In the front window of a busy chic breakfast cafe, Detective Mason Saunders sits looking out at the bustling city, sipping a freshly blended green smoothie which accompanies his half-eaten club sandwich. It was rare he had moments like this to enjoy a meal away from his desk or duties, and it was almost restoring to watch the world from this neutral perspective for once. But it was short-lived.

The call comes in an iota before 10am, just as he is about to devour the last half of his breakfast. Begrudgingly, he answers the phone in his distinctively coarse rugged voice and receives the news he is always disheartened to hear. A young woman in her mid to late twenties has been found dead in the park.

He scrambles off of the rickety high wooden stool he was seated on and grabs his smoothie and coat. The sun is out, but while the day had started off bright and fresh, there was now a chill in the air, one which matched the chill he felt every time he was faced with solving another of the city’s merciless crimes.

Forensics in white suits are working the scene when he arrives just ten minutes later, puffing for breath from fast pacing it the whole mile-long distance to the crime scene. Police officers stand huddling together sharing details of the deceased that have been found on her cold body, which had been discarded in a slew of foliage not far from the pathway.

They deduced she must have been out for a run early that morning when the city was about to wake, and had encountered someone who either hated her or hated women. What the killer had done to her was inhuman, and to do it in such a public location, to leave her so exposed was reckless and clearly an act of impulsive rage.

City Park had been cordoned off and the Police Chief himself was waiting to greet him.

“This isn’t like anything you’ve been faced with before, Mason.” He expresses with sadness in his smooth deep voice. For a big guy who was six foot two and solidly built, he was a real softie and rarely left his office to see the realities of the horrendous crimes his officers were familiar with, lest they be in need of emotional support concerning disturbing cases like these.

“She was last seen at a dating event three days ago, the owner Hallie Costa is over there.” He gestures towards a shaken-looking petite and professionally dressed lady in her forties, standing at the forefront of the blue taped boundary.

“I’ll do my rounds Chief. Let me get some details about the scene.” Mason huffs, his eyes roaming the setting, analysing every detail while draining the remainder of his beverage which was leaking around the edges due to the brisk walk from the cafe.

Wiping his hands on his trousers he jogs to the nearest forensic, grabs a pair of blue latex gloves, swiftly snaps them on and begins surveying the crime. 

“Let’s get this poor girl some justice.” He mutters under his breath.

***

Over by the tapes, Hallie Costa (owner of Blossom Dating Agency) is observing the situation, hands over her mouth and tears in her eyes. She had prided herself on providing an exceptional dating experience for her clients, and wondered if it was selfish to be worrying about the reputation of her company, and the events she frequently held at its headquarters nestled in The Bijou Hotel; when her bubbly vivacious client that attracted so much attention, had newly been found deceased. 

She doesn't hear the manager of The Bijou approaching behind her until he attempts to slide his hands around her slender leather belted waist. Irritated by the unwanted caress, she shakes him off, yanks down her fitted grey boucle suit jacket and straightens her matching high-waisted mini skirt before defensively wrapping her arms around herself.

“Get away from me, Ace.” She spits out with contempt, disgusted by the fact this man was her lover just days ago.

“Let me just take you home, Hallie,” he pleads, trying to lean around her to see her face as she frostily turns away from him in silence, wiping a tear from her eye. “Please, don’t shut me out,” he tries, tentatively reaching for her hand which she sharply slaps away.

“Fine, suit yourself.” Ace sighs defeatedly. He brings his mouth close to her ear, resisting the temptation to lick it, suppressing the memory flash of the last time he planted his lips on her neck; the way her tight body relaxes, heated by the simple yet intimate contact, she instantly becomes his. But instead whispers in frustration...

“You should have listened to me,” and walks off hands in pocket head down, back to The Bijou to break the news to everyone who knew her.

***

Just three days prior to the murder, a dating mixer was organised at The Bijou. A new rotation of clients was due to arrive in an hour, and all staff were busily preparing the ballroom and stocking the bar.

Hallie was in Ace’s office overlooking City Park, taking in the scenery and fresh air, watching in anticipation of receiving her cherry-picked elite clientele. Introducing potential lovers to each other always had her in a romantic mood, so she had chosen a floaty peach floral chiffon dress; low cut at the back and front, with gold accented cream stilettos to fit the occasion, over her usual suited girl boss attire.

Oh yes, he considerably approved of the soft feminine look on her for a change.

She cast a brief glance over her shoulder and cheekily smirked at Ace, who was lounging in his chair; his muscular suited Mediterranean legs stretched atop his desk crossed at the ankles, leaning back with his hands behind his neck. Captivated by the moments her golden skin was radiantly kissed by the morning sun. He was entranced by the way her chestnut hair and feathery dress (which was delightfully translucent in the light) gently floated in the breeze.

It only took him a few more savouring moments to go out there and join her. The look she had just given was enough to get his blood pumping, and he could feel his wood hardening in anticipation of what was about to happen.

Anytime she gave that look...

He couldn’t wait a moment longer to feel her. Stalking over to the balcony while unbuttoning his shirt - their eyes fixated on each other - he carelessly throws the garment over a yucca tree outside the sliding doorway, spins her round and presses his tanned chiselled body against hers, pinning her to the frosted glass balcony.

His mouth finds her glossy nude lips as they expectantly greet his with matched urgency. She sucks on his lip and moans into his deep kiss as his hands roam upwards under her dress, round her velvety thighs to find her chunky round bum. Moving his hands further towards her fleshy folds with every squeeze, his fingers find the panty line and tease their way under, sliding up and down the seams.

The anticipation of his touch at the edge of her opening is too much for her. Moaning into his mouth as her body weakens, her hands glide down his chest to unbutton his trousers and begin to tug on them. But he has no intention of giving himself to her yet.

