Dreambender Misadventures: Dastardly Dogs #1 (Patreon)

Chapter 1

By Warren Thomas

 “Hello, Miss Sonja," I said.

The hotel's beautiful owner and manager stiffened. She slowly looked up from the computer screen and regarded me coolly. I smiled, trying to appear friendly and nonthreatening.

"Ah, Mr. Richards, you're back," she said. "And you know my name is Lady Sonja."

"Of course. So sorry. Please call me Edgar," I said, and glanced at the antique elevator across the lobby. "I'm a little distracted tonight, Lady Sonja. Is my room ready?"

I looked around the Gothic hotel's lobby again. It would look so awesome in my full-immersion, virtual reality video game about a gritty world of sexy super heroines and horny super villains. Yet, I'd offered her hundreds of thousands of dollars to use it in my game and she refused. I even offered to buy the Hotel Risqué Nuit for millions more than it was worth, and she refused.

So frustrating.

"Hmmm," she said, frowning at me for a long moment before her eyes dropped back to the monitor.

Lady Sonja was a gorgeous redhead. She was perfectly pale to pull off her whole Goth Girl vibe, and wore a lacy black gown that showed a lot of deep cleavage. I swear she had a super heroine's body. Yeah, I wanted her. What man wouldn't?

She wasn't happy with my attempts to buy her out. Apparently, she took it personally. I didn't want to offend her, but I really wanted that hotel. If I could, I'd live there. Really, it was kind of addictive.

"I made the request online about two weeks ago."

I never received an e-mail confirmation of my reservation. I came over anyway. I had ideas, and a new gang of criminals I wanted to test out before I put them in my next game. Dick Dastardly and the Dastardly Dogs were going to be my best villains ever. Ms Wondrous would have a helluva time dealing with that wretched gang.

"I know," she said.

She looked up when I put my credit card on the counter. Lady Sonja did not pick it up.

"So, is my room ready?" I asked again. I came alone this time. My previous visit was with two strippers, but the real fun starts once the guest goes to sleep. I didn't want anyone around to keep me from falling asleep. "I reserved the penthouse again."

Lady Sonja sighed.

"Yes, and yes," she said. Lady Sonja gave me a disapproving look. "You're not going to convince me to sell, sir."

"I still have hope, my lady," I said, but struggled to keep from wagging my brows. I didn't think she'd respond well to that. Even that answer made her eyes narrow. "But I'll not bother you with business while a guest. I promise."

"Hmmm," she said as she finally took my credit card and slid it through the reader. "You realize, don't you, that your…um…night might not be as pleasant as last time. Right?"

Was that a threat? Could she control my erotic dream? Was she the very reason guests at Hotel Risqué Nuit had wild, over-the-top erotic dreams? My insides got very hot and tingly, and my junk got rock hard. Little did she know I liked it rough. I wanted my super heroine to get it hard and unmercifully. That was the very kind of ride I so wanted to live, or dream.

I still wasn't sure if what I experienced during my last visit was real or dream. It felt too real to be a dream. Also, I wasn't sure if I had any control over what I "dreamed" that night. What if the villains I wanted to play with didn't appear in my dream? What if I was someone else other than Ms Wondrous?

What if she can make sure I don't dream about my video game at all?

Yeah, that thought made me panic. The whole reason I wanted to stay there was to live the video game I created. If I had another kind of dream, no matter how erotic, it would be a failure for me. I'm a little OCD with my game.

"Um, do you mind answering some questions?"

Lady Sonja gave me a wary look. "As in?"

"Do I have any control over my dreams?" I asked. "I ask, because there is a certain scenario I'd like to have. Specific villains and heroes…you know?"

I couldn't help but wonder, even worry, that she knew exactly what I dreamed last time. She might already even know the scenario I was hoping for. Was she a witch or something? Was it even magic that enabled me to experience such a vivid, exciting dream during my last visit? Lady Sonja hadn't answered any question I'd had since my initial visit, though I could tell she knew what was happening at the very least. Hell, she was even in my dream last time.

"Maybe," she said. "Maybe not. Are any of us really in control of anything?"

I had a bad feeling she would control my dream, and it wouldn't go well for me. Yet, I had to take that chance. The prospect of living out my computer game overnight at the Hotel Risqué Nuit consumed my thoughts almost every day.

"So you're saying there is a chance?"

She sighed and shook her head woefully.

"Anything's possible, Mr. Richards."

My gaze dropped down into her deep cleavage, and I felt a little stirring between my legs. Yeah, I've had more than a few fantasies about her. I even had a character based on her in mind, but she refused to sell me the rights to her image, her persona, as well.

"That's not in the realm of possibilities," she said, never even looking at me.

I pulled my eyes away from her tits, and then took a deep, steadying breath. I was a billionaire, and normally young beauties like Lady Sonja bent over backwards to impress me. Okay, I'm a super geek, but still, the ladies love my wealth and power. Except for Lady Sonja.

The beautiful redhead returned my credit card, along with a key and a packet with the billing information. I checked the room number and my heart leapt with excitement.

"The same room. Perfect."

"Enjoy your stay, Mr. Richards," she purred, looking so mischievous. Very sexy, and kinda scary at the same time. "Charlie will assist you. Thank you for choosing the Hotel Risqué Nuit."

"Thank you, Lady Sonja," I said, and turned to the bellhop, Charlie.

Charlie picked up my one suitcase and motioned me towards the antique elevator. I followed him to the elevator, while my mind went elsewhere. Thoughts of my coming dream already dominated. Would Dirk Dastardly and gang populate it? Would Ms Wondrous be overwhelmed and captured? Would all my secret yearnings be answered?

My heart pounded as we ascended. On the top floor, Charlie led me to the door. I gave him a generous tip, hoping Lady Sonja approved and it helped me secure future reservations. But once alone in my room, I began to worry. How was I going to fall asleep when I was so excited? I was afraid to take a sleeping pill, since that might keep me from dreaming.

All I could do was strip and get into bed. I'd have to trust in the hotel's magic to sweep me away.

"Screw sweet dreams," I muttered as I turned out the lights. "Let the darkness take me."