Innocent No More

[ms_tiff]

Closed for StylusMaximus

Innocent No More​

Knocking gently on the door, Kelly Jacobson glanced over her shoulder. A strand of long chestnut hair fell over the side of her face; shielding her identity from anyone passing by. Of course, who would be passing by the non-descript alleyway she was sure she didn’t want to know.

She knocked again, harder this time, her knuckles white against the chipped red paint of the door. A peep hole slid open, startling the young woman, and a pair of blood shot dark brown eyes stared back at her. The faint smell of cigar smoke wafted out into the alley as the silence echoed.

“I’m ugh…I’m here for…” The words were lodged in her throat, fighting to get around the pulse that beat rapidly. The sound of her racing heartbeat clanged in her ears. She coughed, clearing her throat. “I’m here to see the Wizard.”

The door swung open soundlessly, the rusty hinges merely for show. Ducking her head, her hair coming down to hide the rest of her face, Kelly stepped inside.



ONE WEEk EARLIER

“Your Honor, my client doesn’t care about the money. After all, what monetary value is equal to his daughter, whom the accused so callously took away from him. All my client wants is to see justice done.”

Banging the gavel against the podium, Professor Hardwick glanced at his students, the smallest trace of a smile pulling at his lips, enhancing the lines etched around his mouth.

“Very well done, Councilor, you’ve just won your case.” He said, tipping his head towards Kelly. Breathing a sigh of relief and resisting the urge to squeal happily, Kelly high-fived her co-council/classmate as she resumed her seat.

“Good job.” Ray leaned over and whispered, “I knew you’d crush it.” She smiled at him, relieved that their first mock trial had been a success.

“We make a good team.” She whispered back, her heart racing as he returned her smile with a lazy grin. God, he was gorgeous. Kelly bit her lip and clenched her hands in her lap to keep from running her fingers through his beautiful blonde locks.

“And that concludes today’s trials.” Professor Hardwick said. “Some of you did very well. And some of you might well do with reexamining your career track. Class dismissed.”

“So, do you want to grab a drink tonight?” Kelly asked, trying to appear nonchalant as she gathered her things, quickly adding, “You know, to celebrate our victory.”

“I would, but I kind of have plans already. Raincheck?”

“Oh…of course.” Kelly replied brightly even as her heart sunk. “Raincheck, definitely.”

With a wave, Ray headed up the stairs of the lecture hall, pausing briefly to swing his arm around the shoulders of a blonde that Kelly only vaguely recognized. Was it bad that she felt a bit smug over the fact that said blonde was one of the students Professor Hardwick had said needed to reevaluate their career path?

Nah, she thought with a shake of her head. The feeling didn’t last, though, as she watched Ray walk out with the girl.

“Who cares,” she muttered to herself as she swung her briefcase over her shoulder, “definitely not me that’s for sure. Ray can do whatever…whoever…he wants.”

Words meant to soothe her shredded ego did nothing but tear at it more. For two years, she and Ray had been classmates, working together on countless projects and studying until the wee hours of the morning. One didn’t spend so much time with someone without developing feelings. No, not feelings. Kelly was hopelessly in love with Ray and yet he preferred chasing after any woman other than her.

It’s no use, Kelly thought as she unlocked her car and climbed in, placing her briefcase on the passenger seat. He’ll never see me THAT way.

The drive to her internship at Lewis, Hartman and Young was a brief fifteen-minute trip from campus. Pulling into her parking space – okay so it wasn’t hers per say, but she liked to think of it as such – Kelly took a moment to adjust her blouse and fix her makeup. It wouldn’t do to walk into the law firm looking like a slob. The partners were due to announce their newest case any day and Kelly wanted to make sure that she was the intern put on the job alongside some of the top legal minds.

“Looking good, Kels.” Laurel, the firm’s lead receptionist gave her an exaggerated wink as she walked past. With a blush, she patted the tight bun resting at the nape of her neck, making sure that each hair was carefully in place. “The partners have called a meeting in the conference room,” she called after her, “you might want to get your butt in there before you’re late.”

Heels clacking against the marble floor, Kelly walked brusquely to the conference room, straightening her black pencil skirt as she went. The partners had yet to enter the room when she sat down amongst the other interns around the edges of the room.

