Know When to Hold 'Em

Mallory

In contrast to Vivian’s strenuous and diligent date preparation, Mallory was doing what she always did when confronted with an unpleasant deadline: have as much fun as you can and ignore it as long as possible, hopefully until the deadline passed. Ideally until it became someone else’s problem. But this time there was no chance of either, unfortunately. Still, a casino had lots of ways to distract oneself and she sought out the perks that a **** vacation could offer. Mallory sat at one of the house blackjack tables, casual in every sense of the word. A casual thigh-length yellow tartan skirt, a casual white v-neck top from which her casually large breasts spilled, and a casually chaotic run of play that was currently dwindling her chips. But that’s just how Mallory treated money in general - casually.

Janet sat in the chair next to her, not playing, her attention on Mallory and not the cards. Janet was the kind of girl who worried about the money, and losing most of her chips in the fiasco date with Michael had returned her to her miserly ways. Just watching Mallory alternatively win and blow her own cash had been setting Janet on edge a bit. The dealer and pit boss shot her cross looks, but they couldn’t tell a contestant to leave even if she was occupying a table seat.

Their cocktail waitress tried to give her a hint to decamp to the bar area by providing Mallory drinks and purposefully ignoring Janet. Apparently word had spread among the staff that Mallory and Janet had kissed (what else was there to talk about, when they were even allowed to talk?), so the blonde working their table was turning on the extra flirt. The waitress uniform was a set of -what else- flowing harem pants and a tight top, too small to contain the bust that looked unnaturally large on her frame. More magic fuckery. Mallory thought. But not all bad.

Mallory was already “drunk” for free and was starting to prefer that state. Every time I drink, I turn into a little mousey schoolgirl like Janet. I do not wanna go up there that way, Mallory thought, then once again pushed the negative thought out of her mind. Though, the cocktails she was passing off looked extremely tempting. I’ll make up for it tomorrow, when I don’t have to spend time with Michael. And when Mallory promised herself some hedonism, she’d move Heaven and Earth to make it so. She pushed yet another drink over Janet’s way, taking back Janet’s empty glass. The waitress leaned over Mallory at an awkward angle to collect it, making sure her breasts pleasantly brushed Mallory’s arm. Just another attempt to make Janet jealous in the hope that she’d move the pair along. Mallory told herself she wasn’t a lesbian, but still… Mallory did love attention no matter the source or motivation, and these Harem Hotel staff are cute…

“So like, what are you gonna do all night?” Janet slurred, leaning against the table in her own attempt at a casual demeanor. With limited success. “‘Cause when I was stuck up there, it was awwwwwwkward.” Janet was still in her usual jeans, but she’d thrown on a blouse which was open one button more than usual, in the hopes of catching Mallory’s eye. Mallory ignored that too, her friend’s rising lust just another thing she was not ready to deal with at the moment.

Of course she brings that up. Mallory groaned inwardly. “I’ll bet it was awkward. Everything with Michael’s pretty fucking awkward.” Mallory said, calling for an additional card on 18 and busting out. “This game is hard, why do people play it again?”

“I dunno,” Janet giggled, already three sheets to the wind. Janet was heavier than Mallory and more curvaceous, but the girl could not hold her liquor. “Usually they learn the rules first.”

“Eh fuck it, it’s more fun this way and I wouldn’t follow ‘em anyway. Let’s go bigger!” Mallory pushed in a much larger ante, comprising a significant share of her remaining chips. The dealer nodded and delivered another hand. “Oh, cool, two Queens!” Mallory squealed and clapped, “That’s good, right?” She looked between Janet and the dealer for some confirmation.

“Damn right two queens! WOOOOOOO!” The utterly blitzed Janet grabbed Mallory’s hand and they waved them in the air, making a spectacle of themselves.

However, the dealer was showing an Ace. He calmly waited for the two drunken idiots to stop hooting. Mallory had chosen this specific table because he was manning it, and she had recognized him as one of the ‘hot guys’ from her five-minute stint as a towel girl during the assassins challenge. Celene, dealing for one of the other tables, looked visibly relieved when Mallory passed hers by. Janet and Mallory had spent so much time gawking at his short brown hair, green eyes, and tanned, chiseled jawline that Mallory had blown four hands before she even knew what was happening. It was two more before she stopped ogling his tight shirt long enough to read his nametag - Damien.

