
Do u want HER
Or do u want ME
Cause I want U
The band wailed the song's powerful chords as Satine strutted and prowled all over the stage like a hungry panther, bumping and grinding all the while as she climbed to the top of humongous speakers. Now, standing atop, Satine ground and bumped her hips, slithered her body to the surface, then writhed in mock sexual ecstasy as she continued to wail and scream like a crazed banshee.
Nydessa, totally tuning out the approving whistles and shouts of the crowd, kept her eyes glued on Satine's erotically writhing form. Her feminine regions were now soaked, and Dessie, under the cloak of darkness, to her shock, found her hand sliding down inside her skintight pants. That hand found its target, and Dessie frantically and quickly masturbated as Satine continued her scorching performance. As Satine screamed the song's closing and humped and rolled atop the huge speaker, Nydessa instantly brought herself to orgasm. Oh yes, that lovely throbbing caused Dessie to twitch and shiver with pleasure. Not even Charmaine had this power over her. It was now or never: Nydessa had to meet this woman – tonight!
°°°°°°
"Whoa! Check out the hottie!"
That was Gary, an old college buddy of Kent's who came to town on business. He wanted to check out the club scene, so Kent, who had no plans, thanks to Melody, obliged his friend with an evening at Cosmic Chaos. They hadn't arrived in time to see all of Drowning Freedom's performance, and Kent really didn't pay much attention to the lead singer, but she certainly caught Gary's eye.
"Kent," said Gary, as he sipped his martini, "check her out! She's really hot, isn't she?" Kent looked up to see the sexually wriggling form of the band's lead singer. Sure, she's pretty and sexy, and she can sing too. But...
Shrugging, Kent turned to Gary saying, "They're pretty good, if not top notch. Just a cover band..."
But Gary said something else that gave Kent pause. Settling at a table up on the upper level mezzanine with a clear view of the stage, Gary silently assessed Drowning Freedom's new singer. Something about that girl is so familiar...
"Kent," he began, "how're things with your girlfriend? What's her name?"
"Melody."
"Yeah! She's one hot chick, if you don't mind me saying so."
"No, I don't mind," replied a downcast Kent, "but Melody and I are on the verge of splitting up. We had words this morning, and I'm afraid she wants out. I want marriage but she doesn't."
"Oh man," said Gary sympathetically, "that's too bad." Then, "I know I haven't seen your girl in quite some time, but I haven't forgotten what she looks like, but...Kent, check out the band's singer."
Kent, wondering why Gary was so suddenly enamored with Drowning Freedom's singer, peered out over the crowd then fixed his gaze to the stage. He studied the sexy, strutting female and took in every detail of this woman. No doubt about it: The figure, the color of her hair, the voice...it was all there.
"Melody," he said under his breath.
"What'd you say, Kent?," asked Gary, trying to listen over the crowd's thunderous applause.
"I said...Nevermind."
Kent wanted to go down to the main floor, walk up to the stage and drag Melody off where they could finally talk. But no, it can't be like that. Perhaps, if Gary could occupy himself with one of the club's regulars, Kent could gain access backstage, find Melody and reason with her. However, figuring out that she was here on a top secret assignment, Kent thought of ways to get to Melody before she got any deeper in this case. He had no idea what this case was about. All he could think was that it could a drug bust. Yeah, maybe there's a major coke or meth operation in this club, and Melody's out to find out who's running it. What could hurt if I do go backstage, find her, maybe get a chance to talk things out.
Part of him still loved her; part of him hated her for putting him through all this agony. Well, right now, he hated Melody for her scorchingly sexy performance. The nerve of her, wiggling and jumping around onstage like a cat in heat. Why does she do such things, and just to catch a couple of drug pushers?
His mind was made up. Once he finished entertaining his buddy, Kent would come back to Cosmic Chaos tomorrow night. He will find 'Satine' – Melody – and make her understand that he still wants her for life. Even if it meant to force her to make the choice: Her job as a Metacorps agent or being Mrs. Kenton Phillips.
°°°°°°
Backstage, 'Satine' took much needed downtime before the band played its last set. All alone in her dressing room Melody took advantage of the situation and called Reyna on her cell phone. Not a good thing to do, but she had to keep in contact. Taking a healthy swig of bottled water, Melody dialed Reyna's voice mail and left this message:
"Hi, it's me. Don't have much to report but I'm making some progress. That partner of Ray Marsh's, Audra, may be the link in all this. I think she's the one who might've ratted on Taylor. The problem is finding Charmaine. I think she's hiding out somewhere in this building, or near it. I need blueprints or a floor plan of this place as I believe there is some kind of hideaway tucked somewhere in this building."
Melody heard a knock on the door then quickly ended her call. Hastily stashing the phone into her bag, Melody called out, "Who's there?"
A youngish voice answered, "I saw you onstage and want to meet you. I'm the one you sang to."
Melody suddenly realized who that person was, and she couldn't get that girl's face out her mind. Why was she feeling like this? With some caution, she opened the door just wide enough to talk with the girl but not allow entry.
"Hi," said Melody.
"Hi, my name's Nydessa. I loved your act, You really sing nice."
"Thanks," replied a grateful Melody, who remembered her cover and introduced herself as 'Satine'.
Nydessa, still not wanting to leave, said, "You're really pretty. I like your outfit. Almost like mine." She laughed and indicated the almost identical slinky, skintight black spandex pants.
Melody returned the laughter, saying as she opened the door wider to allow Nydessa entry, "Uh, you want to step inside for while? We don't go on for another twenty minutes."
Nydessa's heart jumped for joy as she replied with gratitude, "Oh yes! I really wanted to get to know you better. Oh by the way, by chance are you...um...you know."
Melody Starr was taken aback a bit but realized this girl was totally attracted to her, and said attraction was mutual on Melody's part.
"Why yes, I am bisexual, but I'm already in a...," She stopped herself, knowing that is was truly over with Kent. Perhaps he will understand, after all, he knew I was like this when we met. He will just have to go on with his life without me...
Remembering her manners, Melody asked, "Do you want some water? I'm afraid that's all I have."
"OK," said Nydessa, smiling as her hostess handed over an unopened bottle of spring water. Thank God Charmaine's hidden cameras don't reach into the dressing rooms, or else Nydessa would have to do some heavy explaining.
"Hmm," said Melody softly, "after the show, want to go out for coffee? I know this great all night diner..."
Dessie's eyes lit up as she felt the attraction growing stronger. How much she wanted something like this, a woman who could adore and cherish her as a lover should. What she had with Charmaine started to wan weeks ago, even before Taylor's capture and murder. Right now, all Nydessa could think of was this incredibly beautiful and kind woman who so graciously invited her out for coffee and chat.
Maybe Satine's not a Metacorps agent, thought Nydessa, but what if she is...I have to play along with her, even if it means....
I can't let Charmaine get to this woman, I can't!
To be continued...Go to chapter 5
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