An Angel & A Devil - Part 09
"Burning Anticipation"
Written by T.M. Francis

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"Can you play pool?"
"Huh?"
"Can you play pool?" The question took me by complete surprise. "I wanna play." The way she emphasised the word 'play' made my heart turn somersaults.
"Um, y-yeah," I gasped. We stood in the centre of the dancefloor entwined while someone put some money in the jukebox. 'Into Temptation' warbled through the speakers. Angel traced her fingernails up and down the nape of my neck. She dug them in, pulling me in closer to her. Before I knew anything, she grabbed my hands and pushed her soft lips against mine. She had me right where she wanted me, and I didn't mind at all. Control's not everything anyway...

She pulled away from me, and pulled me to the pool table by my belt buckle. How ironic. I was getting pulled around by 'SEX'. She gestured towards the other two boys, and they came over, bringing everything with them.
"Okay, Richard, you're on my team."
'Hmm, okay, what's going on?' I thought as she tugged on the buckle and turned to face me.
"Before we start, I'd like to give just a little good luck kiss to the other team..." she smiled, pulling me in yet again. I would've put up with *all* night if I had to. She whispered 'good luck' against my lips, her tongue flicking my teeth when she said 'luck'. It was strangely arousing.
"Hey, where's mine?" Tim stirred. I shot him a dagger or two as he craned his neck out and stuck his cheek out in Angel's direction. She turned her head to the side, still holding me by the buckle, and pecked him on the cheek. He skipped off like a schoolgirl, declaring that he would 'never wash this cheek again', Marcia Brady-style.

"Let's rack up then, shall we?" Tim gathered up the pool balls from the pockets and arranged them in the triangular rack provided. Richard walked over to the wall where the pool cues were situated. He gathered four up and distributed them amongst us.
"You guys can go first, I wanna talk to my teammate," he said gesturing over to Angel, who let go of the buckle and stepped over to him. They talked for a while, and I wondered silently what they were talking about.

"What's the matter, Rich?" I was confused by the look on his face.
"Well, these guys are really good at pool, and I never win when I play them. Just once, I would like to win a game... just once." He looked very dejected. I grinned and moved closer to his ear.
"Don't worry Rich, we've got this thing as good as won."
"How can you be so sure?" he asked me curiously, "Paul's very good."
"I wouldn't worry about that... everyone's got a weakness. Besides, I have my ways..." I replied, looking over at Paul, who smiled at me when I caught his eye. Damn, he looked so beautiful when he smiled. His eyes sparkled, his face glowed and his dimples showed. So adorable. "...and I *will* have my way." The thought of the upcoming occurrences put a big ol' smile on my face.

She looked perfectly evil. Not a bad evil though. Whatever she talked to Rich about, whatever she had planned, I had a feeling it was planned for me. I didn't know whether to be fearful or anticipative. She sauntered over to me, wrapped her arms around my neck and whispered, "We're gonna kick your arse." She was so sure of herself. Almost too sure.

"Langbene, you break." I said, laughing silently in my head. This was going to be so easy. I already had him wrapped around my little finger... not that there was anything wrong with that. Tim chalked his cue stick, scrutinised the position and took his shot. The cue struck the ball perfectly, and he snapped the stick back with a flick of his fringe. "Bloody showoff..." I murmured, Paul holding me and chuckling quietly to himself. "Go Rich! You can do it!" I gave him a grin, and he raised his eyebrows with a look of uneasiness.
"We will win..." I mouthed to him without the 'enemy' noticing; his face was buried in my shoulder. "...I promise." He nodded and the corners of his mouth upturned. Tim had split the balls all around the table. Good break. The cue ball was by a side pocket, near a completely yellow ball, which was also close to the pocket. I watched Richard's eyes narrow as he leant over the table and sunk the ball with a seamless grace.
"Yes!" he cried, jumping up into the air joyously.
"Shit!" Tim hissed.
"I guess that means we're sinkin' the smalls, eh Rich?"
"Yay! I get another go!" I smiled happily to myself. We were off to a good start, maybe my methods of distraction weren't needed tonight after all. Maybe, but I did it anyway, it was fun to watch Paul squirm. If he thought that I had made him suffer on the stage earlier that evening, boy, was *he* in for a rude shock!

Rich had no way of sinking another ball in his turn, and soon, it was mine. I made Angel let go of me (which she did so, reluctantly) and I went to take my opening shot. I lined it up, and because of short limbs, concentrated all my weight on my left foot, raising my right off of the floor. It was then that the not-so-angelic Angel walked up behind me and ran one of her hands up the inseam of my trousers. I felt a cold shaft of air hit my upper thigh as she held a bright, shiny, silver safety pin up in front of my face. Tim began to laugh uncontrollably singing "Suck shit, McDermott!" as he pranced around the pool table. Richard's cheeks ripened like two tomatoes, and he turned away in respect. I took the shot, sinking the cueball as well as one of my own. My hand shot out to get the pin out of Angel's hand, but her reflexes were just that bit faster than mine. She held the pin behind her back and she started to arch backwards as I came closer to her. Her back foot supported her weight. I slipped my arm behind her back, and she quickly held the pin out further, too far for me to reach. I stepped in closer and supported the small of her back with one hand, reaching further and further back behind her trying to get my safety pin back.
"Give it to me," I said quietly.
"No."
"Gimme."
"You have to get through me first."
"I thought you'd never ask." With that, I bent her back a little further and kissed her. She threw her arms around me, and my unoccupied hand walked up her arm, locating the pin in her firm grasp. I broke away from her lips, opening my eyes slowly.
"Please?" I whispered into her mouth. She looked up at me with those eyes, wide and deep, and I knew I was hypnotised by her. She was in complete control.
"Okay then, since you asked me so nicely though. Who knows what else you could get when you ask like that?" She gave me a mischievous grin, my knees all of a sudden feeling extremely weak.

