Club Belle Tori

by Michelle Hoppe

“Yes, handsome?”

  “What are you planning to do?” He sounded so concerned.

  “At the moment I plan to weed this flower bed”

  “Don't side step me, Victoria, you know what I'm asking.”

  “Pierre, you have been my lover, and my friend, always, so please understand. I'm going away, I don't know where and I'm not sure for how long. I need you to keep Belle Tori going while I'm gone. Can you do that for me?”

  “You know I will Tori; however, I can't help but wonder if this isn't the stupidest thing you've ever done.”

  “It may be.” She laughed, as she pushed herself up. Standing in front of Pierre she smiled.

  “Do me a favor, Belle.”

  “Anything, handsome, you know that”

  “Call me soon and let me know you're okay.”

  Victoria moved to kiss Pierre, he folded her in his arms and held her there for several long minutes, then releasing her, he lipped the words I love you, and walked away.

  Six hours after Jason's plane left, Victoria boarded a flight out of Las Vegas, and disappeared into the setting sun.

  * * * *

  Monday morning Jason returned as promised. Pierre was waiting at the top of the stairs when his limo arrived. “Bonjour Jason, welcome back.”

  “Hello Pierre, it's nice to be back.”

  Still standing on the porch, the front door open, Pierre broke the news, “Jason, there is no easy way to say this.”

  “Say what?”

  “Victoria is gone.”

  “What do you mean gone?”

  “Just that, she's gone. Not here. Gone!” Pierre hissed. “She packed her bags, boarded a plane, and flew off to parts unknown. She wouldn't even tell me where she was going.”

  Pierre watched the emotions wash across Jason face. Disbelief, hurt, and finally anger as his eyes grew frosty and he demanded. “What have you done to find her?”

  “I haven't done a thing, except keep the club going. Besides it's not my place to find her and bring her back.”

  “I realize that Pierre, but I am not going to sit around and wait for her to stop acting like a child. God, I can't believe she ran away. This is so stupid.”

  “I believe that is the word I used when she told me her plans.”

  “Well, I suggest you get someone to bring in my bags and tell Yvette she has a new boss for now, because I will need her help.”

  “What do you plan to do?”

  Jason looked straight at Pierre, “First I'm going to settle into the master suite. Any objections?”

  “None,” Pierre replied.

  “Good,” Jason stated. “Next, I plan to hire a detective to trace her movements and then I'm going to bring her home. Any questions?”

  “None,” Pierre assured him as he turned to direct the unloading of luggage. Jason's voice stopped him.

  “And Pierre, I understand if you feel it would be disloyal to help, but I'm warning you, either help or stay out of the way.”

  “I will be available to assist in any way I can Jason. Just realize she will not be easy to find.”

  “Well she may not be easy to find, but she doesn't realize who she is dealing with this time.” With that statement, Jason entered the mansion and headed up the stairs to the residence, yelling into the air as he went, “You can run, my love. You can hide all you want. But count on this… I will find you!”

  Pierre stood on the porch, listening to Jason yell at the walls, and smiled, knowing he had chosen the right man.

  The End

  Preview another book by Michelle

  The Diner

  Michelle Hoppe

  Chapter 1

  May 22nd

  Late afternoon sun filtering though the stain glass window cast a kaleidoscope of color over the interior of the small church. A gentle breeze blowing off the bay drifted through the open doors, making candle flames dance, adding to the romantic setting. Lovely yellow roses adorned the end of each pew, altar, and vestibule of the wedding chapel on Van Ness Avenue in the heart of San Francisco.

  Tuxedo dressed ushers had seated over a hundred guests: the bride’s family and friends on the right, the groom’s on the left. The flower girl was walking down the aisle, yellow rose petals dropping from her fingers as she skipped toward the altar. The ring bearer, struggling to keep up, had tears running down his cheeks because he’d lost sight of his mommy.

