Somewhere around 11:30, I heard a knock on my hotel door. I guessed it was Jeff coming to remind me about that thing called sleep, so I called out, "It's open."
"I'll be in bed soon," I mumbled, still reading the files. It had taken a while for me to find them.
"I was sort of hoping you would stay up a little longer." Frank said as he came in.
"What are you doing here? I thought you had gone to bed."
He eased himself onto the couch beside me. "Couldn't sleep. I thought I'd come over and keep you company."
"I was just reading some old files on Mirage."
"Oh? May I?" He asked with interest.
"I suppose so," I turned my laptop to face him.
After a few minutes of reading he said, "It's good that they kept such close tabs on Mirage." Frank settled back on the couch, his gaze was one of contemplative thought.
"I agree. Its made our job easier, anyway."
He pulled my legs over his and laid a hand on my knee. After a second of hesitation, I shrugged. There's nothing wrong with cuddling.
"Your eyes are beautiful,"
"Wow, how original," I roll my eyes.
"Come here," His arms enveloped my body, drawing me into a passionate kiss. Soon I was being pushed into the couch cushions and Frank was toying with my jeans. His hands slithered into my shirt and started to tug it upwards. I vaguely heard him mumbling curses when it became stuck.
My shirt was slipping past my head when I came to my senses. I grabbed the cloth, pulled it back over myself and sat up abruptly.
"No no no, that's not allowed." I say as I push him off of me and stand up.
"Oh? You looked like you were enjoying it." He said with a coy smile.
"No, well, yes. But that's beside the point."
He gave a low chuckle as he pushed himself off the couch. "You can't fool me, Lola. I know exactly what you want. You, my dear, are guilty of nothing more than seeking the adult satisfaction of an adult desire."
"You think you know me so well, hmm?" I said as I tied my hair back in a ponytail.
"I know your type. It's always the same."
His comment made me angry. "My type? That's an age-old discussion. One that is not worth having at this time of night."
"Your type," He continued, "is the type that pretends to be immoral, earthly, call it what you will, but you will always do the proper thing in the end. You never cross the line. Fend off my advances, refuse my ghastly attempts at seducing you, but your innocent façade isn't impregnable. This game you play is revolting. "
"Revolting? To have a moral standard, unlike yourself, who would sleep with whoever passed you by?" I said with rising frustration.
"I have standards, they're just more sensible than yours and allow more freedom. A man has a right to his desires."
"And therefore has a right to the person he desires, is that it?"
He blinked, and sat back onto the couch. He rested his head on his fist and stared at me. "The person? Now that comes back to the debate of free will and all that rot, now doesn't it? If I have complete and utter free will, then yes I have a right to the person I desire. The only catch would be that they also possess free will and could, therefore usurp my right to them."
"I don't believe anyone has a right to another person's body, no matter what their desire."
Frank smiled. "That's where our opinions differ, my dear." He grasped my hand and pulled me into his body. "I believe I have the right to satiate my desires. The only problem is that you are hesitant to satisfy yours. But that can be changed." He stroked the back of my neck and kissed me gently. I could feel my resolve slipping.
"You and your stupid theories. Go to bed you little devil, before my resolve melts." I mumbled. I didn't want him to go.
"Make me," He whispered as he nibbled my ear. He leaned into me and we fell to the floor. I winced upon impact and he smothered me with kisses. "I knew you wouldn't last long." He chuckled.
"Go away, or you'll get me into trouble,"
"I like trouble, you will too soon enough," His lips moved to my neck.
"So what's your type?" A soft moan escaped my lips and I wished I could take it back. Frank can't win, not against me.
"I make your type fall at my feet. One day, I'll have conquered you as well, my dear Lola."
His voice was alarming. It wasn't his usual low, quiet voice. It was gravely and strange. This was the voice of a mad man.
I tried to move away but his grip on me did not loosen.
"Frank let me go," He bit my lip as he kissed me, drawing the slightest amount of blood. "....st...stop..." I muttered, barely being able to breathe, let alone speak.
He laughed against my mouth. It was an insane growl of a laugh.
Then I heard knocking coming from the front door.
We both froze.
~*~
We heard the knocking again like a warning drum resounding off the walls.
"I don't want Jeff to know. He wouldn't approve," I stand up, grateful for the interruption.
"Why are you always seeking others approval? You should do whatever you want, whenever you want to."
'Don't tempt me, you little devil.' I thought.
"Well, right now I want to answer the door." I unlocked the door and the knob turned easily in my hand. Jeff stood in the doorway, a sour expression on his face. He stormed into the room.
"What the hell did you do to her?! If you hurt her in any way, so help me, I will blast you straight to hell!"
"I didn't do anything! I swear," Frank put his hands in the air as if he was facing a loaded gun.
"Sure, that's why you have her lipstick all over you. You damn liar!"
Jeff picked him up and held him against the wall. His left hand was pressing against Frank's neck. His eyes started to roll to the back of his head.
"Jeff stop you'll kill him!"
Jeff stared at me, not releasing his hold on Frank.
"Lola, what is going on?!"
"I... I'll tell you if you let him go, okay?"
He let Frank down, but not before he punched him across his jaw. Jeff asked his previous question.
"Well..." I started, "Frank forgot his keys, so he came to get them." Jeff's suspicious look was still in place. "When he came in I was reading a book,"
"She's lying, Jeff." Frank said as he smiled. His bottom lip was bleeding. Something changed in his eyes. They radiated displaced anger.
"What?"
Frank stared at me, he seemed very pleased with himself. "She's lying. She wasn't reading a book, oh no. She was just sitting on the couch," he made a sweeping gesture with his hands, "When I came into the room and ravished her. But I'm not alone in this, oh no. She wanted me too, that's the beautiful part. She turned me into my most brutal self, and guess what? I'm in love! I've become a bumbling fool over her." He cackled, making wild movements with his arms.
Jeff was in absolute shock. "Why?"
"Why not? Humans are animals. Animals mate. I'm not ashamed of it, no, I'm proud of it. I've embraced my animal instincts!" He grabbed Jeff by the shoulders and held his face inches from his own, "And you know what? I enjoy it." He growled.
"Are you high? What's the matter with you?!" Jeff yelled, still reeling from Frank's outburst. Frank's eyes suddenly changed again and he regained his composure, and along with it his friendly smile.
"No, of course not. I'm just tired, I suppose. My apologies."
The room was silent, not a word was spoken. Frank stared at me.
"Leave, please." I ask them.
"Absolutely, my dear." Frank bowed in a strange, stiff manner.
The two walk to the door, "Remember, Lola, I always get what I want." He whispered into my ear before he left.
The comment sent shivers down my spine. I don't feel safe, but even stranger was that I don't dislike the feeling. I relished it.
"What have you done to me, dearest Frank Adams?"