Dance, Dance
Author's note: this was originally submitted to, and rejected for, Heat #9. Still think it's pretty solid... opinions appreciated!
Tika was dancing.
A dozen sets of eyes were on her as she spun, slid and strutted across the stage. But to Tika, only one of those gazes mattered.
He had been there two, maybe three times a week lately. He didn't sit along the front of the stage in what was affectionately called Gynecology Row. No, he always sat one table back. And while he never personally delivered any tips during her set, the wait staff always delivered a twenty after he left.
Mysterious, generous, and screaming hot made for a combination that ensured Tika put her best foot - and other things - forward.
As the music thumped she sidled along the edge of the stage, dainty black paws roaming up her sides leaving a trail of ruffled grey fur before slipping under the lacy blue bra that encased her small, round breasts. Turning away from the audience, Tika let her fluffy, black-ringed tail brush just out of reach of the viewers and, while they were admiring the view of her ass, pushed the bra up.
A couple of the furs in the small crowd whistled appreciatively as she spun and bent over to blow a kiss at the G-row crew - and at the toned figure of the tiger sitting just behind them. Eye contact made her shiver just a bit as his lips tilted up in a slight smile, and she didn't have to do anything at all to help her nipples stiffen so that when she pulled her paws away they jutted through her soft fur.
Wearing nothing but a blue thong and a sultry smile, the raccoon danced her way to a pole on the stage and swung herself around it to settle with her rump pointed towards the audience, swaying to the thumping music. Another chorus of whistles rang out as nimble fingers slid the thong down.
It wasn't a new routine for Tika. She danced four days a week. But today, she could keenly feel those amber eyes on her, and it made her determined to make an impression. She flicked the thong into the wings and swung around to embrace the brass pole once again with a smoldering look at the audience of one.
The raccoon pressed herself against the cool pole, breasts settling on either side of it as her hips undulated up and down. She envisioned something far warmer in its place as her folds ran up and down with that motion, and her eyes closed with the stirrings of pleasure. Reaching up the pole, Tika gripped it tightly and hopped up. Her legs clenched around it, holding her in midair, and she slowly swung around, spinning and arching her back to press tight against that slick surface, leaving a sheen behind as she dropped to the floor.
More whistles broke out, and bills were littering the stage as Tika twisted to put her back to the pole. A leg lifted and arced around to hook behind the pole, the other shifting to give her audience a wide-open look at her assets. For good measure she ran a paw down and spread herself wide, black-and-orange fingers taking the place of her own in the fog of fantasy.
Rising slowly, sensuously, the raccoon wriggled and traced her fingers around erect nipples as she leaned out over the nearest males, her eyes locked on those of the tiger once again for a burning instant before she spun and attacked the pole again. The heat of her arousal was growing as she moved, hips rolling, rump grinding, breasts bouncing... and all too abruptly Tika recognized the last few bars of the song, marking the end of her set.
Regretfully, she spun away from the pole and did one last strut along the edge of the stage as the music trailed off, giving the audience a chance to tuck bills into the garter that was her last bit of clothing.
In the dancers' dressing rooms, she ducked into the cramped washroom and locked the door.
She didn't even bother sitting down, just leaned against the wall and spread her thighs. Two fingers plunged into her to match the vision of a feline cock hilting itself. The raccoon ground her paw against herself as she fantasized that tall, toned body pressed against her, those hips thumping against hers, the heat of the climax...
Tika gasped as she came, almost slumping to her knees as her muscles clenched and pulsed around the intruding digits. She rested there, breath coming fast, for long moments before her eyes opened. With a sigh, she quickly cleaned herself up. She still had to do a round or two through the club before her shift ended and schmooze with the clientele for overpriced lap dances or "drinks" to help flesh out her tips. And, if he was still there...
A deep blue teddy that matched her strikingly blue eyes was Tika's weapon of choice. It helped emphasize her not-inadequate bosom, and if she moved just right in the light of the club the fabric became almost translucent to give a flashing glimpse beneath. A quick brush of the long, dark headfur into a ponytail cascading past her shoulders finished the look
If it was going to be today, she was going to damn well make the effort. And one final thing... The raccoon rummaged in her purse, and came out with a small piece of paper that slid into her cleavage.
Shawna was already on stage as Tika emerged from the little door behind the bar, the cougar strutting to some mid-80s hair metal with little interest from the slowly thinning lunch hour crowd. The low lights were broken by the door opening to the outside, bright Las Vegas sun bursting in accompanied by dragon-breath bursts of heat. She nodded to the big wolf manning the bar and surveyed the floor. Her breath caught - the tiger was still there.
She took a deep breath and strutted towards the feline. His gaze was loosely on the dancer on stage, a drink in one paw, but before she could slide up and lean against his shoulder by way of welcome he turned, amber eyes glinting in the swirling lights.
