Chapter 10 – Date Night?

26th December 2012 – 21:20 pm

Amour sans fin Chalet

The rest of the day had hurried through. Lauren had gone back to the chalet on the first minibus to prepare the group's dinner. She wanted to be fast so that she could get ready for her date with Bo. Bo had already told her that it was definitely on for tonight. Rainer had finally left, so no more fake dates, only real ones.

The dinner was served up, eaten, and cleared away within an hour of the group arriving back. Lauren had made nachos with homemade guacamole, sour cream and salsas and a Mexican buffet of sliced cooked chicken, grilled flank steak and spicy king shrimps on a sizzler. All accompanied by an array of mixed vegetables and a pile of freshly baked flour tortillas.

Lauren may have gone overboard with the Mexican flag spread as a tablecloth or even with the tequila mousse for dessert. Still, the reaction she got when they walked in was worth it. They all stood by the table and took plates full of her food and felt a sense of pride in her work. Almost guilty that this wasn't her real life, she could get used to it. She took herself away from the group and started to clean up the kitchen.

Bo noticed that Lauren sometimes went from happy and smiling to excusing herself to the sanctuary of her kitchen and made a mental note to ask her about it. She felt she would become distant, almost as if punishing herself for smiling. Bo wanted to get to know Lauren more. After all, she had already planned in her own head that Lauren was soon to become a big part of her life. Bo wanted to support and help her with her demons, just as she was doing with her.

Evony and Massimo went back upstairs, with Massimo carrying the brandy and whisky decanters with him. Tamsin stayed on the couch and put on the TV. One channel showed American TV shows, which she liked to watch while finishing off a bottle of wine.

Bo picked up the tea towel and began drying the plates from the draining board.

"Hey, sit down. That's my job." Lauren playfully flicked her finger at Bo, causing washing up bubbles to fly in her direction. "I'm the hired help here. I'm here to do that, so you don't have to."

"Well, the quicker it's done, the quicker we can leave here. I've been thinking, do you mind if we stay in and watch a movie if I promise not to talk through it?" Bo placed the dry plate on the side and eyed Lauren, who hadn't replied and was just looking back at her to continue. "The TV crews and reporters are still here, and I don't want to hide you."

Bo ignored Laurens' request to sit down and picked up another dish to dry.

"Sure, I have hundreds of films sorted into a folder based on the genre in my room. If you still fancy a change of scenery, you could come over to mine? So, if you fancy a bit of action tonight, then I'm your girl." Lauren knew she was giving a double innuendo and was enjoying this new phase of their relationship.

"Well, I do like action," Bo giggled. "But I'm finding the British accent rather sexy lately. How about a Brit Rom-Com?"

"So, you like the accent, hey?" Lauren leaned over and kissed Bo's cheek, temporarily forgetting where she was. "Okay, as long as it's not Notting Hill, I can deal with that."

Lauren took the towel from Bo and folded it over the drawer handle. "All done, shall I meet you there in, say twenty minutes, which will give me a chance to finish up here, get home for a shower and change?"

"Okay, but I don't know the way to your room." Bo looked down sheepish. She had hoped they would go together.

"Of course, erm okay. I will quickly mop the kitchen and dining room floors, you get ready and change or not, up to you, and we'll walk up together." Lauren suggested.

Bo looked happier with the plan, "Excellent. I'll be just a few minutes."

"Hey, Bo, before you go." Lauren swayed closer to the brunette, earning a smirk in return, "in case I forget to tell you later, I had a good time tonight."

Bo smiled, recalling the words that she had said to Lauren on Christmas Eve. Bo leaned in, closing the gap between them. Soft lips brushed together, dancing as one. Hand moving slowly, roaming, and exploring each-others bodies until breathing became an issue, and the pair reluctantly pulled apart.

"Wow," was all that Bo could muster.

"I don't know how much of the film we'll be watching tonight, but I definitely can say you won't be talking through it," Lauren added with a smug grin. "I have better ideas for your mouth."

