Welcome to Part 12 of The Emerald Lady.
When I published chapter 11 I mentioned briefly that my writing ability and creative thought had suffered recently due to a few personal problems. I was most touched when nearly everyone who reviewed the chapter gave some form of acknowledgement or kind wishes regarding this situation. Thankyou so much to you all, it is most comforting to receive such kind words. Just for anyone who was concerned or interested, my circumstances are getting better everyday and this slight sticky patch is resolving nicely. The fact that I am once again writing with great enthusiasm is testimony to this!
As always, thankyou so much for your reviews, nothing makes me happier than to read your feedback. Please keep the comments coming.
So to return to chapter 12 - the past few chapters have been quite eventful so its now time to slow down a little and enjoy these characters. I enjoy writing dramatic and exciting happenings but equally love to pause and just linger of these characters and their situation. I sincerely hope you all like these slower and more reflective chapters as well.
All characters are the copyright of their creator Quentin Tarantino.
WARNING! Some sexual content.
Enjoy.
Emmanuelle had fallen asleep on her side, facing away from Landa. The bed covers were ruffled around her feet, exposing her body to Landa who lay beside her. He was gently running his finger along the length of her body, starting at her shoulder and ending at her buttock, enjoying the contours of her womanly shape.
Landa had never been too fussy about body shape or looks in his female lovers, but he found this particular body extremely appealing. Emmanuelle was slim and slender, her limbs lean and soft. Her body nipped in at the waist before moving out again into the full curve of her hips, creating the feminine silhouette that Landa always found most appealing. Her buttocks were surprisingly curvaceous for a woman of her build, unusually round and firm for such a slender body.
Very gently, Landa pushed down on Emmanuelle's hip in order to manoeuvre her onto her back. He sighed contentedly as his eyes roamed over her body and looked at her skin. Emmanuelle had beautiful skin; smooth and pale with barely a mark or blemish upon it. Her skin was perfect and exquisite and Landa once again ran his fingertips gently over her, enjoying the silky sensation. He ran his fingers gently over one breast, keeping his touch light so as not to disturb her. Her breasts were perhaps slightly smaller than he usually preferred, but the firm youthfulness in them more than made up for it.
Landa focussed on Emmanuelle's sleeping face, struck suddenly by how peaceful and relaxed she looked. He was once again unnerved by the swell of affection that glowed gently in his stomach. He rarely felt much affection or emotion towards his conquests, and when it did occur he found the experience slightly unsettling. Landa had often wondered why he was able to enjoy sex and sexual pleasure so much whilst love and romance had eluded him his entire life. He suspected it was something to do with his career which required the very purposeful detachment of actions and feelings. Landa had learnt early on that in order to excel in the SS, all emotional reactions and responses to his actions had to be suppressed. He remembered very clearly as a young soldier killing a man for the first time, sending a bullet through the head of a suspect who was about to attack a senior officer. He had received a pat on the back and considerable praise for his swift and efficient actions. But Landa had found himself shaken and emotionally unprepared for the consequences of taking another man's life. A period of soul-searching and questioning had taught him that a man who wished to climb the military ladder needed to put aside all feeling if he was to carry out necessary actions.
Landa had become an expert at this, fulfilling all his duties perfectly and never once again experiencing that sick, shaky feeling which had hit him in the days after killing that first man. He now suspected this frame of mind had infiltrated into his private life, allowing him to enjoy the pleasures of another person's body whilst rarely feeling any emotional attachment towards them.
There were rare exceptions to this trend. Landa has sometimes felt the occasional tenderness towards Hellstrom, despite the fact that the boy's main function was purely to provide sex. There was sometimes something about his needy eyes and desperate expression that pricked Landa's heart and persuaded him to shower some tenderness on him, as opposed to simply physical pleasure. And now that same feeling was clouding his relationship with Emmanuelle.
She was so young, much younger than his other lovers. Landa had found more in recent years that he had begun to attract women who were younger than him. It seemed that many women appreciated a lover with some considerable experience and Landa had enjoyed the pleasures of a number of women younger than himself. But Emmanuelle was far younger than the women he usually slept with. Landa was once again hit by the strong paternal glow he had felt for her once before, a reminder of that deep and most private fantasy the existed in the recesses of his mind.