Oh this is *such* fun! A few more stunts like this, and I'd have him between the sheets, no questions asked! My turn, and thanks to me, I had two free shots. Paul had just returned from the men's room for he had to reposition the pin that I so amusingly took out. Time to execute Plan B.
"Is it just me or is it really hot in here all of a sudden?" I said, fanning my face with my hands. I took off my sweater, knowing that poor ol' Paulie Boy would be kicking himself. Now, before you get any ideas, don't worry, I was wearing a red, fitted midriff singlet with shoestring-like straps that kept insisting on slipping off my shoulders. I fixed them up and put my sweater on my chair with Richard's teddy. "Ahh, that's better," I heaved, taking an icecube out of Paul's empty glass. I looked up at him, and he looked like he was about to fall over. I closed my eyes and slipped the icecube into my mouth, sucking all the whisky out of it. I took it out of my mouth and moved it all over my now-exposed décolleté until it had completely melted. There ya go, Paul, fantasise about *that* one for a while. I positioned the cueball on the smooth green felt and shot it down to the other end of the table and back again, hitting a ball into a corner pocket. I made a stop at the bar, asking for a full glass of ice. I set it down next to Paul, who was finding it very hard to breathe for some 'unknown' reason. With an icecube concealed in my hand, I ran my fingernails down his chest, stopping as I got to the waistband of his trousers. I felt him tense up as I slipped my fingers inside the waistband, my thumbs touching his belt buckle. "Cool down," I stated, dropping the icecube down his pants. He wriggled and writhed and gasped as the freezing cold ice made its way down the inside of his leg. Tim almost fell over from laughing so hard, screaming "Save the ice, it'll die in there!" I was sidetracked by this, my guard let down for just a split second. That's all it took.

Ahh, fuck, cold! I could feel my insides shrivel as the ice melted all the way down my leg. Revenge was playing over repeatedly in my mind, but I was waiting for the right moment. The opportunity arose and I took the glass and poured the entire contents down the front of her top. She cursed and threatened physical violence when I said "You first."

"McDermott! You prick!" I swore as he grabbed my wrists, "I'm gonna have your guts for fuckin' garters for that!" I could do nothing but laugh helplessly as the ice melted and made the front of my singlet wet... and transparent.
"Wet t-shirt competition!" Tim squealed and I crossed my arms over my chest with a scowl on my face.
"Awwww, come on, Angel, don't be like that. You can take it off." Paul grinned mischievously and I shook my head.
"So *that's* why you did it! You sneaky, smutty bastard!"
"Me? Sneaky? Smutty?" he teased, "Never!" He raised an eyebrow at me suggestively. Just as I was about to whack him one, Richard stood in between us, facing me.
"You can put this on if you want," he said quietly, holding out his flannelette shirt to me.
"Thanks, Rich, I will." I took the shirt out of his hands and grabbed a handful of serviettes and tried to pat my singlet dry. Well, this predicament *could* work to my advantage... I was wearing a bra. Yep, it will.
"Hold this for me please, Paul," I said, handing him the shirt Rich had lent me. I slipped the clinging cotton/lycra singlet off over my head, wringing it out on the tiled floor. I was starting to feel a bit cold, but I had to do this as smoothly as possible without looking like a potential victim for hypothermia. "Um, Paul, can you help me here?"
"Yeah, what can I do?" Ha ha, SUCKER!
"Well, there's a few a drops trickling down my back and I can't reach them. Can you get them for me?"

I must've swallowed my tongue in that small instance as I took the handful of napkins she gave me. She was standing in front of me, her top half scantily covered by a revealing black lace bra. Thank God I was sitting on a stool, or I'm sure I would've fallen over.
"U-uh... o-okay." I stood up very carefully and she stepped closer into me, her chest up against mine, her arms around my hips, her index fingers tugging on my belt loops. She breathed on my neck, making my hair stand on end. The pain in my groin was now down to a dull throb.
"Can you find them?" she whispered, only fanning the flame that was building inside of me.
"Uh, no, can't see anything."
"Well, it's almost right at the base of my spine now."
"Oh..." I responded shakily, trying to see down the length of the curvaceous string of pearls that was her spine. I stood up on my toes... her back was completely dry. Her skin was cold to my touch when I took hold of her shoulders. "Angel, there's nothing there." She looked at me wickedly.
"So? You enjoyed it, didn't you?" she purred, sliding her leg up mine.
"Yes, but you don't have to lie to get me that way!" I laughed as I grabbed her leg behind the knee and pulled it up the side of my body. "Y'know, even though I don't really want you to, you better put on Richard's shirt." She took her hands away from my hips and slipped her arms into the sleeves. I let go of her leg and buttoned up the first few buttons of the shirt for her. She tied the tails up, exposing her taut midriff. Who'd have thought that someone could make Richie's boring old daggy clothes look so goddamn sexy?
"Sorry, babe, but I have to get back to grinding you and Ken-doll over there into a pulp."
"Hey!" Tim complained, "Ken's a bleach-blonde! I'm a brainy brunette!"
"Yeah, but you dyed it, didn't ya?"
"Shut up, Pixie." I narrowed my eyes at him and gave him the finger.
"Now now, children," Richard intervened, "We mustn't act this way in front of company, or Uncle Richie will send you both to bed without dessert."
"Ohhhhhhhhh! But..." Tim whined.
"No buts, Timothy. None." Tim pouted dramatically and his bottom lip quivered rapidly. I made a 'ha-ha-you're-in-trouble' face at him.
"No dessert for you either, Paul." I gritted my teeth and for some reason felt compelled to look over at Angel. I wondered what she was thinking.

