Read The Butterfly House Online
Authors: Lori Meckley
Sam spoke up. “Is that why you couldn't take your eyes off Orchid?”
“
Which one was Orchid?” Ellis said downplaying it. I had noticed too that he watched Orchid more than any woman that had worked tonight – thank God!
“
Better watch it Ellis. Sam likes matchingmaking. He never shut up about Ava. I pacified him and came to the house to see her.”
“
Walker just admit it. She's the reason you're not at your office slaving right now.” Sam said.
“
I'll go see if Ava has changed and bring her to your office Sam.”
“
Ellis you notice how ungratefully he is ignoring my good deed?” Sam said laughing as I walked away.
Ava was talking to Orchid when I walked into her dressing room. Orchid didn't say much she just smiled as she left the dressing room.
“Nolan I think she likes Ellis.”
“
Ava he's a widower, I'm staying out of that one.” I said as I pulled her to her feet. She was wearing a silk tank top and matching slacks with sandals.
“
What happened out there when I was dancing, you seemed upset?”
“
Darlin it's not anything you did. I had a moment of jackass syndrome. I guess I was jealous. You are so beautiful and the crowd loves you.”
Looking up at me she said. “Nolan that crowd doesn't even know who I am. They come to see Lotus. It's a part I play each night. I am not a real person to them. You have nothing to worry about. You can trust me.”
Then she looked down as she spoke.
“
You know at first I used to die inside when I went out there. When Sin Lee was in charge it felt like a dirty place but now that Sam has taken over it's not like that anymore.
“
Ava it's okay, I realize that. You affect me physically when you perform, it's very intense. I wonder if it happens to every person in the room too.” I said feeling like a total ass. I knew I was upsetting her.
“
It might affect everyone but I'm not leaving with anyone out there – only you.” “I love you Nolan Walker,” she whispered as she kissed my lips.
“
I love you Ava Wild even more.” I pulled her closer deepening the kiss.
She whispered to me. “Am I still meeting with Ellis?”
“We are, the meeting is in Sam's office. We should probably get moving.” She grabbed her bag. I locked the door for her. We headed to Sam's office.
Ava
After Sam introduced me to Ellis, we all sat down around his desk to talk. Ellis was the first one to speak. He pulled out a small notebook out of his suit jacket.
“Ava do you have any idea where Angela might have lived?”
“
Ellis I wish I did but I don't.” “We always talked at the cafe I worked at. She came in for the same thing each time. A triple shot smoothie. She said the baby made her crave them.” “I assumed she lived nearby, with her being pregnant she walked instead of taking a cab. She said it was her only means of exercise.”
“
Did she always come in alone?” he asked.
“
Yes.”
“
Nolan explained to me that she was a surrogate mother but these legal papers were drawn up for you to be the baby's guardian.”
“
Ellis she seemed very confused when she came to my apartment that day in labor. She was running from some men or at least it sounded like men from the shouting I heard outside. I saw what looked like two men. It was pouring that day so I couldn't make out anyone clearly though.”
“
Ava is there anything you can remember that seemed odd or questionable at all?” he asked.
“
She always wore long sleeves, I noticed bruises.”
“
Did you or the paramedics that responded to your call that day talk to anyone that came pounding on your door that day?”
I thought for a minute.
“You know what, my neighbor John did. I heard him telling them I was in class that they needed to stop pounding on my door because I wasn't home. That happened before I called 911 for help.”
“
Now that's what I need to know, is there anything else at all?”
“
Not that I can think of,” I said. I was getting tired after only a few hours of sleep and being on the go all day then working tonight.
“
I think that's enough for tonight Ellis.” Nolan had noticed my tiredness and spoke up.
Ellis handed me a business card with his cell number. He told me if I remembered anything or needed anything to please call him. I assured him I would do that as I took the card putting it in my purse.
“Ellis have you found out anything at all yourself yet?” I asked.
“
What we know so far is that we think Angela was married to Juan Mercy. Juan Mercy is a person of interest regarding human trafficking of newborns. I know you don't want to get the police involved but at some point we will have to. I can only do so much on my end.” “We are walking a very thin line right now. The one good thing about all this is so far no one seems to be looking for Angela or the baby.”
“
What happens next?” Nolan asked.
“
I will talk to Ava's neighbor John. I have someone tailing Juan Mercy right now. I find it interesting that he has not contacted the police to report his pregnant wife missing. He may be afraid of being noticed if he does. The strangest thing about this entire pregnancy is that they used a sperm donor for Angela to conceive for her role as surrogate mother.”
Sam suddenly stood looking very pale. “If we are finished here I think we all need to get some rest and touch base tomorrow. Ava looks dead on her feet.”
We all agreed. This was a lot to take in. I was starting to feel very overwhelmed and frightened for baby Miles and Angela.
“
Ava one more thing,” Ellis said. “What is that?” I asked.
“
I will have someone watching you. I don't want to alarm you but I don't think it's a good idea for you to be walking anywhere alone right now.”
“
She can stay with me and I'll make sure she's not alone when she goes out.” Nolan said.
I agreed to meet with Sam in the morning regarding the previous meeting that we had to cancel. I was going to the hospital for a visit also. I had no classes and I didn't work tomorrow night. Nolan took me to my apartment for my books and some clothes then we took the cab back to his condo.
