French Kissing: Season Two

by Harper Bliss

  “No. Most definitely not.” She intertwined her fingers and deposited her hands in her lap. “I’ll take you home on my bike later. Now, tell me. What’s up?”

  Nadia sighed. “Dievart kept subtly hinting at our night together. I don’t think she meant anything by it. She clearly has her sights set on someone else. But it has thrown me nonetheless. And because of her, I’ve been on Juliette’s bad side for days. Well, that and something I said about her father.” She paused to shake her head. “When does it ever end? And can you believe that Juliette would want to add a child to this mix?” Nadia looked around the living room. “Do you have something to drink? Something strong.”

  “Oh, sure.” Margot’s hostess skills weren’t completely up to scratch either. She’d simply forgotten to offer Nadia a drink because she, herself, needed to abstain. “Brandy?”

  “Whatever you have open.”

  Margot headed to her liquor cabinet, which had been mostly stocked by Claire over the past few months. It gave her some time to find a response to Nadia’s questions, which were, really, impossible to reply to.

  “There you go.” Margot planted a modestly filled tumbler in front of Nadia.

  After she had sat back down, Margot rubbed her chin pensively. “I’m guessing Juliette will come around about Dievart. Just be completely honest with her about everything. And don’t dismiss her feelings about it. Keep the dialogue open.”

  Nadia scrunched up her eyebrows. “Keep the dialogue open?” she repeated, her voice shooting up.

  Margot held up her hands. “I don’t know, Nadz. Please tell me you only came here to vent, not to get my highly qualified relationship advice.”

  “I just needed to see a friendly face. Mission accomplished.” Nadia tilted her head and shot her a smile. “But I don’t want to keep you from a hot date with Claire because of it.”

  “Claire can wait.” The words rolled out of Margot’s mouth. “She’s not a child who needs her every whim satisfied on the spot, just because…” Margot didn’t want to say it out loud again.

  “Keep the dialogue open,” Nadia offered; they both burst out laughing.

  “How about we take a taxi to the Porte Maillot and I have a glass of brandy as well?” Margot hadn’t realised she needed to see a friendly face as well.

  CLAIRE

  “What time did you get in?” Claire had woken up decidedly pissed. She’d kept herself awake long past midnight, waiting for Margot.

  “I’m sorry.” Margot didn’t even bother to lift her face out of the pillow. She smelled of half-digested booze. “Nadia needed…” The rest of what she said didn’t make it to Claire’s ears.

  “All very well, but I need to get to work now.” Claire probably shouldn’t have called Margot out of the blue like that. Were they even still girlfriends? Either way, they needed to talk.

  Margot rolled onto her side and shot Claire the most heart-breaking look, her lips in a pout and her eyes barely visible through the slits she drew them in. “How about lunch?”

  “Come to the office?” Claire started mellowing.

  Margot perked up her head a little, indicating that she knew what Claire was getting at. Because of their short but painful break-up, it felt as though they’d had to skip the honeymoon phase of their relationship, and were thrown into a crisis that their early connection was too fragile to withstand.

  “I’ll bring food.” Margot curled her lips into a smile. Even hungover and sleep-deprived she still looked good enough to eat. Claire loved the sight of Margot fully relaxed like that, her body sinking into the mattress. She had to fight the urge to run a fingertip over the curve of her back.

  “I don’t suppose you want to join me in the shower?” Claire traced a finger over Margot’s shoulder instead. She really didn’t have time for this, but she couldn’t help herself. This innuendo was a test as well. Of what, she wasn’t sure, but Margot’s response seemed essential to something.

  “I do, but I’m not sure I can.” Margot stretched out her arm in a slow movement. “I’m so tired, baby. You have no idea.”

  “What was up with Nadia, anyway? Was it about that neurosurgeon? Juliette’s been in a foul mood for days because of that.” Claire could hardly blame her.

  “Please tell Juliette not to worry about Doctor Dievart.”

  “Where and when have I heard that before?” The words left Claire’s mouth before she could stop them.