Jackson Lewis, lead partner of the firm entered and all conversation ceased at once. He stood alone at the head of the table, eyeing the lawyers who fidgeted like naughty school children under his gaze.

“As you all have probably heard by now, we’ve recently landed a very big client. I’m not going to give any names now, but you all have undoubtedly heard of the police sting which broke up a sex club which was selling off men and women to the highest bidder.” He glanced around the room, his steel blue eyes cutting into each person that fell under his gaze.

“The people operating the club have come to us, knowing that we are the number one defense firm in this state. Now, normally myself and the other partners would offer a case up to a junior partner, however, due to the sensitive nature of the case and the requests of our client, all three of us will be taking on the case personally and will enlist only one junior partner and one intern for assistance.”

He held up a hand to silence the mutterings in the room. Kelly glanced around, seeing the hungry looks on every face around her. Such a high-profile case was one to salivate over and the fact that the partners were cutting all but two people out of the chance to work on it…well that was a recipe for disaster.

“Now, Hennessey and Jacobson, I want you in my office in ten. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”



PRESENT

The heady scent of cigar smoke grew thicker the further down the twisting stairs Kelly traveled. It tickled her nose and conjured images of sitting in her grandfather’s study as he read torts aloud to her – the early stages of her law career. Her knees wobbled and she regretted wearing the five inch red stilettos. But one must look the part when one is trying to blend in to any scene. Still, the form fitting black dress felt too constricting and she felt like a painted whore with the makeup caked on her face.

“Investigate he says. Make sure you fit in he says. Why the fuck did I agree to this?” Kelly muttered as she gripped the railing tightly, the metal cool against her flushed skin.

The partners had assigned her to “research” as they called it.

Research my ass, Kelly thought, fidgeting for the millionth time with the dress, pulling it down lower over her ass only to have it dip further down in the front.

Kelly was to make sure that there was nothing the client was leaving out from their testimony, nothing that the police or DA could dig up to nail them with. The club was still operating, albeit even more discreetly than it had before, and the partners wanted to ensure that there were no more skeletons in the closet aside from those they already knew. No one was to know that Kelly was there, she was to blend in and gather information all spy-like and shit. She was not to engage and she was not to let anyone know she worked with the firm.

Much easier said than done.

 

[StylusMaximus]

James Kirkland sat at Table 42 in the back, just like he always did, drinking an Absolut on the rocks, just like he always did. When the auction began at midnight, he would go watch the girls and listen to the bids, just like he always did, but he would not make any bids, just like he never did.

After the auction ended, James would go to room 7, just like he always did, and Sergei would send him one of the girls, just like he always did. It was never the same girl twice, but they all would know exactly what to do. James would be sitting on the side of the bed, and she would walk in, close the door, and take off all her clothes. She would not speak. She would kneel on the floor between his knees, unzip his pants, take out his cock, and put it in her mouth.

Each girl would know she was not to do anything creative or fancy, just to make her mouth like a cunt and fuck James's cock with it. In 7 or 8 minutes, James would cum in her mouth, and she would know she was to swallow his cum, tuck his cock back into his pants, zip him up, and leave. James would sit on the bed for few more minutes, finishing his drink, and then his driver would take him home, just like he always did.

But that was later. Right now, James was sitting at Table 42, drinking an Absolut on the rocks.

 

[ms_tiff]

The room opened out from the twisting staircase; more an upscale hotel bar than a depraved sex club. The room was probably a lot larger than it appeared, but the navy and cream fleur-de-lis wallpaper wrapped the room with an intimacy further enhanced by the dim light of the crystal chandeliers and flickering candles that dotted each table. The small, round tables were spread out over the floor; enough space between each to give the patrons some semblance of privacy. Plush, navy velvet booths edged the walls, the semi-circles providing a space for couples to cozy up together. A marble-topped bar lined the back wall next to the staircase. Glass shelves, backed by a perfectly polished mirror, were carefully lined with the glass bottles of the most expensive liquors available.

