All of their friends had left Clearwater Beach that morning. But Lizander and Alexa were able to stay one day more, and they intended to take full advantage of it. They had spent the week in the sun, at the clubs, sampling the local specialty drinks and enjoying the nightlife with an incredible group of friends.
"Your tan is almost perfect, Alex", said Zan.
"I know!" gushed Alex. "I was really careful this time. Yeah, I usually come home with a burn but I was absolutely determined this time to do it right. 30 SPF every day. Twice a day. But look at you!"
Zan's blonde hair was even more blonde than usual. The sun had sucked out every last hint of brown that might have been there. "I just love what happens to my hair", she said.
They spent the last morning of their last full day at Shepard's Resort at the resort's beach getting a few more hours of sun. From there they intended to head downtown for drinks and lunch. After changing into short sun dresses and sky high wedge sandals they headed out to Gulfway Drive and started the mile-long trek to the Surfside Taproom, a cute bar/restaurant just north of the traffic circle at mid-town. The drinks were great and the menu was unique. They enjoyed the waitstaff and the atmosphere at the club.
After only a couple of minutes of walking an unoccupied rickshaw bike came by. "Hey! Can you give us a lift?" Alexa called to the biker. The boy turned on a dime and picked them up. He smiled broadly at them.
"Good morning, Ladies!" he beamed.
"Good morning to you, too!" the girls replied. "We know you! Weren't you our bartender last night at the Rockaway?"
"I was! And, I have to tell you...I cleaned your room yesterday, too, at Shepard's. I have 4 different jobs here. That's what it takes to make ends meet down here. I love living here but it takes a lot of work."
"We had no idea! Well, I'm glad that we have a chance to help you out." When they got to the Surfside they gave him a big tip. "And if you can come back by here in two hours you can give us a ride back. The tip might be, well, it might be more than you can possibly imagine! What's your name?"
"I'm Desi, at your service!" he smiled.
"Good to finally meet you formally, Desi! We're Zan and Alexa. See you in two hours!"
Desi took off but he grinned at them over his shoulder as he pedaled away.
"He's CUTE!" said Alexa. "I saw him first."
"I agree. That he's CUTE. But I think we saw him at the same time", corrected Zan. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"I gotta believe that we're on the same page", said Alexa. With that and a deep look into each others' eyes they knew they were on the same page. They enjoyed pleasant conversation, their drinks and a delicious flatbread for lunch. They finished well before the time that Desi said he would be back by.
"CVS", said Alexa. They headed north one more block to the familiar drug store. It had everything they needed.
"Clothesline. Check. Microfiber tape. Check. Anything else?" asked Zan.
"That ought to do it", confirmed Alexa.
With that, they headed back down the street to look for their new little friend.
"He isn;t all that tall. But look at those shoulders! And his legs are amazing!" purred Alexa.
"I like his tan and that black hair", said Zan.
"There he is!" They waved him down and then climbed into the seat.
"Home, James", giggled Zan.
"Shepard's, Desi", corrected Alexa.
"As You Wish", he confirmed. Along the way they chatted comfortably about where he came from, his family situation, his favorite bars, what he liked to do most. All of that made them like him even more.
"Desi....Do you have time to come upstairs with us for a while? We tip well. If you're game."
"Yeah, we would like to thank you for everything you've done for us. In our own little way."
They flashed the clothesline and tape to him. He looked at the quizzically, not quite believing what he was seeing.
"Do you mean..." Desi asked, haltingly.
"If you mean, do we intend for you to, um, 'model' these for us, then the answer is 'Yes'! Definitely, the answer is 'Yes'."
"As You Wish, my Ladies!" His legs got tangled as he tried to dismount the bike.
They laughed at him as his hands shook while he tried to put the lock on the bike wheel. They lead him into the elevator stared at him as the car climbed higher and higher. They stopped at the 6th floor and the doors opened. His legs shook as he stepped out and walked down the hall. He almost wet himself when the door closed quietly behind them and the two girls turned and pressed him against the wall.
"Are you REALLY willing to do 'As We Wish'?"
Desi's voice shook as he replied, "I am."
"Then, get on your knees", growled Zan.