Three Dates - Second Date
The vibration was the first thing Elizabeth noticed. The ringer on her cell phone was on the lowest setting and muffled by her jacket pocket. By the time she fished the thing out, the call had gone to voice-mail. The number was unfamiliar, but the name on the screen was not.
Helen Magnus. Wow. It was enough to make Elizabeth's heart skip a beat. Magnus was making good on her promise to stay in touch. Beth never thought Magnus would lie to her, it was more she knew first hand from watching James run a Sanctuary, how time consuming it could be. The crises never ended, someone always needed something at the worst possible moment.
Beth thought it was the most soul sucking job on the planet. Anything she could do to make it easier, she always tried to do. It meant something to Elizabeth that Magnus even thought of her once in the last few weeks, and yet they already exchanged emails twice and now she was getting a phone call.
Elizabeth noticed Julio watching her in the rear view mirror with a smug smile, "What?"
"You aren't going to call them back?"
Beth rolled her eyes. "Not with your super hearing within ten kilometers. How do I say, 'You're an eavesdropping pervert' in French?"
The dark haired, black eyed young man showed a mouthful of straight, white teeth. "Mon Cheri, you know I am only your humble driver…"
"Oh, fuck that, Julio," Elizabeth scolded. "I know better. You tell your father everything, and then he tells it to Declan, and I get a bloody email lecture." Elizabeth smiled wickedly at him. "I will return Dr Magnus' call in my apartment. Alone." It felt good to name drop, and the way his eyes widened was delicious. He brooded silently all the way back to their little Abnormal fraternity house in the heart of Paris.
Over the last three weeks, since Elizabeth learned her quaint little Parisian apartment building was actually a Sanctuary safe house, she had gone out of her way meet and get to know the other residents. They were all humanoids, like Beth, mainstreaming with the population of Paris. Mostly young and bordering on poor, working and going to school, and partying hard every chance they got. Elizabeth had an email folder full of notes from Declan about wild parties and group sex and all sorts of other rumors he'd been getting from somewhere. It would be hysterical, if Beth didn't worry just a bit that Declan, her sometimes lover, believed she was attending weekly orgies and using beer bongs every night.
They pulled up to the building and Beth leaned over the seat to plant a lip gloss kiss print on Julio's cheek before she grabbed her satchel and dived out the door. At the curb, she spun around, gave him a finger wave, and in a loud voice she said, "see you at the orgy Saturday, Julio. Save me some pussy..." Elizabeth turned back to the sound of feminine laughter.
On the third step stood Helen Magnus, smiling brightly. Her dress was absolutely gorgeous, the kind of wrinkled fabric sheath that flattered all the swells and curves. The color was a midnight blue and the fuck-me pumps matched, of course. The last three weeks had been filled with restless nights full of fantasies of a certain dark haired, enigmatic doctor. Waking up to Helen Magnus in bed with you will do that to a girl even if you'd only held each other while you cried and shared a few steamy kisses.
Part of Beth felt the overwhelming need to kneel and worship before the goddess that was Helen Magnus, but one glance around at all the people walking by stopped her.
Magnus came down the steps and kissed Beth on each cheek, but instead of traditional air kisses, her lips made contact both times. Her hands lingered on Elizabeth's upper arms a few seconds while Magnus smiled down her. "Are the safe houses hosting orgies now? I must have missed it in the last budget meeting."
"I'm pretty sure Declan thinks so." Elizabeth laughed, "If they are, I haven't made the A-list yet."
Helen released her arms and ran a light fingertip over her lower lip. "I can't imagine why not, you'd be at the top of any list where the person had functioning eyes."
"Why Dr. Magnus, you say the most wonderful things."
Magnus raised her eyebrows, "You're supposed to be calling me Helen."
"Sorry. It's habit, not something a month is going to undo."
"Twenty days."
"What?" Beth asked, confused.
"It hasn't been a month, it's been twenty days, and I see I will have to work harder to get you past the formality."