"I'll. Be. Quick."

Lauren raised her eyebrows.

"I mean, quick to change, not that I'm expecting us to do, well, erm, erm, not straight away anyway, erm—" Bo fumbled with her words and blushed.

Lauren couldn't help but smile, "it's okay, Bubba."

Bo leaned her head into the crook of Laurens' shoulder, "I'm sorry." Bo was feeling nervous. She had never been on a date with someone she already felt a connection with and was petrified that she would ruin it.

As if Lauren could read her mind, she softly spoke, "This is new for me too. We'll take it slow."

Bo looked up and grazed her lips against Laurens'. "Thank you."

Bo stepped out just five minutes later, having had a quick shower, and changed into a pair of black jeans, an oversized white tee, and a large winter jacket. Her wardrobe was relaxing more since Lauren brought up her designer collection and her dislike for fur, "Ready."

Lauren stepped out of the kitchen and joined Bo as they walked to the front door.

"Does Evony know you're leaving?" Tamsin popped her head over the couch.

Bo turned to face her, "No, I don't need permission to go out, Tam."

"Just checking," Tamsin shrugged. "Not my business what you do, but what if she asks where you are?"

"Just say I've gone out and will see her at breakfast," Bo replied.

"So, you're not planning on returning tonight?" Tamsin asked, pleased to get a blush from both Bo and Lauren with her question.

Bo clenched her fists. "I meant that when I do come home, at whatever hour, that I won't be marching up to her room and announcing it. So, therefore, I will see her at breakfast."

Tamsin grinned. "Yeah, that's what you meant. Well, you have fun and don't get caught." Tamsin returned to lying on the couch.

Bo took Laurens' hand and walked them outside.

"She's such a bitch. She'll no doubt tell Evony the minute she can." Bo was walking fast along the walkway, pulling Lauren behind her, unknowingly in the wrong direction.

Lauren had to tug her hand to stop her. "Bo, first of all, I don't live this way. I live up there." Lauren pointed over her left shoulder, and Bo noticed a row of small chalets in the dark, except a few with lights on. "And secondly, what if Tamsin does say something, what does that mean?"

"It means nothing." Bo picked the pace back up, this time in the right direction. "If Evony finds out we are spending time alone together outside the chalet, she will want you to sign that confidentiality contract that I was telling you about. The circus will begin tonight, and any romance is gone."

Lauren placed one hand on the top of Bo's arm, "It's okay, I'll sign it. You can trust me."

"I know I can. It's me that is at fault here. You see, before I arrived, I was spy-" Bo stopped talking. Did she really want to tell the girl she was falling for that she was hooking up with a stranger from a bar only a few weeks ago?

"Spy, what, Bo?" Lauren asked.

Bo flung her head back, "Shit, well after I tell you this, I may as well kiss goodbye to my date anyway." Bo looked Lauren directly in the eyes and said, "Spy-banged."

Lauren took a moment to register what Bo had just said and burst into laughter, "Spy-banged?"

Bo was not laughing, however. "Yeah, I was trapped into letting my guard down and put in a comprising position of being semi-naked with this woman who had her photographer hidden in the closet filming me."

Lauren laughed harder, and Bo started to get annoyed. "It's not funny. She was going to exploit me, out me, blackmail me?"

Bo looked hurt, and Lauren stopped laughing.

"Bubba," Lauren stopped outside her room and opened the door. They walked in, and Bo scanned the room. It was immaculately tidy. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Lauren spoke and placed her hand under Bo's chin and lifted her head up; "No one has the right to expose you, exploit you or blackmail you. I don't find that part funny at all. It's just the terminology of the word spy-banged that amused me."

Bo didn't say anything. A tear threatened to fall; she had never met anyone like Lauren before. "Well, there are many dishonest people out there, Lo."

