The French Apartment Ch. 06

The French Apartment - Chapter 6: The Line

Sixth day in Paris, overnight.

I tossed and turned for hours, unable to sleep. The covers gently raised and lowered beside me as Claudine sighed, peaceful and asleep.

Thoughts of my new life here kept flooding my head. I replayed the days over and over, getting hornier and more awake as I lay beside Claudine. The more I thought about the last week the more my memories seemed to belong to someone else entirely. I nestled against Claudine's back, hoping that the feel of her warm body would be enough to calm me down. The soft skin of her bare shoulder and back was intoxicating. Soon, my dick began making a tent in my pajamas and pressing against her ass. I knew if I stayed like this, I would wake her up... so I got out of bed, swiped my phone from the nightstand, and headed to the bathroom.

The nightlights of Claudine's bathroom were giving off a dim orange glow, barely a shade above darkness. I closed the door and chuckled as I saw that I had over a dozen texts from 'Fucking Beautiful Vivienne.' At first, she was just dumping whatever random thoughts she had before bed (FBV: 'Have you been to New Zealand?', 'I'm bored with my music, have any suggestions?', etc.) At 1:00am she brought up my 'promise.' I knew what she meant: my promise that she would be my first time, and we would lose our virginities together. She began brainstorming a list of increasingly ridiculous and humiliating things that I might need to do in order to earn such a favor from her. Her most creative suggestions were getting her face tattooed on my balls and having me hang suspended naked from the Eiffel Tower holding a sign that says: 'I heart Vivienne.'

I read over her last text multiple times:

FBV: I want to go to our roof tomorrow and get some sun. Have you been? Come keep me company, I will wear this.

The text was followed by a picture of her lying back in bed: her body was curved to the side and those gorgeous tits were barely concealed by an expensive looking black bikini. I hadn't been to the roof she mentioned, but I would go just about anywhere with Vivienne if she was going to be wearing that. This picture, I thought, was going to be very helpful in my next task.

I left my pajama pants on the toilet and settled naked into the deep coral-colored bathtub. I sat stroking myself, staring at Vivienne's picture. There was no way I was going to get back to sleep until I finished, and I was struggling to find a good angle when the door pushed open slowly.

Claudine walked up to the edge of the bathtub and looked down at me. She had her blonde-brown hair tied above her head, but loose strands escaped and fell around her face. She had thrown on her cotton robe but hadn't bothered to close it. As she stared down at me, my eyes moved over the opening in her robe, revealing her bare stomach and the inner swell of her breasts. More than any woman I had ever met, Claudine gave the impression of a Greek statue come to life. Even when half-asleep, she still stood tall and straight, and regarded me with an imperious, piercing gaze.

"James, your dick is in your hand," she said, just above a whisper.

I let go of my dick and put down my phone. Thankfully, she hadn't seen, or asked to see, what I was looking at.

"Sorry, I... I didn't want to wake you," I whispered.

"I appreciate that," she said as a slight smirk crept into her mouth. "So, how's it going in there? Getting some relief?"

I chuckled as I realized how ridiculous I looked. "Well this tub is more comfortable than the one in the hall bathroom... but I preferred it better when you were in it."

"Did you?" Claudine beckoned me up.

I scrambled out of the tub, and she reached down and cupped my cock in her hand, feeling its weight. Embarrassment had quickly softened it in the tub, but it grew as her fingers caressed slowly over my shaft. I ran a hand over her shoulder, feeling the soft cotton of her robe, and looked down. Her open robe exposed a vertical sliver of her perfect body, lit by the dim orange glow.

"I thought you were fully spent last night?" she asked softly, raising an eyebrow.

I moaned with pleasure as her fingers gently brushed over my erection while we stood on the cold tile. I ran a hand under her robe, lightly cupping her left breast. God, the soft, bouncy weight of it felt incredible. My cock flexed, growing harder under her fingers.

"By the time you finished reading I kind of... woke up," I said. "But you went right to sleep afterwards, so I tried to sleep too."

The tips of her fingers traced a lazy, meandering path from the base of my cock to the tip, and back.

"That was my first time..." she whispered. I looked up, confused. First time? Claudine smiled a weak, tired smile and looked up to me. "The first time I was ever brought to orgasm by someone wearing a book for a hat."

I smiled back. "Happy to be your first."

She nodded back toward the bedroom. "Get back in bed, James. I need to pee."

I nodded and went to grab my pajamas, but they were on the opposite side of Claudine. She just slapped my ass, pushing me toward the door.

"Go on, horny boy," she murmured.

I retreated naked to the bedroom and waited under the covers. The bathroom door closed behind me and I glanced once more at the picture Vivienne sent me and stroked my cock, achingly hard now, while I waited for Claudine to return.

Claudine liked to keep her bedroom nearly pitch black, and only a hint of starlight escaped the curtains. As the bathroom door opened, I could barely make out the curves of Claudine's figure as she approached the foot of the bed. I heard the sigh of her robe hitting the floor, and then she bent over and pushed down her panties. Her hands went above her head, letting down her hair. Then, she pulled up the sheets and slipped underneath.

Under the covers, I felt Claudine's hands sliding up my bare thighs, sending a jolt through my body. Her soft breasts rested on my thigh as her hands moved slowly over me under the covers. Her warm mouth found my skin: touching, kissing, and teasing lightly. Her hair spread over my stomach and thighs as she moved higher. For a moment, my cock was covered in warmth as she took it in her mouth, slow and deep. I suppressed the urge to groan loudly; I knew with Vivienne in the apartment I would need to stay quiet. Claudine's mouth felt so good that it took a force of will for me to remain silent.