Wow! Richard's taking charge! That's a side of him I never would've guessed existed. Tim looked pathetically sad and Paul... well, Paul just looked sinister. I couldn't tear my eyes away from Rich, playing the father to his two childlike colleagues. It fascinated me. Another thing that fascinated me was that word 'dessert'. I don't think he was talking about buying them an icecream cone. I also wondered if I should tell Paul about my Alex. No, not yet, maybe not at all. Oh, I dunno. I guess it all depends on how the night progresses.

TBC

An Angel & A Devil - Part 10
"Devil's Playground"
Written by T.M. Francis

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We lost! I can't believe we lost! Richard was grinning like a fucking idiot and Angel was straddling my lap stroking my hair as I sat at the table, trying to make me feel better. It did, but I didn't tell her that. She just sat there trying to make me laugh while Langbene and Tricky Ricky were disputing about the barmaid's original hair colour... *very* loudly. It was then I decided I wanted to go for a walk with Angel.
"Hey, Angel?" She looked down at me, raising her eyebrows in question whilst doing so. "Do you want to go for a walk with me?" She smiled at me.
"Yeah, sure, sounds like fun." I attempted to get up, but she still sat there.
"Um, we can't go anywhere until you get off my lap."
"You mean you're asking me to get *off* you?" She smirked at me, "that's a first, a guy asking me to get off..." I grinned and shook my head slowly, completely amused. "Only kidding," she commented, swinging her right leg over enabling her to stand up. I stood up beside her as she put her leather coat back on.
"No, I think you're mistaken, Timothy, I think it's red!"
"No, I think it is *you* who is mistaken, Richard, she's a brunette!"
"Oh, come on, you have to be KIDDING me, it's red!"
"Mate, come on, she's a bottle blonde!"
"It's strawberry blonde, you stupid fu..."
"OI!" We covered our ears as Angel sharply whistled for their attention. The sound was piercing. I was forced to cover my ears.
"Ow! Fuck, that hurt!" She mouthed 'sorry' to me. "We're going for a walk, we'll be back later. If you're not here, we'll assume you went back to the hotel... oh yeah," I turned to Angel, "I didn't tell ya, we're staying at the Ritz Carlton tonight." Her eyes widened with surprise.
"Bullshit!" She didn't believe me. "Really?" I nodded, and she beamed. "Fuck yeah!" She whispered something in my ear about 'softer mattresses in fancy hotels' and I could hardly catch my breath. We gathered up all our things and stepped out into the crisp midnight air. She untied Richie's shirt, and tucked it into her pants. It didn't look like Rich was getting his shirt back any time soon. Out of one of the pockets inside the lining of her coat, she pulled out a pack of Winnie Blues. She offered me a smoke and I accepted it graciously. She produced a Zippo lighter, flicked it open, lit her cigarette, held it out to me and lit mine, almost igniting my nasal hair and eyebrows.
"Sorry Paul!" she cried, "Oh fuck, I am so sorry!" I watched her eyes dance in the moonlight.
"It's alright, don't apologise."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm positive, it's okay." We continued to walk down the street together; I have no idea where we went or how we got there, but somehow, we ended up in a park. I turned to her and said, "Race ya to the swings?" She threw her head back in laughter.
"Oh yeah, alright!" she called, running off ahead before me.
"Hey!" I shouted, running after her, "you cheated!" She turned around as she jogged backwards.
"Me? Never!" she said sarcastically. I gave chase, and she started to head towards a big tree.
"Oh no you don't!" I laughed, catching up with her and seizing her around the waist. She shrieked with shock and I turned her in my arms to face me.
"Let me go, you bastard!"
"Not a chance, I'll *never* let you go." She smiled and wrapped her arms around my waist, her index fingers continually walking up and down the small of my back.
"Oh really? I bet I could make you let go..."
"Oh yeah? Ya think?" At that moment, she dug her nails in and I was forced to arch my back.
"Yeah, I do..."
"I do too... now, but do you really *want* me to?" She loosened her grip on my bruised tendons and snuck her hands up the back of my shirt, the hint of the cool air shocking me somewhat.
"Well, now that you mention it, ummm... no!"
"Good answer," I whispered, caressing her lips with mine. She gripped at my back, probably tearing out full chunks of my flesh, but I really didn't care. I let go of her waist and held her face with my hands. I didn't want this one fleeting moment to pass... not ever.

