The Big Score (a steampunk romance; closed)

[DrStein]

Sully rolled his hips in satisfaction as he watched Ria dance for him. Again, he could not manage motions as complex and masterful as she, but she didn't seem to mind. On the contrary, her talents were enough for the both of them and cast a haze of lust and pleasure over his senses. Her hands at her breasts were replaced with his own, squeezing and kneading her flesh while his thumbs rolled and teased her nipples. As she rose and fell and swayed before him, his mouth sought whatever flesh he could taste, peppering her neck, face and shoulders with kisses and nips.

 

[haremfaery]

"Mmm, Sully, yer a fine patron of the arts, ya are." She loved the way he looked at her when they were like this. He was as much interested in her pleasure as his own. It made her want to give him all the pleasure she could. Unlike with her other gents, where she used her gifts to get it over with as quickly as possible.

She undulated her body so she brushed his chest with hers, then she'd arch away. She ground against his cock. "Shall we finish off like this, or do ya want to flip me over?" Her smile turned into an O as she moaned.

 

[DrStein]

Rather than responding with words, Sully simply leveraged himself up and pushed Ria back into the mattress with him on top. He captured her lips in a fierce kiss and wrapped her body up in his arms. He gave a hard string of thrusts before his brow knit and a final buck of his hips signaled the release of his seed. When Ria came he continued to cling tightly to her and kept himself buried deep inside her. He savored every little shake and shiver of her body before finally rolling to the side and releasing her. His fingertips lazily traced feather-light caresses up and down her spine as he smiled at her. "How do you feel, my dear?" he asked, the look in his eyes showing he already knew the answer. He just liked hearing her say it.

 

[haremfaery]

Ria's body and face had a post-coital flush. "I feel wonderful. I can't get enough of you, Mr. Dixon. I've never had someone show such sustained enthusiasm for the art of dancing." She grinned. "I cannot tell you how much I look forward to working with you." She gave him a long passionate kiss.

 

[DrStein]

A playful laugh of satisfaction from Sully preceded another flurry of kisses.

A few hours later, the two partners in crime (and bed) were leaving a bookshop with several volumes on hypnosis and psychic phenomena. Since Sully admitted to being a bit mum about his own past, he gave in to telling a few stories. "At that point, my father was chasing ducks around the house, trying to wrangle the stubborn little bastards, while my sister is throwing feed everywhere and squealing with delight amidst all the shouting and quacking and feathers going everywhere! My mother was nearly hysterical with rage when she got back from the market, but I can't think of a better way to have celebrated my 10th birthday."

They rounded a corner and Sully put his free arm around Ria's shoulders. "Don't look behind you. Somebody's been following us for the last three blocks. Do you have any favorite restaurants nearby? Coffee houses? Chinese tea house maybe? Somewhere we can sit and get a look around." This wasn't the first time something like this had happened. Big spenders always drew unwanted attention, even if they're trying to be discreet.

 

[haremfaery]

"We're not far from Chinatown--lots of narrow streets, little shops, lots of places to hide. Hong Far Low's is a restaurant. We can go there. They have twenty kinds of chop suey."

She showed Sully the way, all the time mindful of their pursuer. "Why do you think we're being followed? One of your gambling friends looking to get his money back?" Sully did say being his partner would be an adventure.

 

[DrStein]

"Something like that, I would imagine," Sully replied as they took a seat at the restaurant. The smell of savory sauces was enticing, drowning out the ambient smoke of the city. While pretending to look over the chalkboard menu on the wall, Sully kept the side of his vision open. Their pursuers, two of them, went into a small curio shop, though one of them remained at the window, feigning interest in some blue China he probably couldn't afford.

"Don't turn to look but they're in the shop across the street. The fat one in green in the window, that's one of them. The other must be out of sight." They put in their order and waited a moment. After a pot of tea was brought, Sully poured them 2 cups and said, "Some people are sore losers. Gamble with more than they can afford to lose and blame the winners. But these men... they seem a little too affluent for that. I think they're the kind who prey on winners who get a little too indiscreet. And unfortunately, I may have gotten a little carried away in spoiling you." He reached over and took her hand to kiss it. "Worth it, of course. Still, we might need to move on sooner rather than later. Hmm... I've never stayed at the William Penn before."