She soon let my dick fall from her mouth and she emerged from the covers, like a panther coming out of the dark jungle. As she crawled towards me, my dick slid against her neck, down between her breasts, and over her stomach. As her soft body pressed on top of mine, she nestled her head in the crook of my neck. I held Claudine tightly as her pussy rested gently over my erection. Her hips began to rock back and forth slowly, covering my cock in warmth. I wrapped my arms around her back as her lips whispered into my ear.

"I'm your host here, James. Let me take care of you."

I kissed her long neck, and she sucked in her breath.

"Careful, James, remember I'm sensitive there."

"Sorry," I whispered.

She wiggled her hips slightly, and I felt the back of my cock nestle against the parted lips of her pussy. I realized that I was possibly, technically, inside her.

"Claudine, are you going to..." I whispered. I was unable to finish the sentence.

"Am I going to fuck you?" she whispered. I felt her lips twist into a grin as they brushed against my neck. She knew about my promise to Vivienne, and I wasn't entirely sure what she thought of it. "It's alright, James, I know you're sensitive about your... first time. I'm very tired, and that is something for you to give, not for me to take."

I wasn't sure if I felt relief or frustration at her comment, but I was relishing the warmth of her naked body, which now felt as if it was fully enveloping me. I was already leaking precum onto her. One of my hands clenched her ass as the other scratched down her back.

"I want you so much," I whispered. "I'll do whatever you want."

I felt her lips smile again, against my neck. "Well... there is something I need from you."

"What?"

The warmth of her mouth covered my ear. "I need you to cum so we can both get some fucking sleep."

She sat up slightly and stared at me, letting it sink in. I wasn't used to seeing her hair so wild, falling over her face and mine. She arched her back and grinded slowly over my hard-on. Every movement seemed to make her a little wetter, and now my cock was sliding smoothly against the wet lips of her pussy.

"Just do whatever you need to do," she whispered.

Whatever I needed to do...

I held her tight and took control, spinning Claudine onto her back. Her head fell back onto the pillow with a sigh as I mounted her. I pushed my hips forward, grinding my cock over her wetness easily. Claudine hugged me, locking her arms around my back and curling her feet behind my ass. I kissed, groped and grabbed, everywhere I could. Claudine's body was an intoxicating mix of toned, fit muscle wrapped in curves and softness. I never got tired of running my hands, my mouth, and my cock over her.

Claudine's whispers were barely audible. "It keeps hitting my clit... it keeps..."

"God, you feel incredible," I whispered into her ear. She squeezed, like a boa constrictor. I could hardly move except to thrust my hips, and I felt my body warm, begging for release.

Claudine's murmurs switched to French, a mixture of moans and half-formed sounds that sounded almost like she was casting a magic spell. Her head lolled backwards into the pillows, leaving her long neck exposed and waiting. I began sucking and kissing the side of her neck as my cock became soaked in her wetness. A part of me demanded to just fuck her, and to forget my promise to Vivienne. I could have slid inside her so easily.

As I hesitated, Claudine's lips went to my ear. "I want to feel you inside me."

Her entire body clenched.

I shuddered and felt my hot cum coating her pussy and stomach. I groaned loudly and my mouth returned to her neck as I felt myself releasing. Her fingers dropped between our bodies and gently cradled my balls, coaxing them to empty onto her. Her body writhed slowly underneath me, letting me cum until I had nothing left.

Her mouth hung open as she panted. I could tell from the look in her eyes that she was on the edge herself. I pushed two fingers between her legs and slid them inside her. She moaned softly and arched her hips. I worked quickly, trying to pull her orgasm physically out of her. My other hand found her clit, wet with my cum, and both hands moved quickly to bring her over the edge. It didn't take long before she let out a long sigh and collapsed back onto the bed. I slowed down, massaging her until I knew she was fully finished.

"I'll get a towel," I whispered, and she nodded weakly.

When I returned, she stirred as I brushed the wet towel over her skin.

"James, I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to pressure you. I shouldn't have said-"

I put a hand over her lips. "It's alright, I promise. Just go to sleep, and I'll join you this time."

Claudine nodded and I finished cleaning her off. I returned the towel to the bathroom and climbed back in bed. She weakly pulled my arm around her shoulder and turned to the side, nestling me behind her. Soon, her soft sighs indicated she was asleep again. I rested my head against the back of her neck and joined her.

* * *

Seventh day in Paris, morning.

The bedroom was empty. I wasn't so surprised by this; Claudine often got up very early, long before I did. As I brushed my teeth, I stared again at Vivienne's picture and remembered my night with Claudine. I was already halfway hard, and my body was waking up quickly now. I realized I was getting hornier much more often in this apartment than I usually did. The apartment smelled like breakfast, so once I was finished washing up, I stumbled into the kitchen. Francesca was at the stove, apron over her summer dress, shaking her butt to some pop music. I heard Claudine and Vivienne speaking in the far end of the apartment, probably in Vivienne's room. It sounded heated.

I stood next to Francesca and patted her butt. She turned to me and smirked.

"Making pancakes?" I asked.

"American breakfast!" Francesca said with a bright smile. "And bacon!"

"Nice," I said. I stole a piece of bacon and leaned closer. "Sorry if we aren't allowed to do any more training together for a while."

Francesca waved her spatula dismissively. "Claudine just needs to calm down. I just didn't realize she was in... such a mood yesterday."

"Hah, what mood is that?" I asked.

Francesca gave me a knowing glance. Her eyes lowered to the tent in my pants, and she swatted at it with her spatula.

"Hey!" I said, backing up just out of her reach.

She looked at me suspiciously as she aimed her spatula at my chest. "If you woke up like that... does that mean you didn't do anything with Claudine last night?"

I turned to look behind me to make sure we were alone.

"Why do you ask?" I said.

Francesca only put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes.

"We did... do things," I admitted. "She took care of me, and-"

"She took care of YOU?" Francesca's eyes widened.