A few tables were already filled with patrons, no more than two to a table, and every booth was occupied. The glamour of the patrons, no doubt everyone in designer labels from head to toe, made Kelly feel out of place in her off-the-rack dress. Suddenly the skintight dress felt even more constricted, as if it were trying to absorb into her skin, and her breath came in short, tight gasps.

What was she doing here?

A drink. She needed a drink. That would calm her.

Turning towards the bar she settled on a cushioned stool, the leather cool against her backside. She ordered a dirty martini, two olives, and couldn’t help the small smile on her lips as she thought of the bill she’d be giving the firm. Nice to know that all her drinks would be on the partners that night.

The soft music playing in the background dimmed ever lower and there was a palpable shift in the air as the patrons grew restless. Turning around, Kelly eyed the small crowd as all eyes shifted to the front of the room where a velvet, its deep crimson a stark contrast to the rest of the room, was slowly rising to reveal a stage.

To say that Kelly was intrigued was an understatement. Unconsciously she leaned forward, wondering what was going to happen. Was this when they auctioned people off?

Reaching behind her for the martini, Kelly uttered a curse as she tipped it over, the glass breaking and the drink running over the countertop.

“Dammit,” she muttered, spinning back around and frantically searching for a napkin.

 

[StylusMaximus]

James tipped up his Absolut and drained the rest of his glass, then looked at his watch. 11:59. Right on time. He motioned the waitress for a refill and then shifted in his seat so he could see the stage.

As the curtain began to rise, he heard the sound of breaking glass and a minor commotion to his left. He turned and saw a woman in a red dress cursing and grabbing frantically for napkins. He chuckled. Had she spilled her drink all over herself? He couldn't tell. Looked like she was going to need another martini, though.

As she turned around, he saw her face, and she had to be the... freshest face he had ever seen in the club. The rest of the women, even the ones who were there as spectators, usually brought there by their dates, pretty much looked either tired, or scared, or both. She just looked pissed that she had spilled her drink. Also, was she alone? He couldn't remember seeing a young woman by herself in the club before.

He watched her for another minute, intrigued. He wondered what she was doing there. Then his vodka arrived, and he turned his attention back to the stage as the lights came up. It was 12 midnight on the dot.

 

[ms_tiff]

Smiling her embarrassed thanks to the bartender as he cleared away the last few pieces of glass and sopped up the liquid of her martini, Kelly caught sight of a man watching her. He was older with a head full of rich, grey hair and traces of stubble along his jaw. His eyes appraised her, taking in the cut of her dress – which suddenly seemed excruciatingly tight with far too much cleavage on display – the soft curls she’d spent hours creating and the smoky eye makeup she still wasn’t sure she’d gotten right. As his eyes skimmed over her, Kelly felt her skin flushing, she’d never had someone look at her as if she were just another item up for bid that night.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” a voice, low and husky with the gravelliness that comes only from a lifetime of smoking, traveled through the room. Those three little words effectively silenced the club’s patrons, and a hushed tone took over the room. The silence buzzed with an electricity that Kelly could feel in her very bones.

She glanced over at the man. He was sitting by himself at a table not far off. The easy way in which he sat, reclining comfortably with a drink in his hand, led Kelly to believe he’d been there before.

“If I may have your attention please,” the man on the stage continued, knowing full well he had his audience wrapped around his little finger, “tonight’s festivities are about to begin. But first, I would like to thank you all for coming out tonight. No doubt you’ve heard about our…little problem,” he paused, a wolfish grin on his face as the audience chuckled. He had to be taking about the law suit, Kelly thought.

“I assure you, though,” the MC continued, “that our services and the items we have for you tonight, will not suffer.” He eyed his patrons and added with a devilish wink, “Unless you want them to.”

The club filled with applause. Glancing around, Kelly felt her heart inside her throat as she wondered what she’d just walked into.

“Our first item up for bid tonight,” the man said once the applause had quieted, “is a lovely specimen,” a spotlight appeared on the left side of the stage and a young man, late 20s at most, walked out into the light. Kelly gasped as the light shone off his muscular body, every inch of him oiled and every inch of him completely naked. Her eyes danced around, hoping nobody had heard her gasp as she tried to keep her gaze on anything but the impressive manhood that hung between his legs. She took a fortifying drink of her fresh martini, gulping down its entire contents in one breath.