Elizabeth smiled. "So, Helen, what brings you back to France?"
"Our second date."
"We have a date? Tonight?" Her voice squeaked just a little, because Elizabeth didn't remember anything in the emails about a date. Uh oh.
"Yes, we do. In fact, you have just enough time to run upstairs and change. Meet me back here in an hour."
Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest, but she couldn't because soft, warm lips were suddenly covering her own. Helen's lips. Then, just as quickly, hands took her shoulders and spun her in the direction of the building's door and a hard slap on her backside got her moving forward. She didn't dare stop to protest again, because her backside was still singing from the first slap. "I don't know what to wear…" Beth called.
"I left a box outside your door."
Inside the lobby, Pierre's other son Jacques was standing against the wall by the elevator, arms crossed over his chest and a shit eating grin on his face. "Is that Dr. Magnus? Did she just say you have a date in an hour, and kiss you?"
Elizabeth winced and threw a quick look over her shoulder, "Yeah, I think so."
Jacques laughed, shaking his head in disbelief, "First Declan, and now Magnus. Aw, ma petite, you are going to get eaten by one of those tigers one day if you keep climbing into their cage."
Beth stepped into the elevator and hit the button for her floor. "I'd settle for getting to second base," she told him as the door slid closed.
The box outside her door was enormous. Elizabeth dragged it into her apartment and opened the lid. Half a dozen smaller boxes nested inside. She went for the dress box first. In it, a fabulous cocktail dress in a dark forest green, lay nestled in the layers of tissue paper. It was form fitting down to just below her knees and mostly backless. Just hanging it up in her closet made Beth start to hyperventilate. There were matching two inch heels and in another box was the most amazing green lingerie Beth had ever seen and that was saying something because she practically lived at Victoria's Secret during college. A small box held a pair of real, honest to freaking God, silk stockings. They were so soft and lovely, putting them on would be a treat, not to mention how sexy they would look with the rest of the ensemble.
Elizabeth took a break from her exploration of the box of infinite wonder to get into the shower. While she soaped and scrubbed and shaved, Beth tried to decide how to wear her hair. In the end, she settled on quickly French braiding it. As usual, a few unruly strands escaped her most valiant efforts and so she let them have their freedom and curled them into long gold ringlets. The clock on her dressing table said she only had twenty minutes left, if she was going to make Helen's deadline.
The makeup was hurried but functional and she desperately wished for someone to zip the back of the dress. Elizabeth pulled her long braid over one shoulder to keep it out of the way, but try as she might she still couldn't get the small zippered portion of the top that ran along the her shoulder blades and behind her neck to zip, no matter how she tried.
With five minutes left, Beth gave up on it and slipped her silk covered feet into the shoes. She checked herself in the full length mirror and was amazed at how perfectly everything fit and flattered her body. Elizabeth felt like a super model, even if she was a bit short. There was a knock on the door and Elizabeth opened it, and Magnus swept in.
"I just realized that you may need help with the…" Magnus' words trailed off with a widening of her eyes. She openly appraised Elizabeth from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. The look in her eyes turned hot, so hot it made Elizabeth take an involuntary step back.
"You… you like the dress. I'm having trouble…" Beth turned her back to her and showed her the unfastened zipper.
"Let me help you with that." Magnus lifted her braid out of the way, and let her fingers trail across the back of Elizabeth's neck. It made her shiver. Magnus moved the two pieces of fabric until they were lined up and then zipped them together. Elizabeth felt Helen's palms rest lightly on her shoulders, and then run down her bare arms and back up. "You're going to need the wrap. It's chilly tonight."
"Wrap?"
Magnus looked to where the boxes were neatly stacked on the table. "You didn't look in all the boxes."
"I didn't want to be late…"
"You're going to need those last two things." Magnus opened the larger of the two boxes herself and pulled out a warm, black wrap. She put it around Beth's shoulders and crossed it in the front. "There. I don't want you catching a chill." She proceeded to open the smaller box and held it up for Beth to gape at the emerald and diamond pendant and earrings set.