"I did my part," I whispered defensively. "A few times, if you must know..."

Francesca leaned closer. "Did you give it to her last night or not, James?"

"It?"

Francesca threw her spatula into the air in a dramatic display of frustration, and it clattered on the counter. She angrily pulled off her apron and threw it on a chair, leaving on just her summery dress, cut low with a cute white fringe over her cleavage. Then her fingers came into my view, forcing me to look at them instead. She made a circle with a thumb and forefinger and her other hand poked into it with one finger, in and out.

I held up my hands. "Alright, no we didn't do that exactly-"

I paused mid-sentence, transfixed. Francesca's hand gesture was not finished. She added a second finger, then a third, and then began shoving a fist into the circle. Her gestures got more and more aggressive.

"Alright, alright, I get the picture-"

Her little finger circle dropped on the counter, and she started banging on it relentlessly, as if she was trying to destroy it. I thought it had to hurt, pounding on her own fingers on the counter like that.

I put two fingers on my forehead and shook my head. "OK at this point I don't even know what you're implying..."

Francesca put more emotion into her finger puppets and had her finger circle drop to the edge of the counter. She panted and moaned, pretending to be exhausted. Then her other hand worked even harder, penetrating and striking it, shoving in and out. At one point she hiked up her dress and shoved her knee into the circle a few times. Finally, Francesca raised her circle up for a finale and shoved a single finger in and out. She held out her hands wide.

"It!!"

"That was the dirtiest thing I've seen in my entire life," I said.

Francesca rolled her eyes, and I smelled burning batter.

"Your pancakes are burning," I said.

"Go sit down, I'll make more, silly boy."

Francesca waved a dismissive hand and muttered to herself in Italian as she threw the blackened mess into the trash. I reached for the last piece of bacon, but she swiped it first and put it whole into her mouth, denying me. As she turned back to her pancakes, I slapped her ass in response and quickly retreated to the dining room just before the wild swings of her spatula could make contact with me. There was a fresh basket of pastries ready- I assumed bought by Francesca this morning- and I took a chocolate croissant from the basket on my way to the dining room.

After a few minutes, Vivienne entered the kitchen with her laptop. She wore a loose black T-shirt as she always did, which did little to hide those pretty round bulges underneath. Her short pajama shorts showed off her bare legs and her shoulder-length hair was unkempt black chaos. I took a bite of my croissant as my eyes devoured Vivienne.

"Bonjour Vivienne! How are you?" Francesca said with the excitement of a morning person. I winced a little at the volume, even from a room away.

Vivienne responded with a noncommittal grunt and grabbed a croissant herself. The croissant was light, airy, and incredible. I could have been happy eating these every breakfast for the rest of my life.

"Bonjour," I said to Vivienne as a mouthful of chocolate croissant crumbs immediately covered my chest.

Vivienne turned to me and Francesca. "Did I hear banging?"

"No," Francesca said, and shot me a sideways glance. "There was NO banging."

Vivienne shrugged and sat down next to me. She brushed crumbs off my chest. "You're making a mess."

"But they're so good!" I tried to say, but due to my mouth being full of croissant I think it probably came out closer to 'uh ehre o ood!'

She gave me her trademark smirk, put her croissant in her mouth, and opened her laptop. We ate for a few minutes while Francesca made the new batch of pancakes. Under the table, Vivienne's hand absent-mindedly caressed my thigh. It was a touch more friendly than flirty, but the feel of her fingers nevertheless made my body respond. Eventually, her pinky finger brushed against the tip of my dick poking under my pajamas. Her hand stopped and her eyes darted to Francesca, then to me.

"Well good morning to you too," Vivienne murmured. I used a large bite of my croissant to stifle a groan as her fingers caressed the outline of my erection, tracing its length slowly under the table.

"Morning," I said hoarsely, trying to sound casual. "I liked your picture, by the way."

"If you send that picture to anyone I will murder you."

"I won't. Promise."

"Good," she nodded. "In France it is legal for French people to murder foreigners who do such things."

"There's no way that's true," I said.

She only smiled, and removed her hand from my lap, to my disappointment. She held her croissant between her teeth again and typed into her computer. I struggled to take another bite without covering myself in crumbs, but I was unsuccessful and had to get a napkin.

"I was considering your tattoo suggestion," I murmured as I returned to the table and brushed myself off. "But I've decided that it's not very practical, unfortunately."

Vivienne shrugged. "It's okay, I thought the Eiffel Tower idea was better anyway. It will be very romantic when the police arrest you."

"But then they'll probably deport me, and I can't fulfill my promise," I said.

"Hrm," Vivienne opened an assignment on her computer as she thought. "Well I haven't been to America yet, anyway."

"Pancakes are ready!" Francesca said triumphantly, bringing a large stack in from the kitchen.

"Since when do you cook pancakes?" Vivienne asked Francesca.

"It is American breakfast for James," Francesca said. "I think Americans eat pancakes all the time, no?"

I shrugged. "They're alright, I guess. Do you have maple syrup?"

"What syrup?" Francesca asked, confused. I did my best to explain what maple syrup was. She shrugged and shook her head, then placed the tower of fluff in front of me. I took the large plate hesitantly.

"There are like a dozen pancakes on here, I usually eat three or four, maybe..." I murmured, wondering if they sold maple syrup at groceries here.

Vivienne took a bite of pancake, and spit it out onto the table. "Ugh, it's like eating a shirt," she scoffed.

"Well, more for James, then!" Francesca said with a huff, as if she were giving me good news.

"Thanks," I said as I stared at the pancake tower in front of me. I wondered how much I had to eat so Francesca wouldn't be mad at me.

"Americans really like these?" Vivienne asked.

"Well they're quite fluffy, which is good, but they're supposed to have maple syrup."