"Good afternoon," he rumbled. His voice was deep, low, and spiced with a hint of an accent that she couldn't place. His tail curled lazily. His deep eyes caught Tika's and nearly stole away her train of thought before she could even get it on track.
"Oh! Uh... hello there," she stumbled, then mentally berated herself... dancing naked on stage, dozens of lap dances, and one set of amber eyes put her off her game? The raccoon steeled herself, and straightened her shoulders. Her breasts perked as she smiled at the seated tiger. "Hope you're enjoying the shows ... care to buy a girl a drink?"
The tiger's smile grew just slightly. "I am usually just a viewer ... but I can be convinced otherwise." He turned and raised a finger to the bartender. "A drink for the young lady, please."
"Tika?" the wolf inquired, glancing to the dancer to see if she accepted the client's offer.
"The usual, Marty, please." Tika turned and slipped herself onto the tiger's lap. "Now isn't this nice? Closest you'll get to the ladies in here..."
One arm slipped around her waist and settled against her hip, sending a thrill through her. "Worth every dollar," he rumbled, accepting a warning look and what Tika knew was a twenty-dollar club soda and lime twist from Marty. "I normally do not indulge in the ... closer aspects of the club."
"That's a shame, honey." Tika wriggled her hips, her rump shifting on his thigh as she settled a bit closer. "You a local, or in town on business? Vacation?"
"On business, yes. You have a lovely city, once one gets away from the tourist spots."
"Mmm, it is. Just a little nicer with you in town, too." She smiled and tipped her glass to him. The tiger chuckled and tapped his beer against it. "You have a name, big fella?"
"Talin. Tal, for short." His fingers drifted along the raccoon's outer thigh, clawtips just brushing through her fur, leaving a burning trail along her leg. "And you, Tika? Are you a native?"
She shook her head around a sip of club soda. "I'm a southern girl - my parents came here from Mississippi for work when I was little. Kind of never left. I like it, when it's not too hot."
"When is that?"
"Around Christmas for a couple of days. Sometimes." She giggled and shifted herself to rest one breast against his muscled chest. Her tail drifted down and brushed his. "How long are you here for? I've seen you around for a few weeks now."
Tal's paw continued its gentle caress of her thigh, and Tika fought the urge to reach down and forcibly pull it around into her crotch. "I do not know. My business is - open-ended, I suppose you could say."
"Mm... mind if I ask what kind of business?"
He smiled and sipped his beer. "Merchandising."
"I can see why you'd need to have some time off during the day." Tika gave him a playful nuzzle just under that regal white-furred chin, and felt his arm tighten around her just a bit, as well as a more direct indication of his approval under her thigh. She pressed closer. "This is more interesting, right?"
"Vastly." Tal's muzzle brushed the tip of one dark ear, his breath tickling, and she involuntarily shivered. A corner of his lips quirked up as if to remind her that two could play at the same game and she almost forgot where she was and what she was doing until an inconspicuous clearing of Marty's throat brought her back. The music was dimming, a sign that the girls were to change partners.
"Better get back to work," she murmured as she placed her glass back on the bar. With a practiced twist, she straddled the big tiger's lap fully and lean in body-to-body for one final tease. Her breasts dragged down his chest as she slid downward to nuzzle at navel level, dangerously close to his groin, then came back up until she was face to face with him again. His smile was unreadable as she set her paws on his shoulders and touched her small dark nose to his broad nose. "Hope to see you again," she purred. Her paws drifted down - and with a quick dip slid the note into his shirt pocket.
Before he could respond, she pivoted away with an upwards, teasing flick of her tail to look for other customers. As much as she wanted to stay with the big tiger, management said one dance or drink at a time per client.
A cheetah with the shirt-and-tie look of a conventiongoer caught her eye, and she strutted over, intent on making his next few minutes very interesting.
By the time the next song wrapped up and the surprised and gratified cheetah was given directions to the men's room, Tal was gone.
If there was anything that felt better than central air and a bowl of green tea Haagen-Dazs after any exposure to a Vegas summer afternoon, Tika hadn't found it yet. The raccoon had the evening off from her second job, bartending at a casino on the Strip. She settled onto her sofa in an oversized T-shirt, curling her thick tail around so it wasn't pinned in the cushions. Books and papers shuffled around to make room for the bowl, then she flipped one thick text to a marked page and began reading.
But even ice cream and note taking couldn't keep the raccoon from shifting restlessly, and after a few pages of study she shoved the books away.
"I can't believe I did that." Tika stretched out and sighed. "Stupid, stupid, stupid. If the boss finds out I gave any personal information to a customer on the floor I'll be out on my tail."
Oh well. Nothing to be done about it, she thought, other than prepare to never hear from him even if he did find that note before his shirt was washed. The raccoon shook her head in irritation and reached for the TV remote.
The doorbell rang.
Tika jumped, the remote clattering across the hardwood floor.
"Couldn't be," she muttered to herself. Still...
Nervous tension pushed her to the door in a near-scamper. She tugged it open, and her jaw dropped.