I could feel my insides quiver with rapture and my lips were tingling on his. I wanted him. I wanted this... and more. I opened my mouth ever so slightly and push my tongue past the barrier of my teeth. He granted me admission and I him. I felt his breath, heavy in expulsion in my mouth. It gave my goosebumps all over and I loved it. So much, in fact, that I scraped my nails down his back. I tangled my fingers in his belt loops again, pulling him closer to me. So passionate, yet so full of tenderness at the same time. When we parted, we had enough energy just to look into each other's eyes, each other's minds, each other's souls. Try to see what was lurking behind those tinted windows. Paul broke our silence.
"How 'bout those swings?"
"Yeah, sounds good." We headed over to the swings together. Paul eagerly hopped onto one of the swings, gesturing me into the other one. I went the one better and took his... while he was still on it. "Have you ever gone tandem on a swing?" I said as I put one leg over the back of the swing. He looked up and grinned.
"No, I can't say that I have." I sat down on his legs, placing my hands on the chains.
"First time for everything." He placed his hands on mine, our fingers intertwining on the chains.
"Well, I'm willing to try everything at least once!" He kissed my forehead gently and pushed off slowly. It was weird, I went forwards first instead of backwards. I thought about my situation... should I tell him? It always seems to make things bad, and I don't want to ruin what we might have. Not this time. I think I'll wait a while...

We just looked at each other and tried to read each other's thoughts. I kept getting mixed messages from her, as if she was arguing with herself. I wondered what about. Alex, maybe?
"Penny for your thoughts, Angel." She came back down to Earth and gazed at me. It was like she was evaluating me. I hoped I passed her test.
"Nah, at least a ten for mine!"
"Ten bucks for your thoughts?!?"
"Why not?" We sat in silence, and then just burst into laughter. I stopped the swing's momentum by scraping my feet in the dirt below me.
"Hold on!" I said to her. She put her hands around my neck, and I slipped mine under her knees, lifting us both off the swing. She wrapped her legs around my waist, and I saw a nice patch of grass a little further away. As I got there, I got down on my knees and leant forward, allowing Angel to lie back on the soft green grass. I knelt above her.

Oh God, he is so fucking HOT! I had no idea just how attractive Paul was! Seeing him there hovering above me with his hair hanging all around his face... the things I thought! 'How far away is that hotel?' was the most popular in my head. I reached up and touched his face and he smiled and closed his eyes.
"Come 'ere," I whispered, taking his face in my hands. I pulled him down to me and he grinned deviously. I supported his body weight with mine and he ran a finger down my cheek. He left what felt like a trail of fire with his touch. "Kiss me," I breathed, "kiss me now."
"Okay, if you say so," he chuckled as I pulled him down further, locking my legs around his body again. I heard him gasp with surprise, but I quickly silenced him...

Time passed and we lay on the ground together, smoking cigarettes, looking at the stars. It was a beautiful landscape of midnight blue with specks of sharp bright white shining through the damaged canvas. It was a sight to behold.
"What's the time?" I asked Paul, rolling over to him. He sat up so he could see his watch in the dim moonlight.
"Twenty-five past."
"Past what?"
"Ummm, two."
"Shit, we better head back. Who knows what those two are up to!" I hopped onto my knees and Paul stood up, offering his hands to me. I contemplated pulling him back down, but I then remembered that it was my idea in the first place, so I refrained myself. I took them graciously and got to my feet.

TBC

An Angel & A Devil - Part 11
"They Look So Angelic When They're Sleeping..."
Written by T.M. Francis

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We walked for a while and found our way back to the pub, no real dramas.
"Nah Tim, I love you, mate..."
"I-I love you too, like a, like a-a mate..."
The two galahs were stumbling down the street towards us with their arms around each other's necks. One of them walked towards me.
"Ay, ay, psst, Rich, look... Paul's got a girlfriend!" I rolled my eyes as Tim snorted with laughter.
"Ay Paul? Have I ever told you how much I love you, mate?"
"No, Rich, actually you haven't, you usually just roll over and go to sleep." Angel burst into laughter and plunged face-first into my shoulder.
"Well, I do, mate, I love you." I tried not to laugh as he slurred at me. I'd been through this so many times that you'd think it wouldn't amuse me anymore, but it still did.
"Yeah, I love you too, Rich." I could feel Angel still laughing, but she was now sniffling away tears. I cracked a small, unnoticeable smile and she raised her head and wiped at her eyes.
"Ayayayayay, what about me?" Tim pulled a long, intoxicated face at me and then began to sniffle as if pretending to cry. I heard Angel stifle a giggle again.
"Yes, Timothy, I love you too." He smiled and kissed me. That was all the hilarity she could take. She burst into fits of laughter again, almost falling over.
"Yecch, McDermott, you taste like an ashtray!"
"Well, stick your tongue down somebody else's ashtray then! Fine with me! I'm *sooooo* sorry to disappoint you!" I put my arm around his neck and began to walk off. "C'mon, it's time to go home now." Angel put her arm around Richie, leading him in my direction.
"C'mon, Rich, it's way past Teddy's bedtime," gesturing to the stuffed bear under his arm. "It's time to get him into a nice, warm bed."
"Angel? I-I love you, mate..."
"Yes, Rich, I know, I love you too. But you'll have to tell Teddy that, he's been feeling very neglected lately. He told me himself." He gave her a look of horror, and began to tell the teddy at least twenty times over how much he loved him.

