Gastien Pt 1 (24 page)

Then he remembered that if he got that restaurant job that he hoped for, he would be busy learning to do a good job there. Plus, he wanted to enjoy himself in other ways, too. The problem of not being able to paint may not be an issue for awhile.

He brought heated water up to his room for a more thorough cleansing of his body. Back and forth, until he had three basins full. Then he stripped and scrubbed. He hoped to get very cozy tonight with that woman who had bought him champagne. Gastien wanted to taste good everywhere. Something told him she would not be shy.

After washing, he applied his scent lightly. He wanted it part of him, not more than him. Only if you got close to him would you smell it. Then he put on new clothes, including the new red sweater. He checked himself in the full length mirror downstairs. Satisfied, he turned to go.
Madame
Debeaunet came out. She mothered him, reaching to smooth his sweater. “You look nice, Gastien. I hope you enjoy yourself tonight.”

Gastien blushed. Did she guess what he was going to be up to? “Thank you,
Madame
Debeaunet.”

“Oh, don’t get all embarrassed on me. You were quiet bold in your statements about the pursuit of women yesterday. I assumed you are not going to waste any time in that area. You are, after all, eighteen!” They both laughed. “By the way, please call me Emma. Tell Mic also. Since this is your house, it seems too stiff to go by formalities. Are you comfortable with that?”

“
Oui
, …Emma.”

“Well, I am off to a friend’s house for cards. Four of us ladies play cards quite often. You have a good time. Happy hunting!” she exclaimed, grabbing her bag.

“You have a good time, too. I will follow you out,” said Gastien, holding the door.

They parted ways, she heading further into the neighborhood, he to the shops and restaurants of the 6
th
.

When he got to the
Polidor
, about six of the ten men from last night were there. So was she, at her table. The guys called him over to their table. He waved at them, but walked over to the woman’s table.
Mon Dieu
, she was arresting looking! Whoever wore their hair like that? He liked that she dared to do something with her hair no other woman did. He bet it would soon be in style for the masses. She looked up as he casually sat down at her table across from her. He met her eyes, gave a small indication of a smile and said “
Bonsoir
.”

“
Bonsoir
yourself! You are quite bold sitting down without being invited! How do you know I am not meeting someone? How do you know if you are wanted?” she challenged softly, refusing to be the first to look away.

He smiled lazily and sat back. “Bold? I was bought and paid for last night when you sent me five bottles of champagne. I am definitely wanted. And,
oui
, you were waiting for someone. That person is now here,
non
?”

She nodded slightly, dropping her eyes. “
Oui
. He is here.”

“What is your name then?” he asked.

“Nathalie. Or Nath.”

“Well, Nathalie, I am puzzled. Tell me, do you prefer to play games? I can do that, but I prefer being open about what I am interested in. I thought last night you made your interest clear. Do we have to go through charades now?” The waiter appeared and Gastien ordered a glass of
vin
.

Nathalie raised her eyebrows as the waiter walked away. “Usually a gentleman buys the lady a drink.”

“You are right. They do on a date. We are not on a date. You are also assuming that I am a gentleman.”

She gave a small laugh. “My mistake.”

“I am just saying, please don’t assume things about me until you know me better. I am always open about things. However, I don’t like it when people assume they know me before they actually do.”

“Fair enough.”

“Also, anyone who can afford five bottles of champagne for a stranger can afford to buy her own drinks.”

“So, you expect me to buy the drinks?”

“
Non
. Not mine. I am simply making my intentions clear. I am not interested in courtship, Nathalie. I don’t think you are, either.” She looked surprised. He was not as green as she expected, but every bit as delicious looking as she remembered. Perhaps they would make good bed partners more than one time. He was a challenge.

“So tell me, what are those intentions, and what is your name?” she asked.

“My name is Gastien. My intention is to come home with you so that we can enjoy ourselves in your bed.” He sipped his
vin
. “That is, after I have a meal. I need to satisfy that hunger first.”