"Hello," Talin said.
Tika stared up at the tiger wide-eyed. He smiled, tail swimming around his ankles, a briefcase in one paw.
"I got your note," he added.
"I, uh... you..." Tika stammered through her shock. "Um... come in?"
Tika stepped aside to allow Talin through the door. "This is a nice place," he commented, glancing around as he set his case down and slipped off neat black shoes.
"Um, thanks, I..." She looked around and blinked. "...it's a mess, let me just..."
Tal watched the raccoon dash into the living room and tidy frantically -with little effect. He glanced over the books on the table.
"Studying?" he inquired curiously.
Tika stopped next to the table and shuffled the books and papers into a scruffy pile. "Uh, yeah, prerequisites for criminology if I can ever get into a decent program... my mother was a criminologist, and she..."
The raccoon closed her mouth abruptly, and looked up at the tiger. "Um... look, Talin, I have never done this kind of thing before, and I feel like an idi..."
A step, and he was there. A finger pad pressed against her lips. She froze as Talin looked down, amber eyes catching her dark blue gaze and holding it tight. "Me neither," he murmured, so close that his breath riffled her fur.
She nodded, and took her own step.
The kiss was restrained, hesitant, as the two melted against one another. Tal's arms slipped around Tika's slim waist and drew her in, and she settled against his toned frame as their tongues danced to a slow, languid beat that slowly built in tempo and urgency.
Talin's paws cupped the raccoon's firm rump in a tender caress. Tika moaned softly and let herself be lowered to the sofa. He knelt before her, touch sliding down her thighs and up under her loose shirt to push it up over her hips. The raccoon wore nothing under it. She gasped as his paw drifted over her belly, teasingly close. He nuzzled under her chin, then brushed between her clothed breasts and pressed a kiss against her middle, a little lower, a little lower still.
Her thighs settled apart as those kisses brushed through grey fur, and then his hot breath was on her sex. Tika sighed in pleasure and shifted to give him the access he wanted, and he accepted. A kiss tickled across her labia, and his tongue, rough but gentle, followed. Tika arched her back with a soft gasp and settled her paws on his head as he explored her sex with practiced ease. The raccoon's tail trailed down Talin's belly and flickered against his groin as his tongue and fingers pleasured her, and he purred at her taste.
"Oh, right there," Tika gasped as Tal's tonguetip flickered against a choice spot, and he obliged, sending waves of pleasure through the raccoon as she writhed under his touch. She could feel the heat building, but wanted more, much more... He looked up as she cupped fingers under his chin to lift his muzzle, and nodded as she motioned towards the hallway.
Tika led him by the paw into her bedroom, part of her wishing that she had made the bed, another part noting, as she turned and dove into another kiss - more urgent, more wanting - that the bed was about to be unmade anyhow. She pressed tight to the tiger as he held her, feeling his need against her belly. He broke away and took the bottom of her shirt in his paws. She smiled and raised her arms as he drew it away, leaving her nude, then returned the favour, tugging his polo shirt up and off before tackling his belt and slacks.
He was ready and wanting, thick erection jutting from its sheath, tapered, the tip stippled with the vestigial barbs that his ancestors had possessed. Tika sat on the edge of the bed and took his cock in one small paw, drawing him forward. She trailed her tongue around that tip, feeling those bumps and tasting his arousal, then slowly took his length into her muzzle. Tal groaned as her tongue swirled and caressed from base to tip. She reveled in the soft purrs and gasps as she suckled him.
Finally, she slipped off and shifted back onto the bed, her thighs wide. The tiger smiled down at her, then reached down to his slacks and produced a condom. "I'm safe," Tika murmured, watching.
"As am I," the tiger replied as he unrolled the condom down his shaft. "Better to be sure, yes?"
"Yes," she whispered, reaching up to him as he knelt over her. He smiled, and kissed the corners of her mouth, and with a skilled motion slipped into the raccoon's wanting sex.
Tika cried out as she was filled by Tal's thick shaft. Her legs settled around his waist, drawing him close and tight. He kissed her neck and breasts as they moved together, relaxing with one another as he rocked and thrust into the raccoon's warmth. Skilled paws roamed over her body as the tiger explored her inside and out, cupping her breasts and rump, drawing her close and letting her fall away before diving back deep with growing passion.
When the tiger slipped out of her, she opened her eyes and gazed up at him, questioning. He motioned for her to roll over, and she complied. His paws roamed over her hips, and her tail cocked upwards to caress against his chest and chin as he mounted her.
Tika held on as long as she could as the tiger plunged and pleasured her, and then with a cry of joy peaked, clutching at her pillow and grinding back against his hips. Tal's thrusts shifted, shorter, faster, and moments later he pressed his muzzle against the back of her neck and roared, low and lustful. She gripped his pulsing shaft within her and savored the feel of him against her as they settled into afterglow.