I had never laughed so much or so hard in my life. Richard kept telling the bear that he was sorry for not paying more attention to him, and we stopped a few times because Tim had to throw up. We walked a bit further when Richard stopped us.
"Ay, Paul, the van's in that alley... I think." We headed down the alley and found the van. I got into the driver's seat, Paul beside me and Tim and Rich behind us. I slotted the key that Richard gave me into the ignition, and headed out of the alley. I was wondering how far away this hotel was until Paul told me to turn the corner and there it was. Big and bold and swank. It was huge. My eyes widened and I gasped in shock at the sight of the hotel.
We all got out of the van and walked towards the entrance of the hotel. Paul held Tim upright and I supported Richard.
"Wow..." I gasped.
"Yeah," Richard stammered, "pretty fuckin' big, 'ey?"
"Yeah..." He tripped over the step as he tried to imitate the doorman.
"Watch your step, sir."
"Better fuckin' late than never, mate!" My mouth gaped open at that remark.
"Richard! Watch your mouth!" I apologised to the very patient doorman. "I'm sorry, sir, he's had a bit too much to drink."
"That's perfectly alright, miss, happens all the time." He smiled as I nodded and we headed for the main desk. Richard turned around and put his arm around the doorman.
"Ay, ay, ay... I-I-I-I still love you, mate..." I contained laughter and pried him off the amused doorman. We walked through the large glass doors and headed to the reception desk.
"Can I help you, sir?" The cow behind the desk was eyeing my Paul, smiling suggestively at him. I was *not* happy about it. I sat Richard down in a comfy-looking lounge chair and walked up behind Paul. I slipped my arms around his waist and kissed his neck, all the while looking at the woman behind the desk as if to say, 'don't even fuckin' think about it, bitch.'
"Is everything going okay, honey?..." She glared at me, and Paul held my hands around him tightly and mumbled something under his breath that sounded like 'Hell hath no fury..."
"Huh? Ah, yes, booking for Fidler, Ferguson or McDermott?" She typed a few things onto the keyboard and scanned her fingers down the screen.
"Yes, Fidler, here it is. Room 15G. Do you have any bags?"
"Yes, the van is outside." She hit a bell on the counter.
"Fuck! What was that?!?" yelped Tim, his eyes springing open. Almost immediately, a bellhop approached the counter. I reached into my pocket and produced the keys. I handed them to him from behind Paul.
"The van's outside, ya can't miss it." He took them from me.

We walked over and got Tim and Rich and started for the elevators. We stepped inside.
"Which floor?" Tim inquired, instantly electing himself as the button-pusher.
"Fifteen," Paul sighed, pulling me closer to him. Tim looked confused. Mock confusion.
"Oh, um, is it this one?" He pressed his palm to the control panel, not even close to the right button. "Or is it that one?" He slid his fingers down either side of the panel, lighting every button but the one needed. Richard but in.
"No Tim," he growled, "it's this one!" He eyed the panel, moving his face closer and closer to it.
"Here, let me help you with that, Richie," Tim said, thrusting his hand onto the back of Richard's head, pushing it into the button marked '15'. There was an almighty 'THUD'.
"Ow! Fuck!" Richard cursed loudly, now able to string two syllables together without slurring. The pain must've sobered him up.
"Mr Spickle-head!" Tim yelled, Paul struggling not to laugh. Richard emerged from the elevator wall, holding his forehead. The elevator doors began to close.

"Fifteen, this is it!" Tim bounded out the doors, full of beans. Angel was looking nauseous after stopping and starting for the past fourteen floors. I guided her carefully out of the elevator, sensing her impending illness. We walked together slowly as Richard complained about how sore his head was. She rested her head on my shoulder and I wrapped my arms around her, gently massaging her churning stomach. She sighed gently. It must've helped.
"Ohhh, thankyou..." I kissed her temple and smiled.
"That's alright." We took a sharp right and looked down the corridor. A glint caught her wandering attention from the other side of the hall. 15G. Angel pointed to it.
"There it is." It was a set of white French doors situated at the very end of the corridor. The doorhandles were golden, as were the numbers and letter on the door. There was no keyhole.
'Ah, so *that's* what it's for...' I thought, producing a card from my pocket. I placed it into the slot and pulled it out quickly. I got a bit irate when it wouldn't compute.
"I hate these fuckin' card key pieces of shit..." I mumbled to myself as I fought with the lock. I jiggled around the card a bit more insistently until the lock registered and opened the door. We all stepped into a darkened room until Tim slammed his hand onto the light switch.

It was magnificent. The room was HUGE. There was a step down, which Tim tumbled over and fell flat on his face. Richard jeered at him.
"Ha ha, suck shit Tim!" I laughed a bit and Paul let go of me and helped him up.
"C'mon, it's bedtime, you." Tim got to his feet and stumbled onwards. I could hear Richard yelling from another room out of my sight. I suspected it was a bedroom.
"I bags this one!" Tim turned a corner and found another bedroom.
"This one's mine!" I walked forwards into the main room. There was a nice lounge suite with a large-screened TV in front of it, doors all around me and a mini bar and kitchen to my right.
"Fuck..." I muttered at the sight before me. "This must've cost heaps!"
"Rich payed for it," Paul said, "he's inherited a bit of money from a dead rellie."
"What an extravagant way to use someone's money!" He chuckled a little.
"Yeah, but at least this way he gets to spend it how he wants." He left me in the room and set off to find the boys. I stepped on to the couch, settling myself back into the cushions. I heaved a sigh of relief until I heard a heaving of a different kind...

