A long lane at night

1.EXTRA 4. FANTASIES

** ALLAN **

'I WAS THINKING WE COULD GO BACK TO THAT HOTEL where we spent our engagement night.'

'Do you have something specific in mind?' Brian asked while he looked at me.

I blushed and Brian opened up a naughty smile.

'You do! Tell me, what is it?'

'You'll laugh at me.'

'When have I ever laughed at you, Allan?'

'But you still won't want to do it.'

'I cannot say whether I want to or not unless you tell me. How specific is it?'

'A little bit.'

'More or less specific than the vertical sixty-nine you wanted last year?'

'That was awesome. Can we do that again?'

'That's not what you had in mind. Come on. Talk to me and I might hold you by your ankles again.'

I blushed even harder at the prospect of blowing Brian while being held upside down again.

'I was thinking some role-playing,' I said in a whisper.

'And what do you want me to be?' Brian asked. 'A sexy...'

'No, no, no. Don't say it. If we're really going to do it, this is how I want it to go.'

*

Less than a week later, I was sitting at the bar inside the hotel Brian had taken me the night he proposed. Back then, I was so excited that I didn't pay attention to anything other than him, but that was two years ago and Brian and I were now making the most of our first year as a wedded couple.

I was scrolling through Instagram, seriously considering sharing my virgin drink on my story (it was supposed to be something tropical and it had the fruit juice, the coconut milk and the sugar, but it lacked the vodka) when I got interrupted by a cough calling my attention.

'Mr. Leech, sir, sorry to disturb the peace of your evening, but there is a situation going on and we believe that it would be safer for you to come with us.'

I took a glance at the man talking to me. There wasn't much to see. He was wearing a security uniform. He kept his head down, which helped his cap brim conceal most of his face and he was wearing shades and a mask. His left hand was holding his right wrist in front of his body, both hands wearing black leather gloves.

'First of all, it's "Mister Altridge-Leech", thank you very much. Second, I'm fine here, so thank you again, but I guess I'll stay. I'm waiting for someone.'

'I'm afraid Mr. Leech will not be able to reach you tonight, sir. Now, if you please, I can be more of assistance once we're not so much in the open. After you, sir.'

I sighed annoyed.

'I told you, my name is Altridge-Leech, not just Leech. And you're not giving me reason enough to leave. On second, let me call Brian.'

As I meant to unblock my phone, the stranger held my arm by the elbow in a way that I couldn't move.

'I really don't like it when people like you make me repeat myself. Walk.'

I thought of protesting, but his grip on my arm was too strong and too precise. He jerked my arm in a way that forced me to leave my stool and he didn't wait before he started walking, forcing me to walk half a step ahead.

He didn't lead me through the front door from which I had entered, instead I found myself going behind the counter and into the kitchen, down a corridor that led to three plain-looking lifts. We didn't pass by anybody, not even a waiter that could catch my eye and maybe call for help.