“Let’s begin the bidding at three thousand.”

 

[StylusMaximus]

James sipped his vodka as the emcee began his introductions.

"Our first item up for bid tonight," the emcee said, "is a lovely specimen..."

James looked up as the spotlight shone stage right, and out walked a huge beast of a man, about 25 or 26 years old. He was oiled up like a bodybuilder -- in fact, he looked like a bodybuilder -- except for the fact that instead of wearing a tiny little speedo, he was stark naked and his big dick was dangling obscenely between his legs. If the dude was on steroids, they certainly had not shrunk his balls down at all.

The kid started strutting around the stage, wiggling his hips, and James chuckled. If I looked like that, I'd be naked and oiled up all the time too, he thought.

Just then he heard a loud gasp to his left. He looked over, and it was the pretty girl in the red dress again. This time, she hadn't spilled her drink -- in fact, she was downing her oversized martini like it was lemonade. When she finished her drink with a loud exhale, James could see that she was blushing madly, her face almost as red as her dress.

James watched her curiously. Why is she so embarrassed? Is it the naked guy on stage? She must have known all the items would be naked. Right? She kept looking up toward the stage, then looking away.

He chuckled again and took another swig of vodka.

"Let's being the bidding at three thousand!" the emcee said.

The musclehead on stage put his hands behind his head and started swiveling his hips, making his schlong twirl around like a helicopter. Everyone in the crowd laughed and there were some scattered cheers and applause.

James looked back over at the girl in the red dress. He started to smile again. Jesus, she acts like she's never seen a real live penis before, he thought.

Then he stopped and frowned a bit.

Has she never seen a real live penis before?

James was still watching her and she was still staring between the naked guy's legs. His face broke out into a huge grin and he started to laugh. God, it's been a long time since I laughed like this, he thought. He waved at the pretty girl in the red dress and motioned for her to come over to his table.

 

[ms_tiff]

As the man on stage danced about lewdly, his antics bringing shrieks of pleasure from the crowd and driving his price up considerably, Kelly felt the flush growing on her cheeks. The heat moved up the back of her neck and into her cheeks until her face was fully aflame.

Sure, she’d seen a penis before. Once. In a porno. Which she’d promptly turned. But never had she seen one in real life and definitely never one that monstrous. The sight of it was obscene and Kelly was appalled at the women, not to mention the number of men, who were bidding for time with the “specimen.” Appalled and more than a little intrigued.

Much as she hated to admit it, as the bidding progressed she found herself more and more drawn into the spectacle of it all. The crassness and vulgarity. The underlying eroticism.

Used to a life of forced celibacy, Kelly had never seen anything like this. The dark side of sex – any side of sex really – was foreign to her. At twenty-five she could barely muster the courage to finger herself let alone bear witness to something so primal.

The bidding had reached a fever pitch as the man began to pump himself to full hardness; his swollen manhood arching up like a rhino’s horn between his legs.

“Thirty thousand!” A man near the front barked, licking his lips as the specimen humped his hips towards the bidder.

Glancing away, not sure how much more she could endure before her embarrassment threatened to burn through her veins, Kelly noticed the man seated at the back table. His eyes were on her, a slight smile on his lips. About to bury her head on the table in shame, Kelly paused as he waved her over. The action calm, commanding. He was a man unused to hearing the word “no.” Of that Kelly was sure.

“Can I get another?” She asked the bartender, signaling her empty martini glass.

She glanced at the man again, his eyes fixed firmly on her. He was obviously uninterested in the auction, but what did he find so fascinating about her?

When in Rome, she thought as she grabbed her drink. Sliding off the seat, careful to keep her dress from riding up, Kelly moved slowly towards him. Her steps measured as she moved, trying not to fall in the too-high heels. Her hand moved up, fingers brushing her nose in a nervous gesture. Too late she realized she’d worn contacts that night, there were no glasses to push up. Dropping her hand back to her side quickly, she paused in front of the man’s table.

“Um…hello.” She coughed, the words stuck in her throat. Taking a fortifying sip of her martini, Kelly tried again. “May I join you?”

