Betty glided down the stairs. She ignored the tension radiating off Alice. She looked past Deb, past the stain, straight to the closed door.
-Check on us? Oh, how... thoughtful.
She brushed past Zed. A proprietary touch on his arm.
-Though it looks like the checking has turned into something else entirely. Is there someone else out there? I don't think I want to share.
-Jammer's outside, Zed said. Watching the perimeter.
-Jammer? Betty’s eyes widened. She pulled a phone from the pocket of her dress.
-I know Jammer. He'd do anything for me. I asked him to go pick up lunch. I'm famished .
Alice gripped the banister.
-Are you serious? You invited that golem into our lunch date?
-He'll wait outside if I tell him to, Deb declared.
Alice scoffed. She looked at Zed, then at Deb.
-Great. A meat-headed babysitter lurking outside. Just peachy keen.
-Good thinking Betty, Zed said. How about you, Detective Deb? You gonna stay with us too? Get to the bottom of the mystery of the stains on the stairs? .
Deb smiled. She looked at the stain. Then at Zed’s pants.
-This may be the source... .
She reached out. Alice vaulted the banister. She landed in a crouch between them, knocking Deb back.
-She's not the one you want, Alice hissed.
She ran a hand up Zed’s thigh.
-See something you like, Detective?
-Yes, Deb answered.
She slid back in. She dropped to her knees. Before Alice could shove her again, Deb buried her face in Zed’s jeans. She bit down. Teasing, rubbing up and down with her teeth.
Zed gasped.
-Mystery solved, Deb said.
She stood up. Pantomimed dusting off her hands.
-Case closed .
Alice stared at the wet spot on Zed’s pants. Then at Deb’s smug face.
-You have got to be shitting me.
-I'm gonna wash off, Zed said.
He stepped around them.
-Do you think the food's almost here? he asked Betty. Are you texting Jammer now? .
Betty hid her phone behind her back. Guilt flashed across her face.
-Just checking on the ETA!
Zed went upstairs. The bathroom door clicked shut. The shower started.
Alice waited one second. Then she pounced.
She grabbed Betty's wrist.
-What the hell was that about?
She snatched the phone before Betty could protest. She unlocked it.
-Alice! Give that back!
Alice scanned the screen. Her eyes narrowed.
-'I'll make it worth it, Betty'? 'Do you like that?'
She tossed the phone onto the couch. She backed Betty against the wall.
-You filthy little liar. You didn't just tell him to pick up lunch. You're fishing for attention like a desperate trout.
-I... it’s not what you think...
-Two men in one day? Really?
Alice laughed. Harsh.
-That's not happening, sweetheart. You belong to us.
Zed came back down. Fresh jeans. T-shirt. Towel around his neck.
-What are you girls talking about?
Alice turned. A sharp, plastic smile.
-Just girl talk. Deb's investigation techniques.
The doorbell rang again.
Zed opened it, Deb behind him. Jammer stood there, staring at the horizon. He held four plastic bags.
Deb took them. She kissed Jammer on the cheek.
-Good boy.
She shut the door.
They piled the takeout on the kitchen counter. Pad Thai. Curry. Spring rolls. The smell of spices filled the room.
-Quite the spread, Alice said.
She leaned against the counter. She eyed the bulge in Zed’s new jeans.
-Guess someone's expecting a feast. And here I thought you'd lost your appetite after Deb's... thorough investigation .
Zed chuckled. He adjusted himself. Shameless.
-You two might be the feast. Served on a platter.
-Bold words for a man who just got his rocks off fully clothed, Alice taunted.
-I don't mind a little choking, Zed said, eyeing Deb.
Alice hissed. She grabbed his chin. Forced him to look at her.
-Keep your eyes on the prize, pal. If you want to play rough, you play with the ones who know the rules .
-I know the rules, Deb scoffed. She popped a container open. I'll choke you stud, if that's what you want.
Alice rolled her eyes. She turned to Betty.
-Don't tell me you've snuck another surprise dessert in?
Betty bit her lip. She reached into the back of the fridge. She pulled out a foil-wrapped tray.
-I have my ways. A girl needs her secrets.
She peeled back the foil. Cocoa powder. Cream. Tiramisu.
-It's tiramisu. And... I might have spiked the ladyfingers with a little something extra.
-Oh, do tell, Deb said.
Betty lowered her voice. Conspiratorial.
-Just a splash of amaretto... and maybe a few drops of this aphrodisiac oil I found.
-To loosen things up. Tigers need to relax before they can roar.
Alice scoffed.
-Please. Betty's desserts are about as surprising as a soggy cookie.
She pushed off the counter. She walked up to Zed. She trailed a finger down his jaw.
-But I've got a treat that'll melt faster. And taste ten times sweeter.
-Is that what you're hungry for? Zed asked.
-Starving.
Alice stepped between his legs.
-But I think I might need a little help... unwrapping the rest of my meal .
-I got you, Zed whispered.
He took her hand.
-Girls, we'll be back in a few minutes. Betty can prepare her surprise dessert.
He led Alice down the hall. To the small half-bath under the stairs.
He closed the door. He lifted Alice onto the sink.
Alice gasped as the cold porcelain hit her skin.
-Fuck... commando, are we?
She grabbed his collar. Yanked him down.
-You tell me exactly what you fucking need from me right now, Zed growled.
-I need you, Alice panted. I need you to shut up and lick my cunt until I forget my own name. Now .
Zed pulled her joggers down and dropped to his knees.
He buried his face in her.
Alice’s head cracked back against the mirror. Her thighs clamped around his ears.
-F-fuck... yes....
He worked her over. Ruthless. Efficient. Draining her.
Alice cried out. She bucked against his mouth.
-Oh fuuuck!
She arched off the mirror. Her toes curled. She came hard, shaking the small room.
Zed stood up. He wiped his face with a towel, pulling a hair out of his teth.
Alice slumped against the glass. Boneless. Satisfied.
-Got a little souvenir, did we?
She traced his lip.
-You look like you've been through a war, soldier.
-Anything for you, Zed said.
He opened the door.
Alice smoothed her hair. She slid a hand into his back pocket as they walked out.
-Good answer. Just remember who you're fighting for.
They walked back into the kitchen. Betty and Deb were waiting. The foil tray was open. The smell of coffee and amaretto filled the air.
Betty beamed.
-Look who finally decided to join the living.
She pushed the dessert toward Zed.
-Careful, it's... special.