Opposing Forces (18 page)

“Sabina is a regular visit to Maisie’s apartment and she will detect if her brother has been there.  So far, nothing.”

They sat at the table after Gaston had finished setting it.  “I am attending a party in Bern next week. It’s a big affair at the Fontainbleu.  Will you come as my guest?”

“I’d love to.”

“There is a chance that Hubert might be there. Would that bother you?”

“Absolutely not.  Anything I felt for him died over twenty years ago.  The man is an embarrassment to his family and his office.”

“In that case I shall enjoy highlighting what a fool he has been and how lucky a man I am.”

“What are your plans over Christmas?”

“I said I would visit my daughter in Lucerne.”

Bettina laughed. “Such a shame, I am spending it with Steffen and Sabina in Lausanne. Well, Christmas lunch anyway.  I imagine Sabina will be keen to spend the latter part of the day with her mysterious boyfriend and so I guess I’ll probably head home shortly after.”

“Perhaps we can reserve Boxing day for ourselves?”

“Definitely.”  Bettina’s life was getting better each day.

They talked again for another hour before Pierre lured her back to bed.  Not that she needed any persuading. 

Sabina sat in her apartment deep in thought.  Philippe was due to pick her up shortly to go to the cinema and then on to dinner.  She had been on several dates with him now, all had gone really well, but he had not yet made that final move.  Not that she was desperate for sex.  Actually she was, but with Philippe.  He only allowed contact to go so far before he made his excuses to leave.  She was starting to worry whether he had a problem in the bedroom department.

She knew she would be wondering all the way through dinner whether or not tonight would be the night, and then try to manage the disappointment when he left.   She needed to tackle this issue sooner rather than later. If he did have a problem, she needed to know about it.

A short while later he was leaning against the doorway into her bedroom watching her collect her things.  A perfect opportunity she thought to address the matter.

“Do you find me attractive, Philippe?” she asked out the blue.

“You’re beautiful, Sabina,” he responded.

“But do YOU find me attractive?  Sexually attractive?” she reiterated.

He shifted a little uncomfortably.  “Of course, I do.”

Time to dive in with both feet, Sabina told herself.  A moment later her dress slipped to the floor and she was left standing in front of him in just her underwear.  He stood frozen to the spot, unable to take his eyes off her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Perhaps then you might show me?” she whispered in his ear.

His mouth never left hers as he peeled off his clothes with remarkable speed.  Sabina was buzzing with anticipation as he carried her to her bed.

“Are you sure about this,” Philippe murmured as his mouth trailed down to her breast.

“Ooh, yes,” she squealed as he tweaked her nipple.

She ran her hands over his back, it was taught and smooth.  Something rather hard was pressing against her leg, her hand slid down to explore.  Philippe let out a deep moan as she stroked him.

“Dear God, Sabina.  Have you any idea what you do to me?” he growled huskily.

“I think the feeling is mutual.” She rolled on top of him and felt her pulse quicken further as she looked down at his handsome face filled with lust.  “I hope you’ll forgive me but I’m not in the mood for extended foreplay,” she murmured in his ear, her hot breath driving him crazy.

“I’ve no complaint at all,” he said huskily as he grabbed hold of her hips and thrust up.

Sabina arched and let out a gasp.  Hell, that felt good.  They moved together well, both wanting to reach their first climax sooner rather than later.  They could take all the time they wanted for the second.  She had a feeling Philippe could go many times in one night.

Philippe lay on his side, getting his breathing back to normal.  “I got the distinct impression you didn’t want to see the film.” He could not wipe the smile off his face.

Sabina stroked his bare chest.  “I’m sorry. I was worried you were avoiding the bedroom for some reason.”  Her hand wandered down his body.  “But everything does seem to be in full working order.”

He rolled on top of her.  “Perfect working order, my dear.”  His kiss made her go all weak again.  “I did not want to rush you and scare you off.”  His mouth trailed down her neck.  “But I apologise if I held back too long.  An error which I am keen to rectify again and again.”

Sabina let out a small moan of pleasure as she felt his thighs push hers apart. Round two.  It seemed he did not need much recovery time.

“How about we take things a little slower this time,” she sounded a little breathless.

“My thoughts exactly.”

“Tell me about your family,” Phillippe asked as he lay curled up with Sabina in bed.

“There’s not a great deal to tell,” Sabina responded a little evasively.

“Just something so I know they exist. You never mention them at all.”

“I am close to my mother, but she is starting her new life in Lucerne so although we talk plenty, I haven’t seen a great deal of her recently. I think she might have a new partner.”

“Does that bother you?” Philippe stroked her bare arm.

“Not at all. She deserves some affection in her life.”

“What of your father?” He felt her flinch at the mention of him.

“I loathe the man, we have no contact.”

“Your brothers?”

“I don’t want to ruin a very good evening by talking about my rather dysfunctional family.  If you’re going to continue with your questioning, Officer Thevenez, I might have to handcuff you to the bed before gagging you.”

Philippe quickly cottoned on that discussing family was a no-go area with Sabina, especially her father.  “And there was I thinking you were such a nice girl,” he grinned pulling her tight to him. 

“Whatever gave you that impression?” She rubbed her leg against him, impressed that he was already hard again.  The guy certainly had staying power.

“I can’t think,” he groaned rolling on top of her. 