  Nicole Weston waited at the bottom of the aisle for her turn to walk before the assembled crowd. Resplendent in her pale yellow, backless, maid of honor dress, a small bouquet of yellow roses was clasped in her hands. Thank the stars in heaven it was a dress she didn’t mind wearing. Unlike the last bridesmaid dress she’d been forced to endure—lime green, big bell skirt, bows in stupid places, and shoes to match. At least Tami has taste, she thought to herself. Music flowed from overhead speakers. The magical strains of Between Now and Forever, sung with emotion by Bryan White, sent chills down her spine.

  Watching closely, she took her first step out, just as the young ring bearer’s mother gently pulled him into a pew at the front of the chapel. One step, pause, next step, pause, Nicole made her way toward the groom, soon to be her best friend’s husband. The smile on Jerry’s face lit the entire room, his happiness only exceeded by that of the bride. Nicole smiled to herself; it was amazing that in six short months, her friend Tami White had gone from nervous virgin to bride. With the rocky start their relationship endured, it was amazing they’d made it this far.

  Taking her place on the right of the minister, Nicole thought back to that first day, six months ago, and again saw the tear-streaked face of her friend.

  Chapter 2

  Monday

  The lunch hour passed, the crowd thinned, and Nicole Weston sat alone in the corner booth with her lukewarm coffee and half-eaten piece of cake. She looked down at her watch, noting the time. One fifteen, she only had about ten more minutes to wait for Tami to arrive.

  She and Tami had been friends for over six years now and shared everything. Nothing escaped their conversations, including details of their sex lives. Nicole could hardly wait to hear about last evening. She knew Tami had been worried about her date with Jerry. She’d revealed yesterday her certainty about his desire to have sex. The women discussed whether Tami would be ready for the big step or not.

  The fact that Tami was a virgin at twenty-six still astonished her. With all the advice she’d been given over the years, it made no sense she didn’t date well. There was always some problem or other, and after about the second or third date the relationship would implode. This new liaison with Jerry was going on two months, and now with the possibility of sex for the first time—it was an amazing feat in and of itself.

  Nicole saw him on several occasions; he seemed nice enough, if a little nerdy. He was too short for Nicole’s taste, only about five-six and in her opinion, he needed to lose a few pounds. Hey, but what the heck, she thought, I’m not dating him and if Tami likes him she should go for it.

  After much discussion they had agreed that if Tami felt comfortable with the situation and desire struck, she would let him have his way. Nicole had done her best to give her friend some insight into what to expect.

  Glancing up from her now empty plate, Nicole watched as Tami entered the diner and walked to the table in the back to join her.

  “Hey you.”

  “Hey you, yourself.”

  “Sit, sit, and tell me all.” Nicole noticed Tami didn’t laugh. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Everything. I did it wrong.”

  “You did what wrong?”

  “Sex.”

  Pointing to the seat across the table from her, Nicole indicated Tami should get comfortable because this could take a while. Waving her hand toward the waitress at the counter, she indicated they needed some service. “Hold on a minute, let’s get you a cup of coffee and some cake, then you can tell me all about it.”

  Tami dropped into the seat and put her head in her hands.
When the waitress arrived, Nicole ordered the coffee and dessert, asked for a refill on her coffee, and ordered a piece of pie for herself. She waited for the waitress to move out of earshot before continuing. “Okay, hon, tell me what happened.”

  “I can’t; it’s too embarrassing.”

  “What’s too embarrassing?”

  “Last night.”

  “Just start at the beginning and tell me what happened. I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s going on.”

  “You’re going to laugh at me.”

  “When have I ever laughed at you about something important?” At least out loud.

  “Never. I guess.”

  “Right, never. So stop with all the drama and get to the details. Besides it can’t be all that bad.”

  “Oh yes, it can!” Nicole noticed Tami’s voice crack. My God, what in the world could have happened that is so bad she’s about to cry?

  “Take a deep breath and tell me about it. We will decide together if it is really that bad.”