"That's it, Timmy, get it all up..."

I tell ya now, the sound of dry retching kills the moment. I stood up and opened a door to find Richard sitting on a large bed with his eyes closed.
"Y'okay, mate?" He opened his eyes, looked at me and smiled.
"Huh? Yeah, I'll be fine." He picked up his teddy. There was a knock at the door.
"I'll get it. That'll be the luggage."
I swung open the doors. A rather overloaded bellhop greeted me at the doorway. He was carrying everything I saw the boys carrying earlier... and more.
"Where would you like all this, miss?"
"Just dump it over there," I answered, gesturing over to the lounge area.
"Right away." He unloaded his trolley quickly and positioned it all neatly on the floor. "Will that be all, miss?"
"Yeah, that's fine, thanks." Remembering the ritziness of the accommodation, I searched for my wallet. Unsuccessful, I grabbed the first one I could find. I looked at the ID inside... Timothy D.L. Ferguson. My God, he was serious! I found a substantially numbered note and handed it to the bellhop. "Thanks."
"Enjoy your stay at the Ritz Carlton, miss."
"I will. Ta." He nodded and exited the room, closing the doors behind him.

"Who was that?" I called from Tim's private bathroom.
"Just the bellhop with your luggage," she called back, "I took care of him and Tim tipped him."
"Okay."
"What'd I do?"
"Nothing, Tim."
"But Paul, she said I did something!"
"You're hearin' things."
"I am not!" I changed the subject.
"C'mon you, bedtime!" Tim yawned involuntarily.
"But I'm not tired!" he said, rubbing his eyes.
"Yes you are," I sighed, leading him out of the bathroom.
"No I'm not!" he yawned, stretching his long arms up to the ceiling.
"Just go to bed, okay? Don't argue with me please."
"Alright," he muttered, "but I'm not going to sleep!"
"Have it your own way." Tim was out cold before his head even had a chance to hit the pillow. He began to snore lightly as I turned off the light and closed his door.

"God bless Mummy, and Daddy, and Timmy, and Paulie, and my new friend Angel..."
"Oh, Richard, that's so sweet!" He smiled and continued.
"... and of course you, Teddy." I watched as he kissed his teddy's nose. He placed his palms together again to pray.
"Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, and if I die before I wake, then Paul finished me off with the chainsaw." He said it so matter-of-factly.
"What?!?" Angel interjected with much alarm.
"Oh, Paul says he likes that version better." I nodded silently from the doorway.
"Yes, I'll bet he does!" she smiled.
"Goodnight, Angel."
Goodnight, Richard."
"Will you be here tomorrow?"
"I guess so."
"Alright then, see you in the morning," he sang.
"Sleep tight."
"I will."
"If the bedbugs bite, bite 'em back."
"That's what Paul says!"
"Why doesn't that come as a big fuckin' surprise..." she muttered. She kissed him gently on the forehead and began to stand up.
"What about Teddy?"
"Oh, how silly of me, how could I forget Teddy!" She took the bear out of Richard's hands and kissed his button nose. "G'night, Teddy." She then gave the bear back.
"Teddy likes you..."
"And I like Teddy."
"... and I like you too. You're a nice girl."
"Thank you, Richard, I like you too." She smiled and stood up, running a hand through his hair. "G'night, you two."
"'Night." She turned and saw me standing in the doorway, leaning against the doorframe. "'Night, Paul."
"'Night, Rich."
"'Night, Tim." Silence. "GOODNIGHT, TIM!"
"Huh? Mmmmmphhhhmmmphhh, fffffuck off, Richard, lemme ssssleee..." I laughed silently and switched off the light, Angel closing the door behind us.

TBC

An Angel & A Devil - Part 12
"Lead Us Not Into Temptation..."
Written by T.M. Francis