Tal rolled off of her and slumped onto his back. The raccoon nuzzled his chest and carefully removed the well-filled condom, disposing of it before settling herself against his side. He stroked her chin with two fingers, and leaned over to kiss her nose. She smiled and rested an arm on his chest, brushing patterns in his fur. "Thank you for this."
"I should be thanking you. It is quite a compliment to have a lovely young woman like you interested in me." A frown creased the tiger's muzzle. "But... Tika, you said you hadn't done this before. Neither have I. I'm not sure why I did - it just... seemed right. And... I can't promise more than right now, than this."
Tika kissed his chin. "Now that my brain's not just going 'Hot tiger, me want,' I can see that," she said softly. "Right now, though, I've got you, here, and that's a start. But if my boss found out I'd done what I did, he'd fire me on the spot."
"Then we must make sure he doesn't find out. Watching you dance has been a bright spot for me."
"I'm glad." Her paw stroked along his stomach, tracing stripes gently. "Watching you watch me has been an inspiration. And I don't even know why. You just... seem right."
Tal kissed her softly and smiled. "Thank you."
Tika's paw slipped further down, trailing over his sheath and feeling it stirring again under his touch. "So, how long does 'right now' last?" she asked slyly, fingertips teasing.
"As long as we can make it."
Tal rolled over to meet her, and much later they fell asleep, entangled. When Tika awoke later that night, she was alone.
"Damn, I'm late... stupid alarm clock! Who knew getting knocked on the floor would turn it off..."
Tika rummaged around in the heap of blankets next to her bed until her purse turned up from underneath. "There you are!" Clutching the bag in one paw, she dashed for the door. She slid into her shoes, then stopped, staring. Tal's briefcase still sat where he had set it the night before, right next to the door.
"Oh shit. I hope he doesn't need that... I'd better call... no, I don't even have his phone number." Tika growled and picked up the case. The latches refused to flip open, and it took a moment to notice the little keyhole and the combination lock. She frowned.
"Great. Well, he'll probably be at the club." Case in paw, the raccoon dashed out the door and hopped into her Toyota for the drive downtown.
As Tika left, a Ford pulled away from the curb and fell into position a few cars behind.
Despite Tika's hopes throughout her lunch-hour bar work, there was no sign of Talin during her afternoon shift at the club. Back in street clothes, she peeked out of the dressing room one last time to scan the nearly nonexistent crowd - nothing.
"Hey, girl, you looking for someone special?"
The raccoon nearly jumped out of her skin at the Southern drawl. She spun and blinked at Shawna, the older cougar grinning over Tika's shoulder. "I saw you lookin' around out there, darlin', must be somethin' you like, huh?"
"Uh..."
Shawna flicked an ear and looked out into the room. "Was it that cheetah you made go off the other day? Saw him twitching from the stage, damn near got me off my rhythm. Cute fella, too."
"No! No, no..." Tika stepped back into the dressing room with a sigh. "It's not him."
Perched on a counter, the older feline gave her co-worker a knowing look. "Hey, hon, nothin' wrong with fallin' in love with a guy from the club. I did it two, maybe three times." Shawna scratched an ear and grinned. "Well, lust, anyhow."
Tika slumped into a dressing chair. "It's definitely not love... lust, that's more like it. He's... well, smoking hot..."
"...good in bed..." Shawna giggled at the raccoon's blush, and reached over to pat her cheek. "Hey, honey. If you get the chance, go for it. Trust an old lady, you don't wanna miss the good ones."
"You're what, 35?"
"In this business, I might's well be dancin' in a wheelchair." The cougar snorted and stood. "Speakin' of which, I better go out and make a bit more money." She smoothed the black lace bra over her ample breasts and flashed a grin. "Take pictures, hon, I wanna see this boy."
Tika was still blushing as Shawna stepped out into the club. "Pictures, she says... I don't even have a phone number." Shaking her head, the raccoon headed for her car.
She had a decision to make - just wait, or find a locksmith to open the case and hopefully find some contact information in it. She stared into her trunk at the simple black case. It was possible that he would show up at her place tonight. But... he'd probably appreciate it more if she let him know where his case was, right?
Tika giggled at thoughts of how he might show that appreciation, and made a choice. There was a locksmith a few blocks away who she could probably talk into opening the case. If not, she had a purse with plenty of cash in it that would be sure to do the job. It was Vegas, after all, and money could get just about anything here...
Humming to herself, the raccoon strode off through the early evening, her purse over one shoulder and the case in paw, swinging in time with the song in her head.
When one of the ubiquitous stretch SUVs that roam Vegas at all hours pulled up to the curb ahead of her, Tika paid it no mind. Then the door swung open. A small tomcat, mottled brown and grey fur above an immaculate grey silk suit, stepped out and stretched, his movement carrying him out just right to block the sidewalk in front of Tika. She started to say something, but he turned to face her directly and flashed a smile that stopped the raccoon in her tracks.