 

[StylusMaximus]

James chuckled as the pretty girl in the red dress stumbled over toward him.

This must be her first time wearing a dress that tight, he thought. Or heels that high. Or drinking that much.

He smiled. Maybe all three.

He watched her calmly as she approached his table, then grabbed it as if to steady herself.

"Hello," she said, sloshing some of her martini on the table. She took another big swig. "May I join you?"

"Of course," he said with an easy smile, sliding over to give her room in the booth. He offered his hand and held hers as she clambered up onto the seat next to him. He tried not to laugh again.

"I have to tell you," he said with a smile and a twinkle in his eye, "that you look a little lost. Like you've never been here before. Like you didn't expect to see what you saw on the stage up there. Like you're a little embarrassed by what you saw."

He tilted his head a little to one side, watching her closely. "Am I getting warm?"

 

[ms_tiff]

Her nerves had the drink spilling slightly over the rim of the glass. Her nerves and…well she was three martinis in at this point and was just the tiniest bit tipsy.

The man’s disarming smile did nothing to ease those nerves as Kelly slid in the booth beside him. Her attempts to be graceful thwarted by the tight dress and heels. Biting her lip sheepishly she glanced around the room. The bidding had ceased on the first man and now a woman had taken his place, her taut ebony skin glistening in the spotlight.

“I have to tell you that you look a little lost.”

She barely heard his words as the woman moved about the stage, her lithe frame moving in an almost feral manner. While the first up for auction had been, lewd and driven the crowd to a frenzy with his vulgar moves, this woman had an air of mystery and allure about her. Her movements were slow, unhurried, and completely aloof. Her head was held high, her dark gaze haughty as she looked down at the patrons.

“Like you’ve never been here before. Like you didn’t expect to see what you saw on the stage up there. Like you’re a little embarrassed by what you saw.”

The stranger’s words echoed in her ear as she finds herself drawn to the woman on stage. Full breasts, capped with pale nipples that stood out in contrast to her dark skin, swayed with each step.

“Am I getting warm?”

Kelly flushed, turning back to the stranger. She didn’t know what was more embarrassing: that she had sat down with a stranger in a sex club or that said stranger was watching her watch the naked woman on stage?

She forced a light laugh from her lips, turning her attention back to the man.

“You could say that.” She gave a small smile. “A friend of mine told me that I might enjoy coming here. Though, I must admit, I’ve never been to something like this before.” Her hand swept out, gesturing to the room. “It’s a bit overwhelming.”

Always bury a lie within truth. It was one of the most important things Kelly had learned from her parents. No one could know who she was or her real purpose for being there.

“I take it this doesn’t shock you?” Her eyes shifted to the woman on stage whose bids were steadily climbing.

 

[StylusMaximus]

James smiled as he realized the pretty girl in the red dress wasn't listening to him at all. She was staring at the desperately beautiful black woman on stage, and he couldn't blame her.

There were no silly dances or goofy hip thrusts from this item. She walked to the middle of the stage, spread her feet as wide as her shoulders, put her hands on her hips, and stared defiantly into the crowd. Her curly black pubic hair was untrimmed, unkempt, densely covering her sex. Her tits jutted angrily out from her chest. Her eyes were steady and focused as she fixed her gaze on each patron who had the temerity to bid on her. Everything about her said I don't give a fuck. She was extraordinary.

After a few moments, the girl in the red dress seemed to snap out of her reverie and laughed.

"A friend of mine told me that I might enjoy coming here," she said. "Though, I must admit, I’ve never been to something like this before. It's a bit overwhelming. I take it this doesn't shock you?"

The smile faded from James's face. He looked down and swirled the ice in his vodka glass.

"'Shock' is not the right word," he said, looking down at his glass. "I come here... this place..." He trailed off.

"This place distracts me," he said finally. "I come here quite a bit, honestly. I've never purchased an item -- in fact, I've never even bid on an item. I just like to watch the auction. The items, the audience, it's very entertaining."

He looked over at the pretty girl in the red dress and downed the last of his vodka, then signaled the waitress to come over.

"Of course, some nights are far more entertaining than others," he said with a grin. He offered his hand to her.

"My name's James. Should I call you Blush, or Bashful?"