 

[haremfaery]

Ria smiled at Sully. "I'm sorry your extravagance has caused problems." She sipped the tea. The William Penn? Where's that? Isn't that in ... Pennsylvania?"

She idly looked out the window trying to see if she could find their second follower. "What's the plan?"

 

[DrStein]

Sully took a sip of tea and let it turn in his mouth a moment to appreciate the flavors before letting it slide warmly down his throat. "It's difficult being as stylish as us." He caressed Ria's hand, finding himself looking for little excuses to touch her. He was no stranger to romance, but finding a woman this able to keep up with him was something different.

"We finish our meal, hop the nearest street car and lose them from there. From there it's back to the hotel and your living space, gather up our things and I'll buy us a couple of one-way tickets to Pittsburgh. The William Penn is said to be the finest luxury hotel in the country." Pittsburgh had rather more industry than Boston, but the promise of what rich rooms and tables that may take him and Ria too was just too enticing to pass up.

 

[haremfaery]

"The finest luxury hotel? Really, Sully, you spoil me." She lowered her voice. "And I suppose lots of opportunities to use our skills on the right sort of people. We do have a lot of studying ahead of us first." It was exciting and Ria looked forward to her new role as medium, fortune teller, whatever, to the gullible rich folks.

 

[DrStein]

They perused their books as they dined on the savory aromas almost as much as the food itself. Sully made a mental note to see if they could ply this act into a stay in Hong Kong sometime in the future. They were just finishing the meal when Sully looked up and saw the proprietor arguing with the man in the window, threatening to kick him and his partner out. "This is our chance, Ria my dear."

Sully gathered up their books and paid for the meal plus a generous extra in folded bills. Taking Ria's hand, the 2 briskly walked down the street toward the nearest street car. As luck would have it one, was passing by with its horse-shaped steam engine rolling ahead on its rails and they immediately hopped on. The driver was not happy at first, but Sully was able to mollify him with fare and a little extra, "for the inconvenience." The driver discreetly pocketed the extra and put the fair in the lockbox as the car moved on.

Some of the passengers were giving Ria and Sully some odd looks but no one said anything. Sully watched as their pursuers attempted and failed to pursue the street car on foot. He smiled and nodded to Ria, "We're in the clear." A kiss would be a bit much for this crowd on onlookers so he instead settled for resting a hand upon hers. "Where to first? Your living quarters or the hotel?

 

[haremfaery]

"If we go to the hotel first, I'm afraid we'll get distracted." She gave him a sultry grin. "Let's go to my place. I can collect my things, then give notice. I doubt Mr. Soames will give me my pay, but I'll take any costumes and wigs you think might be useful. I'm sure with you there, he won't give us any trouble."

They went to her flat, a walk-up not far from the seedy theatre where she worked. She kept the flat even when a generous patron set her up in an apartment in the posh district. A girl never knew when she would be out of favor. Men were fickle and rich men even more so.

She had some costumes and wigs in an armoir from previous acts she'd performed. No need to clutter her dressing room.

"When we first met I was wearing a black wig. Should I bring this one?" She held up a long wavy wig that she could style in many ways. "Or do you prefer blondes?" She held up another that was done up like a Gibson Girl. "I was very popular as the shop girl taking off her clothes after a long day at work."

 

[DrStein]

Sully relished seeing Ria go through her costumes. "Mmm, we may have to experiment a bit. Bring the ones you like best and I'll trust your taste." A short trip later took them back to the Parker House and up the stairs to Sully's suite.

Upon opening the door he froze. The suite had been ransacked. Furniture was overturned, clothes scattered... It wasn't a destructive rampage; in fact it was rather sloppy and almost half-hearted seeming. It would take time to inventory what was missing, but Sully was accustomed to traveling light and tried not to keep much more than he could carry at any given time. Ria gasped behind him and Sully took a step into the room.