Francesca let out a growl from the kitchen but said nothing.

Vivienne stared blankly at some sort of homework assignment on her laptop as she crunched on her croissant. We both ate for a few minutes in silence as I let her work, but soon she slammed the laptop shut with frustration.

"What?" I asked.

"I cannot do it. It is too stupid," Vivienne said, throwing up her hands.

"School?" I asked, and she nodded.

"And the terrible part is that I actually like history!" Vivienne said, shaking her head. "I just do not like memorizing lists of dates and lists of nonsense! There is no purpose. It is not actually learning. It is only learning to pass a test."

"I know what you mean," I agreed.

"I feel like I am wasting my life. Manon is taking two years off, I don't see why I can't do the same. I can always go back to school later."

"Well, why don't you?" I asked.

"Why do you think I cannot do what I want?" Vivienne gave me a meaningful glare.

"Claudine," I answered.

"Who else?"

Vivienne laid her head back in her chair, staring at the ceiling. Finally, I had an idea to cheer her up.

"What's your favorite neighborhood in Paris?" I asked her.

Vivienne shrugged, still looking blankly at the ceiling.

"I like the Marais the best," Francesca suggested from the kitchen.

"Everyone says that," Vivienne responded, and she waived her hand dismissively.

"So is that a good neighborhood?" I asked.

"You do not know the Marais?" Francesca asked, aghast, and turned to me.

"It is very pretty, if a little..." Vivienne made a wiggling motion with her mouth and shoulders that made me chuckle.

"I don't know what that means," I said. "But can you do it again?"

Vivienne grinned. "It is a nice neighborhood, I admit. Just very popular."

"Ah, I get it," I said.

"You get what?" Vivienne asked, suspiciously.

"You're the kind of person who hates things that everyone else likes and likes what isn't popular."

Vivienne scowled at me sideways as her head rested on the back of her seat.

"I think you are beginning to understand her!" Francesca chimed in, laughing from the kitchen.

"Let's go see the Marais, then," I suggested. "It's Saturday, you don't have class."

A slight grin began to show across Vivienne's face. "Well it is an easy train ride, I suppose..."

I pulled up Google Maps and was surprised how close it was despite being on the other side of the river.

"Can we walk?" I suggested. "We can go across the bridge, right?"

Vivienne's grin widened into a genuine smile. "Sure."

"James has some errands on the schedule for today," Francesca said, thinking out loud. "And Vivienne you have your paper to write."

"I can write that later, it's easy," Vivienne scoffed.

"And I can do the errands later," I said. I surprised myself at how quickly I dismissed Claudine's schedule. Francesca looked a little surprised as well.

"Yes, let's go!" Vivienne agreed.

Francesca shrugged and nodded. "Very well. This will be a fun trip for us!"

"Us?" Vivienne pulled her head off the back of her chair and looked at Francesca.

Francesca gave Vivienne a knowing stare, complete with dramatic eyebrow raise. "You had another chaperone in mind? Would you prefer Claudine accompany you two?"

Vivienne groaned.

"Did I hear you say you are going to the Marais?" Claudine arrived in the entryway, putting on a pair of earrings. She was already in her coat and heels, ready to go out.

"I did," Vivienne said, with a hint of challenge. "And Francesca will chaperone us, so you do not have to worry... about whatever it is you are so worried about."

"Your paper-" Claudine began as she examined her neck in the mirror.

"You know I'm not a child anymore? I don't need my mother to manage my studies," Vivienne whined. "I should get my own apartment."

Claudine huffed. "I think it's about time for that, actually. So let's have an adult conversation, as you are an adult, apparently." Vivienne crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. Claudine continued in a professorial tone. "So as a fellow adult, I'm sure you've heard of these things called 'jobs' where one works in exchange for money. You will need this 'money' to pay for rent-"

"Ugh, stop!" Vivienne groaned.

I had to stop myself from chuckling as I watched them. "Don't they have dorms at your college?" I asked, daring to stick my neck into the melee.

Claudine shook her head. "For foreign students, perhaps, but Parisian students often live at home," she waved languidly toward the windows. "She goes to Pantheon-Sorbonne, only a fifteen minute walk."

"I should have studied out of the country," Vivienne crossed her arms. "Manon took two years off to travel, with only her backpack!"

"And her parents' credit card," Claudine responded with a dismissive snort. She met Vivienne's glare. "So I suppose I am expected to finance this tantrum?"

Vivienne spoke in angry, accusatory French, and Claudine responded with equal ferocity. I pretended that the pile of pancakes in front of me demanded every ounce of my attention. I shared a glance with Francesca, who was washing dishes intently.

Finally, Vivienne pushed her chair back and walked toward her room. "I'm changing, and we are going to the Marais. Have fun at your board meeting."

Claudine snorted and turned back to the mirror, arching her neck. She spoke loudly to me as she examined herself. "You'll like the Marais, James. It's very pretty..."

Vivienne halted as she passed Claudine, took a step back, and looked at where Claudine was staring at herself.

"What is that?" Vivienne asked.

"It is nothing, don't-" Claudine began.

Vivienne leaned forward and brushed a finger over the bottom of Claudine's neck. Claudine recoiled quickly and slapped Vivienne's hand.

"Do you have a suçon?!?" Vivienne roared.

Claudine hesitated, which was all the confirmation Vivienne needed. Vivienne whirled around to stare at me. She clearly expected me to say something.

"What's a suçon?" I asked, butchering the pronunciation of the unfamiliar word.

"This!" Vivienne pointed to Claudine's neck, and Claudine smacked her hand again. Claudine began to say something, but Vivienne threw up her hands in frustration. "I suppose you two share a bed so why shouldn't my mother have a suçon?"

"Vivienne!" Claudine said weakly. The bite in her words was gone.