"'Scuse me, miss. Got a minute?" His tone suggested that he didn't care if she was busy or not.
Tika rolled her eyes. "I'm not a hooker. Get out of the way, asshole."
"Wrong, cutie. I just wanna talk to you for a minute."
"I'm busy." The raccoon turned around, intending to retrace her steps and go around the car, but a green Ford had swung into a driveway behind her and stopped, and another cat was getting out. Her gaze flicked both directions, and saw nothing but the side of the stretched SUV and the flat grey wall of a building.
She realized they had pinned her in.
"Hey, don't panic, honey, this is a friendly thing."
Tika spun and glared at the cat, who had taken a few steps towards her. "What do you want?"
The cat opened the back door of the SUV and motioned to the interior. "I want to talk business. My business. Which involves that case you're holding."
"This... case?" Tika glanced down at the briefcase she was clutching against her middle. "This isn't yours. It's..."
"I know who says it's his. He's wrong. Let me explain." The tom waved at the open door again with a friendly smile. "C'mon, hop in, we'll go for a quick drive."
"Are you nuts? I'm not going anywhere with you!"
The cat's smile turned off as if a switch had been flicked, and his eyes turned dangerous. "Get in the car, bitch, or we'll put you there."
Tika looked over her shoulder at the black tom standing behind her, leaning on the side of the limo. He casually held up what she recognized as a stun gun. There was absolutely nothing she could do - even a raccoon's climbing skills wouldn't get her up that bare wall.
Fear took over from there, and propelled her into the limo. The multicolored tom climbed in and sat down across from her, while the black leaned in to hand over the stun gun. "I don't like this, Julian, you just got..."
"Don't use my name, Charlie!" A paw lashed out and the black tom's head bounced off the roof before disappearing with a muttered curse. The door slammed, and the tom touched a button. "Drive, Ed."
Tika leaned back against the seat as the limo moved away from the curb, curling her tail into her lap, holding the case in front of herself like a shield. Her - captor? - busied himself producing a can of beer from the car's cooler, and took a sip, leaning back with a sigh.
He smiled at her with all the warmth of a snowball. "Nice tits."
Tika blinked.
The cat - Julian - leaned forward. "Look, this doesn't have to be a problem. See, you've got something I need." He reached over and tapped the case with a single claw. "This is mine. Or it should be, but your striped boytoy got ahold of it before my delivery boy could."
"I don't... Talin... he said he was in merchandising!"
Julian snorted. "Yeah, you could call it that. He handles all kinds of merchandise. But the merchandise in that case isn't his. I paid a cool five hundred Gs for that, and it's gonna be my ticket back." He smirked. "I'm kind of a big deal around here."
Something clicked in Tika's mind, and her eyes widened. "I know you! You're Julian... um... Merino! My mom worked on that kidnapping case what... six years ago? I thought you were in ja..."
He leaned forward sharply. "Don't even mention that. It never happened." Julian's face was unpleasant that close, twisted with barely-covered rage. A scar crossed his cheek, a light line amid the brown fur.
Tika breathed again as he leaned back and composed himself. "Anyhow. That case. I need it. It's mine. Besides, what can you do with it?"
She shrugged. "Give it back to Talin, when I find him. Or get it opened and see if I can find an address."
"Nah, can't do that." Julian shook his head. "My supplier sets up the cases to ignite if they're messed with, trashes anything inside. I need the key, and the combination. Let's make a phone call, huh?"
Sliding a phone out of his pocket, Julian tapped in a speed-dial. Tika started at the familiar voice as he thumbed on the speaker.
"This is Talin."
"Tal, buddy. Julian."
"I told you I have no interest in working with..."
"Shut up, Talin. I know what you were trying to do. Nobody fucks me over for five mill in freshly printed hundred dollar bills, buddy. I'm smarter than that."
"I don't know what you're talking about, Julian," Tal's voice rumbled through the tinny speaker.
"Don't you? Well, tell you what. I've got my case, and I'm gonna need the key and code."
Tika could hear the snort on the other end of the line. "Open it yourself."
"Nah, I know how that works. Hey, how's about your friend here open it for me?" He held the phone out at the raccoon. "Say something nice, sweetie."
"Go fuck yourself!"
There was a long pause, then: "Tika?" Tal sounded confused. "What have you done, Julian?"
"Got me a guarantee. I figure, you give me the key and the combination, I give you the fuck toy."
"Hey!"
"Shut up. Meet me in an hour at Shadow Rock Park, out behind Nellis."
There was a pause again, and then a sigh. "All right. I'll give you what you need. But I'll need two hours."
"Better drive fast, stripey."
"Julian... don't hurt her. She's no part of this."
Julian smirked past the phone. "Oh, I won't hurt her. She's too cute to hurt."
"I'm sor..." The cat's thumb cut off Tal's worried voice.
"Well, won't this be cozy?" Julian activated the intercom. "Got two hours to kill, Ed. Drive around town and tell Charlie to stay close."
