Summary: Sebastian devises a plan that would put Kathryn in closer proximity to him but is that what he really wants?
Chapter 6: Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer
"Mother there's something I need to discuss with you."
I strode confidently into the downstairs drawing room where my mother was currently busying herself with the latest batch of invitations to yet another party. This was rather surprising seeing as I thought she left such trivial matters to one of her assistants while she went off to the spa. Actually I was taken back to find her at home at all but none the less I was pleased seeing I needed her help with my latest scheme.
Looking up at me she smiled warmly, an expression that always looked startling on her usually placid face. Then again if there was one thing Olivia Valmont loved more than her furs and diamonds, it was her only son. "Yes darling what is it?"
Reaching down I scooped up one of the heavy cream colored cards and studied it with only marginal interest. "What party is this for?" I sighed the boredom seeping out of my voice. "Another save the rare endangered animal of the week fundraiser?"
"No" she said with an amused smile playing on her collagen injected lips. "It's your father and I's anniversary next week."
"Oh" I grumbled tossing the invite down in disgust. Needless to say with my fathers constant philandering, my parents marriage wasn't my favorite topic of conversation. Especially with my mother.
Although she might appear rather daft at times she wasn't a moron, far from it. Looking up at her only son she studied me intently, "is something wrong Sebastian?"
"No, nothing" I replied, hoping to cover my tracks. "But is it absolutely necessary that I come?"
"Sebastian!" she exclaimed showing sudden emotion. "It's our twentieth wedding anniversary, half of Manhattan will be there! What would it look like if my own son didn't show up?"
It would look like he didn't want to go along with this farce of a family. The very idea of lifting my glass and toasting my parents along with the rest of the Upper East side crowd was stomach churning. Most everyone knew about my father's thing for young girls but of course no one said a word, including him.
I wanted to tell my mother the truth about my father. That his supposed late night dinners and business trips were all a ruse so he could go diddle his latest executive assistant. However I didn't but it had nothing to do with my fathers idle threats of boarding school. No the real reason, as sappy as it sounded was I didn't want to see my mother in pain. If she was to discover my father's infidelity it would break her and I wouldn't allow that.
So putting my snarky tone aside I forced a smile and said "don't worry mother I'll go, I was just kidding."
She seemed to let out a sigh of relief as I told her this. Smiling she went back to her invitations, "that's my good boy. Oh what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"
Oh yes I had almost forgotten. Almost.
Sitting down across from her in the antique lounger I stated "well it's about a friend of mine. You know the Merteuil's right?"
"Of course"
"Well then I assume you've heard about that most unfortunate problem they had with their newly installed sprinkler system."
My mother looked up at me and nodded sympathetically "yes it's terrible, the house completely flooded. I'm just so glad we had ours installed my a reliable company. Poor Tiffani, it will take her ages to get that place looking like it once did."
"Yes" I said trying to hide the smirk that so desperately wanted to appear. It was only a week since I flooded Merteuil manor and sure enough everyone now knew about the supposed disaster. Tiffani however had yet to come home from where ever it was she was hiding and Kathryn was currently screening my calls but something told me we'd be in touch again real soon.
"Sebastian" my mother sighed "I get the feeling you're going to ask me for something, what is it?"
I smiled at her as I sat up in my seat, "well I would like to extend an invitation for Kathryn to stay with us while her house is...drying out. As you know her mother is away on...business and most of her relatives are oversees so she really has no one to stay with. I think it would be the courteous thing to allow her to stay in one of your lovely guest rooms."
My mother had sat her pen down during the middle of my speech and was now fixing me with her knowing stare. Like I said Livia, as I insisted of calling her when I was being abrasive and or mean, wasn't an idiot and she knew me well enough to know I usually had some other agenda up my Prada clad sleeve.
"Let me get this straight dear, you just woke up this morning and felt a sudden need to be chivalrous to one of our more attractive neighbors?"
"Mother" I spat trying my best to appear incredulous "are you suggesting I have an ulterior motive to want to help one of my fellow classmates and oldest friends?"
"It wouldn't be the first time" she drawled. "Since when is Kathryn Merteuil one of your closest friends? I hardly ever see you two associate with one another."
