When Trouble Calls

~Sterling~

"Dress up."

I toss the crumpled silk dress across the tangled mess of my king-sized bed. The expensive fabric slides over the dark sheets and lands near Valentina's knees. I do not bother looking at her face to gauge her reaction. The thick, stifling air of my Brooklyn bedroom feels oppressive tonight. The lingering scent of sweat, sex, and Valentina’s heavy floral perfume clings to