***********************************************************************************

"They're like children, I swear."
"Yeah, I know, I do that every night when they drink too much."
"Jesus..."
"Yeah. You're really good with Richard."
"Maternal instinct, I guess," I whispered.
"Why so quiet?"
"I don't want to wake them up."
"Angel, a bomb could drop, and they wouldn't even so much as stir."
"Oh, okay then!" I walked past him and made my way over to the mini bar. "Ya want a drink?"
"Yeah, thanks." I found the Jack Daniels and poured us each a drink. I came back over to him and handed him his. "Are you okay to drink again now?"
"Yep, I've gone through all my stages and am completely sober. I can now drink anything and everything without so much as a headache."
"Lucky bitch..." I laughed and raised my glass.
"To the absence of hangovers."
"Here's hopin'..." Our glasses sounded as they met. I drained the glass as if it were water. Paul decided to take mouthfuls here and there.
"Oh come on, you've got to do better than that!"
"Oh! And since when did this turn into a competition?"
"Since I reckon that I could drink you under the table!"
"Hmm," he pondered, "sounds like a challenge to me..."
"You can bet Tim's money on that!" He laughed at that one.
"Speaking of which, how much did you actually give to the bellhop?"
"Twenty." He put his glass down and laughed heartily. "DON'T CHANGE THE SUBJECT! Drink up, Cadbury."
"Cadbury?!?"
"Glass and a half..." He scoffed at that remark.
"Dem's fightin' woids..." he said, raising the glass to his lips.
"Scull, scull, scull, scull..." I chanted, watching him look at me and the glass repeatedly as he upended the amber liquid down his throat in one gulp. "Well done! My turn..." I went back to the mini bar, got the bottle and brought it back over to us. His eyes were wide as I poured myself at least half a glass. "What's the matter, Paul? Never seen a woman drink before?"
"Not that much in one go!" Realising that I spilt a little down the side, I ran my finger up the side of the glass and then sucked on my finger. I heard Paul exhale heavily beside me. I had another idea.
"Y'know..." I started, "if you *really* want me to..."
"Yeah..."
"I could go through the stages again.... skipping the first two, of course..." He raised an eyebrow and stepped closer to me.
"Of course..." I smiled deviously as he cupped my face in one of his hands. Surges of natural electricity she through my body from all directions.
"Mmmm… how do you do that to me?"
"Do what?"
"Set me on fire just by touching me?"
"I dunno... how's this?" He lifted his thumb up to my lips and dragged it down my chin. My knees were turning to jelly.
"Uhhhhhhh... I'm melting!"
"This is for *all* the taunting tonight!" He ran his hand down my neck.
"Punish me," I murmured, "punish me, I deserve it..."
"Yeah? I think you do, too..." His hand gripped my shoulder. I gasped, realised the whisky was still in my hand, drank it and tossed the glass onto a cushion on the couch.
"Oh, I *know* I do. I have to sit down, I'm gonna fall over really soon!"
"Oh no you don't, you'll stay right... *here*..." He breathed 'here' into my ear, my legs threatening to crumble. He held me upright, continuing his assault.
"Ahhhhh, but Paul..."
"But Paul nothing," he replied, turning my back to face him, "you must be taught a lesson."
"Mmm, kinky!" I was silenced as I drew in a sharp breath and he unbuttoned my jacket from behind. He made his way up the length of the coat, taking his sweet, agonising time. My head fell back on his shoulder. He was enjoying this.

I was enjoying this. I slipped the jacket off her arms and shoulders, the heavy leather falling quickly to the floor. I ran my palms down her arms, the flannelette ruffling under my fingertips. "So much restrictive clothing," she murmured, "can't even move freely."
"Yeah, let's get it off, shall we?"
"Mm hmm." I rested my hands on either side of her waist, taking large handfuls of flannelette. I pulled upwards, untucking the shirt from her pants. I slipped the buttons out of their holes, one by one, Angel's breath becoming more and more ragged. I removed the shirt from her torso, the only thing covering her was that black lace bra that she had introduced me to not so long ago. My fingers danced up to her shoulders and began to knead them, squeezing them tighter as she gasped louder.
"Hey, relaaaaaaax..."

My eyes sprung open. Where had I heard that before? My fantasy. I was living my fantasy. I looked around for a beanbag... there was one conveniently situated by a door just off to my left. If I could just get him over there, I could sit down... lie down even. Could I? Yes. How? A light went off in my head. I put my head back on Paul's shoulder again, hoping to distract him long enough. I cautiously reached around behind me, finding his belt buckle quickly and quietly. I carefully undid his belt, pulling it away from the loops. I then held the belt in my left hand, letting it hang. I held my arms behind Paul and I looped the belt around his lower back.
"What the...?" he exclaimed, realising what I'd done. I pulled him over to the beanbag, holding him close to me with his belt so he couldn't squirm away. We walked in unison, and sat in unison. Well, actually, I sat on his lap and he had no choice.
"Now you can torture me in *any* way you see fit."
"Torture? Torture's such a strong word. How 'bout... to make suffer?"
"Well, by not doing anything you *are* making me suffer!" I ran a hand through his unruly hair, sliding my nails down his jaw, just like my fantasy. Just like my fantasy, he squeezed my shoulders and I was forced to gasp. I turned my head towards him...

"Uh uh uh!" I laughed, "I'M in control here! This is *my* fun!" I tilted her head to the side and kissed her neck, sending shockwaves through her body. I arched her neck further back and she closed her eyes, pulling me towards her. I breathed heavily on her skin, goosebumps forming almost instantaneously. I ran a finger down her stomach and she quivered to my delight. She began to cry out very softly and then just stopped and brushed me off completely, standing up and moving away...

Oh my God, what am I doing? Alex! What about my Alex? I don't know...

"Oi! Come back 'ere!"
"You'll have to come and catch me first..." she answered, walking over to the furthest side of the couch.
"Well, that *could* be arranged..." I said as I tricked her and caught up with her.
"That was *way* too quick..." she murmured. I wrapped one arm around her waist and placed the other on the back of her neck. I bent her back over the arm of the couch. "Hey, you're breaking me in half!" she laughed.
"Oh!" I added sarcastically, "My apologies!"
"Don't be a smartarse!"
"Well, I could just let you go..."
"NO! Don't do that!" I started to loosen my grasp on her waist.
"You sure?"
"Fucking positive! Please let me up!"
"In a minute." I lifted her up a little bit and kissed her. I felt her run her hands up and down my hips and through my hair. There was not a doubt in my mind. This was right.