"Oh, no you can't possibly…" Elizabeth stammered. "You've already outdone yourself. I can't accept jewelry, too."
"Do you like it?" Magnus asked.
"It's beautiful."
"Wear it for tonight. Won't you?" Magnus was already taking the delicate braided platinum chain out of the little box and opening the clasp. "Consider it a loan." The fingers burned as Helen fastened the clasp at her nape, and then inserted the earring posts into the holes in Elizabeth's ears with steady, practiced fingers.
All the little touches were making butterflies dance in Beth's stomach. It wasn't accidental, the kisses on her cheeks and lips, the caressing of her bare arms, and now all the other little touches. To say nothing of the way Helen was devouring Beth with her eyes. Perhaps Jacque was right about playing with tigers… Elizabeth felt nervous and excited, and the blue eyes intently studying her from only inches away, sent a bolt of electricity right to her center.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. We should be going." Magnus smiled, wickedly. "Wouldn't want to miss our reservation…"
Elizabeth put her keys and a lipstick into her best tiny black bag. Then, she locked up her apartment and they walked to the elevator. "So, where are we going?" They rode down to the lobby and Magnus directed her, not to the front steps, but toward the garage entrance.
"L'Arpege."
Elizabeth gasped. "Not possible. I know someone who works in the kitchen there, and they have a two month waiting list for tables. We'd never get in on even a month's notice."
"Are you saying you doubt me?' Magnus raised her eyebrows in challenge.
"I'm saying there is no possibility of us getting a table tonight. None."
Magnus led her to a rented car. She even held the door as Elizabeth got in. They drove for a while in silence, and Magnus seemed to know exactly where she was going. The car pulled into a spot at L'Arpege and Elizabeth turned to Magnus. "You mean you were serious?"
"Of course. I wanted to take you to a place that would help further your culinary education."
"You don't have to do that, this place is hard core. They have a nine course tasting menu. You didn't need to go to all this trouble for me."
Magnus gave a little shrug, "I didn't have to. I wanted to. James told me of all the restaurants he took you to around the world. I thought we might continue the tradition. Expanding your culinary horizons. If it makes your fellow students green with envy, so be it."
"Oh, well, if that is the case, there's this little place I've heard about in Spain. They make the most fantastic seafood right outside your hotel room or villa, and then serve it to you al fresco."
Magnus laughed, "One step at a time."
Elizabeth grinned back at her. Maybe she could get used to being dated by Helen Magnus.
Magnus was feeling pleased with herself that her plan was coming together so perfectly and lovely Elizabeth was vibrating with excitement. The host very nearly needed medical attention when they walked in, his eyes bulged so far out of his head. Magnus was used to having people look twice at her, to hit on her, and it was amusing to watch shy Elizabeth get that sort of attention. Elizabeth was the kind of beautiful woman who didn't notice people looking at her or even flirting with her. Her senses were busy processing other input, more important things. Sounds and smells and the décor took priority over the other patrons. It was a testament to how wired she was that she was noticing the people around her tonight.
L'Arpege was serene and brightly lit, the walls paneled in warm wood. Their table was in a secluded alcove. The privacy was appreciated, and Magnus planned to tip well for it.
Elizabeth flushed when the host flirted with her, his hand lingering on her shoulder as he pushed her chair in. Her wide eyes went to Helen. It was adorable, or it would have been, if this weren't a date. Magnus gave the host narrowed eyes, and it dawned on him that they weren't just a pair of lovely ladies having dinner together. His smile got brighter. He sketched a quick bow to Helen and departed.
The sommelier approached their table and Helen selected a wine that made the man smile like a Cheshire cat. Magnus knew from some off hand comments James once made that Elizabeth preferred white wines to red, so that was what she chose for them. The man gave the usual, 'An excellent choice' and disappeared with a spring in his step.