That's because the little bitch couldn't stand her reputation being smeared by the likes of me but of course she'll go screw around with some arrogant Hollywood scum bag. "I guess you could say we've gotten a lot closer this summer. Come on mom, just call Ms. Merteuil up and suggest Kathryn stay with us. I mean think of how well it will reflect on the family if we take in one of the most respectable girls in New York."
"Hmm, I see" she replied carefully. "Sebastian your interest in Kathryn wouldn't happen to extend beyond her sparkling reputation would it?"
Knowing what she was implying I said in my best dead pan voice, "she has a boyfriend."
"Yes and if memory serves that's never stopped you in the past."
I let out a laugh as I got to my feet and strode up to her desk. "Mother, can you please just do this for me? I promise I have nothing but the purest of intentions where Kathryn's concerned."
I watched as my mother seemed to think it over. She purposely seemed to take her time rendering her decision, in fact if I didn't know better I would think she was enjoying tormenting me. Finally after letting out a deep sigh she called out "Stella, could you please find me the number of Tiffani Merteuil's cell phone?"
"Right away ma'am" came the chipper sound of their down stairs maid.
Looking up at me with an adoring smile she asked "happy now darling?"
I smiled "oh excruciatingly so."
* * * * * *
So it happened two days later I watched from the foyer window as a long black limousine pulled up to the front of the Valmont townhouse. A moment later the driver hopped out and quickly opened the back door. A set of smooth, bare legs appeared first followed by the full voluptuous form of Kathryn Merteuil. Wearing a strapless black dress she fixed the large sunglasses on her face before striding up to the front door with anything but a pleased expression on her face.
I waited until she stepped through the front door before greeting her. When Kathryn spotted me her scowl deepened and her posture stiffened even more if that was possible. For some reason seeing her obvious fury over the situation just made me smile more. "Good afternoon Kathryn. You're looking especially...edible today."
Pulling the glasses from her face she spat "cut the shit Valmont."
My pleasant smile changed to a smirk as I stepped even closer to her but I didn't touch her. "How about a little gratitude? I mean after I went through all the trouble of convincing my mother to let you stay here."
Moving towards me, her eyes flashing dangerously she snarled "I know you did-
"Oh Kathryn you're here" my mothers voice filtered down the hallway. As soon as she entered Kathryn's anger was quickly replaced with her fake charming demeanor. I watched this transformation with equal parts fascination and disgust.
"Mrs. Valmont" she replied sweetly as the two leaned in and kissed one anthers cheek. "Thank you so much for inviting me to stay at your lovely home. It was so kind of you."
"Well" my mother beamed "you should really thank my son. It was all his doing."
Kathryn's green eyes shot to me as her smile tensed for just a moment. "I bet it was" she replied. "Um, if you don't mind I'm feeling rather tired. I haven't slept that well since I moved out of my house and I'd really time to get some sleep."
"Of course, I completely understand. You can take the room across from Sebastian's."
I was a little surprised at my mothers suggestion but I didn't show it. Kathryn nodded as she bent to pick up her Louis Vitton bag. Reaching out I tried to take it from her, "I'll show you where it is."
Placing her right hand over mine she allowed her carefully manicured finger nails to dig into my skin until they almost drew blood. "That's quite all right Sebastian" she responded the hard look in her eyes betraying the smile on her face. "I'll manage."
As Kathryn pulled the bag from me she threw my mother one last smile before strutting down the hall towards her room. As we watched her depart my mother sighed "I hope you know what you're doing."
"Always"
* * * * * *
As it happened I spent most of the day away from the house. Kathryn either really was sleeping or she decided to stay in her room as a means of avoiding me. Either way there was no point in me hanging around waiting for her to sneak out, we would run into one another eventually.
Instead I spent a majority of the afternoon frolicking around the Plaza with the Hilton sisters. Sure they were sluts but they were easy scores and I needed to preserve my energies. Something told me I was going to need it when I finally ran into Kathryn again.
It wasn't until nearly midnight that I finally arrived home. After parking my car in the underground garage I came up the back entrance and after stopping by the kitchen for a little dinner I headed up to my room. Just as I reached the upstairs hallway though the sounds of angry whispers. "Jackson I can't leave" Kathryn hissed. "I told you mother is making me stay here while the house gets put back together."