“Ma’am, I have an Ace showing. Would you like to purchase insurance?” Damien asked.

“Why? Is the table gonna crash?” Mallory scoffed.

“Yeah, should I get a helmet on or something?” Janet added, she and Mallory pressed their foreheads together and giggled at their bad jokes.

“No, Ma’am, it’s a small side bet in the event-”

“Boring! Save your sales pitch, I don’t want it.” Mallory said, leaning across the table slightly and letting her cleavage do the real talking. She batted her eyelashes to enhance her bedroom eyes look. While he noticeably adjusted his uniform trousers, he didn’t engage with her transparent flirting.

“Very well.” He picked up the face-up Ace and used it to flip the second card, revealing a 10. “Dealer has blackjack, the house wins.”

“Bullshit!” Mallory whined. “How does that beat a pair of Queens? A 10 and an Ace don’t even match!”

“The Queens are worth 20 points, while the Ace and the 10 combine for 21,” Damien educated with the patience of Job. Mallory responded to his calm, reasoned attempt to explain the game by shoving the shoe full of cards to the floor. The staff in the immediate vicinity went quiet, somehow still shocked at Mallory’s insolence.

“...You’re not even that hot!” She yelled, filling that silence. “What are you smirking about?” Mallory demanded of Celene at the adjacent table, who was watching with pleasure.

“That behavior might cost you in this game. You got lucky that that cup you threw today didn’t hit Al, but if you start smashing stuff then eventually you’ll hit something that does dock you points. ” Celene answered, compelled by Mallory’s question. Though of her own accord she added: “Just be like her. Janet here has more points and the audience loves her.”

“What the fuck do you know? Who the hell asked you?” Mallory snapped back at her.

“You did. Just now.” Celene shrugged.

“Well I take it back, shut up. I had you impersonate me because you’re a cheap knockoff. Go fuck yourself.” Mallory grabbed Janet’s hand and stormed off. Despite her powerful buzz, Janet had just enough presence of mind to grab Mallory’s remaining chips before she was dragged out of reach. Celene struggled to resist the power of the contestant commands, only holding out long enough for Mallory and Janet to disappear into the crowd. Without skipping a beat, she slipped her left hand down the front of her dealer’s uniform pants and began to stroke her clit. The rest of the ‘staff’ acting as players at her table gave her sympathetic looks, as she attempted to balance the competing commands from the Hotel and the contestant - Masturbating with one hand while attempting to deal with the other.

The pair settled by the pool to let Mallory calm down. It was day three of having the sun opposite the clock, and sitting under the lights in the darkness of ‘afternoon’ was getting no easier to tolerate. The glimmering of dawn on the horizon meant her time was drawing close.

“Seriously though, Mal. What are you gonna do?” Janet asked, between sips of the piña colada she’d gotten to replace the drink left inside. “When I was up there, Michael and I just kinda avoided each other, but this is a competition round, you’ve got to do something.”

“Something… with Michael? Ugh.” Mallory looked like she might retch. As much as she wanted to brush it off - and Mallory’s ability to ignore unpleasant realities was quite refined - Janet was right. This was a competition, and Mallory had committed herself to winning it. Insofar as she committed herself to any goal in life. But… Michael? No. No. No.

“No! Not like that!” Janet looked horrified at that implication, and kept talking around it. “Luciana and Ronnie didn’t do anything … like that. Sarah and I got interrupted but we weren’t going to either. But you can’t just stare at each other.”

“Why not?”

“The voters’ll kill you for that.” Janet crossed her arms and rubbed her elbows, visibly uncomfortable. Clearly she wasn’t eager for that judgment any more than Mallory was. But Celene was right, Janet had scored well with the audience and Mallory… had not.

“Ok, so I have to do something. Like what?”

“I dunno, just talk? About life or something? That’s what Luciana did.”

“That sounds even more awkward.”

Janet looked around as if to see if she was being watched. Which was ridiculous, because of course she was, hidden cameras were everywhere. But drunk as she was, she convinced herself they were in private. She slipped a small pill out from her jeans pocket.

“Vivian gave me one of these, to help me get through my own date. But I didn’t end up needing it. It helps you relax.”