An hour dragged past slowly. Tika kept the case close, but Julian showed little interest in her as he made calls. The limo wandered through the city. At each stop light, the raccoon considered whether she could jump out, but Julian was closer to the door.
What had that damn tiger gotten her into? He seemed a good guy... but counterfeit money? And dealing with a criminal like Julian....
Tika sighed to herself. And yet... on the phone, he had sounded worried. He was going to give up the case and its goods - because of her? That might be optimistic, but still... He was damn sure going to explain himself, and if she didn't like the response, she knew exactly where to place a solid kick.
Two of them - one for him, and one in her own ass for getting involved with a customer.
"So, a dancer, huh?" Julian chuckled at her surprised jump, and flashed a grin as she looked at him uncomprehendingly. "Gotta say, you got a nice shape for it. Some of them girls, they got" - he made a gesture suggesting massive breasts - "but that set, that's nice."
Unsure as to what response he wanted, Tika said nothing. Julian smirked and reached into his jacket. The stun gun appeared and was set aside on the car seat, then a wad of cash came out. "Tell you what. We got an hour or so. Why don't you show me your moves? I'm gonna need dancers, maybe I'll have a job for you."
"I don't..."
Julian peeled five hundred-dollar bills from the roll and fanned them out in front of her. Her gaze flicked from them to the case and back up; the cat snorted, folded the bills and tucked them into her cleavage. "These are real. Trust me."
Fat chance of that. But... this, she realized, might be an opportunity. Tika set the case aside, and carefully stood in the narrow aisle of the car. It didn't let her straighten up fully, but she had some room, at least. Without music, the raccoon just took a breath, perking up her breasts, then started to move, curving her body in the ways that she knew her viewers enjoyed the most, and let the dance take her.
Julian leaned forward hungrily as she swayed, her hips rolling back and forth, ringed tail drifting around her hips to tease before shifting aside to give a view of her rear as she executed a slow turn. Her effect on the cat was obvious. He settled back with a grin as she shifted and twisted as well as possible in the confined space. Turning away, she peeked over a shoulder coyly and winked as one shoulder strap slid down, then repeated that on the other side.
When she faced the tom again, the top of her dress slipped down, exposing her breasts. A shake, a bounce, and the cat's eyes were locked on those orbs. She grinned and swayed a little closer to give him a good look, hoping to get him fully involved in the dance.
Tika turned away again and bent over, her tail swaying up above her in a curve as she hiked the hem of her dress to give a glimpse of her panties, then rose again and turned to find just how involved Julian had become. His pants were down and one paw was stroking over his growing erection. She blinked, and frowned. "What are you..."
"Shut up. I paid you to dance, now dance." His tongue peeked out one side of his muzzle as he pawed himself to her. Tika gritted her teeth and began to move again, twisting and shaking her hips, smoothing her dress over her curves... watching the cat for signs that she could make her move.
But it was Julian who made the move for her. As she turned and leaned again to shake her rump at him, his arm caught her around the waist, and the raccoon found herself tugged into his lap. The pressure of his cock pushed against her ass made her squeak with surprise. "Hey!"
"Come on, sweetie, you know you want some of this." Julian grabbed a breast and squeezed. "For five C-notes, I wanna piece of raccoon tail..."
"Let me go, you..." Tika tried to pull away, but Julian dragged her back, grinding his hips as his free paw pushed his slacks down. "I'm not a hooker!"
Smirking, the cat tugged at her panties, pulling them aside. "Nah, you just take your clothes off for guys and fuck random tigers. Think of it this way. I'm not paying you for the fuck, it's a bonus gift."
Thinking hard, Tika realized that she had one shot at getting away from Julian and to Tal... and as much as she didn't like it, it meant playing Julian's game. She shuddered as his fingers grazed her labia, but forced herself to lift her hips and reach down to find his erection. Eyes closed, the raccoon slowly impaled herself on him.
"Oh, yeah," Julian breathed as he slid in. His paws moved up to her breasts as Tika settled into his lap, then groaned against her neck as her hips rocked.
The tom fondled Tika's breasts, claws prickling through her fur as she rolled back and forth on his lap. It wasn't totally pleasant, but she had slept with some unpleasant guys in the past... She bit her lip and kept up that movement, her tail swishing across his chest and belly to settle next to him - covering the stun gun on the seat. Julian started thrusting up against her, his precum smoothing the ride and giving her a new concern. "Mmm," she purred, putting as much lust into her voice as she could, "do me a favour, honey, and pull out before you finish..."
"Yeah, yeah," Julian growled through hissing breaths as he thrust into her. She rolled her hips more quickly, wanting to finish him off quickly. Her tail shifted, moving that lump of plastic and metal closer to the edge of the seat.