"Right and she just so happens to be forcing you to stay at Valmont's?"
Jack was standing by Kathryn's bedroom door, twisting his jacket almost violently in his hands. I could have made my presence known at this point but I decided to stay hidden in the shadows in favor of watching this little confrontation play itself out.
Stepping out into the hall Kathryn rubbed her bare shoulders as she yelled at him, "he has nothing to do with this, believe me! God you have no reason to be jealous?"
"Jealous" he snickered "of Sebastian, please!"
"Oh come on" she pushed her voice dropping to a husky whisper as she stepped closer to him. "My room is just across the hall from him. His bed is only twenty feet away..."
"That's enough" Jackson barked grabbing her face. "Not another fucking word. He'll never touch you, not while there's a breath in my body."
Want to bet buddy? The prick was really fucking dellusional if he thought that. If he only knew about all the other touching I'd done to his precious Kathryn.
Taking him by the hand Kathryn pleaded "come back inside and forget about him, please?"
He pulled away from her roughly, "no I've had enough for one night. I need to be alone."
Without another word Jackson stormed down the hall in the opposite direction. "Jackson" Kathryn called out after him but he ignored her.
When I was sure he was gone I called out "well that was interesting."
She spun around at the sound of my voice and rolled her eyes in annoyance. Turning around Kathryn headed back into her room and tried to close the door. However I pushed my way in before she could. "What do you want?" she grumbled tossing herself on the bed.
I slowly circled the canopy bed located in the center of the room as Kathryn looked on impatiently. "Just wanted to make sure you were okay. What were you fighting about?"
"None of your business" she muttered as she started flipping through the latest issue of Vogue.
"Well if it concerns out little wager I think it does"
"Well too bad it doesn't"
I let out a frustrated sigh as I sat back on the bed beside her. "Do you still believe you're in love with him?"
Kathryn let out a short laugh "I don't believe anything." Looking up at me she replied coldly "I know I love him."
This was the first time she had admitted it even though it seemed to go unsaid in our last conversation. She loved him or at least she thought she did but I wasn't so convinced. Call me dellusional but I refused to believe Kathryn could change into some girl who could be swayed by the charms of Jackson Maguire.
Moving back on the bed I rested myself behind Kathryn and began to gently caress her bare arms. "No you don't" I whispered to her.
"Oh I don't?" she snickered. "Tell me Valmont what makes you the fucking expert on my life?"
"I'm not" I admitted. "But you're changing Kathryn and I don't like it. I want my friend back."
There it was, the real reason I had gone through all this trouble to get Kathryn here. It wasn't just because I wanted to win the bet or get her in bed. I missed her, the way she use to be before she started acted all sappy towards Jackson. For some reason I hadn't wanted to admit it before but now I had little choice. I had to shake her from this spell she seemed to be under.
Kathryn's body seemed to stiffen suddenly underneath my hand. "Nothing's changed"
"Yeah it has you just refuse to see it. Look what if I promised to lay off the overtures for a little while? I'll even keep my hands to myself" I explained as I took my hand off her hip.
I could see the corners of her mouth turn up in a smile as she responded "I think we both know that's an impossible task for you at best. Anyway this has nothing to do with sex. I love Jackson Sebastian and no amount of pleading or mind games will make me feel otherwise so just deal with it."
Feeling a wave of anger at her words I grabbed her once again only this time more rough and forceful. Pressing her body flush against mine I hissed in her ear. "There is still the matter of our bet though isn't there. Tell me has Jack confessed his undying love to you yet?"
"No"
I snickered "no he hasn't and with you living under the same roof as me that jealousy steak of his is bound to push you two further and further away. You don't have much time left which means it's looking more and more likely you'll end up in my bed after all. Then I'll have the added pleasure of telling your true love all about how I nailed you before he did. So tell me what will you do when you loose our wager?"
Pulling out of my grip Kathryn looked over her shoulder at me as explained in a cold voice "then I'll go to bed with you just as we agreed. I'll get in your bed, allow you inside of me, and close my eyes. During your whole five minutes of victory I'll imagine it's Jackson inside of me and his body wrapped around me."