“Is that one of my mom’s? She was ready be turned into a sex doll on one of those, no thank you.”

“I dunno, take half maybe? Just hold on to it in case things get tense up there. Please, Mal. I know how you two fight and I just don’t want you to get in trouble.”

“Fine, if it will make you relax.” Mallory took the offered pill, but the situation wasn’t dire enough for that just yet. She dropped it into her bra for safe-keeping. She reached over and grabbed the watch hanging around Janet’s neck to check the time, noting how the redhead cooed as Mallory’s hand brushed her breast. Janet could barely contain herself in Mallory’s presence anymore. It had only gotten worse since they kissed.

Hold up.

Is the solution right here? That bimbo Celene might be right, the audience loves her. I need them to love me. Love me the way she loves me… Mallory looked into Janet’s brown eyes, gazing back wide-eyed with almost puppy-dog longing. I can do this... Mallory thought, her rationalizing mechanisms kicking into high gear. Yeah… This is a good idea!

“...What?” Janet asked. Mallory realized she’d been staring and looked away quickly. She bit her lip softly, a practiced move. Not that practiced moves were necessary with an easy mark like Janet.

“Maybe the pill isn’t what I need to relax?” Mallory said, then looked back into Janet’s eyes. There was no hesitation there, just need. “Come on.” She stood and held out her hand, and Janet took it eagerly.

Using Michael’s suite was not ideal, but after the two explored their options it seemed like the best place for at least a little privacy. When they returned to the common room, Ronnie was still posted up in there. She’d been reading for hours, ever since her date. Who gets that into a kid’s book, seriously? Sarah was strapped to her bed, and Janet just had to stop and bring her a bottle of water before they could leave. Who the hell knew what Luciana and Danica were out doing, but they could have wandered in at any moment. At least they could be sure Michael wasn’t due for a while.

“Is this gonna get us in trouble?” Janet asked. As Mallory touched the knob, Janet physically hid behind her as if the door was going to explode.

“The Hotel knows why we’re up here, and besides, it's my turn.” The door took a long beat before it opened, as if it was considering her point and accepting her offer. Of course it would. Of course they want us to fuck around with each other, they gave us points for a peck on the lips. Mallory led Janet into the darkened suite, then turned to the redhead with a quizzical look.

“Oh right, you haven’t been up here.” Janet said as she flipped on the lights. “Maybe this wasn’t the best idea,” Janet said, backing into the hall.

Mallory tried to follow, she bounced off the open space in the doorway. “Fuck, I’m stuck up here now.” Mallory said. “Come on, Jan, cowgirl up.” Mallory slowly pulled her neckline open, another practiced move. This time it was necessary, and it worked.

“I guess I can, I need another drink though.” Janet re-entered and made for the bar, but Mallory held up a hand and grabbed her arm as she passed.

“We don’t have much time.” Mallory said, pulling Janet into an embrace. Janet needed no further invitation or helpers, it was obvious she’d been fighting back these urges for days now and the dam broke now that Mallory finally reciprocated. Janet’s expression finally lost the undercurrent of fear that had been present since the first day. Mallory was significantly taller than Janet, and the height difference matched the natural dominance of their relationship. Mallory had always wanted the affirmation of Janet’s praise and attention, and this transformation of hers pushed all of that into overdrive. For both of them.

Mallory cradled Janet’s head and stroked her hair gently, sensing this is what the girl needed to fully let go of her stress. It was working, the tension drained from her shoulders and Janet melted into Mallory’s arms. Has she really only been into me for less than a week? Mallory wondered. Or did the hotel just find something that was already there?

Does it matter?

She took the back of Janet’s head and gave her a deep kiss. Drawing it out, savoring it. Mallory wasn’t a lesbian. At least, she’d told herself she wasn’t a lesbian. But she was ‘drunk’ and kissing another girl for attention was another practiced move. And it was just a kiss, why not have a little fun with it? Janet squirmed with pleasure as their tongues danced, her hands found their way up underneath the back of Mallory’s top and caressed her back.

Are we getting points for this?

Repeat Performance +0

Janet pulled back for some air, barely gasping out a “God, I need you right now…” Then she quickly hid her face behind her hands. “I know they made me like this, but it feels like I’ve been wanting to say that forever.”