A cry of surprise and disappointment escapes her lips as he grabs her hands and slaps them either side of her on the cold metal balcony frame. Still gripping his hands over hers, he leans in so close she can feel his hot breath on her delicate neck, then whispers a demand.

“Leave your hands here or I stop.”

“Ooh,” she purrs, as he takes a step back to discard the rest of his clothing, revelling in the craving lustful expression on her flushed face. 

It agonisingly taunts her how his body is so perfect and unreachable. Knowing how badly she wants him, he gets on his knees, crawls up to her then licks and kisses his way up from her ankle, all the way up to her peach lace underwear. Putting his mouth over her crotch area, he eases the waistline down, hearing her groan softly, hungry for more. As they slip down her thighs she finally feels his lips on her kitty, his tongue gently trailing its folds till he finds her aching clit.

Gripping the railing tightly, her back arches against it, moaning in ecstasy as he plants his lips over her labia, sliding his tongue inside her. Her hips begin gyrating on his face, the wetness steadily building as he alternates dipping it in and out, then slurping all of her juices up.

“Ohh yes, Ace!” she starts but doesn’t get to finish before he slips two fingers inside her while lapping at her clit. Spurred on by her trembling legs, he massages her g spot, enjoying the taste of her increasingly dripping pussy.

“I’m gonna cum!” she exclaims thrilled by the quickening rhythm. He grips her bum tight, pulling her hard on his face as she climaxes hard, almost buckling with the intensity of it.

Before she can even recover, he has stood up, spun her round, and lifted her dress above her waist.

“Hands back on the railing, now,” he orders, moisturising the tip of his throbbing manhood in her sweetness, pressing against the opening. Pulling her cheeks apart, he gets a good look at it disappearing inside her burrow.

One deep thrust and he’s all the way in while she’s turned around to cast a provocative look at him.

“Give it to me baby,” she winks as he places his hands under her dress, gliding them up to her waist. Drawing her back a step so her arms are stretched out in front of her (body almost parallel to the floor), he starts steadily driving his thick 7-inch cock into her depths.

“Yess!” she cries out as he builds his pace, wrapping one hand in her hair and turning her face from the floor towards him as he thrusts harder and harder till he can hear his big balls slapping against her. Kicking one of her legs out he spreads her wider open; making his dick make a sloshing sound in her soaking hole, which was swallowing him up, swelling with desire.

Taking one of her hands off the railing, he places it on her pussy, sounding approval as she begins rubbing it and moaning louder.

“You’re gonna cum hard for me aren’t you?” he urges her, as he ploughs into her faster, consuming her senses.

“Yes... yes... YES...” she howls in satisfaction, ripe and desperate for the impending orgasm. Grinding her ass against him, meeting each of his thrusts with an upward jerk of her hips to guide him deeper, it finally comes in waves of escalating bliss.

“Fuuucccck!” Ace groans, abruptly pulling out of her, directing her to the floor, his hand still wrapped in her hair. He hastily puts his cock to her mouth which she eagerly begins sliding up and down its girth, swirling her tongue around the tip every time her mouth reached the top.

As his body stiffens, she looks up to see his chiselled jaw clench, eyes scrunch closed, and knew it was time to open wide and devour every inch of his cock so he could blast his seeds down the back of her throat. Expertly deep-throating him, she enthusiastically drains every drop with him deep in her mouth before sliding her lips off.

Smoothing her dress down and adjusting the bust, she leaves him to retrieve his clothes and get dressed while she consults her handbag to fix her tousled hair and touch up her smudged makeup.

“You taste so bloody good.” She smirks, reapplying lipstick while peeking at him in her compact mirror.

“I was going to say the same thing.” He replies grinning.

***

They arrive at the hotel reception to greet the clients with little time to spare. Hallie’s assistant, Flora, is flustered and on the brink of a breakdown trying to organise everything in her boss's absence.

“I was wondering where you were, Hallie. The arrangements have been a challenge but thankfully everything is in place now,” she reports, casting a suspicious glance at Ace who was still fixing his tie. “Are we sure not to take up Ace’s offer for private security?”

“We’ll be just fine without security today, and is that what you’re wearing, Flora?” Hallie probes, visually opposed to how her black cigarette trousers and black sweatshirt were complemented by a considerable amount of glitter from the table confetti. Flora brushes her hands down her front to no avail.

“Umm I mean, I can go and change into one of the outfits from our company photoshoot if you prefer,” Flora suggests.

“Please, Flora. We have a videographer and photographer today and I can't have you representing our company looking like table decor.” Hallie jests, rushing over to Ace to adjust his tie which in the absence of a mirror, he had made a mess of. Flora side-eyes them both as she walks off in disfavour of the obvious vibe between them.

Right on cue, a flurry of well-dressed guys and women arrive ready to check out their potential suitors. Hallie greets them all, positively buzzing with optimism. Ace shakes a few hands and directs them to the ballroom where drinks and name tags await them on pre-designated tables.

He was just about to ask how many more are coming when she breezes in; oozing confidence and charm, with the decadent scent of sweet vanilla spice and delicate florals trailing behind her, and makes a swift beeline for him.

“Bea?!” he gasps. “What are you doing here?”

“Ace, well I never expected to see you again but... I mean, hi how are you?!” she chimes, leaning in for a quick kiss on each cheek. “I’m here for the mixer.”

“I’m very well thank you, and really?” he puzzles. “So you’re not still on and off with—”

“Let me stop you there, Ace,” she interrupts, playfully slapping her palm on his chest before flicking her long blonde waves over her shoulder. “Were fully broken up, hence me attending this mixer.”

“I see,” he says with raised eyebrows, turning to introduce Hallie who was curiously making her way towards them. “This is Blossom Dating Agency’s esteemed owner, Hallie Costa.”

“Nice to meet you, Hallie. I’m so stoked to be here today.” Bea smiles sweetly, reaching for Hallie’s reluctant hand.

