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 2001.
Tony took the keys from Laura's hand and opened her loft door. He stood aside to let her enter first and closed the heavy door behind him.
"I must admit Laura I was pleasantly surprised. It's been ages since I've been to the movies. I really had a good time," Tony said as he handed her her keys and sat down on the couch.
"I'm glad you liked it. I love going to the movies, I have every since I was a kid. Though I admit most movies I've seen lately have been the classical ones," Laura said laughing.
"I didn't know you liked old movies," Tony said in surprise.
"I didn't at first but...a uh friend got me hooked on them," Laura said uncomfortably.
"Let me guess, Steele," Tony said dryly.
"Yes. How did you know?" Laura responded.
"You get this strange look whenever you try not to say his name. Really Laura you don't have to try to censure yourself. I'm a big boy, I can handle you mentioning the guy's name." Tony said.
He went to her refrigerator and got out two club sodas and handed her one. She took it and greatfully drank the bubbly liquid.
"Sorry, I don't know why I do that," She admitted. "I guess I'm trying not to make you uncomfortable."
"Are you sure it isn't you that's uncomfortable bringing up his name?" Tony accused.
"No! Whatever made you think that? I work with the man remember? I see him everyday and I can certainly handle saying his name," Laura huffed.
"Except lately. He seems to have gone in to seclusion. I hope I'm the cause," Tony said as he pulled her to him.
"I don't know why he left so suddenly. Mildred mentioned something about him deciding on a vacation. Still I'm surprised he didn't mention it to me before he left," Laura replied.
"Maybe he didn't want to get in to it. Steele seems like a very private guy. Then again he probably didn't want to see me doing this," Tony said as he kissed Laura passionately.
Laura put her arms around Tony's neck and responded to his lips. His tongue slowly invaded her mouth and she returned his explorations with a few of her own. She ran her fingers through his hair and down his back. Tony backed Laura up to the couch and slowly eased her onto the cushions. Laura tilted her head back as Tony found the sensitive spot on her neck. The one that Rem.. No! She wasn't going to make comparisons she scolded herself. She made herself concentrate on the here and now. Laura raised her hand and flicked open the buttons on Tony's shirt. Her hands slowly roamed over the hair on his chest and down his firm stomach. His moan in her ear made her breathing quicken. His fingers sought out her breast and slowly kneaded the small mound. Laura arched and softly expelled the breath she'd been holding.
"Laura I want you. You can't imagine how much," Tony whispered raggedly.
"I want you too," Laura said as she sat up on the couch.
"Are you sure?" Tony asked in surprise.
"Yes. I'm sure Tony. I'm ready for this," Laura said with finality.
Laura pulled Tony up from the couch and pulled him toward the bedroom. She released his hand before he noticed it was shaking. He ran his fingers from her cheek slowly down her arm and hip. He began unbuttoning her blouse when she stopped him.
"Wait a minute Tony, I'll be right back," She said and headed for the bathroom.
Tony sat down on the bed and held his breath.
Laura looked in the mirror at her reflection. Why? Why was she doing this? Her inner voice asked. Sure she wanted Tony, she'd been attracted to him from the first time she'd met him. But why was she giving herself to him after keeping Remington at bay for so long?
It's easier, safer. Came the reply.
"Laura? You ok?" Tony's asked from the bedroom.
"Fine. I'll be right out." Laura said lightly.
She looked at herself once more before turning off the light and opening the door.
###
Remington pulled the shawl higher on Sabrina's shoulders and pulled her closer.
"Warmer?" He asked softly.
"Getting there," She replied.
"We can leave if you'd like. I suppose when I suggested a moonlight stroll I should have made sure it wasn't so cool," Remington laughed.
"Oh I'm not falling for that. You probably consulted the weather before bringing me out here. I mean this is perfect snuggling weather," Sabrina observed.
"So it is," Remington replied as he leaned in and kissed her deeply. "Among other things,"
Sabrina ran her hand through his hair and pulled him closer to her.
