Marie had a hard time keeping up with Gambit in the crowded club. He moved with a definite purpose and direction. Marie stumbled behind him, having no sense of direction at all. He had told her to stay close before they entered the club and she was trying, but he weaved through the crowd far better than she could.
She was already in a bad mood before they left, and Gambit was not helping to improve it. He had set her up again in yet another embarrassing position. Fawning and writhing all over him was not her idea of a good time. She had a deep loathing for the man in front of her right now and wanted nothing more than to be difficult and uncooperative. Definitely moves that would get both of them in trouble.
Someone knocked her from her path and over to the side, sweeping her into a tight, packed crowd of dancing, gyrating bodies. She frantically looked around for Gambit. She couldn't see him anywhere amongst the dancers. Strobe lights and florescent glow sticks played tricks on her vision. Just when she thought she could see him, the lights would flash and he'd be gone. The more she tried to get off the dance floor, the further onto it she seemed to get. Had he even noticed she wasn't behind him anymore?
She felt an arm tightly grip her waist from behind. Someone wanted a dance—or something else. She raised her hand to knock the overzealous man away only to have her hand caught in mid air and yanked down. She was moving with her captor through the crowd.
"I told you to stay close to me," Gambit growled in her ear as he firmly led her by the waist off of the dance floor. "And for God's sake, look like you're attracted to me."
Marie hid her anger and plastered her best doe-eyed and dreamy look on her face. If she had any allies in this room, it was him, so it was in her best interest not to piss him off. It was his game, his rules, and she'd better play by them. He'd been completely edgy and uptight since they got to the club. This made him mean.
Marie did not like the tone of voice he took with her. If he thought she was going to take that, he was wrong. Although her options to make her feelings known were slim. Her pride was hurt and her patience with him was gone. She was doing him a favour by playing along as his whore for the evening. He could at least be marginally polite. She could have made a huge fuss or scene here, but she knew better.
A barbarous plan rolled through her mind. He wanted her to fawn over him, so she'd fawn. Oh, she was going to fawn really well. He couldn't be upset with her for doing what he'd told her to do in the first place.
Marie smiled affectionately up at him. He gave her a tight smile back. So unaware that anything was amiss with her. He'd be sorry all right. In one fleeting, glorious plan she would even the score once more, and teach him a lesson that she wouldn't be trifled with. She'd show him amusing at best.
It came as no surprise to her when they reached a narrow staircase leading up to what she assumed was a back room or a V.I.P. room. Either or, it would be private. Gambit went first, sliding his hand from her waist to her hand, gripping it tightly as he walked so as not to lose her along the way again. He led her along a narrow catwalk to a room with a beefy mutant standing guard.
He gave Gambit a nod. "Gambit," he greeted curtly.
"Avalanche." Gambit nodded.
Marie paid no attention to the other mutant. He looked affronted when she gave him a bored glance, returning her attention to Gambit. All eyes on Remy—that was the game. He was supposed to be her only interest. She playfully trailed her hand lightly up and down his arm.
Avalanche opened the door for them and Remy took her inside, slipping his arm back around her waist. She curved one arm around him, and with the other, she wistfully trailed her fingers along his chest. He looked pleased with her cooperation.
It looked like a V.I.P. room. It was lushly decorated in a sleek, modern décor. Remy sat down with her at a rounded corner table with booth seats so Marie could sidle up nice and close to him. The other side of the table had plain metal chairs. They were currently the only people in the room other than a waiter, who came by once they were seated. Marie once again, paid no attention to him.
"Scotch on the rocks and a Shirley Temple for the lady," Gambit ordered.
She dug her nails into his arm.
"What? You told me you didn't drink," he murmured in her ear, like he was whispering sweet nothings instead.
She gave him a sugary smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Let the games begin…
She let her arms hang adorably around his shoulders as she trailed her lips along his neck up to his ear, so close he could feel her breath, but not close enough to touch his skin. She leaned in closer, letting her lips graze his earlobe as she spoke in a low, husky purr. She could have sworn he flinched.
"Don't try my patience tonight, Gambit."
"Ooh, Dangerous Marie. I like it." He nuzzled softly against her ear and spoke in a teasing tone.
Marie ignored the shivers that seductively danced up her spine and continued with the game. She began to slide one hand delicately down his chest, resting it firmly on his thigh. His eyes flickered with the faintest red glow. He hadn't even begun to see Dangerous Marie yet. She was just getting started.
He glanced down at her hand with a cocky half-smirk. "So, you've played this game before?" he asked with the hint of a challenge.
Wordlessly, she smirked back and like pure liquid, she flowed effortlessly onto his lap. She was now straddling him face to face, and enjoying the colour rising to his cheeks as her skirt rode up her legs, bunching suggestively at her thighs.
It was a bold move, and she refused to actually think about what she was doing. This is not embarrassing, she kept telling herself. She was a seductress this evening. If she said it enough times, she hoped she'd soon believe it.