  Just when she thought Tami might start talking, the waitress showed up with their order. They waited in silence for her to place the coffee cups, desert plates, cream, and sugar on the table.

  “Can I get you anything else?” the waitress inquired.

  “That’s all for now, thanks.” Nicole just wanted her to leave so she could get Tami to tell her about last night. “Okay she is gone, give over.”

  “He picked me up at about eight and we went to that little burger shop on the corner of Franklin and Union. You know the one?”

  “Yes, I know it.” Is this an essential part of the story?

  “We had a great time. He told me about his days in high school, about college. He’s really interesting you know.”

  “If you say so.” Bor-ring!

  “I thought you liked him?”

  “I do, he’s just not my type. Doesn’t mean he’s not perfect for you.”

  “Well, after last night I don’t think I’ll get a chance to find out if he’s perfect or not.”

  Nicole was getting frustrated. She was interested in details, not a pity party. Try to remain calm. She forced a smile. “Sweetie, you are going to have to tell me what happened if you want my help.”

  “I thought that’s what I was doing,” Tami whined.

  “Okay, sorry. Go on.”

  “After dinner he invited me to his place, said he wanted to just kick back and relax. I thought it would give us some privacy, and you know, I really wanted to be available for sex if he wanted it”

  “And did he?”

  “I wasn’t sure at first. He poured us a drink, turned on the music, and we sat on the couch. I figured he would sit close and put his arm around me or something. He didn’t.”

  “Okay, so you’re sitting there drinking and not touching, what did he do?” I was right; this guy’s got no clue.

  “He told me I was beautiful.”

  “Hey, that’s a good thing.”

  “Yep, I thought so too. Then without any warning he threw himself on me.”

  “He what? How do you mean?”

  “I mean one second he was sitting there telling me I was beautiful, the next he was laying on top of me. I don’t even know how he did it.”

  “You mean he just jumped on top of you?” And, no class.

  “It was more like a lunge.” Tami moved sideways as if to demonstrate.

  “And you didn’t get any advanced warning he was about to lunge at you?”

  “None. He just landed on top of me and stuck his tongue down my throat.”

  “So he kissed you?” “How to Win a Woman’s Heart 101” I swear, they must teach this shit in high school.

  “If you could call it a kiss. It was more like him trying to see if he could find my tonsils, get past them, and slide down my throat.”

  “Honey, men’s tongues are not that long.” And, too damn bad too. I mean, imagine the possibilities. Enough, pay attention!

  “You asked.” Tami’s voice was sounding a little angry.

  Trying to keep her voice level so she didn’t upset her friend anymore, Nicole asked, “What did you do?”

  “I kept my mouth open and tried to push him off me.”

  “Did it work?”

  “Well, yes. He moved back a little and asked me what was wrong. I told him I thought we could cuddle first, maybe talk a little more, before we started kissing.”

  “Did he get mad?”

  “No, he was really great about it. Said he was sorry for rushing me and maybe it would be best if we started really slowly. I told him I thought that was a good idea.”

  “So he backed off.”

  “Yes, he pulled me closer and slowly kissed me. It was nice and I enjoyed it.”

  “Slow kissing is as fun as foreplay.”

  “Yes. But you told me foreplay lasts a long time.”

  “True.”

  “Well, it could only have been thirty seconds before he started grabbing my breast and squeezing.”

  “So he’s a fast mover.” A bumbling fool with no idea of how to treat a lady.

  “I never realized a man could kiss, unbutton a shirt, and unhook a bra, all in fifteen seconds.”

  “Some can.” Usually the dreamy ones.

  “He had my shirt and bra off without ever letting go of my lips.”

  “Were you excited?” No, don’t answer that. You couldn’t possibly be excited by this Mr. I-don’t-know-what-romance-is.

  “Remember when you told me about that little pit, deep down inside your stomach—the one that starts to ache when you desire a man?”

  “I remember.” Oh God, she was excited.