“It’s my pleasure to host you all today, Bea... so you and Ace know each other already, huh?” Hallie queried, studying Bea’s demeanour as much as her glossy glamorous appearance: sexy little black dress hugging her curvaceous yet slender body, flawless natural makeup with strikingly plump cherry lips, dripping in gold jewellery, matching red stilettos and mini tote. She looked and smelled like danger incarnate.

“Yeah, sort of,” Bea explained. “He’s my ex's best friend but we're all good here aren’t we, Acey?”

“Yep all good, have fun today.” Ace gulped surveying Hallie’s friendly but frozen expression.

“Right, follow me.” Hallie chirps, leading the way to the ballroom. “That’s everyone now, Acey... I mean Ace,” she mouths while scowling at him.

***

The mixer is in full swing with attendees organised into groups playing various bonding games, the aim being to get them to share as much about each other as possible. It is supposed to be Flora’s job to observe who might make a good initial match (but she is still changing clothes), so Hallie is doing it for her while growing tired of Ace’s persistent efforts to win her attention.

“Don’t overthink her calling me Acey,” he tries, attempting to slip his hand on her bottom as they surveil the room with their backs against the wall.

“I’m not talking about this right now,” she snaps at him, taking a small sidestep away from him, only for him to mimic her step.

“Like we don’t talk about your husband?” he pushes, to her disgust.

“Fuck you, Ace. I’m just trying to focus on work right now. Where the hell is Flora?”

Ace pinches her bottom before she can even think to stop him, then grabs a margarita from a passing waiter.

“I’ll catch you later for round two my love,” he vows before walking towards the Ballroom's emergency exit, passing a nosey Bea en route.

“Trouble in paradise?” she laughs as he crosses her. 

Ignoring her, he forcefully barges his way through the double doors, leaving them wide open. Seeing Hallie busying herself with staff and other clients, Bea takes the opportunity to follow him, her heels clacking on the parquet floor with her hurried pace.

Hearing her approach, Ace bitterly spins round, half expecting to see Hallie ready for an argument.

“Why are you following me, Bea?” he snarls. “I’m not in the mood to talk right now.”

“Why not, Acey?” she pokes, enjoying his misery. “Does she know about your past?”

“Everyone has a past, Bea. Besides there's nothing going on there. And don’t call me Acey, it’s just Ace to you.” he reels, taking a large swig of his cocktail, plainly on guard for whatever bullshit this will lead to.

“So she doesn’t know how you got that big old house, huh?” Bea continues, aggravating him further. “Been frequenting any other old ladies' houses lately, and how’s it paying these days?” she banters spitefully.

Slamming his drink on the nearest side table, he strides over to her and backs her up against the wall, slapping his hands on either side of her on the gold-papered surface, stripping her of personal space. Yet she stands comfortably, ridiculing him while exposing his most vulnerable secret.

“She doesn’t know about your dirty little swinger parties either, so what are we talking about any of this for? What's your end game here?” Ace spits out furiously.

“Oh, you remember the parties do you? Do you remember that time you came with your cougar?” she giggles.

“I remember that time we fucked like the rest of the party wasn’t happening,” he says, softening a little, but still suspicious of her motive.

“That was one of the best nights I’d ever had, and I never got the chance to tell you,” she admitted, pulling his tie down while staring at him intently.

“You’re acting like you want to get up to no good, but shouldn’t you be trying to find your match out there,” he resists, taking her hand off of his tie and stepping back.

“Can't I do both?” she asks playfully, reaching out to him placing one finger in his pocket and drawing him close again. 

Raising his eyebrows, he thinks for a second, then takes her hand, leading her into the nearest function room.

“No one's going to come in here—”

Bea wastes no time jumping on him, wrapping her long legs around his waist and planting her luscious lips on his. He wraps his strong arms around her, undoing the zipper on her dress as he places her on the nearest dining table.

Hiking her dress up while she undoes his trousers, he pulls her to the table edge and positions himself between her. Hungrily, he trails his tongue down her neck towards her breasts while she impatiently pulls the straps of her dress down her shoulders; wiggling out of them, revealing her pert natural D-cup breasts. Grazing his tongue over her small hard nipples, he rubs his rigid pulsating cock against her crotch, yanking her panties down so they drop to the ground, revealing how wet and tight she is.

She eases her hips forward, guiding him inside her, instantly filled with wild desire. Keen to make her climax hard and quick, he pounds her pussy relentlessly, steadily increasing the momentum. They fuck frantically, equally thirsty for each other, completely lost in lust. It doesn’t take long before she explodes, her feet locked at the ankles behind him pulling him deep into her as she shakes in ecstasy, leaving her juices cascading down his shaft.

Ace erupts inside her then takes a step back to enjoy the view of her; slumped back seductively on her elbows, skin flushed and rosy, tits out, legs spread with his cum dripping out of her and splashing on the floor.

***

In a dark and dusty, neglected back room of the hotel, attempting to find just a fleeting moment to recover from the stressful morning she endured, is Flora. Who is startled into hiding when she overhears Ace and Bea conversing in the corridor. Astonished by Ace’s past and Bea’s personal life, she doesn’t have long to think about it before they burst into none other than the room she had chosen to get changed in.

Hurriedly, she ducks behind a partition and clamps her hand over her mouth, astounded as she hears them fucking, fuelled with a raw carnal passion she has never (in her twenty-four years of life), herself experienced. Fumbling for her phone, she contemplates messaging Hallie, but instead freezes as she realises the response her own body is having, from listening to the erotic antics unfolding just a few mere metres away.

There is a fluttering in her lower belly reaching parts of her rarely touched, an ache between her legs pulsing with the need to be acknowledged. Wishing she could be a fly on the wall to see exactly what they were doing up close, she instead remains, imagining the graphic details. When Ace was placing kisses on her breasts she could almost feel it on her own skin, when their bodies were slapping together she was imagining being filled up and ravaged.