His hands were on her newly exposed thighs like moths to a flame. He always did seem to have an interest in her legs. It took all her concentration to maintain neutral to his touch. His hands were warm against her, almost too warm, like they radiated energy. It was an odd thought. Perhaps it was just too warm in the room.
She leaned in very closely to his lips before speaking in the softest whisper, "I've played this game before. And won," she answered, gently taking his now dropped-in-shock bottom lip in her teeth, nipping roughly before pulling away.
He was completely stupid if he thought she had no idea as to what she was doing. She may have only experimented with Bobby, but she'd still had at least one practice round in the art of seduction. It was enough when fueled by her imagination and revenge.
He swallowed hard as he stared at her bespelled, his mouth halfway gaping in awe. His hands were firmly planted on her thighs. She'd thrown him off his game. It was written all over his face that he hadn't been expecting her cooperation so easily in 'fawning' over him.
Or that she'd be good enough to actually enthrall him.
He was lust drunk and seemed to forget that this was his game as he leaned in close to kiss her lips. She artfully pulled away from him, leaving the faintest space between their mouths.
"Chere—" It was barely a sound.
Someone cleared their throat behind them and Marie heard the cold, metal chair scrape across the floor.
"Always have to take the booth don't you?" A blubbery voice resounded behind her.
Marie slid off of Gambit's lap, keeping herself tucked under his arm. She turned to see the largest man she'd ever seen in her life. The chair he sat on all but disappeared beneath folds and layers of fat. The man was a blob of flesh, a human blob. Horrified, Marie quickly averted her eyes back to Gambit, burying her face into his neck and leaving kisses here and there to hide her revulsion. She was almost thankful she was only supposed to be interested in Gambit, because if she had to stare or converse with the blob in front of them she thought she might be sick.
"Dukes," Gambit said lazily, stroking Marie's side carelessly. "Where's my money?"
"Where's your blonde?" Duke's laughed. It was a repulsive gurgling noise. "I don't think I've ever seen you with a brunette. Don't tell me you had to settle."
It took every ounce of Marie's willpower not to take her lips from Gambit's neck and say something to the abomination sitting before them. She continued playing with the nape of Remy's neck. Every so often she'd hit a spot and he'd involuntarily twitch, but for the most part, he carried on as though she wasn't even there. She was disappointed that her spell over him was broken.
"It was short notice and on a week night. She's the best I could do," Remy answered blandly.
At his words, Marie briefly stopped trailing her lips across his neck. She tried ignoring what he'd just said, but in the end it only resolved her mission for the evening. How dare he? He really had some nerve.
Their drinks arrived. Marie ignored hers.
Gambit noticed and tipped his mouth close to her ear, whispering so only she could hear, "Don't you want your drink, ma petite?"
She returned the favour in his ear. "I suppose I'll have a sip since it's the best you could do," she whispered venomously.
His breath was seductively hot against her ear. "Play nice, chere." He cleared his throat, addressing Dukes again, "The money, Dukes."
Gambit reached for his drink, and Marie eyed him carefully, planning her move for just the right timing. The minute the liquid touched his lips and he was about to swallow, she moved her hand from his lap and firmly to his crotch.
He choked on his drink.
Dukes let out his gurgling, repulsive laugh as Remy's eyes teared up from the burning in his lungs. He coughed and wheezed in an undignified manner.
"Forgot how to drink or how to swallow?" The man laughed harder.
Remy only glared.
"Oh! Baby, are you alright?" Marie said in a sickeningly sweet, high voice.
"Fine," he muttered, regaining the use of his lungs. "Just went down the wrong way."
"Aw, my poor, poor Gambikins," she coddled.
Marie straightened up, maneuvering onto her knees in the booth and reached up to pet his hair. She purposely shoved her breasts into the side of his face while doing so. His eyes widened in surprise. The hand he had around her waist yanked her back down sharply. She was back to sitting dolefully by his side when his lips were once again against her ear.
"Cool it, chere. You're making things very hard for me right now. No pun intended," he hissed angrily in her ear.
She was sure he was absolutely furious with her right now, and she was secretly delighted. She decided to let him regain his peace of mind, and nestled herself back in the crook of his neck. This time, she let her tongue softly explore the sensitive skin around his collar. He exhaled deeply, calming back down. She grinned wickedly to herself. Soon she'd start her antics up again.
Dukes tossed a tightly rolled up wad of bills on the table in front of them. Remy picked it up, pulling the elastic band off and counted quickly.
"I said double up front," Remy said dangerously.
By Marie's count, he was already holding thirty one-thousand dollar bills. She'd never seen a single thousand dollar bill, let alone thirty all at once. Remy wanted sixty thousand for whatever he was going to be doing.
"You know I can't do that, Gambit," Dukes answered impatiently. "You and I both know you'd take off with the cash and not do the job. Half now, half when it's finished."
"Shame you know me too well." Gambit smiled, flashing his pearly whites viciously.
"Fool me once, shame you. Fool me twice, shame on me," Dukes answered with a bitter edge.