Getting up from the bed she strut over to the bathroom and called out coolly "get out."
The wind at last taken out of my sails I did as I was told and left.
* * * * * *
"Once again I just wanted to apologize for my actions that night Jackson. You're right I was really drunk and I got into a fight with this chick earlier so I just took it out on Kathryn. I didn't mean anything by it I swear." In the midst of acting my little heart out I looked up at my supposed best friend with pleading eyes and asked "do you think you can accept my apology?"
It was a pointless question because I knew he would. If he didn't it would seem as if he believed I did really pose a threat to his relationship with Kathryn. It would make Jackson look weak and he wouldn't allow that. In truth that really was all our friendship was based on. Who was stronger than who.
Jackson who had been leaning against a folding table located in the small trailer that was currently acting as the makeup room on the set of his latest movie, he just stared at me cautiously for a moment. It occurred to me then Jackson was smarter than he looked. He wanted to see if I would falter, show my true colors but I didn't. At last he seemed to grudgingly smile, "yeah sure it's cool Valmont. I didn't think you were really after Kathryn anyway."
"Good" I nodded in satisfaction pretending to let out a sigh of relief. Maybe I should have been the one to become an actor.
He smiled "I'm sorry I hit you, I just get a little protective of her."
"You really like Kathryn don't you?"
I knew I was giving him an opportunity to reveal he loved her but I wasn't worried about that. Even if Jack really did love Kathryn he wasn't going to tell me. That's why I knew I would turn out to be the victor in this little wager.
Examining his reflection in the mirror beside me, Jackson ran a hand through his dark hair and said "yes I like her a lot. In fact I...I don't even care that were not having sex yet."
Bullshit! "Wow, then you are a much bigger man than me. I don't think I could stay with a girl for that long if she wasn't putting out. Even if I was really into her." It was funny as I said it I realized how wrong I was. How long had I know Kathryn? How long have I wanted her, and we still hadn't gone to bed? Yet I was still after her. However I told myself it was just the thrill of the hunt and then shook the thought away.
"Well like I said I-"
"Mr. Maguire" a small guy carrying a clipboard popped his head into the trailer "the producer wants to talk to you."
"I'll be there in a second" he called out. Turning to me he smiled apologetically "sorry about this but I got to get back to work. How about you and I get together for a drink later?"
"Sure" I agreed "I'll talk to you later."
"Cool" Jackson turned to leave but stopped at the door. "Hey Sebastian thanks for coming by today. It means a lot."
I nodded in response but as soon as the door closed behind him I rolled my eyes and grumbled "moron."
"Well if I didn't know better Sebastian I would think you didn't like Mr. Movie star all that much."
Looking to my left I saw Charlotte come out of the bathroom wearing only a small terry cloth robe. "And they say actresses aren't bright" I drawled.
Charlotte simply snickered at the comment as she slipped into her canvas chair and began removing her makeup. While pulling her long red hair into a bun she said "by the way I've been meaning to thank you about the job. Quite the career opportunity for me but unfortunately for you it doesn't look like Jackson's going to dump his girlfriend anything soon."
"You've made no progress?"
"Sorry sugar but he's just not interested." Standing up she slowly undid her robe and let it fall quietly to the floor. As I eyed her naked form she asked "you wouldn't happen to know anyone who is would you?"
Although it was more than tempting I had other things on my mind at the moment. "Haven't we already been down this road before?"
Walking over to me Charlotte rested her hands on my knees and leaned in till her mouth was only an inch from my own. "I was thinking" she purred "maybe we should consider a sequel. Up for it?" She accented the word up by grabbing my dick through my pants and giving it a light squeeze.
Looking down at her hand I muttered "possibly."
Charlotte grinned as she moved closer and flickered her wet tongue over my earlobe. "Definitely" she whispered huskily.
Oh fuck it
* * * * * *
"Well as much fun as this has been, I have to get going" Charlotte sighed as she climbed out of the pool.
Treading water as I watched her gorgeous ass exit the pool I laughed "should I be insulted that every time we have sex you immediately flee the scene afterwards?"
