Liberty

Dedicated to a certain someone in honor of her birthday.  I promise 1,000 words a chapter until complete.  :D

 

Chapter One

Two muscular men strolled down the sidewalk in the growing twilight, trying to look as though they knew where they were going but peering at each number on each door they passed.  They reached a door marked 818 and stopped. 

“This is it!” exclaimed the taller man.

“Doesn’t look like much,” the younger, shorter man observed, nervously glancing up and down the street.

“I think that’s the point.  You ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess,” the smaller man admitted reluctantly, brushing a sweaty palm over the stubble of his hair. “Let’s go in.”

The heavy black door eased open soundlessly. The early evening light from outside cast a sliver of light across the polished wood floor of the entryway.   A leather corset-clad brunette greeted the newcomers with a small smile and an outstretched hand.  The taller of the two men handed her a small silver coin.  She took it delicately between her impeccably manicured nails and passed it over a magnetic machine for verification.  A small light flashed green.  She dropped the coin into a hidden slot on the desk top.  Nodding  her approval she waved them on into the greater darkness of the large room beyond.

Two men entered the brothel’s main room and headed straight for the only empty table.  They slithered into the booth seats, heads down, almost afraid to look around their dim surroundings.  A scantily clad hostess slipped to their table and they promptly ordered whatever was on tap.  When she returned with their order, they guzzled the cold beer quickly, then signaled for a another round as their courage returned and they began to sneak peeks at the various women, and men, in various stages of undress who were circulating among the tables.  The youngster raised astonished eyebrows at the sight of the men of the night.

A cute little blonde in a white baby doll nightie moved towards them.  As she did, the leather-clad hostess at the door raised her head, peering intently into a very dark corner, past the two soldiers.  With a curt nod, she lifted her hand, palm out, then flicked at the blonde who quickly responded to the non-verbal command by diverting to the table next to the newcomers.  The leather-clad hostess nodded her approval as she left her station to approach the two men. 

“Ma Mistress sends me to inquire of your interests this evening, gentlemen.  I am Nicole.  ‘Ow long shall you grace us with your presence?”  

The younger of the two stared at his friend with a deer in the headlights look of an epic nature.  The elder of the pair smiled at Nicole, and answered with a sad statement of fact, “It all depends on how much $100 American can buy for my young friend here.”

“Only for your friend?” Nicole gasped in disbelief, her thin hand flying to her heart, nearly glowing white against the coal black of her leather corset.

“Unfortunately, yes.  We deploy in three days, and, well, he, um, is a, uh, bit inexperienced.”

Shock registered on Nicole’s refined features and she glanced up, again checking in at the darkest corner.

“You are on …” she paused, obviously searching for the right word, “Lee-bare-tee? Yes, is the word correct?”

He chuckled and answered while his young friend’s ears turned beet red.  “Yes, forty-eight hour liberty.” 

The youngster ran his hand nervously through his barely there, close cropped black hair, staring at his beer mug, desperately diverting his eyes from all of the delights surrounding him.

“I understand.  Wait for a moment while I talk with ma Mistress?”  She smiled hopefully at both men.

“Of course!” he answered jovially, smiling as he watched her walk away, practically disappearing into the darkness.

“Jeeez, Lou, let’s just get out of here,” the younger man hissed, distracting his superior.  

“Hell no.  I am not taking you and your cherry into an active war zone.  No.  No way.” 

“Lou …” the younger man started to interrupt when Nicole returned silently to their table, wearing a delighted yet predatory smile.

“Ma Mistress offers that you both be her guests this evening, should you agree to her terms,” Nicole’s soft brown eyes gleamed in the low light.  “She is demanding, but quite, ‘ow you say?” Nicole paused, again searching for the proper words, “Rewarding as well.”

“Well, that would depend on her terms,” Lou answered cautiously.

“Shall we discuss them, then?” Nicole asked hopefully.

“We will listen to her terms, then decide.  Why don’t you have a seat?” Lou moved to one side to make room for Nicole to sit next to him.  He grinned broadly at the pretty French brunette, secretly thanking his lucky stars.

“Oh, my, non.  The Mistress would not be pleased for her terms to be aired publicly.  May I tell you both that this is a great honor.  Mistress does not choose play … toys, err, things very often anymore. “

Both men found that more than their interest was growing.  Nicole smiled at them knowingly. 

“Follow me,” she commanded softly but with authority.  Both men stood instantly, reaching for their barely touched second drafts to carry with them.

“Non!” Nicole barked sharply.  “Ma Mistress will not be pleased to find alcohol in her private rooms.”

The two soldiers looked at each other in surprise for a short moment before setting the heavy glasses back down on the table with a soft thud.

“Lead on, Nicole.  I am quite curious about your Mistress now,” whispered Lou as he gallantly offered her  his arm.  She took his offering with a small smile and a nod, placing her small hand into the crook of his elbow. 

“Come, young one, “ she beckoned behind her  to the other.  “A great adventure awaits you. Ma Mistress is deeply honored and pleased that you have chosen us for to gain your … experience.”

He gulped and took her free hand, clearly wondering just how much and what type of experience he was about to gain.