The Big Kiss Off

There was some satisfaction and comfort in the fact that he didn't know what was coming. The surprise would give her a greater control over the situation and limit his recourses. And that was what this was all about: power. Now that he had had greater access to her boudoir he felt he had the right to exercise more power over her, and so for one who demanded a great deal of control over herself and other this simply would not do.

No, the surprise on his part would be complete. She had sent him a short note, no more than, �Cherie, a favor, I beg you. Come see me tonight � 8. The words I have for you are not appropriate to be penned on paper.� Knowing Valmont, he would see the missive as an invitation to an evening of vigorous love-making. (Hopefully one of his other conquests wouldn�t leave him disappointed.) It was nearly the hour now, the Marquise was stretched out luxuriously on the settle in her sitting room, waiting to deliver the blow.

Valmont arrived at 8 on the dot and slunk laconically into the room, waving the missive between his forefingers. �You know, I had intended to spend the evening with the Marquis de Maine. He is surprisingly good at breeding horses and surprisingly bad at cards� and my carriage needs a new bay mare. But your invitation proved to much for me, my dear.� Whilst saying this he approached as though to seat himself beside her.

Merteuil smiled sweetly, taking note of the arrogant manner she had ignored for too long. As Valmont moved in to sit on the settle she occupied, she shifted in her seat as though to make room for him, but instead lifted her leg and planted it firmly on his stomach, halting his progress. Thinking her move as something of a game, Valmont cradled her dainty foot with one hand, while the other ran from the toe of her shoe up her ankle and calf, exposing the flesh beneath.

"I'm flattered that you would choose my company over a horse..." she said finally. "... but, perhaps, you needn't missed such a golden opportunity." She watched as Valmont eyebrows raised quizzically, but his hand had not ceased to caress her calf. Deciding to eliminate the distraction, Merteuil withdrew her foot. "Your services are no longer required," she informed him simply.

He was taken aback by her ultimatum. Valmont had always assumed that, when the time came for them to part, it would be he who made the split. She was jesting, surely. "You are just mad at me because I was honest with you about my previous plans." In one fluid movement he grabbed back hold of her leg, pulled her slightly down so she was lying on the settle and put his spare hand on the arm of piece, so that he could lean over her, his face just inches from hers. "Come now, such sulking pride does not become you."

Merteuil's smile didn't waver for an instant as her soon to be former lover pulled her on to her back. With a finger pressed to his descending lips, she replied, "And such obtuseness does not become you, my dear Valmont." She sat up, her finger still on his lips, gently pushing him back. "You are dismissed... now and forever."

Valmont straightened up abruptly, finally realizing the weight of her words. "I have moved on to another who better suits my needs, therefore your services are no longer required."

"You may have moved on, Madame, but I'll wager your new suitor will not last as long." Valmont replied coldly, "You should take more care when you dismiss your lovers... or one day you may earn yourself the reputation you deserve." He left the comment hanging guilelessly in the air, not suggesting that he would expose her... not suggesting that he wouldn't.

The marquise�s eyebrow arched quizzically while the grin remained. Control. The Marquise was all about control, whether it be at a formal party or in the throes of passion � Merteuil demanded control. Valmont was the greatest challenge to that control � demanding, commanding � but now she had shifted the tide back in her favor and was now savoring Valmont�s loss of control.

�My dear Valmont, this sulking pride does not suit you,� she said mimicking him. �It is beneath you to make such petty, juvenile threats. If I were not mistaken I would say you were acting the part of the cuckold.� She tsked. �That is not the Valmont I know. This of this as an opportunity to expand your horizons, as I have.�

A look of incredulity spread across Valmont�s face, �There are a dozen different women I could visit in Paris tonight, if I desired to� women who would not reject my advances. Did you really believe that I was faithful to you, when I never have been to any lover before? Oh Marquise, you were good� but not that good!�

�I am relieved that you have better company to turn to than de Maine�s horses,� she said, coolly. The smile remained, but the easy with which she maintained it deteriorated. Much against her will he had stung her to the quick. Even as her pride bristled at his insult, a realization struck her. �And yet, you remain here to lash out like a petty child, rather than preserving your dignity and simply moving on to one of your other mistresses.� She watched his lips thin in anger. �I would felt more hurt if you said nothing at all.