Sabina had a definite spring in her step the next morning as she made her way to lectures.  Actually it was a miracle she could even walk; Philippe was insatiable. Every time she thought back to the previous evening, her stomach flipped over.  It has certainly been worth the wait.  She glanced at her phone, there was a text from him asking if he could see her that night.  She wasn’t about to say no.

Hubert was having a quiet dinner with his friend Franz Von Gruber.  It was good to get away from Jacqueline’s incessant talking about nothing of significance.

“You are looking well for a divorced man,” Franz acknowledged.

“That’s because I’m getting screwed every night by a beautiful young woman,” Hubert retorted.

“And was it worth throwing aside thirty-five years of marriage for that?  Bettina was a very classy woman.”

“Damn right it was. Besides, she was the one who left, not me. She can rot in misery for all I care.”

“But this affair cannot last, this woman is the same age as Sabina. It has already raised many an eyebrow in our circle.”

“It’s just jealousy that I can keep a young woman satisfied,” Hubert shrugged.

“It is not seemly for a man of your age to be with such a young woman.”

“Don’t try to sound so pious, Von Gruber.  You’ve had your string of mistresses over the years.”

“Yes, but I’ve been discreet and they were not the same age as my children.  You are flaunting your affair quite brazenly.”

“It’s not an affair as I am no longer a married man.”

“I think you will find that our society will start to close ranks, Hubert.  Jacqueline is not of the same class as us and not welcome at many of the dining tables we grace.” 

Hubert had noticed that his endless supply of invitations had dried up considerably.  “I am not with her for her scintillating dinner talk, Franz.  I would therefore not take her to such dinners.”

“Nonetheless, many of our friends are uncomfortable with the situation.  They believe you to have breached an unwritten moral code.”

“I don’t give a shit what they think. It’s my life and I’ll live it how I wish.”

“You are also a Senator, need I remind you.”

“And I do a damn fine job, thank you.  My personal life has no bearing on my position in the Government.”

“Again, I would disagree, my friend. You need to be more discreet.”

“Did you come here just to give me a lecture, Von Gruber, or are we actually going to eat and have an adult conversation?”

“Of course.” Franz called over the waiter to take their order.  “How is Sabina doing?”

“How am I supposed to know,” he shrugged.  “The idiot girl doesn’t speak to me.”
 

“I have asked Charles to take her out to dinner the next time he is down in Geneva.  If their engagement is going to go ahead, they really should spend some time together.”

“Then perhaps you would be having this conversation with Bettina. She is still in contact with the useless child, I think.”

“And you wonder why Sabina does not talk to you,” Franz rolled his eyes.  “Do you have anything complimentary to say about her?”

“No. The only thing she is good for is uniting our two families. Now let’s raise a toast to that.”

Hubert had not appreciated the lecture from his close friend, but was not about to alienate him. Franz carried tremendous weight in Government and he needed his support.  Perhaps Franz was right in that he should tone down his relationship with Jacqueline.  But she had to make a few public appearances with him as he could not turn up unattached to some events.  He was not looking forward to having that conversation with her.  She had already moaned about his new apartment; a beautiful two bedroom penthouse in the financial district was not good enough for her. She wanted a mansion.  Had Bettina not taken over half his worth, then he might still be living in said mansion.  Just thinking about his ex-wife left a sour taste in his mouth.

“Come on, Maisie.” Zara impatiently dragged her along the street.

“I’m coming,” Maisie grunted.  “If you were in such a hurry, why didn’t you leave me in the comfort and warmth of my apartment?”

“Because you need to get out. You won’t tell anyone what’s bothering you so as your friend, it is my civic duty to drag you and make you smile at least once on this trip.”
 

“Then stop bitching.  It’s wet and damn cold.  Where are we headed anyway?”

“Champagne cocktails at the Palace, then checking out Bon Genie’s new Christmas section, before finishing with a long and boozy lunch at La Dolce Vita.”

It did sound good to Maisie, but she was not going to say so.  “Stop yapping then and lead on.”

“So are you going to spill your guts on what’s wrong?” Zara asked once they were seated in the plush cocktail lounge of the Palace.

“Nothing’s wrong,” Maisie lied.  “I’ve just been working rather hard and think I’ve probably burnt out a bit.”

Zara flapped her hand dismissively. “I’ve known you long enough to know you don’t burn out so easily.  I’ll ask the question again after I’ve poured a bottle of wine down your throat.”

Maisie laughed despite herself.  “I thought you were supposed to be trying to cheer me up, not give me the inquisition.”

“At least I’ve put a smile on that sad face finally. Now get that cocktail down your gullet, we have Christmas shopping to attend to.”
 

“Yes, ma’am,” Maisie poked her tongue out before draining the glass.

Maisie refused to admit it, but she was having fun.  Even when Zara stuck a pair of flashing Christmas antlers on her head and took a picture. 

“What are you buying your parents this year?” Zara asked.

“I’m not nearly drunk enough to think about that.  I usually wait until I’m absolutely paralytic then pick up the nearest thing.  Last year I think it was handmade lace and linen bread roll baskets.”

Zara laughed.  “Any reason you pick such vile gifts?”

“Yeah. I used to put a lot of thought into it. My mother would open the gift, sigh and frown before plastering the fakest of smiles on her face.  It would always end up in the basket for the charity shop, so I stopped bothering.”

“In that case, you can spend more on my gift. I am so very appreciative of all donations.”