  “Now I know what it feels like. When his fingers touched my naked skin, it tingled. After he removed my shirt, and his hands massaged my breast, I thought the heat would explode. Is it always like that?”

  “If you’re lucky.”

  A wistful look crossed Tami’s face. “If he would have just kept kissing me, maybe things would have worked out better.”

  “What happened next?”

  “He moved his head down to suck on my tit.”

  “A very pleasurable new sensation you should have enjoyed.” If he managed to keep his teeth in place.

  “I did, until he put his hand up my skirt and started pulling my panties down.”

  “So he is not as smooth as I gave him credit for.” Which by the by, I didn’t give him much credit to start with. “Still, nothing about this sounds bad.”

  “Just wait.”

  “Okay.”

  “I wasn’t expecting him to touch me there, you know, on my…”

  “Pussy.”

  “God, how can you just blurt that word out likes it’s nothing, to talk about a … you know.”

  “Well I’m sure as fuck not going to call it a ‘you know.’ It’s a pussy, nothing to be ashamed of.”

  “Someone should invent a new name for it.”

  “Don’t get sidetracked here. Tell me what you did when he got your panties off.”

  “He didn’t get them off. When his fingers started to push up between my legs, I think I freaked.”

  “Freaked how?”

  “I slapped him.”

  Good girl, he was being boorish and deserved to be slapped. “Oh my God, you actually slapped him?”

  Her voice shook. “Yes.”

  “What did he do?”

  “He moved back into the corner of the couch and apologized. He said he really liked me and wanted to have sex, but didn't want to rush me and if I'd be more comfortable we could wait.”

  “Tami, my dear, dear friend, from what you’ve told me so far I don’t see a problem. He probably wants to do the make-out, feel her up kind of foreplay, and hold off on intercourse until you’re ready. It’s not the end of the relationship, sweetie. It will be fine, you’ll see.”

  Nicole noticed a frown start to form between Tami’s eyes, the line between her brows growing deeper by the second.

  “If
the story ended there, you might be right.”

  “You mean there is more?” God save me.

  She watched as Tami took several deep breaths, sipped her coffee, and tried to find a way to tell her what happened next. “Tami, did something else happen?”

  Dropping her head in her hands again, “Yes. We did it.”

  “Did what? Stop with all the moaning and groaning and tell me what it is you did!”

  “Oral.”

  “You mean a blowjob?”

  “I mean I put his cock in my mouth.”

  Nicole pushed back from the table a little. Lifting her cup, she took several swallows of coffee and ate part of her pie, all without taking her eyes off Tami, looking for a sign she was ready to continue. “Okay, take a moment to relax, then tell me the rest.”

  She could tell Tami was finding it difficult to tell her about what she’d done. It wasn’t as if Nicole hadn’t told her all about her own sex life. About the times she’d had orgasms and done kinky things. This was different though; Tami had been a virgin until last night.

  As Nicole watched, Tami finished her coffee and cake. Nicole waited for her to continue with her story, trying to be patient.

  “Okay, I think I can go on.”

  “Good, just take it slow and tell me what happened next.”

  “I told you he apologized for rushing me, which was really nice of him.

  If you say so.

  “As we sat at opposite ends of the couch, he said maybe we could start with oral sex.”

  “What did you say?”

  “I asked him how I was supposed to blow on his penis if he had clothes on. He laughed at me.”

  “I’m sure he wasn’t really laughing, Tami. He might have been surprised at your lack of knowledge.”

  “That’s what I thought at first, but he kept laughing. He told me he would need to take his pants off.”

  “This is not sounding bad, hon.”

  “It gets worse, trust me. I watched as he stood up and undid his pants. He took them off, but left his boxers on. I waited for him to take them off too It was actually a little exciting, and I wanted to see his penis.”

  “And?” I’m sure I told her what a cock looks like, and if not, I know she’s seen the fucking pictures on the calendar in my office.