It takes every ounce of restraint to stifle her moans as her body betrays her. Overwhelmed with desire, she finds her fingers migrating under the pencil skirt she had just changed into and tries to stop herself from reaching her wet panties, but fails; finding herself on autopilot, desperately trying not to cave, cursing herself for the perverted thoughts and feelings she is experiencing. But it's too late, she needs her own release and her fingers have a mind of their own.

She starts off drawing little circles over the damp patch on her panties, making them bigger till they reach her clit. Teasing her fingers around it, then pressing on her opening with increasing pressure, she finally gives in when the material disappears inside her, stopping her fingers from going any further. In a frenzy, she yanks her underwear down and dips her fingers inside, pulling them back out to taste the result of the building pressure before plunging them back into her depths, driving them in and out with an intensity matching the action she is in painstaking proximity to. Hearing them climax so hard is all it takes for her to reach her own, pulling her fingers out and stroking them over her sopping wet pussy in a frenzy.

Completely lost in self-gratification, she doesn’t hear them getting their clothes back on. Or notice how silent the room has become now they’ve finished. Ace, completely oblivious to her presence, kisses Bea before making his way out.

“I’ll see you out there when you’re ready babe... or we can skip the mixer if you’ll let me have you to myself,” he says at the door with a wink before leaving her.

Echoes of Bea’s jewellery jingling ring around the vacant room as she fixes her dress. Once sure Ace is out of earshot she calls out into the darkness, “You can come out now, whoever is there.”

Flora’s eyes widen in fear of discovery, but her interest in Bea slowly draws her out like a moth to a flame.

“I’m s..sorry!” Flora stammers, the post-orgasm blush on her face turning positively red with embarrassment as she apprehensively emerges into view. “I didn’t mean to intrude.”

“Oh but intrude you did,” fires Bea, a shadow of seriousness cast over her face. “And I’d like to keep what happened here between us.”

“Why are you even bothering with the mixer?” Flora blurts out, melting under Bea’s hypnotic gaze and the rhythmic tapping of her nails on the table she had been sitting on. “Wouldn’t you be more suited to a sex party than a suitor?”

Instantly regretting her comment, she shrinks as Bea throws her head back roaring with laughter, before poking her perfectly French manicured finger in Flora's chest.

“Don’t be jealous that you’d never be invited to one, Jane,” Bea mocks, looking her up and down, sneering at how her choice of knee-length skirt and fitted blouse does nothing to flatter her petite body, or accentuate her slight curves and small breasts, despite the obvious beauty hiding beneath.

“My name is Flora. And I don’t care for orgies.”

Nervously, she brushes the offensive finger off of her, scowling at the insult. Memories of the early months in her job flood her mind: being judged, undervalued, and constantly mocked for her appearance in the glamorous world of dating. People always expected someone polished and perfect-looking to find their match, unable to imagine someone who looks like they’ve never dated in their life could possibly be good at helping them find love. Yet she had way more experience than they could have guessed.

“So you just like getting off watching other people? Have you ever even been touched?” pokes Bea, moving so close she felt her deep nervy breath on her face.

Anger was boiling up inside her. She didn’t know how to deal with personalities as strong as Bea’s, but the essence of her was intoxicating. It was like fighting a losing battle not only in words, but also emotions. She disliked her attitude, yet admired her sass; appalled at her recklessness, was turned on by her boldness; hating the invasion of her personal space while unable to deny the whim to pull her closer.

Words were spoken but her mind wasn’t registering them, instead, her focus lay on the luscious lips in motion, enticing her towards them. Before she could even register what was happening, she sprung forward, locking their lips together in one fleeting forward motion before swiftly withdrawing. Now she stood rigid as a plank, a look of shock on her face, horrified at her own impulsiveness.

“Oh, don’t be so shy. Kiss me again.” Bea demands.

Flora flings her arms around Bea and connects with her parted lips, their tongues twisting around each other as their bodies merge, hands exploring each other in unison.

“Have you ever been touched like this?” Bea asks, smacking her lips against Flora’s pale creamy neck, sucking the flesh into her mouth before moving down, leaving a trail of red puckered marks and lipstick on her skin from ear to collar bone.

“No—”

“What about this?”

Without warning, she spins Flora around, wrapping one arm around her shoulders, arresting her in her firm grip while the other hand makes it way back up her thigh again. The crotch of the plain cotton panties is still damp. Bea slides her hand under them, letting her fingers graze her clit. She begins rubbing little circles over it, feeling Flora’s body melt against her, back arching and hips twitching in response.

Squeezing Flora tighter, she reaches round to pinch and flick her nipples, grabbing her breast in her hand as the other cups her pussy, fingers extending and slightly curling to barely dip in her hole. Teasing her opening with them, she begins sliding them up to her clit and back down again, spreading her juices all over.

Bea holds her hand there for a moment, choosing to kiss Flora's neck, licking behind her ear, feeling her squirm against her hand, her slick-shaven pussy sliding all over it.

“Mmm, I can feel you getting wetter,” Bea delights, jiggling her hand over Flora’s aching crotch. She moves her hand further between Flora’s legs so her three fingers slide deep inside her. Flora sinks down onto them, wanting to get fucked so badly. But Bea quickly pulls them out and places her hand firmly around Flora’s neck instead.

“Stand up straight, don’t move and be fucking quiet.” she asserts.

Removing her hand, she licks the juices off of one of her fingers before feeding the other to Flora, who was secretly elated to get a taste of herself again.

The next thing Flora feels is a sharp hard smack; the sound reverberating in the emptiness, as Bea’s palm makes contact with her rear. She yells out, but before she can protest, Bea’s palm comes down with another one, connecting like a jolt of electricity which snakes its way to her pussy, leaving fire where it entered. Two more sharp spanks later, and Flora tries to wiggle away.