"Such as?" She breathed.
"How about I show you instead?" He said thickly.
"Even better," She said as he lowered her down on the blanket.
###
Tony leaned over Laura and looked down at her face.
"Laura? Sweetheart are you alright?" Tony asked in genuine concern as he slowed his pace. She immediately grabbed his back and pulled him closer.
"I'm fine, don't stop." Laura urged.
"Laura if I'm hurting you..." Tony said softly.
"No you're not, everything is fine," Laura said as she pulled him down and kissed him.
She felt her body began to relax again and concentrated on the sensations she was experiencing. He was an attentive, considerate lover and he was making her feel incredible. She threw herself in to their lovemaking and within minutes felt her body tightening in preparation for its release. Tony quickened his pace and felt Laura hold on to him tighter as she moaned softly.
She saw it then, his face. So detailed, even in the darkness of her mind she could still see the dark blue hue of his eyes. They were intense as they boared in to her, beseeching her. She felt her heart constrict in pure pain as her body tensed in pure pleasure. She begged her mind to go blank, to cease it's torture but it wouldn't let her free. As she slid over the edge of her release he was right there with her, imploring her. She didn't trust her voice not to betray her thoughts so she kept silent as her body shook with passion. She heard Tony calling out her name but she couldn't respond. He wouldn't release his hold on her, not yet. Only as her body descended back from the brink did his face slowly recede in to the darkness. His smile lingered then faded away.
Laura opened her eyes but the room was still dark. Daylight was a few hours off and sleep still eluded her. Tony had left a few hours before but she'd remained awake. Laura was ashamed of her reaction earlier and had tried to make sense of the jumble her emotions had become. Of its own volition her mind had conjured him up at a time when her thoughts should have been focused on Tony. Or was it her heart that had betrayed her? Nothing was ever simple when it came to him. It had been her decision to get him out of her heart once and for all. To finally end her self-imposed celibacy and make love with another man. She was certain it would have been the turning point in her feelings for him but the hard, cold truth hit her like a well thrown brick. She'd wanted to make love with Tony because he didn't represent the same amount of risk for her. A relationship with him didn't require her to give of herself on the same level that she knew would be required with Remington. Once again fear had been Laura's motivating factor and she'd made the situation more complicated now than it had been.
Laura shuddered when she thought of Remington. She'd scorned him, again and she knew this time he'd never forgive her. She had introduced Tony in to the scenario and had chosen a relationship with him over one with Remington because she'd been a coward.
###
"I must admit, coming back here was a good idea," Sabrina said as Remington coaxed the fire into a hearty blaze.
"I do have them from time to time," Remington smiled as he walked over and removed the shawl from Sabrina's shoulders.
"I'd wager you won't be needing this anymore," Remington said and tossed it onto the sofa.
Sabrina reached up and unbuttoned Remington's jacket. She slid it off his shoulders and tossed it on the sofa next to her shawl. She kissed Remington's neck and unbuttoned his shirt until she encountered the belt buckled at his waist.
"I seem to have stumbled upon a road block," Sabrina purred. "What's a woman to do?" She laughed and slowly unbuckled Remington's belt and unzipped his pants.
"It seems you have the situation well in hand," Remington said with some difficulty.
"Not yet," Sabrina smiled wickedly as her hand dissapeared in to the front of Remington's pants. "But I do now,"
At the feel of her touching him he growled and crushed her lips with his. He molded her body to him and held her close. He shuddered at the sensations their close contact caused. He closed his eyes and reveled in the feelings as a dehydrated man would an ice cube. He saw Laura's face then and paused, confused. He knew she wasn't there but still it felt real. She smiled at him and he closed his eyes tighter in an effort to dispel the image. Suddenly he felt angry. Angry at having denied his body the pleasures that only a woman could bring it. He'd held himself in check for her for too long and all he had to show for it was too many sleepless, frustrated nights to count. He'd committed himself to her the only way he knew how, by staying around and not making love to another woman and the only thing it had gotten him in the end was a terminal cause of sexual frustration and Tony Roselli thrown up in his face. In his arms was a beautiful, alluring woman that was giving herself to him with no strings attached. No committments needed, no long drawn out conditions and no games. He knew he'd be a fool to pass this up. His ego had taken too many beatings at Laura Holt's hands and the last one had proven fatal.