  “Don’t. Just don’t.” Margot shrugged Claire’s hand off her shoulder.

  Was she supposed to apologise now? Had Margot not said something exactly like that to her after Inez’s return? And look at them now.

  “Look—” Claire started, but Margot cut her off.

  “I can’t have another one of these conversations right now. I just can’t, Claire.” Margot hid her face in the pillow.

  Claire sat there watching her, a sinking feeling in her gut. Margot looked so vulnerable with her skin exposed and her hair covering most of the pillow. “I didn’t mean to say that.” It was the best Claire could manage. A half-hearted attempt to break the stalemate situation they were in.

  Margot’s only reply came with a turn of her head to the wall, facing away from Claire. Claire knew she held the cards, that it all depended on her ability to forgive and look past Margot’s mistakes. “Please come by the office later.” She briefly extended her arm, wanting to touch Margot, but withdrew at the last second.

  * * *

  Claire had kept her calendar free, but had not dared to expect Margot to turn up at noon, a paper bag with two baguettes in her hand. She still looked a little worse for wear, but she had come.

  “I’m sorry,” Claire said immediately, leaning back in her chair.

  Margot held up her hand. “I know we need to talk, but let’s try something else first.” Claire liked the sound of that. Margot deposited the sandwiches on a cabinet and locked the door behind her. Door locked? That was new. Although, perhaps, to be expected. Claire imagined Margot’s confidence had been knocked considerably by the whole thing, and she lacked enough of it now to keep the door unlocked. What was she doing thinking this? It was thoughts like these that kept their relationship from recovering. If only Claire knew how to stop them. But if it was all that easy, she would just do it already.

  “Stand up,” Margot commanded. Maybe she had come to regain her confidence.

  Claire did as she was told and rose from her chair.

  “Hands on your desk. Bend over.” The look on Margot’s face didn’t invite contesting. Claire complied with Margot’s request, planted her palms on her desk and jutted out her behind. A tingle descended from her belly to her crotch. “Don’t move an inch.” Margot bored her black eyes into Claire’s. It made Claire’s breath hitch in her throat.

  They stood frozen in silence for a few seconds, before Margot headed towards Claire’s desk and stood behind her. Not being able to see Margot turned that earlier tingle into a throbbing sensation. With slow, deliberate movements, Margot started to hike up Claire’s skirt. It was tight around her hips, and when it finally shifted over her behind, it left Claire exposed in just her panties to the window behind her. Jesus.

  Claire opened her mouth to protest, but closed it before she could say something. She knew better. She heard a rustling sound from behind and perked up her ears to try to identify it. Seconds later, Margot deposited her leather belt on the desk in front of Claire. The gentle throbbing between her legs turned into violent pulsing.

  With one swift movement, Margot pulled Claire’s knickers down. Then, nothing again. Just air meeting the skin of her behind and the sound of Margot’s steady breath filling the room. Claire’s breath wasn’t that steady anymore. Margot had never spanked her before, and now she was going to start… using a belt?

  When Margot raked her fingers over Claire’s ass, her knees buckled a bit, and Claire had to steady her palms on the tabletop. She was certain she was as wet as when she’d tied Margot to her bed. Touching herself was not optiona
l now though. Margot had taken charge the way she used to, making Claire obey.

  Margot kept caressing her bottom. So gently Claire started to forget the possibility of leather cracking down on it, but the belt in front of her was a heady reminder. Then Margot retracted her hand, and it was just Claire’s skin exposed to the air—and the window—again.

  Whack. Margot’s palm connected painfully with her right cheek. Claire winced and braced herself. The next slap arrived quickly, and again Margot didn’t hold back. Claire couldn’t suppress a yelp as Margot’s hand landed on her other cheek.

  The spanking didn’t miss its effect on Claire’s other body parts. Blood travelled rapidly to her clit and her skin lit up with a smouldering fire. After a few more smacks, Margot stopped as abruptly as she had started, leaving Claire’s bottom stinging and, to her surprise—or perhaps not so much—craving more.