“Had enough already,” laughs Bea. “Just one more.”

Pulling Flora’s legs apart, the next one lands between her legs. Breathing heavily and recovering from the pain, she clenches her thighs together.

“What the fuck did you do that for?!” Flora cries out in shock.

“That's for being a sneaky little pervert, you naughty girl.”

Reaching back down, she lets her fingers side straight in and rotates them inside her, wiggling them deeper and deeper till Flora is filled up, the pressure of them pressing against her g spot making her moan in ecstasy. She wonders how Bea knew how to find it so quickly, and stimulate it so intensely. Her juices were accumulating, lubricating the fingers massaging her insides, and flowing down them almost all the way to Bea’s wrist. 

Her hand was drenched and a new sensation was consuming Flora. So when Bea started fucking her, the twisting motion in rhythmic accuracy hitting her spot every time they went all the way in; she was totally unprepared for the heavy gush of juices that forced their way out around Bea’s fingers, splashing down Flora’s shaking thighs and pooling on the thick blue carpeted floor. Right next to Bea’s previously discarded red lacy underwear.

“What the fuck did you just do to me, and what do you call that?!” Flora quizzes in amazement as Bea releases her.

“Little tricks I learned from the parties you’re not going to talk about.” Bea winked. “Right, now I have a mixer to attend,” she said, grabbing her things and smoothing her dress down.

“Why are you even going back out there? Are you just trying to piss off Ace?” Flora scoffs, attempting to dry herself off with a fist full of napkins off of the table.

“Mind your business and keep your mouth shut about anything to do with me, or the next time I catch you it will be all of the punishment and none of the pleasure, sweetheart.”

***

The Bijou was usually a sedated and mute place that prided itself on providing its residents with a peacefully private space to sleep and dine, away from the distractions of the city. Staff were always on hand for every whim, but rarely spoke to each other, instead maintaining the reputation of quiet and luxury by focusing on working efficiently and professionally. This left many of the staff absolutely dying for amusement most days, no one more than the hotel's newest staff member Ryan: who had been stuck with all the mundane tasks no one else wanted to do for a full week now.

He didn’t think things could ever be interesting at The Bijou. But he is about to find out just how wrong he was to think that.

It had been a struggle making it through the morning when his boss comes marching up to him, red-faced and looking frustrated. For a second, he thinks he's going to lose his job over his lack of enthusiasm (it wouldn’t be the first time), but is instead surprised and relieved to be tasked with finding Flora, who has been missing for an unreasonable length of time now.

“Find Hallie’s assistant and I’ll talk her into letting you hang out at the mixer, I know she needs some extra hands in there.” Ace bargains with him, though he needed little persuasion. Anything was better than his usual duties.

The hotel is large with all function rooms on the ground floor, so he knows there weren’t too many places he has to look. But he decides to take his time, taking in how the vast spaces had been decorated to perfection in luxurious, textured wallpapers. Gold accented every door, ceiling, ornament, and furnishing. Indulgent bold colours, sophisticated photographs and captivating artwork littering every wall. This was a side of the hotel he had never been introduced to, and he marvelled in how alluring it was compared to the more demure theme on the residential side.

While passing through one of the shared kitchens that served a few of the conference rooms; just a little way down from the ballroom, he faintly hears someone shouting. Curiously wondering if it might be Flora, he follows the sound to a vent in the wall at the back of the kitchen, where he makes out the sounds much clearer. Putting his hand over his mouth, he quickly stifles a gasp as he overhears two women, pleasurable moans, and the distinct sound of spilled fluids as one of them screams while orgasming.

Unsure what to do with himself and the growing bulge in his trousers, he tries to decide whether to be nosy and see if one of the women may have been Flora. Taking a few deep breaths to calm himself and his erection, he composes himself before making his way through the kitchen, finding himself in a long corridor. Following the direction of what he heard, he walks to the next room down and finds the door wide open.

“I wonder if this is where I heard them?” he murmurs to himself as he goes to investigate.

Once in the middle of the room, he knows he's in the right place after spotting the wet carpet and a lacy red thong discarded on the floor. Drawn to them, he picks them up and slowly lifts them to his face, inhaling the scent, pressing the wet crotch to his lips; quickly stuffing them in his pocket when he hears footsteps approaching from behind a partition at the end of the room.

“What are you doing in here?” a stern voice asks as Flora emerges, her pale complexion glowing with a red tinge.

“I, I was looking for Flora! sh, she’s wanted in the ballroom!” he stammers, hopelessly embarrassed to have nearly been caught sniffing the underwear which could very well be hers.

“Well I’m Flora and now you’ve found me, you can get lost. I’m on my way there now.” she dismisses him rudely while fixing her glossy hair into a quick bun at her lower neck.

Hurriedly, he rushes out before she might realise the panties are gone, dashing into the next door he sees which turns out to be a store cupboard. Breathing a sigh of relief to have gotten away, he listens to Flora walk out, pacing down the corridor away from him. Amazed by his finding, he pulls the panties out of his pocket and pushes them against his nose, breathing in the scent once more. Tangling them around his fingers till he finds the soaked crotch, he brings it to his mouth and sucks on it, savouring its flavour, fantasising what her pussy might be like.

His dick is instantly rock solid and throbbing with the need to be stroked, so his other hand shakily undoes his belt letting his trousers fall to the floor. Teasing his fingers over the tip, he imagines her on her knees, looking up at him seductively as her tongue slowly licks it. He begins to stroke his cock thinking about how amazing it would be to feed it into her mouth. The smell is enchanting his senses, and he builds up the pace, visualising his face in her crotch.