Vivienne's eyes were wet and she stared at me as her fists clenched and unclenched. "Why did you even ask to see the city with me?"

"Because I wanted to... I thought it would be fun..." My heart was beating quickly now as I withered under Vivienne's glare.

"And you promised..." she mumbled, teary eyed as her voice trailed off. I waited for her to finish the sentence, but she only shook her head.

Claudine reached out a hand gently, but Vivienne batted it away.

"I'm so STUPID!" Vivienne yelled and stomped out of the apartment.

Claudine and Francesca shared a long look. Francesca went over to Claudine and examined her neck. Francesca grimaced and turned to me. "You got her bad last night, huh?"

"So a suçon is..." I asked, though part of me knew the answer already.

"I believe in English it is... hickey?" Claudine said. She collapsed on a dining room chair across from me and let out a long, slow sigh. "I told you I bruise easily, James."

"This isn't good, I think," Francesca mumbled and crossed her arms.

"No," Claudine agreed. "It is not."

I got a better look and even with the makeup, it was visible.

"Claudine, I'm so sorry..." I croaked.

"You idiot," Francesca said, narrowing her eyes at me.

Claudine shook her head. "It's my fault as well, I must have been too tired, and didn't notice..."

"Merde," I groaned.

"Nice to see your French coming along, James," Claudine said. "But if Vivienne does not come around, you may not be living in this house much longer to practice it."

* * *

For the next few hours, the three of us sat in the living room. Claudine delayed going to her board meeting while we debated what to do next, if anything.

I asked a little more about Claudine's previous students. She first had a girl, then two guys before me, who all slept in her bedroom. This was apparently common behavior with the other board members of the French Academy who all took in students as well. Vivienne disliked all of Claudine's prior students, especially the boys. Apparently, she thought they were arrogant and 'ignored them aggressively' until their semester was over. It sounded like an incredibly awkward situation, and it was no wonder that Claudine wanted me to try actually being Vivienne's friend.

I sat back in the cushioned chair and stared out the window. Both Claudine and Francesca tried to call Vivienne multiple times, but their calls all went to voicemail.

Francesca groaned. "I thought she was getting along much better with James than she did with the others..."

"Well that only created a different sort of problem, didn't it?" Claudine said.

"Do we have to rethink the whole arrangement?" Francesca asked.

"I suppose so," Claudine agreed.

Francesca groaned loudly with frustration.

"I'm sorry," I said.

"I am as well," Claudine responded.

I texted Vivienne, unsure if she would bother to answer, but I had to try.

Me: 'Can we get some food and talk? Please?'

"She's going to be with Manon, and the rest of them," Claudine said. Her annoyance seeped into her tone.

"You don't like her friends?" I asked.

Claudine shook her head.

"They are just teenagers," Francesca chimed in. "They do stupid things, but the same stupid things all teenagers do."

"Exactly, except they also have too much money," Claudine responded. "It's a bad combination: teenage hormones, and money."

I looked around the beautifully decorated room: to the crown molding, the delicate handcrafted furniture, and the huge windows that stared out onto one of the most expensive streets in Paris.

"More money than you have?" I asked.

"More money than Vivienne has," Claudine corrected. "Their parents do not believe in setting limits. Those kids are not used to hearing the word 'no.'"

"It seems like Vivienne can take care of herself," I offered.

Claudine and Francesca shared a look.

Francesca turned to me. "Last time Vivienne went out with them in a state of high emotions, she came back at seven in the morning... drunk, or god knows what else was in her system, and barely able to walk."

"She fell on the stairs and Adrienne brought her up," Claudine added.

"Adrienne... she's another board member?" I asked. Claudine nodded.

I looked to Claudine, dressed and ready for her board meeting. It must have been an extra layer of embarrassment to her when Vivienne was found by one of her peers, of all people.

"I nearly lost my mind," Claudine said as she looked out the window. "What kind of person might find her on the street, in such a state? And then she tells me she wants to leave the house and explore the world for a year instead of going to school? I'm worried she will survive the next twenty four hours..."

"Come on, Claudine, that's a little much," Francesca said.

My phone vibrated. To my surprise, I received a response from Vivienne.

FBV: 'Meet me here', followed by a Google Map link to a restaurant.

"Vivienne said she'd meet me," I said, almost disbelieving it myself.

Both Claudine and Francesca turned to me.

"Really?" Claudine asked, surprised.

"She's here," I held up my phone.

"Chez Marie," Francesca read. "Well I suppose she did want to go to the Marais after all. This is good news, hopefully she has calmed down."

"Perhaps," Claudine said, unsure.

"Well either she wants company for lunch, or she is planning to lead James to a dark alley and murder him." Francesca shrugged, as if either option were equally probable.

"I should go," I said.

"Let's go then!" Francesca said enthusiastically.

"I think I should see her alone... without a chaperone," I said.

Francesca looked to Claudine and raised an eyebrow.

"He's right," Claudine said. "If she only texted him, it should be only James. I think we have to give up on the chaperone requirement today."

"I'll text you where we are," I promised. "And if we go somewhere else, I'll text you that as well, until we're home."

Claudine's expression lightened. "You will?"

"Yeah, just so you know that we're safe. I'll stay with her the whole time, if she lets me."

"Don't get too messed up yourself," Francesca said. "Her friends are heavy drinkers, and who knows what else they get into."

"I know how to pretend I'm participating without doing very much, if I need to," I said, grinning. "I knew a bunch of party animals at college. I'll keep my wits about me and keep you both informed."

Claudine smiled. "That makes me feel much better. Thank you, James."

"I'll drive you," Francesca offered.

"It's alright, I can take the metro," I said.

"I'll drop you off two blocks away," Francesca said. "She'll never know I was nearby."

"Alright," I shrugged.