“And if I have decided I am not interested?” she shot back.

“Then I want to say
merci
for the champagne last night, and I will move on. But, come on, Nath. Are we still playing games?”

She looked into his huge brown eyes. Those eyes were dangerous, there were too many emotions reflected in them. She would have to very careful about not losing her head over this one. But she could be careful, she told herself. She wanted to taste that mouth. Even more, she wanted to find out what he felt like inside of her.

Gastien smiled, this time sweetly. “You are more than interested. You are already deciding what you want to do with me the first time tonight.”

“The first time? You plan on multiple times tonight?” This man was too full of himself!

Gastien nodded. He looked at her openly. “
Oui
. I told you I like to be honest. Here is the situation: I have not been with a woman for almost four months. Therefore, it is almost a guarantee that I won’t last long the first time. That is just the way males are. I am sorry. But, if you will let me just make myself happy that first time, I promise to make it up to you. Several times, if you wish.” He opened the menu and started to read it.

She grabbed his menu, pulling it down. “Several times tonight?”

He stared at her unblinking. “
Oui
. I am eighteen, Nath. I can go all night.”

“Four months without sex? With the appetite you seem to have for it? What, you weren’t in prison or something, were you?”

Gastien threw back his head and laughed. “
Non
, not in prison. I did nothing illegal. I am an artist, Nath. I was homeless for awhile. No one found me very appealing then.”

She thought that over for a few minutes. This man had lived on the streets during the winter. Somehow he had not only survived, he was sitting in a restaurant, in new clothes, sipping a glass of
vin
. Obviously, he was not without a quick mind and good instincts to go with those looks. Definitely not a one night fling like she had imagined. This man would be worth establishing a relationship with, one that benefited both of them sexually. This time she smiled even bigger, as she asked, “Several times?”

Gastien sighed. “
Oui
, Nath. As I said, several times. As many as you can take.”

“And if I am the one to wear you out?” she challenged again.

This time it was Gastien to raise a brow. “Seriously? Is the lady throwing down the gauntlet?”

She smiled. “I think, Gastien, that you and I are going to make each other very happy. Very happy indeed.”

It was his turn to smile again, that lazy half sweet, half cynical smile. “Well. Then, let’s eat. We will both need plenty of energy tonight, I think.” He beckoned the waiter over.

Nath picked up her menu, showing no emotion. She looked up at the waiter. “I am sorry, but my new dinner companion must have “assumed” that I had already studied the menu and made a decision. I don’t have any idea yet what I would like to eat. Please give us another five minutes or so.” She smiled sweetly at Gastien.

The waiter bowed his head. “Certainly,
Mademoiselle
.” He walked away.

Nath turned her attention once again to the dinner choices. She pretended to be in deep thought about the menu. Indeed, she was in deep thought, but food was not on her mind. She was thinking that Gastien was way too sure of himself and the effect he had on women. He was young and arrogant. If she did not stay sharp he would take control of the whole situation. That did not sit well with Nathalie. She was used to being in charge. He pretends he does not play games, yet he is, she thought. A power game. What fun!

She sighed. “Gastien, I am sorry. I am really having trouble deciding on what I want to eat. I think I would like the waiter to come over and tell me the fresh specials again. Do you mind?”

“
Non
, of course not!” replied Gastien. He did not know yet he was being played. Gastien beckoned the waiter over. “The lady would like to hear your fresh specials again, please.”

The waiter recited seven different specials. For each, Nathalie made sure she asked at least a couple of questions. Fifteen minutes had now passed since Gastien had decided the first time that they were ready to order.

“I am sorry to be so indecisive tonight,” she said, feigning embarrassment. “I think what I will do is have a starter course. I do like to have fresh greens, anyway, before a meal comes. Please bring me the mixed greens with oil and vinegar.”

Gastien stared at her. He thought they would eat quickly and then leave. “Nath, are you sure we have time? Won’t we miss the performance?”