Nolan ~
Twenty
It was almost dawn. Ava was asleep in my arms but sleep was the furthest thing from my mind. I was worried for her safety – for everyone concerned really. In a matter of days I had fallen in love with this very special woman. My life was a bit chaotic right now but as she sighed in her sleep moving closer to me – I wouldn't change a thing.
She was ready to take on the world for a friend she barely knew and the woman's newborn child. I admired the hell out of it for being that strong; however I couldn't let her do it alone any longer.
I felt her stir beside me.
“What time is it?” she said with a huge yawn. Her red hair fell over us both as she sat up to rub her eyes.
“
It's a few minutes after six.”
“
Did you get any sleep?” she asked lying back down and putting her head on my chest. I felt her hand moving over and begin toying with my nipple rings.”
“
A little.” I felt myself getting hard as her hand moved a little lower.
“
Hey this isn't playtime. You should be resting.”
I knew she wasn't going to stop, she had wrapped her hand around my cock and was stroking it. She was breathless. I watched as she moved the sheet and comforter aside.
“Looks like someone else doesn't feel like resting anymore”
I groaned with pleasure as her lips and mouth closed over my cock. She made eye contact with me once I caught my breath, then her mouth went back to work. The room suddenly felt very warm as I grabbed for her. I almost came in her mouth.
“Hey I want in on this playtime.”
I carried her to the window and sat her bare bottom on the ledge. The skyline was just starting to come to life. Every room had a view of the skyline and I was about to take advantage of this ones.
Getting down on my knees, my eyes fell on her legs as they fell open. She was glistening, her pussy was so wet. I wanted her so badly my cock was about to burst but I wanted to taste her first. I gently parted her pink softness, my tongue went to work on the tiny folds and then her clit. She panted hard grabbing my hair and holding on tight. God the sounds she made were almost my undoing as I pulled harder on her clit. I sucked even harder as she fought to hold on. The moment I felt her start to come. I stopped, standing up and quickly slid my cock into her all at once. I could feel her gasp loudly when I stopped but the power of the orgasm she had the second I slid into her was so strong it was all I could do to hold back my own pleasure. She wrapped her legs around me tight.
“
Damn you Nolan that was sneaky and low down! You better fuck me hard!”
I was more than ready to meet any demands she had I couldn't wait any longer.
“I plan on it darlin.” I growled then I kissed her hard.
I grabbed onto the ledge for leverage as I slammed into her pussy as deep as I could go, then I pulled back out. I set that pace until we both like animals in heat. Ava screamed and I felt her shudder as she came. I pounded into her furiously a few times, then I came.
Ava's body began to shake as I felt my sanity return. I helped her off the window ledge.
“
Let's shower and then I'll make us some breakfast.”
She fell back on the bed and started to pull the covers over. I grabbed them off her and smacked her bare ass lightly.
“Oh no you don't woman, rest time is over. I need some food.”
“
That's okay I'll wait for you here,” she said as she burrowed under the pillows.
“
It smells like a sex factory in here, time to shower.” I said as I grabbed one of her legs and started pulling.
“
Oh you beast!” Her voice was muffed, she was trying to keep her head under the pillows.
“
I'm a beast? Who took advantage of who?” I said laughing.
She suddenly jumped up and ran for the shower, yelling she was going to use
all
the hot water. I tossed all the bedding and pillows onto the bed. I made my way to the bathroom. She was going to find out that there were hours of hot water in my condo bathroom and there was no rest for the weary once I got in the shower with her. I might be tired but another part of my anatomy was plenty excited to share
all
that hot water.
Ava
Nolan dropped me off for my meeting with Sam. He went into his office to clear his schedule and then would be returning to pick me up. Sam's office door was open when I arrived. I knocked on the door lightly. He waved me in. He was just ending a phone call as I took a seat in front of his desk.
“Ava would you like something to drink?”
“
I'm fine, no thank you.”
“
Well then let's get down to business.”
I sat back and listen as he talked.
“When I first bought the business I wanted to leave it as it appeared to me when I came in as a member; however the longer I am here the more I see there needs to be changes.” “One of those changes I'd like to have is for the dancers to have a choreographer.” “Ava you are one of the few that changes up your music and routine. You know your music and routine each night. You also practice before walking out on the stage.” “I have noticed on the nights you are off we have a smaller crowd.” “I mean no disrespect to the other employees but they have fallen into the same music, costumer and dance routine each night.”
“
The house has a large number of members but in order to survive, we need to be adding new members.” “What I'd like to do is move you from being a dancer to the house's choreographer. Of course there would be a pay increase and you'd work a different schedule.” “I'd also give you an expense account for wardrobes for each dancer.”
I was stunned and speechless as he continued.
“You are a fantastic dancer and I am aware that you can sing but I think you have the skills and talent to train dancers.” “Is this something you'd be interested in?” he asked.
“
Sam, I would love to not have to take off my clothes for a crowd of strangers. No offense but it was never a dream for me just a means to pay my bills. I love singing but being able to train dancers and mix music for routines – I'd love that.”
“
Do you want to decide now or do you want to think it over first?” “You may have a few days if you need the time.”