David Garnet - Bikini Planet

Norton stood as little chance of going to Europe as he did to the Moon, but he said, “I’d like to see the world.”

“There’s no need, Duke. The world comes to Vegas. It’s the centre of the universe.”

King believed exactly what he said. Either that or he’d convinced himself he meant it. Which was the same thing.

Norton was worried he’d find himself believing it, too. Would he still be here in twenty or thirty years’ time, still driving around in a police car? Around and around. How many miles would he have driven by then? Without going anywhere.

A car overtook them.

Going fast.

Very fast.

On the wrong side of the road.

Norton floored the accelerator.

“A heist?” he said.

“What?”

“A robbery?”

“Nothing on the radio,” said King. “But that doesn’t mean much.”

Norton switched on the siren. This was more like it. The speeding car was a red Jaguar, and within a minute or two both vehicles were out of town and on the open highway. The police car was doing a hundred, but the Jaguar was even faster, pulling further and further away.

This was the most exciting thing that had happened for weeks, and Norton was enjoying the chase. He hoped King wouldn’t ask for back-up, or call for a Highway Patrol roadblock up ahead. Then he saw the red lights as the other driver hit the brakes, pulling over in a cloud of dust and a trail of burning rubber.

The police car skidded to a halt ten yards behind the Jaguar. Norton climbed out, drew his pistol. King did the same, waiting by the hood while Norton approached the other car. It was brand new. Had it been stolen?

It was a convertible, but the top was up and the rear window so small he couldn’t make out who was inside. The driver’s window wound down. Norton halted.

“Out of the vehicle!” he yelled.

The door swung open.

“Hands on your head!”

“Can’t I put them inside your pants?” said the driver.

It was a woman’s voice. A girl’s voice.

And Norton knew exactly who she was.

She slid her sandalled feet out of the door. Her legs long and tanned. Then leaned her head out. Her hair long and blonde. She stood up, smiling.

“Hi, Wayne. Hi, Sergeant King.”

“Hello, Susie,” said King. He grinned at the girl, holstered his revolver, winked at Norton, then went and sat back inside the police car.

“What do you think you were doing?” said Norton.

“About a hundred and twenty,” said Susie Ash. “Is that a gun in your hand, or are you just pleased to see me?”

“What? Oh. Yeah.” Norton put away his pistol. “Whose car is it?”

“Mine. You like it? Daddy bought it for my birthday. I thought I’d see how fast it could go.”

“You did that deliberately, didn’t you?”

“Did what?”

“You know what. Because you wanted me to chase you.”

“I’ve always wanted you to chase me, Wayne. Because I’ve always liked it when you caught me. Come here. Give me a kiss.”

“No.”

“No?”

“I’m on duty, Susie. The only thing I’m going to give you is a speeding ticket.”

“Another present? No, you shouldn’t. You’re all so good to me. Daddy gives me a car, then you give me my first speeding ticket. Wow! It’s all too much. Am I a criminal? Will you lock me up? There must be a cell back at the station where we can be locked up together. Why don’t you handcuff me, Wayne? Then I’d be unable to resist you.”

But Susie was the irresistible one. Norton had known her for years. They’d grown up together, gone to school together, done almost everything together. She wore a tight pair of cut-off denims and a tie-dyed psychedelic T-shirt that clung to her bra-less breasts. When Norton looked into her eyes, all he could see was himself. She was wearing her mirror-lensed sunglasses.

Everyone thought Susie was a great girl. She was. And she was his, all his. Or so everyone thought.

Norton glanced at the car. It wasn’t her birthday until Friday, and he hadn’t bought her anything yet, but what kind of present could compare with a brand-new Jaguar? Susie’s father had built one of Las Vegas’s first supermarkets, and now he owned stores from California to New Mexico.

Norton had always wanted to visit California, to see the ocean—and the bikini-clad surfer girls. Susie had gone out there last summer, lived in San Francisco and become a hippie. Until her father had her brought back to Vegas, before sending her on a long tour of Europe. At the end of this summer, she’d be gone again. To college, back east.

College. Europe. A red Jaguar. Norton was nothing but a rookie cop. Susie was his girlfriend. But for how long?

He’d always hoped they would get married, and it was something they used to talk about. As time went by, they talked about it less. Everything became less, in fact. They saw each other less, did less together.

“I do love a man in uniform,” said Susie, reaching out to him.

She folded back his shirt collar, checking he was still wearing the peace button she’d given him for his last birthday. He’d much rather have had her sunglasses.

“Almost as much as I love a man without his uniform,” she added, as she tried to undo his shirt buttons.

Wayne stepped back. “What do you want for your birthday?”

“Only you.” Susie stepped forward.

“I wish.”

“It’s not what you give, Wayne. It’s the thought that counts.”

“I know what I’d like to give you,” said Norton. “It’s something I’m always thinking about.”

Susie smiled. But with her eyes hidden, the smile could have meant anything.

“How about a sample?” she said, sliding one of her legs between his, rubbing her thigh up and down his crotch, pressing her warm breasts against his chest.

“No!” Norton leaned back. “The sergeant’s waiting.”

“What about all the times you’ve waited for him?”

Every few days, Norton had to sit in the car while King visited some cathouse or other. At least he was never inside very long.

Susie licked her lips. Norton knew he stood no chance.

She really was irresistible. They kissed, her lips sucking at his, her teeth clashing against his, her tongue snaking deep into his mouth. She tasted so good.

She drew back for a moment. “Maybe it’ll be you who gets a present on my birthday,” she whispered.

“I wish.”

They kissed again, her kiss promising everything. When they finally parted, she looked him up and down.

“You are glad to see me!” she laughed. “ Adios , Wayne.” She spun around.

A few seconds later the Jaguar roared away. Norton watched it vanish in the distance, then turned and went back to the patrol car.

“Where’s the ticket?” asked King.

“What? A ticket? Well… er… no… I didn’t… er… write one.”

“I thought maybe she’d swallowed it, but I guess she was too busy swallowing your tongue.” The sergeant laughed and shook his head. “You’re a lucky guy.”

“Am I?”

“Her father’s one of the richest men in the whole goddamned state. She’s his only child. As if that isn’t enough, she’s a total knockout. You’ve got it made, Duke.”

Norton wasn’t so sure. He started the engine.

“If only I was twenty years younger,” added King, “you wouldn’t stand a chance.” He shook his head again. “What an ass that girl’s got. Great tits. Real blonde, too, no two-tone model. Not that I have to tell you.”

Norton looked at him.

“No offence, Duke. Just being complimentary, okay?”

“Okay.”

“I bet she’s great in the sack, yeah?”

Norton looked away, smiling.

“Yeah,” King said again, and he sighed.