 She smiled at him. “
Non
, I don’t think so. I think you have your time mixed up. Please, order a starter course so that I don’t eat alone. My treat, of course.”

Gastien blushed. “I don’t expect you to buy my meal!” He was mortified. The waiter just remained impassive. This was proving to be an interesting night. He had seen Nath many times. While she rarely had male company with her, when she did, she usually ran the show. He had overheard some of Gastien’s antics upon the young man’s arrival. Something told the waiter that the lady was going to teach the young man a lesson in control.

Nath laughed gently. “Oh, I know you can buy your meal. You could buy both of our meals. I was just offering to be nice, since I am the one who wants starters. Please, do as you wish. I did not mean to embarrass you.”

Gastien turned to the waiter. “I will have the same salad the lady is having, please.”

“Certainly,
Monsieur
. Good choice.” He left quickly to get the salads. He did not want to miss more than he had to!

Nathalie glanced at the table with Gastien’s friends. “Aren’t those some of your friends you were with last night? Perhaps it will seem impolite if we don’t join them.” She took a drink of
vin
and then allowed just the tip of her tongue to run across her lower lip. “I so love a good glass of
vin
.”

“
Non
, I don’t think we need to join them, Nath. Stop it!” Gastien growled.

“Stop it? I was merely being polite. I agree, let’s not join them. This is about you and me, isn’t it?” she said softly.

Gastien was now getting the idea that he was being played. He decided to say nothing. When the salads came they ate them in silence. Nath ate in tiny bites, putting her fork down between each. Then she would sip her
vin
or some water and repeat. Gastien was getting impatient. Thirty more minutes had passed.

Just when he was ready to voice his impatience, she stated, “Well, that is enough salad. Let’s order our dinner, Gastien.”

Thank Christ, he thought. The waiter took their orders of the featured chicken entrée. It would come braised with a special glaze, along with bread and a medley of steamed vegetables. As the waiter left, Nathalie looked up at Gastien.

“You look unhappy, Gastien. That disappoints me. A woman hopes a man looks happy when he is on his way to her
boudoir
! Have you decided I am not desirable?”

Gastien bit back a retort. He would not let her know she was frustrating him any longer. He sat back. “
Non
, quite the contrary, Nath. You are very desirable. I am afraid I was thinking about a painting that is giving me some trouble. I am sorry to have been thinking about work,” he said as sincerely as possible, “I promise to focus on you now.” Bitch. She did not need to know how impatient he was getting.

“Gastien, tell me about yourself. I want to know more about who you are, so that I don’t “assume” anything again.” She laughed softly.

Gastien laughed along with her. “Oh, Nath, you know enough for now. You know I am a painter, you know that I was homeless, you know that I want you. I know nothing about you though. What about you?”

Nath played with her wineglass, stroking the stem. Up and down. Then she ran a finger around the edge of the glass. She appeared to be in deep thought. The finger went to her mouth, where she sucked the moisture off of it. Gastien was rock hard. He shifted in the chair to give some relief to the pressure. She looked up.

“Well, I am the head fashion buyer for
Le Bon Marché
department store. I also free lance, designing
haute couture
for various small dress shops in the 9
th
. I am twenty-three years old, and have been in my position for three years. I am very good at what I do. I travel a lot for my work. They pay me very well for it.

I come from a well off family. More gentry than
bourgeois
. I don’t particularly want to marry and settle down, but I do suppose I will one day, since marriages in my class are for cementing money. There is an older gentleman patiently waiting. He understands my taste for freedom, shall we say, and looks the other way. The marriage will be a business deal for both of us, although we do like each other very much. Is that enough?” she asked.

“For now.” Gastien drank his
vin
. This woman was from a completely foreign world to him. What did she want with him? “I am wondering what you want with me, though.”

It was her turn to thrown back her head and laugh. “I thought we had established that. I want you for sex, Gastien! I only hope your hidden assets are as over the top as your looks. How do you measure up?”