He stopped. He was still holding the door. Sully pivoted and swung his whole body into pushing the door open and into the wall. There was no loud clatter however, but a thud and a pained groaning. Sully pulled back the door to see a skinny man, sort of. The little sneak couldn't possibly be older than 20. Without hesitating Sully grabbed the young man by his lapels and dragged him into a whipping motion that slammed his back against the wall. Sully had a hand on one lapel and a knife dispensed from the apparatus in his coat in the other hand, a knife that was now being brandished in the face of the young thief. "No need to panic. I've done this before. I'm going to ask you some questions."

"I just want to get the journal!" the young man blurted out in panic, his wide eyes fixated on the blade an inch from his face.

That gave Sully a moment of pause. That ratty old thing? Did someone really believe it lead to a treasure? Could... could it really? "Who are you stealing it for?"

"I don't know," the young man sobbed. "I just clean here, he gave me some money to find the journal and bring it to him. I got desperate! I didn't take anything, I just wanted the journal!"

Sully slipped the knife back into his sleeve apparatus with a click and brushed away the young man's tears. "Alright. I apologize for having to intimidate that out of you. You're obviously an innocent cat's paw in all this." The young man softened and seemed relieved. "That said, you did try to burglarize my suite." A swift punch knocked the young man out cold. Sully immediately set about finding the few items he wanted to take with him. His gun, cards, dice, a few books not including the new ones and of course his monogrammed grooming kit. It all went into a satchel with a few outfits and Sully found his remaining cash undisturbed in the lockbox. The young thief had at least been true about being after only the one thing.

Without a word, Sully took Ria's hand and waltzed to the checkout. He didn't argue on being charged an extra night for check out in the late afternoon. In fact, he preferred it. As long as he was still a registered guest, that bought them more time until whoever hired their amateur burglar. The trip to the train station was quiet.

They arrived at the nearest Union Railway Station and Sully was quick to purchase tickets and hurry the 2 of them to their platform. "I got us a private sleeper car," he finally said with his old playful tone back. "I imagine after such a busy day, we'll need it."

 

[haremfaery]

"Mr. Sullivan, were you really planning on sleeping?" Ria teased back. "But seriously, now I know why you didn't want me touching your jacket. That was quite a trick." A little frightening, and to her surprise. rather arousing the way he took control, even if the thief wasn't very big.

Once they got to their sleeper, she asked what she had been aching to do since the room at Parker House. "So ... Why is this journal you have so important to someone that they hired someone to steal it?"

 

[DrStein]

Sully was unpacking when Ria asked him about the journal. He pursed his lips a moment before admitting, "I don't actually know." For the first time he took the journal out of his jacket pocket and looked through it. All gibberish at first glance. "I won it in a game last night. Old fellow said that it lead the way to some kind of treasure. I'm starting to think he wasn't joking."

Sully let the journal slip back into the pocket of his jacket, which he them removed with its characteristic clicking and hung it up. The sleeping car itself had been expensive to reserve the entire thing. It was good fortune that the train to Pittsburgh just happened to have enough vacancies. Furniture was upholstered with plush, red velvet. Curtains on all the windows. Sofas built into the walls folded out into beds. Gold leaf on the light fixtures, the gentle smell of lilacs to keep the smoke from the engine out, a miniature bar... Damn, it felt good to be a gambler.

"We have 3 days before we arrive in Pittsburgh, my dear," he said to Ria with a naughty smile. "I'll order us a bottle of champagne. Would you like anything else?"

 

[haremfaery]

Ria tried out the sofas and opened one up into a bed. She bounced on it. "Not bad." She walked back to him.

"I'd like to look at that journal and see if we can figure it out." Ria said nodding toward his jacket. "Think of it, Sully! A treasure hunt." She grinned. "But yes, champagne would be lovely." She sighed. "Three days together confined to this train. Whatever will we do to pass the time?" She ran her hand up his chest to his neck and pulled him close for a kiss.

As much as she enjoyed losing herself in the kiss, the thought of the strange journal that could lead them to treasure kept distracting her.

 

[DrStein]

"You're welcome to it," Sully replied after the kiss. "Truthfully, I wouldn't object to finding out there really is some sort of treasure out there." He put in their order for a bottle of champagne and as soon as it had been delivered Sully took off his shoes and stripped to the waist.