Grabbing a fluffy white towel off the stack folded nicely by the edge of the pool she carefully dried off her naked body. "My leaving has nothing to do with your...abilities" she snickered. "I'm suppose to meet with the director and some of the cast for dinner tonight and I'm already late."
I swam to the latter and began to pull myself out. "You better run along then" I advised.
"This was fun" she smiled pulling her dress on over her head "perhaps we should do it again sometime."
Sliding a hand to her waist I replied "perhaps."
Actually it had found it to be quite a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. Charlotte was more than a decent fuck and she was generally fun to be around, sort of like Kathryn use to be before that stick became permanently wedged up her ass. Following a hand job in the trailer I invited Jackson's costar back to my place. Instead of going to my bedroom where I was sure Kathryn might try to interrupt I suggested the indoor pool for a little skinny dipping. This proved to me much more entertaining than screwing around in my bed for an hour or so.
Once she finished dressing I pulled Charlotte back to me and into a kiss. Still naked my burgeoning erection hit against her sex causing her to moan against my mouth. As she broke away she sighed "I have to get going." Looking down at my dick she asked "ring check?"
"We'll see" I replied arrogantly to which she smiled and turned to leave.
As I watched her walk out the glass doors and stood in silence realizing that I wasn't alone. Without turning around I knew who this person was hiding in the shadows but I wondered how long had she been here? Had she watched Charlotte and me fuck? The thought brought a smile to my face.
Turning around I found Kathryn standing behind me on the balcony that overlooked the pool. As I did I could feel her eyes brush over my naked form and could practically see the ends of her lips trying not to curl into a smirk. Any other girl would have turned away at the sight of a naked guy or apologized even but this was Kathryn. She didn't operate like anyone else.
Wrapping the towel around my neck I asked "enjoying the view?"
Smiling she replied "it has it's advantages."
"How long have you been spying on me?"
"Relax Valmont" she sighed as she descended the stairs. "I only caught the last act of your little...whatever with that little-"
"Watch it" I warned teasingly "that's a close friend of mine you're talking about."
"Close friend?" she repeated in disgust. "You fucked her once and correct me if I'm wrong but I thought you already scratched that particular itch where she was concerned?"
I grinned "I guess it started up again."
"You don't actually like her do you?"
"What if I did?"
Kathryn stepped closer to me her eyes now openly eyes my dick which was hard as a rock. In fact if she stepped much closer it was liable to hit her in the stomach. With a coy smile on her face Kathryn remarked "I didn't realize I had such an uplifting effect on you."
It was taking up myself control not to grab her and crush her body against mine. Instead however I kept my grip on the towel around my neck. "You have all sorts of effects on me" I told her coldly.
"I can see that" she said as she moved until our bodies were touching. "I've been thinking that if you were to win this bet it might not be so bad after all. It might even be fun."
"Really."
Kathryn nodded as she began to trail a finger down my chest and lower abdomen. "Yes, I mean if Jackson really doesn't love me then I don't see the harm in going to bed with you. Just the idea of us rolling around in that big bed of yours, naked, sweaty, it's making me very...wet and you're obviously very..."
"Hard" I finished for her through clenched teeth as I desperately tried to suppress a groan. She was just inches from my throbbing prick and I could already imagine her hand wrapped around me.
"Yes you are" she agreed inching even lower. "My body is just trembling at the mere thought of feeling you inside me. However" her hand stopped just as it reached my sex "since the odds of any of this happening are slim to none..." Kathryn looked down and said "down boy."
Practically trembling from the lust she brought up in me then quickly squashed I looked up to find Kathryn staring at me with a triumphant grin. She obviously was quite pleased at her ability to play me but I was not amused. "Bitch" I snarled.
Kathryn only laughed before turning on her heels and heading out the door. However I had had it up to here with getting shit on by her. Deciding to exact a little pay back on her I grabbed Kathryn roughly by the shoulders and pushed her fully clothed ass in the pool. She hit the water with a loud shriek. As she rose to the surface she yelled "you son of a bitch!"
"Good evening Kathryn" I said with a dismissive laugh as I tossed my towel to her. On my way out Jackson suddenly came through the door and stared at me funny when he realized I was nude. I simply chuckled, patted him on the back and said "she's all yours."
Fuck 'em
- to be continued (Please Review)