Claudine fished into her wallet and pulled out a credit card. "Use it for whatever you need. Just bring her back safe, please."

"I promise," I said.

* * *

Francesca drove Claudine's luxurious sedan confidently over the Parisian roads, but the traffic was terrible. She had to start and stop constantly and she cursed at cars, pedestrians, bikers, and people on scooters in a mix of languages.

"Well this is definitely not faster than taking the metro," I said, and Francesca chuckled.

"Well I drove you because we need to talk, James."

I turned to her. "About Vivienne?"

Francesca waved a hand. "No, she will be alright once she calms down. And she texted you, so that is an encouraging sign."

"You think?" I asked.

Francesca grinned. "If she had decided on murder, I do not think she would be at the Marais. Much too busy there. Too many witnesses. But beware if she tries to bring you to the outskirts of the city..."

I smirked. "Well thanks for the warning. Honestly though... I'm still not sure what to tell her once I do see her."

"Tell her you aren't only in France for her benefit alone," Francesca said. She accompanied all her statements with broad hand gestures which were a little disconcerting considering she was driving at the same time. "And this is what I want to speak of. Your responsibilities after she returns."

"My responsibilities?" I raised an eyebrow.

"To Claudine, of course," Francesca said.

"Of course," I said, chuckling and shaking my head. "Does she know you're always looking out for her like this?"

The car jolted to a stop as Francesca slammed on the brakes and turned to me quickly.

"James, are you a Mormon or something?"

"A Mormon? Are you implying I have multiple wives?"

Francesca looked confused. "Perhaps I am thinking of different religious Americans with a weird sex thing... who are the ones who don't like sex?"

"You mean Puritans?"

"Yes! Puritans!" Francesca said, nodding. "Are you one of those?"

I laughed.

"What?" Francesca asked. "Is it not a fair question?"

"First, I don't think Puritans really exist anymore. And secondly, what is this? Do you want to talk about my religion?"

Francesca grumbled under her breath and threw up her hands in frustration. "James, can you just fuck Claudine out of her mind already? Please? Per favore? And stop with this saving your virginity bullshit? For the love of Dio?"

I laughed again, shaking my head.

"Look, James," Francesca said, trying to be serious. She curved around a wide road, lowered her window to yell 'pazzo!' at a passing bicyclist, and then raised the window and returned her attention to me.

"Hey you were there at Geraldo's," I said, a little defensive.

"Yes yes, I know you've learned to 'contribute to the household' as you like to say. And clearly you are a fast learner. I could tell Claudine enjoyed herself."

"Well I had a good teacher," I said.

"Of course," she said with a wink and a shrug.

"So I mean, what's the problem?"

Francesca took a deep breath. "Well, your tongue is very nice, but this is not always enough for a woman, and besides that isn't the point."

"So what is the point?"

"The point is this ridiculous fixation on crossing this line of yours. You might as well tell Claudine she's an old troll!"

"Oh come on, she didn't say that?" I asked.

"No but... I can tell she feels it," Francesca said.

"Look, I just didn't know if last night was the right time..."

"You mean the right person," Francesca corrected. "You are saving it for Vivienne."

I hesitated.

"So is Claudine too old for you or something? You only like teenagers?"

"That's ridiculous!" I said.

"Is it?" Francesca slammed on the brakes and gave me her full attention. "Perhaps Claudine would never admit that she is jealous of her daughter, but Vivienne is not a little girl any longer. I just don't think it ever occurred to Claudine that you might not actually... want her."

"Not want her? Are you serious?" I looked at Francesca like she was insane. "She's probably the most beautiful woman I've ever met, so much so that sometimes I just don't even know what to do around her..."

"You don't know WHAT TO DO?" Francesca said with a loud, wild laugh. Her hand moved to my thigh and squeezed as she grinned at me. "You want a training in that too? Want me to show you what hole to stick it in?"

I just smirked and glanced at her hand, gently caressing my thigh. We said nothing else for a little while as I let Francesca's hand feel up and down my jeans. I began to grow half-hard from the touch of her slow-moving fingers. I glanced over at her in her summer dress, the curve of her cute breasts half exposed by the low cut white fringe. I turned back to the windows.

"You're the only man in the apartment, James," Francesca murmured. Her fingers walked over my thigh, almost as if tickling me. "I'm impatient too, you know. We both are."

I looked over to her and met her side-eye. "So she doesn't have a boyfriend, lovers, anything? And you don't either?"

"Neither of us do," Francesca answered. "That's part of the arrangement."

"Alright what's the deal with this 'arrangement'?"

"You want to know?" Francesca asked with a mischievous raise of her eyebrow.

"Please," I insisted. "I'd rather ask you than Claudine. She's much more cagey about things like this."

"Are you saying I have a big mouth?" Francesca asked, her big mouth wide open with mock surprise.

"I mean..." She met my eye and we both grinned.

We stopped at a light in a big intersection and Francesca leaned over the divider and began to undo my belt buckle.

"Francesca..." I mumbled.

"What? We have tinted windows," Francesca said with a wink as she whipped open my belt buckle and unzipped my jeans. "You want to know about the arrangement or not?"

"Are you blackmailing me?" I asked, eyebrow raised.

Francesca cackled. "Don't be so dramatic! I saw you this morning, you need to release a little stress anyway, don't you?"

She began to yank down my jeans and boxers, but traffic began again, and she had to stop for a moment to continue driving.

She waved to my crotch as she drove. "Finish taking that off for me."

"Aren't you supposed to be on probation from touching me?"

"Claudine can shove her probation up my snatch and light it on fire," she said with a snort. She glanced over at me and nodded to my crotch again. "Well?"

I pushed my jeans to my knees and Francesca continued driving with one hand as she reached into the slit of my boxers and found my dick. It twitched, growing but not quite hard yet under her hand. She stroked it gently and slowly as she drove.