Grinding back, Tika felt the cat's grip tense and started to push off, only to be tugged back down. He jerked up into her roughly; she growled - covering it with a faked moan - as his cock pulsed inside her and the heat of his orgasm spread. But his climax gave her the cover she needed, and her tail nudged the stun gun the last inch off the seat and onto the floor.
Julian held Tika against him for a long moment, his hips jerking as he came, but his grip loosened and she tugged free to pull off of him wetly. The cat smirked at her. "Not bad, huh, babe? You come work for me and you get more of this."
Tika forced a smile and moved to kneel between Julian's thighs. "Let me clean you up..." She leaned forward and brushed her muzzle against his softening shaft. He purred as her tongue flicked out to brush the tip while her paw, unseen, searched the floor.
"'S nice... take it deeper," Julian urged as he grew erect again under Tika's teasing touches. "Make me feel good."
Tika lifted her head and looked up at her captor with a slow smile. "Go fuck yourself."
Julian had a second or so to realize what was in her hand before the stun gun pressed against his bared thigh. He convulsed and hissed as the shock rolled through him, then slumped back, eyes closed.
Tugging her dress back up over her breasts, Tika regarded the stunned cat for a moment. Julian groaned, so she applied the stunner one more time to make sure he was out.
Tal's case in one paw and the stun gun in her purse, Tika looked out the window. A familiar sight was drifting past - the Venetian. They were on the Strip.
The car eased through the lights at Spring Mountain and slowed to a stop in traffic. Tika took a deep breath, braced herself, and flung the door open. Springing out into a crowd of tourists, the raccoon dashed across the sidewalk and over a railing. Above her, the balconies of private cabanas surrounding one of the Wynn's pools loomed.
Behind her, Tika heard shouts. She looked over her shoulder and saw that Charlie had stopped his car, and was headed towards her. Ed stared, shocked, into the limo's interior. She smirked to herself, waved cheerfully to Charlie, and clambered expertly up a trellis onto one of the balconies.
The cabana was empty, but the party around the pool was going strong. Clutching the briefcase, Tika disappeared into the crowd of partiers. There was no way her pursuers would pick her out of the throbbing mass of dancers. Now, she thought, to get to a taxi stand... then to Shadow Rock Park.
A single light glowed in the park as the cab stopped. "You sure you want to get...?" He shut up as a hundred drifted onto the driver's seat. The door slammed shut before he could say anything else. The hound shrugged and watched his fare run across the parking lot towards a single figure illuminated in that light.
Tal looked surprised as Tika stepped into the light. "Tika? How did..."
"Shut up, you..." Her paw caught him on the cheek with a solid slap. "What the hell, Tal?"
"You're angry. I understand." He rubbed his cheek. "But now is not the time to..."
"Yes, now is the time!" Tika's tail lashed back and forth as she glared up at him. "I just got kidnapped and had to fu... subdue a known criminal because of you! You lying bastard, you told me you were in merchandising! Counterfeit money is not merchandise!" She shook the case at him. "Go ahead and tell me this isn't illegal shit in here."
"It's not. Listen to me, Tika, I'm..."
She glared. "Lie to me again and I'll kick you in the balls."
"I'm with the Secret Service. I'm investigating Julian Merino and his contacts for counterfeiting."
"You're what?" Tika shifted her foot, and the tiger turned to cover his groin. "I told you, you lying..."
The badge caught a glint from approaching headlights as he flicked it open. Her eyes widened. "...oh."
"Yeah. Oh. Now, I want you to give me the case and run to the..." Tal paused. "Too late," he said grimly as three figures strode into the dim overhead light.
"You got a lot of fuckin' nerve, you bitch," Julian snarled, limping and disheveled. Charlie and Ed stopped at the edge of the light, paws in their jackets. Tika stepped closer to the imposing figure of the tiger, clutching the case. Julian stopped a few feet away, and glared at her. "I'll take care of you after I've dealt with this cheating prick." His gaze moved to Tal. "I didn't spend four years in the can to have some two-bit out of town scumbag fuck me over."
Tal shrugged. "You can have it." He looked down at Tika and nodded. "Give it to him."
"What?" The raccoon blinked. "I go through all of this, and..."
Tal laid a finger on her lips, and she froze. "Give him the case," he murmured. "Trust me."
She nodded silently and tossed the case to the ground between them. Tal flicked the key to the ground next to it. Julian picked them up, his gaze never leaving the tiger. "Combination?"
"Four, two, nine, six, eight."
The wheels clicked and the clasps clattered open. Julian swung the case open and looked inside with a predatory smile. They stood in silence except for the shuffling of the thugs in the darkness. Julian finally looked up.
"This a fuckin' joke?"
"No joke," Tal said, with a smile. "A tracking device. Oh, and recording gear."
Julian threw the case angrily to the side. "What, you talking about blackmail or something? Think you can get something on me? Well, you aren't gonna live long enough to worry about that." He snapped his fingers. "Charlie, come here and shoot this fucker in the head. Then I'm gonna do the same for his little friend."