Feeling himself near ejaculation he slows down to wrap the panties around his cock, carefully teasing one of the leg holes around his balls till they’re pulsing and blue under his stiff 7-inch cock. Having wound himself up so badly, he furiously jerks of into them till he empties his seeds, adding to the wetness inside them. Breathing heavily he pulls his boxers up and leans onto the back wall, catching his breath as he looks at his cum dripping from the underwear.

Not wanting to get rid of them, he stuffs them into his pocket before getting dressed and slowly makes his way to the ballroom.

***

When Bea finally slides back to the mixer, she heads straight to the bar to order a drink and socialise with a few of the attendees: who were taking a break from many of the ice-breaking activities going on around the room. After deciding on a heartbreaker (a blackberry vodka with cranberry juice, lime and soda), she stands with her back to the bar, surveying the room.

“So how come you’re not out there pairing up?” she asks a dark-haired guy: sitting two bar stools away. Dressed in a sharp blue suit, grey shirt with sleeves rolled up, and jacket slung over the bar, it was hard to deny he was probably the best-looking guy in the room. Yet, also the one who looked the least interested in the mixer he had signed himself up for. So he had caught her attention straight away.

“The girls out there all seemed kind of basic, so I decided to wait for you,” he smiles charmingly, casually sipping his cognac on ice. Bea tutted at his comment, slightly blushing in the light of his gaze.

“You’re going to have to try harder than that,” she laughs, turning to face him, staring back into his deep green eyes, fluttering her lashes.

“Oh I intend to,” he says with a wink, pulling up the stool next to him, inviting her to come and sit with him. “I’m Enzo, and you are?”

Bea coyly slides towards him, defiantly placing her bag on the stool.

“Bea. But there’s a room full of guys here so convince me why I should give you all of my attention,” she pouts, twirling her hair around her fingers.

“Because I love a challenge, am genuinely interested in getting to know you, and will give up on dating and walk out of this boring place if you don’t,” he grins, swiping his suit jacket off the bar as he stands up. “Want to sit on one of the sofas with me? Or am I leaving?”

“I could talk a while I guess,” Bea shrugs, grabbing her bag and linking arms with him, letting him lead her to the seating area.

Time flies as they converse about every subject imaginable. It was at least an hour later before she notices Ace: bitterly roaming the perimeter of the room watching them. Making a quick excuse to go to the ladies' room, she leaves a smitten Enzo to wait for her and discreetly motions for Ace to follow her.

As she makes her way across the room, in her efforts to maintain sly eye contact with Ace, she happens across a waiter who hadn’t seen her approach. Expertly swerving him at the last second, she subsequently collides with Ryan, who had been trying to make himself look busy while spying on his new crush, Flora; he now looked embarrassed having fallen on the floor.

“I’m so sorry!” Bea exclaims, reaching a hand down to help him up. Nervously he pulls himself up, eyes darting round the room, red-faced, hoping Flora didn’t see what just happened.

“I, it’s ok,” He stutters, brushing himself off.

“Hold on a second—” Bea exclaims, “Are those my fucking panties in your pocket?!” she hisses, snatching them back. “How the fuck did you get these you dirty little pervert?”

With a quick snap of her hand she connects with his face; he doesn’t wait another second to hurriedly take his leave, back to the lobby to hide in shame.

It was hard to miss the sea of faces turned in Bea’s direction as she storms off to the ladies' room, the sexy red lace visibly gripped in her angry fist. Ace’s jaw hit the floor in amazement, watching her stomp away, a multitude of questions flooding his mind. He bides his time, choosing to encourage the clients back into their activities and conversations before sliding off to find Bea: cursing profanities in the ladies' room.

“So he found your underwear after we fucked, eh?” he laughs, slipping his hands around her waist to hold her in an attempt to calm her down.

“It’s not funny, Ace. He’s a fucking weirdo, how did he end up with them?” she fumes.

“Don’t worry about it, sexy,” he growls in her ear. “Let me take your mind off of it.”

Nuzzling into her neck, he kisses her tenderly, licking up to her ear, teasing it with his tongue as she relaxes into his embrace, sinking her body into his chest, her bosom rising with each flick of his tongue.

He traces his fingertips up her thighs, bringing the hem of her dress up as he approaches the bare space between them, her breathing deepening the closer he gets. She reaches behind her, undoing his trousers, releasing his stiff cock from his boxers, directs it at her opening, and turns her face to kiss him; his palm caressing the side of her face, holding her to his lips, he pushes his hips into her gently, feeling himself slowly disappear inside her until his balls are tightly pressed against her.

Grinding against him, she feels him hit her spot deep within, stretching her arms back to grab his ass and keep him exactly in that place. He stabs at it with short hard thrusts, drinking the moans trying to escape her mouth as he keeps their lips locked in place.

“I love how you're still full of my cum, I want to fill you up again so badly,” he groans, roaming his hands over her breasts, up to her shoulders, his fingers splayed over her neck and holding her close to him.

“Fuck, I love this,” she moans blissfully. “I’m about to cum so hard!”

Quivering against his body, he senses how close she is, but instead of allowing her, he abruptly pulls out.

“Why did you stop?!” she cries out, flailing her arms out beside her defeatedly.

“You didn’t want to leave this shitty mixer with me so now you’re gonna be my good girl if you want to cum,” he says, holding the panties up to her face. “Open up and put these in your mouth, you make way too much noise.”

She nods obediently and opens her mouth, widening her jaw as he feeds the salty material into it.

“You're gonna do whatever daddy wants aren’t you..?” he asks, sticking his dick as deep as it will go in one forceful push.

Bea sounds enthusiastic and muffled, “Mmmm Hmmm”, to his satisfaction.

Smug at her submission, he drives his solid pulsing cock into her with intensifying momentum, one muscular arm wrapped around her lower belly, the palm of his large hand cupping her vulva; his other hand wrapped around her neck, delicately tilting her head up so as to lean back on his shoulder, her back arching against him as he vigorously drills into her.