Suddenly aroused, Landa gently slipped his fingers between Emmanuelle's legs, stroking the folds of delicate flesh. She was still extremely wet and sticky, her skin drenched with the mixed fluids of their sex. Landa was sorely tempted to pull her legs apart and taste the intoxicating mixture that lay there waiting. This temptation was beginning to outweigh the pleasure of watching her sleep, and Landa's stroking became more determined.
Emmanuelle stirred, sighing softly and moving her legs slightly apart to give him better access. Her blonde hair was spread out of the pillow, glowing in the sunlight that streamed through the window, giving her an angelic appearance. Her sweet prettiness aroused Landa even more, the innocence tarnished with the knowledge of what carnal sex she was capable of.
"You're irresistible," Landa whispered as he parted her thighs and moved downwards.
Shosanna has only just completely awoken before the first long, wet lick made her sink back into the pillow with a moan of joy. Landa moved with such exquisite care and tenderness, every motion seemingly geared towards giving her pleasure. What struck Shosanna was that he seemed to get just as much enjoyment from giving her pleasure as she did from receiving it. She had always assumed men only did things like this to their women as they felt obliged to give them some enjoyment. She clearly had a lot to learn about sex and Landa was proving to be a very adept teacher.
Despite the wonderful feeling of Landa's tongue against her most intimate self, Shosanna was feeling the urge to have him once again. She leaned down and grabbed his shoulders, pulling him to indicate what she wanted. Landa looked up in surprise, the sight of his lips glistening with her moisture making Shosanna tingle with excitement.
"I want you again," she said, smiling lazily down at him.
"Again?" Landa said with a slight laugh.
"Please," she said in a low and seductive voice.
Landa found her impossible to resist. He slowly moved up and lay on top of her, sliding himself inside her as he moved into position. They both sighed in unison at the pleasure and relief of being united once again. Landa was tired and Emmanuelle was clearly in an equally lethargic mood, her arms loosely wrapped around his shoulders and her body unmoving beneath him. Their two bodies were worn out and exhausted, drained of all energy from their previous energetic encounters.
Landa moved gently with minimum effort, revelling in the relaxed warmth of such lazy lovemaking. How rare to find a woman that was happy just to lie peacefully with him and enjoy the sensation of him being inside her. Emmanuelle seemed to feed effortlessly off his presence, her pleasure fuelled by the simple touch and proximity of his body. Landa gave her neck a playful nibble and she squealed in response, the gentle brush of his teeth tickling her flesh. The touch of her neck reminded Landa of that strange, wondrous night when she had stayed at his townhouse, when his animalistic side had taken over and he had hurt her with harsh slaps to the face. Landa was a man of varied and complicated sexual tastes, aroused by both violent and gentle lovemaking. The tenderness that existed between them at this moment suggested that Emmanuelle was an equally deep and complex person.
The reminder of that passionate night spurred Landa into action and he started to thrust harder, Emmanuelle groaning every time his tip hit her deep inside. Landa didn't even attempt to make the experience last for longer; he craved nothing more than release. With a heavy sigh he came, Emmanuelle gripping him tightly around the neck as he throbbed inside her.
When the pulsing sensation had passed, Landa withdrew, wincing very slightly as he realised he was feeling slightly sore. Even for someone of his voracious sexual appetite, today had been quite a strenuous day. He grinned privately to himself as he realised he had experienced both of his current favourite lovers in the space of a single day. He was a lucky man to be surrounded by such willing bodies.
Shosanna wrapped her arm around Landa's waist and buried her face into his bare chest. His skin was hot and slightly damp with sweat, the very fine smattering of hair rubbing against her cheek. His body smelt of the musky aroma of masculinity, mingled with the slight fragrance of some sort of soap or toiletry. More than ever, Shosanna felt the need to cling to Landa at this moment. Despite the warmth of bodily satisfaction, the dull ache of sadness and loneliness still resided within. Marcel was gone. He has left her and now she had no one. He had left her because of Landa and because he could not understand the confused emotions she needed to work through. To push Landa away when she was at her most lonely and vulnerable would be exceedingly foolish.
"Hans?" Shosanna asked suddenly, an impulsive thought coming in her head, "would you stay here with me for a few days?"
Landa looked at baffled. The question had clearly taken him completely by surprise.