 

[ms_tiff]

She noticed the way the smile slipped from his lips, but said nothing of it. This man, charming and debonair held secrets and, as much as the lawyer in her wanted to pull them out, Kelly remained silent, watchful.

"This place distracts me. I come here quite a bit, honestly. I've never purchased an item -- in fact, I've never even bid on an item. I just like to watch the auction. The items, the audience, it's very entertaining."

An interesting turn. Kelly cocked her head, intent and focused on his words. Why come to such a place if one was not interested in bidding? This man was growing more and more interesting by the second.

The club around them seemed to disappear as Kelly focused all her attention on him. She wanted to know more. What drew him here? What secrets did he hide behind that charming smile?

"Of course, some nights are far more entertaining than others. My name's James. Should I call you Blush, or Bashful?"

There it was again, that disarming grin that surely charmed the pants off many a woman. He held his hand out to her and Kelly paused only a second before placing her own within his. His grip was firm and the tips of his fingers lightly calloused, as if he were no stranger to hard work. She hoped he didn't notice the way her nails had been chewed ragged.

"You can call me Kelly." She replied. The three martinis giving her a courage she never knew she had, Kelly leaned in slightly, unaware of the way her dress dipped to give a better view of her breasts, and asked the question on the tip of her tongue. "Tell me, James, why come if you don't bid?"

 

[StylusMaximus]

James smirked a little as Kelly scooted over toward him, giving him a view of her cleavage. He didn't look down at her tits. He was more interested in her face, as she slurred her words and tried to act nonchalant about this whole experience.

"Tell me, James, why come if you don't bid?" she asked, looking deep in his eyes.

A dozen different responses crossed his mind.

I just told you, little lady. Now run along and come back when you've learned to hold your liquor.

I don't answer questions from a woman unless she's had my dick in her mouth, Sweetie. Are you volunteering?

Your little act doesn't fool me, Red. I can tell you're embarrassed by how you felt when you saw that big dick. Embarrassed because your little pussy started to get wet, didn't it?

You look like a little lost kitten, Kelly. A little girl in a big girl's body. I think you need someone to take care of you, to protect you, to teach you the ways of the world.

Instead he just smiled politely.

"As I said, it's pure entertainment," he said. "For me, this is like going to the movies, or a play, but it's more alive, more real."

He chuckled. "More naked. And... I can't rule out the possibility that I might eventually make a bid some night."

He glanced down at her chest.

"I just haven't ever seen an item that really caught my fancy," he said. "Not yet."

 

[ms_tiff]

Maybe it was the drinks getting to her that her words weren’t coming out the way she wanted. Having never been drunk, Kelly didn’t know how three – or was it four now? – martinis would affect her.

“You find this –” she gestured to the stage where the emcee shouted out “sold!” and the beautiful woman exited the stage, “entertaining?” Kelly hoped she didn’t come off sounding rude. She was merely curious. There was something about this man that intrigued her. Maybe it was the way he seemed so aloof from the others. He wasn’t salivating over every piece of flesh that crossed the stage.

As she glanced back at him, Kelly noticed where his gaze had rested. She quickly sat back up, embarrassed at how forward she must have seemed even though she hadn’t intended to. Deep down, though, she couldn’t help the little rush of pride that he had deemed her worthy of looking at.

“What would prompt you to bid?” She wondered aloud, cocking her head slightly as she studied him curiously.

 

[StylusMaximus]

"You find this... entertaining?"

Kelly gestured grandly at the stage.

James just chuckled.

"Do you not find this entertaining, Kelly?" he asked with a little smirk. "You certainly seemed entertained when the young man with the large penis was on stage. You couldn't take your eyes off of it."

He laughed and took a sip of his drink, then looked at her a little sideways.

"How could you not be entertained by this?" he asked, looking out across the club. "First, Captain Horsecock comes out and starts twirling his dick like a pinwheel, and then it's an angry Nubian princess who looks like she could amputate a man's prick with her cunt. And people clapping and cheering and bidding thousands of dollars for the chance to buy them and then fuck them in every way they could possibly imagine. What's not to love? I can't wait to see what the next item is. Look, here comes the emcee..."