Almost immediately, he pulls out of her and orders her to her knees while stripping the belt from his trousers. Carefully, he wraps it around her neck, buckling it at the front with an inch to spare between her skin and the shiny black Italian leather. Leading her to the nearest cubicle, he slams the lid of the toilet seat down and sits on it, pulling her towards him; her crawling like a dog on the cold marble floor, the hem of her dress hitched up over her hips exposing her bare ass.

To her relief, he removes the panties from her mouth and draws her head between his legs. As she wraps her lips around his rock-solid shaft, he leans forwards, pushing his cock to the back of her throat to reach over and spank her, the force of it provoking her gag reflex which only serves to make her open her throat wider to accommodate him.

Firmly wedged inside her he continues to spank her behind, one reddening cheek at a time, holding her head down in his lap, revelling in her throat dilating and tightening around him with each strike. In trying to swallow excess saliva building up, she was essentially gobbling him up, finding himself a little deeper with every gulp.

Almost choking on him now, he releases her, withdrawing her head from him by her hair and yanking it back to look at her; so she is looking at him, spit dangling from her mouth extending to her breasts, gasping for breath. Before she can reach to wipe her mouth he jolts his hips up, shoving himself back into her mouth, digging at her throat as she gags on his thrusts.

Jumping up, he lays her head on the toilet seat, manoeuvring behind her and slams his dick inside her, drawing her hips up at an angle so he can hammer away at her. Within minutes she’s trembling beneath him, moaning in ecstasy, telling him she’s about to cum, but decides not to let her. Instead, he spins her round to face him and tells her to open wide, emptying himself in her mouth and across her face, leaving her deprived.

“That's for choosing this mixer over me,” he said harshly, dressing quickly and leaving her on the cubicle floor with his belt still around her neck.

He doesn’t turn to let her see the hurt on his face, he doesn’t even know why he cares so much, but in this very moment, he’s done.

Bea took her time getting dressed, washing up and redoing her makeup in the ladies' room. Something had been vibrating nonstop in her bag; it wasn’t the vibrator disguised as a lipstick, no. It was her phone which she had neglected all day. She thought about using the vibrator for a second but decided against it thinking maybe Ace was right; she should have just left with him, if only for a day of endless wild sex. Sighing in disappointment she answers her phone.

“Jamie? What do you want?” She asks her ex, “Why are you outside? I told you we’re over… Fine, we can talk for a second. The mixer's nearly over anyway. Give me five minutes.”

***

People were already leaving the mixer when Bea snakes her way through the back corridors towards the hotel entrance, following the marked exit signs hanging from the tall ceilings. As she nears the lobby, she spots Enzo, who had grown impatient waiting for her, and was now badgering the lobby attendant for insight into where she might be.

“Enzo,” she calls out, watching his face light up as he spins around. “I’m so sorry I left you waiting.”

“I was getting worried I scared you off,” he laughs, muscles flexing as he brushed a lock of silky hair out of his face.

“No I just got a little sidetracked,” she admits, glancing around cautiously to see if Jamie was anywhere near.

“Well I’d love to ask the agency if they can pair us for a date... if you’re up to it that is?” he enquires, noticing her attention had drifted elsewhere. “Bea..?”

“Ah yeah, of course I would,” she starts, panicking as she notices Jamie talking to Ace by the valet booth outside, “set it up and get them to send me the details, I have to run, bye!”

They seemed to both turn in unison as she rushed over to them, almost tripping over the cobblestones as her feet hit the uneven floor outside. Ace lunges forward, grabbing her round the waist to help her regain her balance, his strapping arms encasing her in safety. Looking up at him, she smiles sweetly, their eyes locked in an unspoken embrace for seconds too long. Needless to say, Jamie was not pleased.

“You two look close,” he remarks in disgust, fury chiselled into his face. “Get your hands off her.”

“Should I have just let her fall?” Ace asked sarcastically, raising his brows.

“Did you come here to see him?” Jamie asks, turning towards a red-faced Bea, as she pulls away from Ace in embarrassment.

“No, we broke up and I came here for a dating event—” she pauses explaining as Jamie pushes Ace full force, sending him stumbling backwards.

“You’re supposed to be my best friend!” he yells, kicking Ace to the floor as he tries to stand. “You would let her find a date behind my back, why?!”

Fuelled with a burning rage, he launches a barrage of punches at a helpless Ace, satting on the floor defensively with his arms up shielding his body and face.

Without a thought to spare, Bea tries to wrestle herself between them, pleading with Jamie to stop, throwing her weight against him in an attempt to hold him back.

“He didn’t know I was coming and I didn’t know he worked here, please calm down!” but to her horror, he grabs her hair and drags her backwards, throwing her to the floor behind him.

“This is why you’ve never deserved her!” Ace roars, scrambling back to his feet, his fist accelerating towards Jamie’s anguished face. He is seconds from landing another punch when Enzo comes running as quick as a bolt of lightning through a storm to drag Jamie away, stopping him from causing any more trouble.

“I love her enough to never hurt her.” Ace blurts out, placing his hands either side of her face. “Are you ok?” he asks, his face possessed with concern.

“I’m ok but.. what did you just say?!” she exclaims, shocked at Ace’s startling admission.

“You’re clearly more trouble than you're worth,” Enzo interjects. “I hope you get what you deserve you scheming bitch.”

“Enzo, I didn’t mean to mislead anyone!” she cries, battling Ace’s hands away as he tries to draw her close to him. “And Jamie, you’re my ex for a reason!”

Tears fell out of her eyes as she turned away from the three men who had made their bid for her affection. Onlookers gathered around them to witness the drama, phones in hand documenting the mess her day had become. It was too much for her to bear, she snatches the heels from her feet and bolts through the hotel grounds out of sight.