"I am on constant duty, Emmanuelle," Landa said, "I have to be at my townhouse. Of course I cannot stay here."
Shosanna sat up, wrapping the covers over her chest.
"Then let me stay with you, just for a few days," she said.
Landa surveyed her curiously through narrowed eyes.
"What about the cinema? What about your work?" he asked.
Shosanna dismissed this with a wave of her hand.
"Please Hans," she said, more desperately this time. "The cinema doesn't matter. I just need to be with you for a few days."
Landa smirked.
"Perhaps not a very prudent decision with Reichsminister Goebbels coming up," he said.
Shosanna balked at this comment. In all the extraordinary events of the last few weeks she had totally forgotten about the film premiere. The premiere was what had started all this in the first place! Could it really have only been such a short time ago that she had found herself feeling physically sick at the sight of Hans Landa as he chatted away over that piece of strudel? It had happened so recently, and yet now Landa was sharing her bed. Shosanna wrapped the blanket tighter around her naked body, suddenly more acutely aware than ever that she was now the lover of a Nazi Colonel. But this was not the time to think about that.
"It really won't matter, for a few days," she said.
Landa shifted onto his side in order to look at her properly, keen to see what reaction his next comment would provoke.
"What about your employee?" Landa asked slyly, "could he not take over for a few days?"
If she was made uncomfortable by the mention of Marcel, she hid it well.
"He's gone away," she replied instantly, "his mother is ill. He'll be gone for quite a while."
Landa resisted the urge to laugh out loud. The ease with which lies tripped of this girl's tongue was quite remarkable. She hadn't even blinked whilst saying that pile of nonsense.
"Oh dear," Landa said with mock concern, "I do hope he will be back soon."
Clearly keen to move away from the delicate topic of Marcel, Shosanna gave Landa the most endearing look she could muster.
"Please, Hans?" she pleaded quietly.
Landa rested his head back onto the pillow in order to think for a moment. As much as he enjoyed sharing the bed of an attractive woman, he was also a man who highly valued his privacy and space. Landa knew he was slightly selfish at heart; his townhouse was his place for solitude and reflection and he had never liked the idea of another person occupying it with him. He had allowed plenty of individuals to spend the night there so that they could enjoy a pleasurable night of sex, but no one had stayed with him for a prolonged period. Landa studied Emmanuelle's pleading face, her need evident and hard to resist. Surely a few days would be tolerable? It could even prove to be entertaining.
"You may stay with me for a few days, Emmanuelle," Landa said slowly, "but on a few conditions."
Shosanna nodded eagerly, clearly ready to agree to any rules she was presented with.
"I have a very busy and important job," Landa continued solemnly, "therefore, in my house you must agree to do exactly what I say. If I need you to go out, to stay out of sight whilst I handle visitors or even return here if I need you completely out of my way, you must agree and promise not to argue."
Shosanna nodded again in enthusiastic agreement, her unwavering obedience stirring something in Landa's stomach. She was like a little girl, dutifully agreeing to the rules of her father.
They both got up shortly, washing and dressing before preparing to leave. Shosanna had quietly peaked at Landa through the crack of the open bathroom door, voraciously consuming his naked body with her eyes as he quickly sloshed warm water over his clammy skin. Ever the alert detective, Landa had spied her shadow against the wall instantly and continued washing with feigned unawareness, gaining immense pleasure from flaunting his body for her. Once they were both dressed, Landa had stood in the bedroom patiently whilst Shosanna hastily packed a small bag with some essential items. She did not pack much, only some basic items of clothing and her make-up. Landa pursued her wardrobe with interest as she roughly folded some daytime blouses.
"Bring a nice dress, Emmanuelle," Landa said, "just in case we have time for a proper dinner."
Shosanna flushed with pleasure. Landa was so sophisticated and exciting.
"You choose one," she said.
Landa raised his eyebrows and gestured towards his own chest.
"Me?" he asked with exaggerated surprise.
Shosanna laughed and nodded encouragingly.
Landa stepped forward and began moving his fingers through the clothes. Emmanuelle clearly did not have a great deal of money; most of her clothes were basic and some looked worn and old. Her eveningwear was certainly severely limited. Landa did not mind; he already had in mind the item he was looking for.
"It has to be this one," he said as he swept her emerald green cocktail dress from the back of the wardrobe.