I forced myself forward while our lips were locked together. I broke it and we searched each other's eyes for any uncertainties, to no avail. This was right. Paul took my hand and led me to a door, which he opened.
"Sure?"
"Yeah."
"Certain?"
"More than anything else." He kissed me again and we stumbled through the threshold, kicking the door closed behind us.

I didn't know what to say, I didn't know how to feel All I knew was that I was speechless and I felt lighter than the air I breathe. 'Was it good for you?' just didn't feel right to say. It wouldn't do. I lay in the dark on my right-hand side with Paul resting on my left shoulder. Breath in, breath out... he sounded so peaceful, like a child. As I listened to him, he stirred and clutched my waist closer to his. Flesh to flesh, skin to skin, I lay spooned into his body; the languid aftermath remnant of such fire not so long ago. No guilt, no regret. His breathing matched mine, our hearts beating in a synchronised rhythm. I yawned softly and he spoke.
"Hey..." I turned my head to him and we kissed lethargically, passion still burning deep within our souls.
"Hey..." I moved around and he kissed my shoulder. "I gotta get up. Hungry."
"There's a fridge in the kitchen somewhere... I think." He rolled onto his back and I sat up. I found Paul's shirt amongst the many other pieces of discarded clothing strewn all over the floor and put it on. My stomach growled at me. I stretched and looked back at him. His eyes were sparkling in the pale moonlight. Buttoning up the shirt, I stood and walked over to the closed door. Paul settled towards the middle of the bed, his eyes still twinkling like stars. I had never seen them so bright before. I smiled to myself as I twisted the doorhandle and stepped out.

Life for me just got ten times better and I knew what people meant when they said that there's a difference between having sex and making love: it's the feeling behind it that defines it. I thought about the union we shared only moments before. It was the most beautiful thing that I had ever experienced and I knew deep inside that this would not be one of the one-night stands that I was unable to talk myself out of. This was new to me. I could look into her eyes and see our future together in thirty or forty years time, and in these visions, she still looks beautiful to me. She is the woman that makes me happy, she is the woman that makes me laugh and cry, the woman who bears my children. There's not a doubt in my mind...

...I love her.

...More than any other woman I have met in my entire existence on this planet. My purpose on this Earth was now clear to me and I looked at my life in a new perspective. This enlightenment moved me and a single tear rolled silently down my cheek. I sat up in our bed and swung my legs over the side, trying to find the carpeted floor. I found my trousers and slipped them on, did them up and walked out the bedroom door.

My eyes were half-closed as I scratched my head and made my way around the main room. I stopped and listened: a faint padding of feet and a closing of a door was what I heard. Angel emerged from a room, in my shirt, carrying an empty glass. I walked on over to her.
"Well," she laughed, "the zombie emerges..."
"Don't be mean."
"What's the matter, gorgeous?"
"I missed you!" I pouted and bowed my head to the floor, looking up at her out of the top of my eyes. She smiled and placed her free hand on my chest.
"How sweet. I came out to eat. I heard Tim calling out your name and I went in and checked on him. The poor baby was..."
"Thirsty, right?"
"Yes, he wanted a drink, so I got him one."
"I would've told him to get up off his back and get his own, but not you. You're the sweet one. You taste like..." I kissed her softly and then licked my lips, "...honey." She grinned and walked past me to the kitchen. I followed her there and squinted as she opened the fridge door.
"Mmmmmm..." she purred, "champagne, fresh strawberries and whipped cream!"
"Yummy." She took the three items out of the fridge and set them down on the counter along with Tim's empty glass. Picking up a strawberry, she sprayed some cream onto it and ate it, enjoying the tastes luxuriously. She jumped up onto the counter and started to open the champagne,. I found two Waterford crystal wineglasses and held them out to her. Angel popped the cork and poured the sparkling liquid into the two glasses. She put the bottle down on the counter and I handed her her glass.
"Cheers," she said quietly and we hit our glasses together carefully.
"Oh, hang on..." I grabbed a strawberry and handed her one too. She queried me silently. "It brings out the flavour in the champagne."
"Oh." She took a mouthful of champagne and took a bite out of her strawberry. Her facial expression said it all, changing dramatically. Even in the low light, I could see every feature differentiate. "Mmmmm!" she marvelled with wide eyes, "this tastes really good!" She finished the strawberry and champagne and put the glass down beside her. I put mine down too and moved closer to her.
"I know something better," I said, moving in between her knees.
"Oh yeah?" she smiled, wrapping her arms around my neck, her face coming slowly towards mine.
"Yeah, I think so." I slipped my arms around her waist and stood up on my tiptoes. 'Damn, I'm short!' I thought as my lips met with hers once more. I had begun to crave her, to long and yearn for her. She wrapped her legs around my waist and I lifted her off the counter. I began to walk away when she stopped me.
"Mmmmm!" I released her mouth from mine and she gestured to the counter. She picked up the can of whipped cream and grinned at me insidiously. "I think this may come to good use." I widened my eyes and walked away again with her in my arms. The bedroom door closed quickly behind us.

TBC

An Angel & A Devil IV