"Bubs, we need to head back. Date night will have to wait. I need to speak to Evony and sign whatever she wants me to sign and do whatever it takes for you to trust me." Lauren swallowed. The sooner this assignment was over, the quicker she could be honest with Bo and hoped she would understand and, more importantly, forgive.

"No, I trust you. Please let's stay, we can watch a film, talk or whatever you wanna do." Bo knew she was pleading and didn't even care. "Please, I want to spend time with you alone."

"And me too," Lauren took Bo's hands. "But I also want to see you tomorrow, and the day after that, and after that. I don't want to risk being fired and losing you just because I didn't wait a day."

Bo nodded. She knew Lauren was right. Evony's immediate reaction would be to get rid of Lauren first, then ask questions later.

"But before you go," Lauren leaned into Bo's embrace and placed her hands on either side of her face. "I've been thinking about you all afternoon."

Bo smiled, swiftly moving to mount Laurens' lap, "Yeah, really, whys that?"

Lauren's lips crash down onto Bo's. This kiss was more urgent than the others. Bo's parted her lips, and Laurens' tongue entered. The kiss was frantic. It was heated, a rush of desire packed into a single moment. It was the kind of kiss that aroused, and from the way their hands wandered over each other's bodies, they were both turned on.

Without giving a second thought, Lauren pulled Bo's top up over her head, clutching at the flesh on the small of her back. In return, Bo rocked harder into her lap, grabbing handfuls of her hair, pulling her mouth closer. Lauren continued to kiss the hell out of Bo and abandoned any restraints. She would have literally fucked her on her lap.

"Get to the Chalet." Both jumped apart, turning to see an angry-looking Evony in front of them, "And I mean now."

The door slammed, and Bo slid off Laurens' lap and picked up her top. Lauren stood.

Awkwardly they return to the chalet in silence. As soon as they stepped inside, Evony was screaming at them again. "What the hell do you think you're doing. Are you trying to kill me, Bo?" Evony stomped around the room, hands running through her hair.

"Okay, Evony, calm down. I was just saying goodbye. We agreed that it wasn't a good idea to be outside my chalet together, and I've explained the non-disclosure contract and -" Bo ran out of things to say.

Lauren stepped forward. "I understand your concerns about Bo. I know you protect her from anyone exploiting her. But what you may not know is that I care for her too, and I will do whatever you ask me to do." Lauren smiled back at Bo. "What Bo said is true, I swear. We were just saying bye."

"Really? that was no goodbye I've ever seen. You've overstepped yourself." Evony poured a brandy, neat with ice. "I need to think, and you should go back to your room now."

"Hang on, I am an adult." Bo argued, "and at the end of the day, you don't control me."

"But I do, Bo," Evony squared up to her, "You are signed to my management, and your brand is owned by us. So I do have a big say on how that brand is represented."

"Well, maybe, I want a change of direction." Bo folded her arms, refusing to back down. What Lauren had said earlier was true. Bo paid Evony for support, not control.

"I can easily change your direction, Bo." Evony stepped forward, "You contract is up for renewal, and I am working my tits off as I believe you will be a star. But if you want to throw it away on a holiday fuck, then I won't bother."

Bo went to protest, but Lauren stopped her by stepping between the two women and kissed Bo, "Thank you for a great night."

Walking to the door, Lauren left.

Evony stood, mouth open, condensation running down her hand from the newly poured drink. She knew that Lauren would cause her trouble and should have fired her when they started flirting. Now keeping them apart will be more complicated. If she fired her, they would spend their free time together. Keeping her employed would ensure she controlled what she did seventy per cent of the day. She needed to think and make her decision in the morning. She looked at Bo, who was smiling, clearly smitten with Lauren already, "Bo, go to bed, and I'll speak to you in the morning."

Evony watched as Bo did as she was asked, without any fuss, and closed her bedroom door. Evony turned back to the living room and said, "Thank you, Tamsin."

Tamsin appeared from the back of the couch and tipped her glass in acknowledgement.