  Margot’s hand appeared in her field of vision and grabbed the belt from her desk. Bolts of lightning now raced through Claire’s blood. Before Margot used the belt, she brought her hand between Claire’s thighs, not to offer her any sort of relief, but to push her legs farther apart. Claire’s pussy lips zinged with anticipation. Only a few more slaps, and she was certain Margot would pay attention to her aching clit.

  The first blow of the belt landed hard just below her buttocks.

  “Jesus,” Claire hissed, forgetting where she was for an instant. Until it came back to her that she was in her office, employees running around outside. She hadn’t even asked Fred to field her calls, but hoped he would have known what to do when he saw Margot turn up.

  “Do you think you deserve this?” Margot’s voice surprised her. “Do you?”

  Was she supposed to answer?

  Thwack. The leather connected with Claire’s pussy lips, and pain shot through her flesh.

  “Answer me,” Margot commanded.

  “Yes,” Claire said without a doubt. Although they’d need to have a discussion about who deserved what later.

  “Or do you think I deserve it?” Was Margot kidding her? Was she hoping to have a much-needed talk now? That was hardly fair.

  “No,” Claire sputtered. Margot followed up with another blow to her swollen, sensitive pussy lips. Was it the wrong answer? Did it matter? Claire’s mind stopped working as the blows kept on coming, one after the other, sending a rush of exquisite pain through her body.

  When Margot finally stopped, and Claire thought she heard the belt drop to the floor, she didn’t bring her fingers to Claire’s cunt as she had expected. Instead, she bent over Claire and found her ear with her lips.

  “Come to mine after work. Do not touch yourself. I repeat: do not touch yourself. I will know if you have.”

  “W-what?” Claire twisted her neck to face Margot. “No. Come on.”

  “You heard me,” was all Margot said, before crouching down and picking up her belt. She let it slide through her fingers before looping it through the hooks on her jeans, and clasping it shut as if it were the most normal action in the world.

  “I suggest you don’t work late tonight,” Margot said as she headed to the door.

  By the time Claire had composed herself to fully register what had just happened, Margot was gone. After she’d pulled up her panties, painfully aware of her engorged pussy lips and clit, and adjusted her skirt, she sat down and immediately shot back up. How the hell was she going to get any work done this afternoon if she could barely sit?

  STEPH

  Seeing Dominique had shaken Steph, but she remained convinced she had done the right thing. She was walking towards Claire’s office to discuss Sybille—a matter she believed she should leave Juliette out of, especially because Jules had been awful company the past few days—when she ran into Margot. The doctor looked flushed. And was that a sheen of sweat on her brow?

  “Hey,” Steph greeted her. “Came to service the boss?”

  “Hm.” Margot didn’t seem to be in a very talkative mood.

  “Is she in good spirits at least?” Margot could take a bit of jesting. She wouldn’t turn up at Barbier & Cyr if her relationship with Claire wasn’t on the right track again. Steph made a mental note to ask Claire to go for a drink tonight so they could catch up and Steph could ask her all about the status of her relationship.

  “Go see for yourself, Stéphanie.” Margot was one of the few people, apart from Dominique, who had a habit of addressing Steph with her full name. Maybe it was a top thing.

  “Nice talking to you too, Doctor.” Steph slanted her head, trying to gauge Margot. She didn’t consider many women to be out of her league but Margot was definitely one of them—a fact she’d made abundantly clear when Steph had first tried to hit on her. Steph didn’t have any trouble rising above that.

  “Sorry, I’ve had a lot on my plate lately.”

  “No biggie.” Steph shot her a warm smile. “I think I know what that feels like.”

  “Yeah.” Margot shrugged uncomfortably. “I know I’ve never really taken the time to get to know you better, Stéphanie. I’d like to change that.”

  “Oh.” Steph didn’t know what to say.

  “Not like that,” Margot joked. “You’re one of Claire’s closest friends. We should hang out some time.”

  Hang out? The doctor had never really struck Steph as a person who spent her free time hanging out. “Sure.” She nodded. “I’d like that.”