It was Remy's turn to laugh. With Dukes' last sentence, Marie confirmed that Remy had cheated this guy once before. Out of how much money? She had no idea, but Remy did just thrown down almost thirty grand on a new car…
"Fair's fair." Remy saluted, holding up his scotch and once again bringing it to his lips.
Marie moved her hand back to his crotch. He didn't choke on his drink this time. Fast learner. He turned and gave Marie a brilliant smile. She smiled back, moving her hand away. Silly, naïve Remy had once again thought he'd bested her.
She turned from his gaze and slowly traced her lips up to his ear while simultaneously slipping her hand back on to his crotch, this time rubbing him ever so slightly. With perfect timing, she moaned his name in his ear.
A soft 'oh' escaped his lips. He was hard within seconds. His heart rate quickened along with his breathing. Marie fought back a laugh when she noticed just how often Remy was swallowing. He was trying so hard to look unaffected by her touch—they did have company. For Dukes' part, he seemed pretty dim witted and had no idea Marie was pushing Remy's control to the limits. In fact, Dukes was talking business while Remy desperately tried to pay attention. It was good fun watching him squirm.
She rubbed harder.
With a shaking hand, he was gulping down his scotch and trying to take the edge off.
Dukes stopped talking and frowned at him as Gambit slammed the empty glass on the table while he whimpered slightly.
"Are you okay?" Dukes asked suspiciously. "You're all sweaty and twitchy."
"Fine!" Remy answered back, his voice cracking. His hand nervously balled into a fist and tapped the table as though he were trying to decide something.
Marie went for the button of his pants.
"Bon Dieu!" he exclaimed in a moan.
With breakneck speed, he was stumbling out of the booth and dragging Marie with him to the men's room. If he pulled her any harder her arm was coming out of the socket. Dukes looked severely annoyed. Marie guessed he'd figured it out by now.
"Jesus, Gambit can't you fuck her after?"
"No!" It wasn't a human sound.
"You never had to leave in the middle of a meeting with a blonde!" Dukes yelled after him in anger.
It was music to Marie's ears.
When Remy dragged her into the bathroom, it was the first time she realized there were now other mutants in the V.I.P. room. A man was at a urinal, staring at Remy with envy as Remy yanked her into an empty stall with him, locking the door. His hands and lips were on her faster than lightning. He couldn't keep his hands still; his fingers roughly digging into her thighs, his mouth eagerly gnawing away at her neck. She had him right where she wanted him. He thought he was getting laid. She had set his lust into overdrive.
She managed to get her hands in between their bodies, placing them on his chest and gave him a good, hard shove. He smacked into the side of the stall. He was panting, trying to catch his breath while her hand moved down to his pants pocket. She slid her hand in. He shivered, closing his eyes in ecstasy. She pulled out the wad of cash and slipped it neatly into her purse with one hand, while she worked his button and zipper with the other.
"This is incredible." He moaned in sheer pleasure.
She pressed her body up against his as tightly as she could, letting him rub against her. And now for the killing blow…
"Are you sure it isn't 'amusing at best'?" she asked coldly.
His eyes snapped open in confusion. It was the most perfect moment when he realized what she had said. The crushed look on his face made all Marie's efforts worth it. His disappointment was replaced quickly with amazement.
"You're evil," he said in awe.
"And you love it." She grabbed his member roughly. "And this right here proves it."
He gave her brilliant, unabashed smile. "If you need further proof...we are already here, might as well finish it, non?"
She was pushing the lock on the stall door and stepping out of the closed confinement.
"I'm not having sex with you," she said plainly to him.
"Like not in the men's bathroom or—"
"—ever," she finished for him as she started to walk away from him.
"Come on, chere, admit it. You're just as turned on as I am," he called after her. "I'm irresistible to you."
She stopped and turned around to face him with a seductive smile, and strolled back to him. God, he looked good right now. He was grinning like the Cheshire Cat—a sexed up Cheshire Cat.
She walked right up to him and whispered in his ear, "Remy." She sighed like a cat in heat. "Can you do me one favour?"
"Anything." His voice was thick with lust.
"When you jerk yourself off in this stall, don't think of me while you're doing it," she said in sugar coated venom.
He gave a shocked laugh, like he couldn't believe he'd just walked right into that one.
She'd bested him.
"I can't promise that, chere," he called after her, still grinning wildly as she walked towards the door. "Ma Belle Dame sans Merci."
"Good night, Remy," she answered flatly, not bothering to turn around.
He was laughing. At least he wasn't a sore loser. She was sure he never took his eyes off of her until she was out the door.
Head held high, she walked to the exit of the V.I.P. room, passing their table where Dukes sat.
He leered at her with his beady, little piggy eyes.
"That was fast," he commented.
"You're telling me," she answered dryly, not bothering to stop.
All she could hear was that awful, gurgling laugh as she exited the room. Remy was in for one rough night.
Author's Note: When Remy says "Ma Belle Dame san Merci" he is referencing the John Keat's poem 'La Belle Dame sans Merci' or the 'The Beautiful Lady without Mercy', in which a knight is ensnared by a femme fatale and left to die alone in the woods. It is generally translated as a poem of unrequited love and a slow demise.