She hears Ace calling out for her to come back, and Jamie yelling profanities and threats. She hears another fight break out between them when Ace tries to run after her. But she is emotionally drained for the day, and wants nothing more than to disappear from the spectacle she has become the centre of.

***

Detective Mason was pondering details in statements and case files when Officer Bradley walked in from yet another coffee break.

“So who do we think did it?” he asks, brushing scattered paperwork into a pile to make space for instant coffee and a box of iced pastries. “The jilted ex, burned date, pining lover, panty snatcher, or naughty assistant?”

“This isn’t something to make jokes about, Bradley.” he scolds, wrinkling his nose at the cretinous nicknames the police force had given the suspects. “We are less than an hour away from releasing them from 24-hour hold.”

All suspects had been arrested following a string of accusations by concerned hotel staff who had discovered intimate details regarding members of staff and the deceased, and public bystanders who had observed the heated exchange and subsequent scrap between three men outside the hotel.

“Can I take a look at the statements again, Detective?”

“Sure, I could use a fresh pair of eyes over these.”

Jamie: I was livid when I discovered there was something between her and Ace. But he had every right to out me as a terrible boyfriend. There were so many times she forgave me for losing my temper, she always deserved to have someone better than me. Finding out that someone might be my best friend though; that caught me off guard, but I didn’t kill her. I would have let them get on with it, no matter how much I’d hate them for it. I once loved them both after all.

Ace: We constantly crossed paths, and yes she knew how to get under my skin sometimes but I knew it was just her way of getting my attention. There was a day we really connected, but she was too afraid to leave him. I kept hoping I would get my chance, and I really thought that time had come. If only Jamie hadn’t shown up. Hallie should have listened to me, to let me arrange security, then he wouldn’t have even been able to get near in the first place. I wasn’t mad at her for running. I know she just didn’t want to admit her feelings in front of him, but I would have protected her to my last breath. I’d never hurt a hair on her head so I don’t even know why I’m here.

Flora: She definitely wasn’t the kind of girl I’d be friends with - she was rude and impulsive, definitely had a thing for Ace - but there was something undeniably magnetic about her. I guess I was a little jealous of her, and I did say some things out of anger because of the way she left me. But I didn’t want to kill her over that.

Enzo: Yeah I thought she was trouble and I admit, I was angry she showed me up. Acting like she wanted to date me when her ex was outside. And she had a thing for his best friend. I’m ashamed I ever thought she was a nice girl.. guess she had us all fooled. But did I kill her out of vengeful rage because I couldn't have her? No, of course not.

Ryan: I didn’t know her at all. I did have her underwear but I thought they belonged to Flora! It was embarrassing for us both when she discovered them in my pocket, everyone saw what happened and I lost my job over the incident. But I didn’t kill her for that. I blame myself and I feel really bad that I took them now.

“None of it adds up,” Officer Bradley perplexes, pacing the small room. “None of their motives seem strong enough and they all have alibi’s for that night. Jamie made up with Ace and they were out together. Enzo was with his housemate. Flora was working late and slept in the office, and Ryan was with his parents.”

“And she was much loved by everyone in her life, no one can imagine anyone wanting to do her any harm,” Detective Mason adds, holding his fingers to his temples. “This case is trying my nerves. What are we missing?”

He’s deep in a train of thought when a ping from his laptop diverts his attention.

“CCTV footage of the fight outside the hotel has been sent over, let’s take a look.”

They huddle over the laptop, watching as a visibly frustrated Jamie approaches a nonchalant Ace outside the hotel, conversation seemingly normal until Bea comes running out. Then it all goes downhill pretty quickly.

“There’s Enzo running out to help.”

“There’s Bea running away from it all.”

“Jamie holds Ace back from going after her and they start fighting again.”

“Hold on go back... look over there.”

“Is that...”

“Hallie Costa!” they shout in unison, looking at each other completely dumfounded.

“Didn’t she say she was in the office when this happened?”

“Why would she lie about that?!”

“She’s clearly gone after Bea, so what happened between the two of them?”

“Let’s get her in right now. Release the other suspects Officer Bradley.”

***

Mere hours later, Hallie Costa was sat in an interrogation room, indignant at her sudden arrest.

“Could you tell us what happened between you and the deceased after the altercation outside the hotel?” Detective Mason asks, scrutinising her demeanour with scepticism.

“I asked if she was ok and what had happened. She said she didn’t want to talk and ran off,” she answers curtly, staring at her reflection in the large two-way window on the wall. “Who’s in there?”

“Don't worry about who’s in there, just answer my questions please,” he replies bluntly and stony-faced. 

“Your phone records show a lot of calls to her phone over the next twenty-four hours and CCTV at her apartment complex reveal your car outside. Why did you go to her place of residence?”

“I wanted to see if she was ok.”

“We have also seen messages calling her a bitch and threatening to destroy her for what she did. What exactly did she do to you?”

“She caused drama at my mixer and some of my clients dropped out of my program so I was a little mad.”

“Bea went for a run that evening and CCTV outside her apartment and the park shows your car following her. She never left the park but you did. We know about you and Ace. You were mad she stole your lover and wanted to punish her, isn’t that right?”

“We also have DNA evidence of a struggle and your hair on her clothes,” Officer Bradley adds solemnly. “There’s no getting out of this, it’s better you tell the truth at this point.”

“Fine, I did it! I fucking hated her for ruining my reputation and fucking Ace! Fuck them both. I hope his dick falls off and I hope he dies!”

“Hallie Costa you are under arrest for the murder of Beatrice Adamson...”

On the other side of the window, Ace stands, broken, devastated, with tears in his eyes, mourning his lost love in disbelief that his nefarious ex-lover was capable of such a hateful crime. Nonetheless thankful the savage killer had been caught and subject to punishment, though there would never be any true retribution, as Bea could never come back from this. Head down, hands in his pocket, he walks out holding her memory forever dear in his heart.