"You'll be more comfortable if you put the seat back," she said. "Relax, James."

I hesitated for a second and thoughts of Vivienne flashed in my mind. But Francesca's hands were soft and warm, and she wasn't wrong: I woke up horny, and I was growing hard quickly as she stroked.

I put the seat back and pushed my boxers down as well. My dick was caught for a moment in the fly and then popped up, hard and straight, as she took it in her hand again. I adjusted the seat back 45 degrees.

"Good boy! It's like a spring, I love it," she said and turned back to the road. She caressed my erection slowly, from base to tip. "So... Claudine was always a control freak," she began.

"This part I figured out," I said, and Francesca snickered.

"When I got here she had lovers, and I had a boyfriend too. Claudine was working as an executive at a fashion company. She didn't sleep with men she didn't know; she was still very controlling about who she let into her life. But she is a woman with needs, and she must have had... six or seven lovers at that time. Mostly coworkers, before it all went to hell."

"So she got in trouble at work?"

Francesca snorted derisively and her hand stroked me harder as she laughed. "No, they all did that sort of thing! No, the problem was one of her men. They claimed to be like her- controlled, discreet, careful. But she quickly learned these were lies. One, in particular, was a real dog."

"He was sleeping with a lot of women?"

"Oh, yes," Francesca released my dick as she gestured. "Prostitutes, colleagues, girls he picked up at clubs, teenagers, drugs... he was out of control. He picked up something- a condition- and never told her. She had to learn about it from another woman."

"Wow," I said, surprised. Nothing in Claudine's life was out of her control, not like that. The only part of her life she couldn't really control was Vivienne, at least as far as I could tell.

"But Claudine was clean," Francesca assured me. "Tested a hundred times. She nearly killed the asshole. I'm serious: there was a police investigation."

I laughed, a little scared of what the full wrath of Claudine would look like.

"And then she found out that asshole wasn't the only one. Most of the men she was seeing were sleeping around, unprotected, despite all telling her how careful they were. For someone who likes to be in control, it nearly drove her mad. She dropped the whole stinking bag of them. The day she told them all to go to hell was the day I comforted her and well... took their place, in a way."

"So no more lovers for her?" I said. "Except for you?"

"Well we are now very careful who we bring into the apartment. They must be tested, screened, monitored..."

"Controlled," I finished.

Francesca smirked and turned to me as we stopped at another light. She took my hand and placed it on her breast. I slipped my hand over the frill that covered her cleavage, moved it under her bra and found her bare bouncy hand-sized breast underneath. She grinned at me as her hands returned to my cock, stroking it gently. She never moved fast enough to bring me to the brink of orgasm. She stroked me casually, keeping me hard without pushing me over the edge.

"I think it's not such a terrible cage to be in, is it?" Francesca asked. "And you get two women in the cage with you!"

I laid back and let her stroke me faster. The traffic stopped again, and she let go of the wheel. One hand dropped underneath her dress.

"Are you fingering yourself right now?" I asked.

"Mind your own business, virgin," she scoffed.

The traffic moved again, and her hand came out from under her skirt and returned to the wheel, and her other hand moved down to my balls and caressed them for a bit before returning to stroke the length of my cock. I groaned a little and grabbed her breast tighter. She smirked when she heard the groan escape my lips.

"So Vivienne... she's outside of the arrangement?" I asked, trying to concentrate.

"She doesn't know about it, though she must suspect something... she's never tried to go after the men in the arrangement before, since as you know she hated the others. But now, if you were exclusive to her..." She turned to me and narrowed her eyes. "Well I cannot stop you, but Claudine would not take it well, and I would be very annoyed with you."

I finally pulled my hand off her chest. "Maybe we should stop until I talk with Vivienne?"

Francesca's hand stroked my cock quicker. I gasped as precum began covering her fast-moving palm. She put a hand under her dress again as the car inched forward in heavy traffic. She eyed me and grinned. "I'll stop touching this throbbing cock of yours any time you want, James, just say the phrase."

"The phrase?" I asked.

"Just say: 'Francesca you're making my dick feel too good and you have to stop.'"

She snickered, very amused at herself. She stopped suddenly at a light and I leaned forward as she braked.

"Tell me when it's green," she said, and undid her seatbelt.

Before I realized what was going on, she was leaning over my crotch. She slurped loudly as she took the head my cock inside her mouth. One of her hands was under her dress again. She gagged as she pushed her head further down, taking my cock to the base. She began cradling my balls as her tongue curled around my shaft. I moaned loudly and bucked my hips upward. The head of my cock pressed against her throat, and my body demanded to cum into her mouth. Francesca gagged a little.

Horns blared behind us angrily and I looked up.

"Shit, it's green," I croaked.

Francesca sat up, replaced her seatbelt, and quickly returned to the wheel. More horns blared angrily, and she lowered her window so she could put her middle finger out of the car and yell insults in Italian at whoever was honking at us.

"It's so ridiculous you think you're a virgin," Francesca said, almost absent-mindedly as she pulled off the main street onto a small cobblestone road.

"I mean, I am," I said, raising an eyebrow at her.

Francesca came to a stop at the edge of a little park and turned to me. "You know every woman in this apartment has drank your cum? And I didn't hear you complaining when I spent the entire ride stroking your hard cock," she snorted derisively, and her fingers curled over the head of my cock. "Pure as the summer's breeze."

"I didn't say I was pure or anything," I mumbled. I debated asking her to stop but her touch felt good and I let her continue stroking me. "Vivienne said she's done stuff too with boys, but she's still... well we're on the same level, I guess."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Francesca scoffed.

It seemed important to me for some reason, but I couldn't explain it and didn't really want to try. "I just haven't you know... crossed that line."