When he returned and poured for them, Helen held up her glass to Elizabeth in a toast. "To an interesting, and pleasurable, new friendship." Elizabeth's cheeks reddened as she touched her glass to Helen's and took a small sip. The first taste brought a look of pure rapture to her face, and Magnus committed the look to memory so she could make Elizabeth duplicate that look later when they were alone.
Watching Elizabeth try each course as it was brought to them was more fun than even trying the dishes herself. There was sensuality in the way James' daughter explored food. It was like watching a secret, forbidden ritual. Helen could almost feel the pleasure herself when the younger woman tasted something she liked. Her eyes would become unfocused and she would hesitate for a few seconds before continuing to chew, as if she couldn't bear to let the morsel go. Helen waited for Elizabeth's reaction to each course before taking a bite, and their palates were surprisingly alike.
The soup and salad were lovely and bright with hints of citrus, lemon in the soup and blood orange in the salad. The meat course was a veal morsel that melted on the tongue, with just a hint of spice as an afterthought. When Elizabeth praised the fish course, a specialty to this restaurant, Helen found she wholeheartedly agreed. More than once, they hummed with delight over it and then laughed at their reactions. The meal was a blur of smiles and sighs and delicious surprises.
As with their first 'date', they discussed subject from newly discovered abnormals, to common acquaintances, or their favorite Sanctuaries. Their mutual connection to James created a comfort level between them, and it felt as if they had known each other for years, rather than less than a month.
The staff came around with the final dessert dish, a decadent iles flottantes, and Elizabeth took a small bite, moaning softly over the meringues and custard. There was a tiny spot of caramel on her chin and it was driving Helen mad with the urge to lick it off. She took Elizabeth's fingers in her hand and dipped them into her dish, and then brought the caramel and custard coated fingers to her mouth and sucked each one clean. Helen noted the change in Elizabeth's breathing, and the way her pupils dilated as she sipped the last of their bottle of wine.
The blue-green eyes were curious and a bit playful. "Do you always drop in on people and dress them up and take them to amazing dinners?"
Magnus arched her eyebrows and tipped her head to the side, "Not usually, no."
"So I'm a special case?"
"Very special." Helen picked up her wine glass, swirling the contents against the crystal.
There was a moment when something flicked behind those pale blue-green eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it had come. The flirtatious smile returned to the younger woman's face. "There are going to be rumors and innuendos about tonight."
"Of course. Does it bother you?" Magnus asked.
Elizabeth took time to consider the question. "Tonight is worth a little headache and some odd looks."
"Excellent answer."
"I'm too young for you. They'll probably say I bewitched you. I'm after your fortune or something equally ridiculous."
"And what would the truth be, Elizabeth? Why are you here with me tonight?"
"I'm attracted to you. Very attracted. It's a terrible breach of dating etiquette to want to do what I want to do right now on a second date."
Magnus gave a startled laugh, "You're worried about date etiquette?" It was adorable that she was so concerned with propriety.
"I'm not an innocent, far from it, but I've never wanted to bed someone this badly. I feel… like a complete slut."
"I don't believe you are any such thing," Magnus said, as she took the last sip of her wine. "Would you like to know what I think?"
"Yes please, oh ancient wise one."
"Careful with that witty tongue." Helen leaned forward to whisper, "I have a long memory and a low tolerance for cheek. You'd do well to remember that." Magnus grinned. "Age has never been an accurate gauge of maturity. You've seen more in your young life than most people twice your age. The chemistry we have, and what we might be able to offer each other, is far more important than worrying about rumors and scandals. If we only did what was 'proper', we would never do anything at all."
"I guess you're right."
"There is one problem that might complicate things. Declan."
Elizabeth winced. "We aren't exclusive. We see other people."
"He'll hear about us from someone, eventually." Helen took Elizabeth's hand a brought it to her lips, kissed it. "Declan should hear it from you."
"Alright. If the time comes, if this goes beyond the date stage, yes, I will tell him."