He poured out 2 flutes of champagne and handed 1 to Ria. "A toast to our new adventure together."

 

[haremfaery]

She admired Sully's chest and shoulders. She liked watching him move, he had the grace of some jungle beast. It made her smile a little that he was the one half naked while she was fully clothed.

"To whatever the new adventure might be." She touched his glass with hers and sipped the champagne. "Now, let's have look at that journal before we retire. I must say, I am so very curious about it. Especially if there is someone out there who wants it so badly that they've hired people to follow us. en should know just what we have that's so ... valuable."

 

[DrStein]

Sully produced the journal from inside his coat pocket and thumbed through the pages. His brow furrowed as he looked over the jumbled code. It wasn't until he came to a particular page that he stopped. He turned the journal at a curious angle and his brows went up. "I think I know this place." He pointed to a page dominated by a map the appeared to be of a stretch of wilderness just outside a small, unnamed town. "This looks like a place in Virginia I passed through not long ago. See this shape here, like an arrowhead? That's a boulder that's pointing to the north, a local landmark. That's how you're meant to orient the map!" The map lead to a marked spot but as to what was there, Sully still couldn't read the code. He handed the journal over to Ria as he contemplated this first revelation. "What do you make of it, gorgeous?"

 

[haremfaery]

Ria chuckled sat the compliment. "Always the flatterer." She kissed his cheek and took the journal from him.

"I think it may be more than one code ..." She went to a small desk and removed a piece of the railroad's embossed letterhead and a pencil from her bag. She sat down and wrote out the different symbols that seemed to be part of the same code.

"Do you know anything about codes? I only know simple ciphers. One-to-one replacements." She started making tics next to the symbols for how often they appeared.

 

[DrStein]

"I can't say I'm too familiar," Sully admitted. Though Ria seemed to be making progress regardless. He smiled at the way her eyes focused on the paper in front of her, the gentle furrowing of her brows. He took one of their new books and sat down on the bed Ria had unfurled. "You're doing fine on that without me hovering over your shoulder like a specter. While you decode the first part of our adventure, I'll spend a little time studying hypnosis."

 

[haremfaery]

"My father enjoyed word puzzles and taught me how to work cryptograms. We used to send 'secret' messages back and forth to each other." Ria explained. "This section is easy, a simple one-to-one exchange of letters. The hard part is that there aren't spaces between the words, so I have to look for patterns. Like E is the most common vowel and S is the most common consonant. Certain letters like T and H appear next to each other a lot."

She continued to make notations and erasures. She didn't realize it, but when she was deep in concentration the tip of her tongue peeked out between her lips.

Some time later, she sat back with a crow of triumph. "I've got it!" She went to Sully and gave him a long kiss. "It talks about 'the device' and the ciphers give clues as to where it's located. So ... I can't imagine that someone would go to this trouble if it were a hoax. I think this really does lead to--not a treasure, but some sort of 'device' that's worth a lot more. Enough to try and rob us and have us followed."

She grinned and kissed him again.

 

[DrStein]

"Are you as strangely aroused by all this intrigue as I am?" Sully asked with that devilish smile again. "I have to say, to see a mind as stunning as your beauty at work. You were wasted. We're going to have our adventure, make a fortune in the process, and I'm going to spoil you rotten the whole way." He scooted behind Ria as he spoke and began to rub her shoulders before eventually he kissed and whispered in her ear.

He nipped at the edge of her ear. "To start, what would you like me to do to you? Or shall we just improvise and see where our current position goes from here?"

 

[haremfaery]

Part of her wanted to continue with the puzzle of the cipher but Sully was very persuasive.

Ria pushed the journal and her papers aside and leaned back against Sully. "Take me to bed." She sighed at his kisses. Then she stood up and wrapped her arms around him. "Mmm, you are too good to me." She helped him remove her dress.

 

[DrStein]

Sully kissed her deeply once her dress was off. He pulled the two of them down into bed and shimmied out of his trousers as she unbraced her corset. He caressed her curves with relish. His kisses grew more impatient as they went down her neck, shoulders and finally to her breasts, which he lavished with attention. His hands kneaded the soft flesh while his mouth teased, tasted and left little love bites on her nipples.