  “You should come kick boxing with me some time. It’s great—”

  “Let me stop you right there, Doc.” Steph held up her hands. “The only exercise you and I will be engaging in together will be lifting drinks. Deal?”

  Margot shot her an awkward grin. “If you say so.”

  “Actually.” An idea started dawning on Steph. “Are you free today? I’d like to run something by you.”

  “It’s my day off.” A sparkle of renewed interest glinted in Margot’s eyes.

  “Can I buy you a drink at Le Comptoir? This is mostly business-related, by the way. A matter of getting a semi-outside perspective on something.”

  “You’ve sparked my curiosity. How can I refuse?” Margot squared her shoulders, stood a little taller. The sweat on her forehead had dried up. Steph would have to wait to ask Claire what they’d been doing in her office. Somehow, the thought of asking Margot didn’t even occur to her. As though she knew for certain the mysterious doctor would never answer that question.

  “Let’s go then.” Steph led the way to Le Comptoir.

  Once seated at a snug table inside, Steph shouldered off her blazer and eyed Margot. “I’m just having a coffee. Need to keep a clear head.”

  “I’m driving,” Margot replied. “I’ll have the same.”

  Steph placed the order with Tony and considered how to put her dilemma. “You were there when the news broke about Dominique and me. Has Claire told you anything more about who we suspect is behind the leak?”

  “Ah.” Margot tapped her fingers on the table. “I was wondering what this would be about.” She drew her lips into a grimace before continuing. “As long as you’re not asking for romantic advice, I’ll do my best to give you my ‘semi-outsider’ opinion.”

  Steph waved off her comment. “I know that lines get blurred easily at our company, but trust me, this has nothing to do with romance.”

  “Okay.” Margot nodded slightly. “Shoot.”

  Steph explained about Séverine Marechal and Sybille’s suspected involvement, and how she’d offered to lure the latter out of her comfortable hiding spot at Johnson PR.

  “Can you be more specific?” Margot asked. “What are your exact plans?” Margot had the expression of someone who already knew what her conversation partner would say next, but didn’t want to spare them the agony of saying it.

  “Sybille is seducible. I think I can get her to talk.” Steph squirmed in her seat when she said the words.

  Margot regarded her in silence for a few seconds. A loud silence that expressed everything that needed to be said. “That’
s your plan?” she asked after a while. “Fight fire with fire?”

  “Well, yes, I guess.” Tony offered her some respite as he brought over their tiny cups of coffee. “There aren’t that many other plays here.”

  “So it all comes down to your irresistible charm?” It came out with a sneer. Margot paused to sip from her coffee. “Look, Stéphanie, we are not close friends… yet.” Margot rested her dark eyes on Steph. “But you asked for my opinion and I will give it to you straight. Your plan is not only seriously flawed, it’s also ridiculous.”

  “Oh really?” Steph felt her hackles going up, despite knowing, somewhere deep inside of her, that Margot was probably right—and that she needed to hear this.

  “First of all.” Margot fanned out her fingers and held onto her index finger, counting-down style. “Why would you think Sybille would be susceptible to your charms this late in the game? Surely she’s smarter than that, seeing what she pulled off already. Second, if she really does know more, it’s highly unlikely she’ll tell you. Third, and this is the most important one in my view, why would you even consider putting yourself out there in that way? Do you really think so little of yourself?” She reached her middle finger and shook her head. “Does Claire agree with this strategy?”

  “Reluctantly, I guess.”

  “Honestly, I can’t believe I’m hearing this. What kind of company is Barbier & Cyr that it would allow one of its employees to engage in such activities?”

  “I guess you were the wrong person to ask.”

  “Ask for what exactly? Validation?” Margot seemed to be getting her knickers in a twist somewhat. “I think you knew exactly what you were doing when you asked me, Stéphanie.”

  Steph shook her head. “You and I are very different people.” Steph had already finished her coffee and was ready to leave.

  “Oh, that goes without saying…” Steph braced herself for another round of being judged—although, from what she knew, the good doctor was the last one who should be judging anyone else’s actions. “But has it occurred to you that you might not be the same person you were before you met Dominique?”