She unbuckled her seatbelt. I did as well and looked around. We were surrounded by trees on one side and a narrow cobblestone street going up a hill on the other. This side of the park was quiet, tree-lined, and mostly empty.

"Are we here?" I asked.

"Nearly," Francesca responded and turned to me narrow-eyed, like a bird of prey. "So what's this line of yours, exactly?"

"My line?"

She grinned and stroked my cock again, keeping me hard. She had barely taken her hand off it for the last twenty minutes and I was panting after staying hard for so long. Her left hand was underneath her dress again, obviously fingering herself.

"So you stick it inside a pussy?" she asked, her grin widening. "In and out? Two seconds and you're a new man?"

"I mean, I'm not sure that would be enough..." I mumbled. It was difficult to form coherent thoughts as she held me on the edge of an orgasm.

"Ah, so you have to come inside," she said, nodding. "Got it."

"Well thanks for the ride," I said.

"Any time."

She quickly hiked up her dress and crossed the center divider, mounting me. She placed a knee on either side of me and threw up her dress, enough for me to briefly see her bare pussy underneath. Her dress pooled on my stomach, and she reached underneath herself to hold my erection up vertically.

"Francesca!" I began to say something, but the head of my cock was covered in tight, wet warmth and I could only groan with pleasure.

"Just say the phrase and I'll stop," she said with a wink. "But I think you'll like it better if you just cum inside me.".

I groaned and my cock pushed against resistance before I got more than a few inches into her.

"Fuck, you're big!" Francesca gasped. She twisted her body, trying to get my cock deeper.

I weakly pushed her thighs up from below. I only succeeded in pushing her up an inch or two- just enough for her weight to bounce back down onto me, shoving my dick higher. My body was ready to cum and I was losing the strength to push.

"You just need to get over yourself, James," Francesca murmured as her hands went onto my shoulders. She twisted her hips like a corkscrew, sitting further down onto me with each rotation. "Just get this out of the way..."

"Francesca..." I gasped.

She smiled wide as she began bouncing slowly. I could feel her getting wetter, and my cock was sliding deeper and easier inside her with each bounce.

"Just let it out, James. Let it all out inside me..."

My body ached to cum, but I couldn't get Vivienne out of my head.

"Francesca... you're making my dick feel too good..." I mumbled.

Francesca smiled and bounced quicker. Strands of her brown hair fell all over her face and mine. She was getting wetter now, and she closed her eyes and began moaning softly as my aching cock pressed deeper into her warmth.

"... and you have to stop."

Her body froze. Most of my shaft was buried inside her. She glared at me from behind her loose strands of fallen hair. I wouldn't have had the strength or willpower to push her off if I tried.

"Are you SERIOUS?"

I nodded.

"You promised," I gasped.

"Ugh!"

She groaned, pushed herself off me, and collapsed back into the driver's seat. My cock hung in the air, damp and cold, and I missed the feel of her pussy immediately.

"Look at you!" Francesca slapped my erection angrily, making it bounce in the air. "If Vivienne decides to murder you, that was your last chance to 'lose your virginity' before you died."

"I guess I'll take my chances," I said, breathing heavily. I was barely able to move.

Francesca muttered a curse and pulled up my boxers and my jeans since I was clearly incapable of moving my limbs.

"I meant what I said," I gasped.

"You meant what?" She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"It felt really good," I said, calming myself. "Even if it was your phrase, it was true. Rain check?"

"RAIN CHECK?!"

"Yeah, it means another time-"

"I KNOW WHAT A FUCKING 'RAIN CHECK' IS, JAMES!"

I grinned as she angrily re-buckled my belt.

"It means you're the horniest fucking virgin I've ever met, that's for sure," she muttered as she finished zipping up my fly. "So, my sweet innocent summer's breeze... when exactly were you planning on using your rain check? Perhaps after tea time tomorrow? Did you want to do Claudine before or after? Or are you running away with Vivienne, instead, to abandon us altogether?"

I shook my head. "I'm not going to abandon you or Claudine I just... I just feel like I need to talk to her first. Before... well I just need to talk to her. It wouldn't be right if I didn't."

Francesca scoffed and reached over me to open the car door. "Get the fuck out of my car and bring Vivienne home already."

I grinned and forced my limbs to move. Slowly, I got out of the car.

"See you back at the apartment... and thanks again for the ride," I said.

Francesca only grimaced and gave me a middle finger. I closed the door.

I left the car, wandering a little wobbly on my feet as I meandered through the square. Francesca's car left as I caught my breath on a bench. The little square was cute. At the far end of the square, the windows of a bakery were filled with various breads and pastries. There was a strange little souvenir shop on the corner, and beside it a wine shop whose walls were covered in ivy. Eventually, I got off my bench and followed my phone's directions to the restaurant. As I made my way through the narrow streets, the crowds of people thickened, moving in every direction. It would have been nice to see it all with Vivienne, I thought, and hear her various absurd judgments about everything we passed.

Chez Marie sat on the edge of a small plaza. It was quite large and surrounded by little metal tables, about half of which were full. As I approached, I saw the back of a shock of wild black hair that had to be Vivienne. She was sitting at a table outside with a blonde girl and three guys my age, or a little older. They were lounging around a table with half eaten plates of food and two half-empty bottles of wine. I walked hesitantly around the table trying to make sure it was her, but she was wearing her huge sunglasses. Eventually, I got close enough to confirm that the scowl on that pretty mouth was indeed Vivienne's. Her wine glass was empty and one of the men at the table leaned over to fill it back up.

"Hey, Vivienne," I said, and waved to the group. "Bonjour, everyone."

The boys all regarded me with lazy disinterest, and the blonde girl grinned a wide, mischievous smile at me.

Vivienne turned to me, pulled off her sunglasses, and her scowl was quickly replaced by shock. "James? What are you doing here?"