Steele Playing By The Rules - Part VIII

Laura placed the wine glass on the dining room table and stepped back. The table looked lovely, she prayed the same thing applied to her broiled salmon in lemon dill sauce.

The doorbell chimed in the background and Laura almost ran to answer it. She pulled the door open and smiled. "Thank goodness you're here!" She breathed.

"Why so frantic? I told you I'd be over right after my appointment."

Laura stepped aside and let the young woman enter. She took her coat and purse and motioned for her to be seated in the living room.

"Mmm, something smells delicious. Are you sure you didn't have that catered?"

"Hah, hah." Laura made a face and went to the kitchen to retrieve dinner. "I'll meet you in the dining room.

"So how have you been Brigid?" Laura asked as she set the platter of seafood on the table.

"Just fine Holt. It's been awhile hasn't it? You could've knocked me over with a feather when I heard your voice on my machine."

"Oh come now, it hasn't been that long. Has it?" Laura pulled a chair out and sat down.

"Not long, only a few years. But then our respective careers don't exactly give us many opportunities to socialize do they?" Brigid winked. "So, what's this all about? It would have to be pretty unusual circumstances for me to be of help Laura."

"Uh, you could say that. Actually it has to do with a case I'm working on."

Laura didn't usually involve "civilians" in her work but this was a dire emergency and it couldn't be helped. Remington had just embarrassed and angered her past the point of no return and she had to get even! She recalled what had transpired two nights before and her faced burned with the memory.

Laura and Remington were using their scheduled appointment to compare notes. They'd gotten tidbits here and there, but nothing substantial. Laura kept a notebook handy so she could jot down things to check over with Murphy. She was adding an entry when she heard a muffled moan coming from the room next door. When she looked up, her eyes locked with Remington's and she immediately looked away.

"Someone would appear to be having a healthy go at it."

"It would appear." Laura said, burying her head in her book.

The tell tale sounds of the lovemaking session going on next door were increasing to the point that Laura wished she were anywhere but next door, in a bedroom with Him! She could feel his eyes burning her from across the room, imploring her to look up, daring her to make eye contact with him. After a few moments she looked up, and saw what she'd prayed wouldn't be there - mockery. He was actually mocking their predicament and enjoying her discomfiture. The desire to wipe that look off his face was too great to be denied. Without a thought to the ramifications, Laura threw her book across the room. Remington had seen the warning, had known she was going to do it before the notebook had left her hand. He dodged her attack and smiled at her with smug satisfaction.

"I'm sorry, was there something you'd written that you wanted me to see?"

"You are really enjoying this aren't you?" Laura accused.

Remington tilted his head a bit and smiled. "Absolutely, Miss Holt." He heard the couple's renewed vigor and chuckled. "From the sounds of it, I'd say round two has just begun."

Before Laura could manage a retort, Remington laid back and began hitting his back up against the headboard. Laura's eyes bulged and she gasped in mortification. "What do you think you're doing?" She hissed.

"Giving them a run for their money of course. I'm showing them Andrina and Pierce aren't to be outdone." He smiled and returned to his banging. Laura's skin was flushed a bright rose color and before she could utter a reply, he'd added guttural moaning to his repertoire. That was the last straw. She ran to the bed and hit him squarely in his chest. Remington gasped and grabbed her hands to ward off further attack.

"What are you doing?"

"What am I...what are You doing?" Laura shot back. "This is embarrassing!" She whispered.

"Laura, aren't you playing a part?" He reminded her. "You're supposed to be a high priced call girl, not the bloody virgin of Avila!" He laughed, loudly.

She punched him and pointed toward the wall. "You're going to blow our cover."

"If anyone's going to get us discovered it's you! Or have you forgotten Andrina's profession?"

"No, I haven't forgotten and I don't need you reminding me of what I'm supposed to be doing! Might I remind you that I'm the professional here, remember? You are the one with no experience at this sort of thing." Laura ground out.

Something in her tone and accusations caused Remington's jaw to tick. The desire to put her in her place surfaced and almost choked him, it was so great. Before he could decide on an appropriate course of action, he'd crushed her against him.

"Is that so Laura? Well I think you need reminding just how much experience I have!" Without pause Remington's lips lowered and devoured hers.

Remington turned Laura over and under him without even breaking their kiss. Her arms immediately wrapped themselves around his neck to pull him closer. Her brain warned her but her body wanted nothing but more!

Seconds passed into minutes as their passionate battle raged on. Remington was determined to teach her a lesson she wouldn't soon forget. He could feel her coldness thawing and went to great lengths to stoke the fire within her. Laura's hands roamed over his body with wild abandon. The feelings she evoked within him had his body singing. Suddenly his mind sounded the alarm. Too close! She's getting to close! His mind warned but his lips sought hers repeatedly.

A moan escaped Laura's lips and it was that which finally brought Remington back from the brink. They couldn't do this. Not here, not like this. Laura deserved better than a quick tumble in a Beverly Hills bordello. Laura deserved better? Since when had his primary concern shifted from himself to her? Remington didn't like where this was heading one bit! Confusion coursed through his veins and extinguished the fevered need from moments ago. Remington sat up and pulled Laura with him. He could see the look of confusion and then mortification in her eyes. What the hell was she mortified about!? Almost having sex in a brothel or almost having sex with him in a brothel?

Abruptly he stood up and shoved his shirt back into his pants. Laura likewise got up and started repairing the damage caused by their unscheduled romp.

"That shouldn't have happened." Laura said, hoarsely.

"Get caught up in trying to play the part, eh?" Remington said, sarcastically.

Laura blanched at his tone. In truth she was feeling frustrated too and let it show. Trying? Did he just say trying?

"What the hell are you upset about? If anyone should be upset it should be me. That so called experience you have didn't say much." She scoffed.

Remington turned around and pinned her to the spot with stormy, blue eyes. "That vast knowledge lets me know you couldn't play the part of a woman experienced in the art of seduction if your life depended on it."

Remington turned on his heel and stormed out. Laura was seething and longed to go after him but didn't want to blow her cover. The nerve of him! If he thought she'd keep taking the insults he dished out, he was mistaken! She'd beat him at his own game, whichever one he decided to play. He'd just declared war and Laura was never one to walk away from a good fight!

She looked toward her friend and smiled in anticipation. Brigid Bowers was more than her old high school buddy; she was a woman whose knowledge of sex was unparelled. She too was a well paid call girl and Laura had no problem asking her for enough inside information to bring the arrogant man that posing as Remington Steele to his knees.

"I need you to school me on a few things Bridge. I need to knock an arrogant associate of mine off his sexual pedestal and I'm not sure how to go about it." Laura admitted.

"Well, that depends on a few things Laura. Just how far are you willing to take this little charade of yours?"

Laura remembered the last barb he'd fired off on his way out and looked at her friend with steely resolve. "All the way Bridge. I want to rattle that man's cage like no one he's ever known. If he wants experience, I'll give it to him!"

Brigid smiled knowingly. Women were always asking her for advice on making their boyfriends jealous or driving them crazy with desire. It would appear that her old friend was no exception.

"It's a dangerous game you'll be playing, Laura." She warned.

"I know, but it's one I intend to win."

This story is intended for amusement purposes only. This story is not meant to infringe on the names of Remington Steele, Laura Holt or anything that would cause MTM productions or anybody else to sue me. This story is the property of Lisa Watson ã 2002.

Steele Playing By The Rules - Part VIII

To Be Continued...