I knew it. She turned from tenderness to playfulness, and swatted Janet on the ass. “Then why didn’t you say so!” Mallory laughed. She backed towards the bedroom, beckoning Janet to follow. “Better yet, why don’t you show me?”

Mallory giggled at the ridiculous heart-shaped bed when they entered. God, whoever designed this place tries way too hard. But, it was comfortable enough when she and Janet tumbled into it, enough so that Mallory even forgot whose bed it was.

“You’re so incredible. Your hair… Your eyes…” Janet said, crawling on top of Mallory and kissing her on the lips again. Mallory put two fingers on Janet’s forehead and pushed her back off.

“Tell me more.” Mallory said with a grin, gently guiding Janet’s head down further. Janet took the hint.

“Your body is so hot, Mallory.” Janet said. Dirty talk wasn’t her usual thing, but she was giving it her all. “Makes me so jealous… Makes all the other women jealous…” Mallory cooed as Janet slid her shirt down and kissed a trail around one nipple. Mallory again stroked her head like a favorite pet and Janet convulsed as the reaction to otherwise simple friendly touches blasted through her mind and body.

“Keep going.” Mallory ordered, meaning it in multiple ways and Janet understood both. She continued kissing her way down Mallory’s stomach, offering praise for her abs (faked praise, but Mallory ate it up anyway), her thighs (real), and finally, after slipping off Mallory’s panties and discarding them on the floor, her pussy (very real).

Janet pulled up Mallory’s skirt to lick and tease at her lower lips. The pleasures of continued flattery ceased, but the pleasures of eager cunnilingus were a stronger replacement. It was Mallory’s turn to squirm as the normally shy redhead threw herself fully into the goal of servicing her friend.

It felt so good, but yet… something felt off about it too. Janet was fantastic, but it wasn’t working for her the way it had with her other lovers. Other lovers… Mallory thought, and with that her imagination was off and running, wandering through memories of faces in the dark. Mentally swiping through them like Tinder matches until she found the perfect one to complement this evening:

Trent.

There it is! Like the final piece completing the puzzle, Mallory picturing Trent was enough to get her rolling again. The memory was so vivid, she could almost feel his stubble on her inner thighs. Trent was fairly mediocre at going down on her, as he’d been fairly mediocre at everything else. Nothing compared to Janet. Where did she learn, anyway? But… Comparing the skills of her friend’s cheating lover while that same friend ate her out? That taboo gave Mallory an intense and perverse thrill. Mallory was young, hot, rich, blonde, and Californian. Her life had been a series of being the most desired and therefore -to her mind- the most powerful person in the room. But that was all taken from her when she was brought to this godawful place of reality-bending and terrible lighting. But as long as she could step on one person’s shoulders, she could feel that power again, and she had no idea how much she craved it until it was lost.

“Yes! Yes!” Mallory said, grabbing fistfuls of “Trent’s” hair and pulling Janet’s face into her crotch. “I’m fucking close! I’m fucking close! Ohhhh my god! Do it! Do it-” Mallory caught herself just before calling his name, but it didn’t matter because a second later she was well-beyond talking and into screaming.

F is for Friends Who Do Stuff Together: 7 points

Janet crawled up alongside Mallory and snuggled up into a half-spoon under Mallory’s arm. Though as always she’d rather be receiving it, in her afterglow Mallory was finally returning her praise.

“That was fan-fucking-tastic, Jan. How did you learn to do that?” Mallory said. Janet blushed and hid her face in her hands.

“Trent. He loved to watch girl porn while we did it.” Mallory hid her smirk. He never needed that with me. She thought, taking more perverse pride in that. Although I wish he paid attention, Janet learned a lot and he got none of it.

“Ha! You learned from watching porn!” Mallory teased and mussed her hair like the sister Janet had always hoped she’d be. But they’d moved past that now, into something else.

“It’s better than the awful Cosmo articles you’d always read,” Janet teased right back.

“...Damn, you’re right. Maybe I should try it?”

“Well, the suite TV has it on nonstop.” Janet said. The two looked into each other’s eyes. “Wanna see?”

Mallory nodded, but just as they were about to get up, they heard Michael fumbling with the door to the suite.