Tika almost stopped breathing, waiting for the shot from the dark. Tal simply smiled. And nothing happened.
"Charlie, get the fuck over here!" Julian growled, snapping his fingers again.
"He's busy." Tal said. "As is Edward. And you will be shortly. Julian Merino, you are under arrest for counterfeiting, uttering death threats, unlawful confinement, and..." He paused. "Actually, that's enough for now."
Lights flashed on. Tika winced and covered her eyes at the sudden dazzle, then looked around with surprise. A half-dozen uniformed police officers appeared from the ball field dugouts, while two already had Charlie and Ed on the ground.
The cat looked around. His ears slicked back and tail bottled with anger, and he glared at Tal. "You're a cop. You're a cop! You son of a bitch!"
"Give up, Julian. You have no chance of getting away. Lie down on the ground, and..."
"I'm not going back to prison... you know what they did to me there?"
Tika could see the cat's chest heaving and eyes narrowing. "Tal, he's..."
"Then they'll probably appreciate seeing you again," Tal rumbled. "On the ground."
Julian hissed, tail lashing angrily. "No way I'm goin' back... and no way you two live to see it. I'm way too close to you for them to start shooting." His paw dipped into a pocket and came out with a click as a knife sprouted from his paw. "If I die, you do too..."
"No!" Tika shouted as Julian lunged for the tiger. Without thought, she threw herself at the cat and buried sharp fangs to the bone in his arm. Julian tugged free with a yowl and struck out, claws extended. Three hot lines of pain lashed across her ribs and she screamed.
The cat turned on her, dripping blood. "You little slut, I'm gonna..." Tika saw the blade glint as it rose, eyes wide with fear, but beyond him she could see Tal's arm rise as well, and in it cold steel gleamed.
Gunfire in the movies always sounded so much louder. Here, it was three harsh coughs.
The first shot staggered Julian and painted a splash of crimson across his chest. The second and third shots snapped his head back, and then there was no sound but the thump as the crumpled wreck that had been Julian Merino hit the ground.
And then Tal was there, holding her. He pulled his jacket off and bunched it up against Tika's bleeding ribs. "Get an ambulance!" he shouted as the officers converge. "You'll be okay, Tika..." She barked in pain as the tiger pulled aside the slashed edge of her dress. "...it's bloody, you'll have some stit..."
Another solid open-pawed slap caught him on the muzzle. He froze, eyes wide in surprise.
"You used me..." she hissed through the pain. "A tracking device? You left that case so you could get Julian out of hiding, and you used me..."
Tal rubbed his cheek with a bloody paw. "Tika... I'm sorry. I needed some way to get him off of my trail and then flush him out, and... passing the case seemed to be the best way. I didn't expect him to go back to kidnapping after his last escapade."
Tears flowed freely as Tika glared up at him. "Is that all I am? Use the stripper, she's a useful idiot? A good f..."
His finger touched her lips. "Tika, you..." He snatched his finger back as she snapped at it. "You're hurt. We can talk after you..."
"Talk about what? How to use a schoolkid to lure out drug dealers?"
"Tika. Please..." He leaned close and caught her gaze, amber eyes glinting - she was surprised to see a tear trickle into his cheekfur. "You did so much to help me, and why? I... want to talk more about this. Please."
She turned away as red and white lights flashed. A collie paramedic shouldered Tal aside and knelt to clean the wound. By the time she was loaded into the ambulance, Tal had disappeared in the crowd of police.
Tika sighed, and let the painkillers push her into unconsciousness.
Tika was dancing.
The crowd's attention was split between her and their drinks as she moved across the stage. The blue corset she had chosen to cover the healing wound on her side gave her even better curves, but girls that didn't get fully naked didn't make great tips.
She finished her dance with a careful strut, wincing as the stitches pulled, and made her way off stage with the few bills she had pulled in. Christa, the next dancer, smiled as she entered the dressing room. "Hey, Tika, nice present you got there... hope he's cute!"
Tika blinked after the lemur. "Present?"
She turned around. A long white box sat on a stool, her name on it.
A single blue orchid lay within. She picked it up and frowned, then lay it back down and drew out a card. It was plain white, with black lettering - a restaurant, and a time.
Tika held the orchid up thoughtfully in the mirror. It was almost a perfect match for her eyes - eyes he'd only seen up close what, two, three times?
Considering most males didn't get much above her chest...
She looked at the card again, and smiled.
Candlelight flickered across the table and caught concentric circles of liquid left on the polished wood. Orange-and-white fingers shifted the water glass and made another circle, then another.
A dark paw reached over one of Tal's shoulders and placed a single blue orchid in his water glass.
Tal stood up, nearly knocking his chair over, and turned. Tika looked up at him.
"I, uh... got your note."
The tiger took her paws.
"I'm glad."
"Dance, Dance"
(c) 2011, Tony Greyfox. All rights reserved. Do not distribute without prior permission of the author.