"Very well." Magnus found herself fervently hoping they did reach the point when she had to tell her lover about them. Only the fact that it was Declan and he was a good man, and her friend, kept her possessiveness in check. Helen hadn't taken in a woman lover in years. There was just something special about intimate relationships with women, something she missed. Women were softer, sweeter, more gentle and giving. Helen wanted nothing more than to discover everything about Elizabeth, and share the softer side herself she rarely allowed anyone to see for fear of being considered 'weak'. She was ready to let herself be vulnerable to someone.
Magnus unlocked the apartment and put the keys into the bowl Beth used to hold them. Elizabeth shut the door behind them and promptly found herself pressed against said door and very passionately kissed. Her wrists were held tight in Helen's grip. Magnus spread them up and out as they continued to kiss each other senseless. She was pinned to the door with her hands held captive and that just plain did it for Elizabeth. She felt the warmth growing between her legs and unconsciously rolled her hips against Helen trying to get something touching her aching sex.
"Second date etiquette says I can't take you into your room and strip that lovely dress off you and ravish you. Are we going to be proper or not?"
"Oh, hell no…" Elizabeth panted.
"Good. I was hoping you would change your mind. I have plans for you."
"Do I get to ravish you, too?" Elizabeth was prepared to beg, as humiliating as that would be.
Magnus sighed, "I suppose, if you must."
They went into the bedroom and undressed each other slowly. When the dresses were gone, leaving them in their pretty bras and panties, Elizabeth finally did what she had been dying to do since Helen magically appeared on her doorstep tonight. She sank to her knees and looked up at Helen. Leaning close Beth pressed a kiss to her belly just above the top of her panties, then she pulled back and watched for a reaction.
A manicured hand cupped her cheek, "What's all this about?"
"I can't seem to help myself." Elizabeth kissed her belly, again.
"I can't kiss you down there," Magnus tangled her hands in Elizabeth's hair. "Come on the bed and you can have your turn first."
Helen didn't have to tell her twice, and soon they were on the bed with Elizabeth worshiping Helen's body. She spent an eternity licking and kissing and suckling on the lovely bare breasts. Then, she moved lower to the flat plain of her belly. Eventually, Helen grew impatient with all the teasing and gave Elizabeth's braid a frustrated tug. The look it earned her was heated, so she did it again, testing the pain-pleasure response.
Helen's voice was gruff with need when she said, "Lower. Stop teasing me, or I will make you beg for an hour before I let you come." Helen lifted her hips and slid out of her panties.
"Yes, ma'am," Elizabeth said under her breath. She slid lower and used her thumbs to part Helen's folds. They were slick and sensitive. Light strokes of her tongue made Helen squirm. More insistent licking and sucking made her new lover moan and clutch at her head, pushing her face into the lovely pussy, and Beth didn't need any more of an invitation. She gave up on the exploration and started fucking Magnus with the tip of her tongue. When she added a finger, Helen had a small orgasm. Her thighs clenching Elizabeth's head.
Helen recovered quickly and took over. She flipped Elizabeth onto her back and pressed a thigh into her very damp panties. "Now, where were we? Oh yes, I seem to remember you calling me ancient. For that you are going to pay dearly."
To Elizabeth's surprise, Magnus didn't leave first thing in the morning or anytime during the next day. Helen took Elizabeth to Laduree to eat pastries in the mid-morning and then they went back to bed. After sunset, they went down to the little store on the corner and bought the ingredients for Elizabeth to cook Helen her favorite dish. Two bites and it became Helen's favorite, too.
Beth had lost count of the times she was brought to screaming, shuddering orgasm. What she did remember was the creative use of scarves and ice cubes. And the gorgeous, throaty sounds Helen Magnus made when she came.
With summer approaching, they discussed plans for meeting in exotic locales and Magnus promised Elizabeth she would join the mile-high club on her private jet. Beth knew better now than to doubt Helen Magnus when she made a promise.