Shosanna smiled wistfully at the dress, remembering the nervous and scared girl who had put on that dress before undertaking her first date with Hans Landa. The girl she had been that night seemed further away than ever.
"You know how much I love you in emerald," Landa said smoothly as he folded the dress carefully and placed it in the top of her bag.
Once they were both ready, they left the cinema, Landa waiting whilst Shosanna locked the front doors. She was relieved to get away; the place had been fraught with so much tension and hatred recently that some temporary escape was a relief.
Shosanna descended the front steps with Landa, surprised to see Hermann waiting with the car. She wondered if Landa had brought Hermann with him and made the driver wait outside until he was ready. Shosanna felt embarrassed to think about it, the idea of Hermann waiting patiently outside, fully aware to the obvious fact that his superior was having sex inside the building.
Landa held the back door open for Shosanna before climbing into the front. He had spoken to Hermann earlier that morning and arranged for him to collect him outside the cinema. Landa had arrived in the square earlier with Dieter Hellstrom, but that vehicle had been used during the arrest of Marcel. Landa wondered how Hellstrom was getting on with Marcel. If anyone could force a false confession out of an innocent man, it was Dieter.
"Mademoiselle Mimieux is staying with me for a few days, Hermann," Landa said, addressing the driver, "so there's no need to drive her home again."
Hermann gave his usual non-committal nod, devoid of any reaction or opinion of this information. Shosanna was curious as to what the driver truly thought. Despite his impassive persona he was still a man with a brain and heart. She wondered what he thought of Landa and, more importantly, what he thought of her. Shosanna felt her spirits dampen as a little voice inside her head told her exactly what Hermann probably thought of her. Undoubtedly he regarded her as nothing more that the Colonel's whore, servicing his needs upon request. Shosanna shook off this thought. It didn't matter what Hermann thought; her life was complicated enough without being concerned about a manservant.
It wasn't long before they were sitting outside Landa's house, Hermann exiting the car swiftly in order to open the door for Shosanna and politely take her bag. She thanked him which was received with a stiff little nod. Landa unlocked the door and all three stepped inside the house.
Shosanna had only seen the house once, but she was shocked to realise how little she remembered of it. Perhaps her anxiety at being in Landa's home that night had clouded her ability to acknowledge the detail of the house.
"Where would you like this, Standartenführer?" asked Hermann, gesturing towards Shosanna's bag.
Shosanna felt herself cringing, waiting to see if Landa would order the manservant to place her belongings in his bedroom.
"The spare room, Hermann," Landa said lightly, "the one at the top of the stairs."
Hermann nodded curtly and immediately ascended the staircase. Landa waited until he was out of earshot before moving closer to Shosanna and smiling suggestively.
"Of course, I sincerely hope you don't choose to actually sleep in that room," Landa murmured smoothly under his breath.
Shosanna laughed.
"No, I have a feeling I'd prefer to sleep somewhere else," she replied coyly, surprising herself with her blatant flirtatious behaviour.
Landa grinned widely, the gleam of arousal burning in his eyes once again. He looked as if he were just about to kiss her before Hermann reappeared.
"That will be all, Hermann," Landa said efficiently. "Tomorrow morning at 8am, danke."
Ja, Standartenführer."
Auf Wiedersehen, Hermann."
When they were alone, Landa gently took Shosanna's hand and led her into the sitting room. She sank comfortably into the sofa whilst Landa prepared them both drinks. She sighed contentedly. For the first time that day she was feeling relaxed and happy.
"I hope you don't mind, Emmanuelle," Landa said as he sat beside her, casually clinking his glass against hers before drinking, "but I'd like you to wear your emerald dress tonight for dinner."
Shosanna raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"You want me to dress up nicely for you, Hans?" she replied mischievously, enjoying Landa's appreciative smile.
"Well of course!" he said playfully, "but in actual fact I have a guest coming to dinner. We have a short piece of business to discuss but after that it would be delightful for the three of us to dine together."
Shosanna's glass froze in midair.
"Guest?" she inquired, a sudden nervousness gripping her body.
"Yes, a guest," Landa continued cheerfully, "I'm sure you'll recognise him when you see him. He was present when you met Reichsminister Goebbels. We're having Sturmbannführer Dieter Hellstrom as our dinner guest."