"I need this," Remington said out loud.
"As do I," Sabrina said softly.
Remington opened his eyes at the sound of her voice and blinked.
"Are you alright darling?" Sabrina said when she saw his jaw clench.
"Absolutely. Now where were we?" Remington said as he picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.
He sat her on her feet and stood looking down at her. "God you are beautiful," Remington said hoarsly.
"As much as I love hearing it, I want you to show me," Sabrina said as she pulled his face to hers.
Remington buried his face in her neck and drank in her scent as if his life depended on it. His arms went around to her back and he begged his hands to steady as they unzipped her dress. He eased the dress down her supple form and to the carpeted floor. Sabrina stood before him in diaphanous lingerie. It's green hue enhanced her bronze skin making it glow in contrast. Her aroused state made her green eyes look like pools of melted emeralds. He laced his fingers through her long black hair and audibly moaned as his mouth captured hers. Remington laid Sabrina in the middle of the bed and came down beside her. His fingers traced a path down her body, leaving no region unexplored. When he reached the waist band on her panties he looked in her eyes and smiled. She was writhing on the bed in anticipation of his touch. He felt himself swell with satisfaction at finally being free to give a woman pleasure on a purely primative level.
"My turn," Remington said thickly as his fingers vanished from sight.
###
Mildred poured herself a cup of coffee and sat at her desk. She was tired but ready to put Felecia's plan into action. She'd hardly slept a wink last night in anticipation. She knew there was no way Laura wouldn't think Remington was behind the jewel heist in Monte Carlo. She also knew that pictures of Remington in the newspaper wooing glamorous women would hit Laura on her most rudimentary level. Mildred had been around the block enough to know that no matter how bizarre their relationship, Laura considered Remington hers. She also knew that Remington felt the same way which was why he'd left rather than watch Laura take up with Tony Roselli. Mildred knew she didn't need to interfere in breaking those two up because sooner or later Laura would do it herself. Laura put the agency first above all and this time would be no different. Laura would be compelled to go see just what Remington was up to and when she did..."
"Good morning Mildred," Laura said quietly.
Mildred took in Laura's rumpled appearance and bags under her eyes and smiled broadly. "Oh, good morning honey."
"You seem in a better mood this morning Mildred. Any reason in particular?"
"Nothing honey, just got a good night's sleep last night. I've been up lately watching old movies and you know how that can catch up with you," Mildred replied watching Laura intently.
Laura excused herself and went in to her office. A few hours later Laura came out to ask Mildred for a file. Mildred heard Laura's door opening so she turned her chair around so that she was facing the wall. She pulled the newspaper higher in front of her and set the ball in motion. She pretended to be so engrossed in what she was reading that she didn't hear Laura calling her name.
"Mildred!" Laura said loudly.
"Oh! Sorry honey I didn't hear you," Mildred said jumping and quickly closing the paper and putting it on the side of her computer.
She turned around and gave Laura her attention. "You wanted something kiddo?" Mildred said innocently.
"Yes I was looking for the Bevins file. What were you reading? You seemed so consumed," Laura said stifling a yawn.
"Oh it was nothing important. Actually I think I left that file in the boss' office. I'll go get it," Mildred said as she hurried in to Remington's office.
When the door closed Laura quickly walked around Mildred's desk and flipped over the newspaper. She was wondering why Mildred was reading a foreign newspaper when she saw a familiar face jump out at her and jolt her awake. She saw Remington smilng down at a beautiful woman and sat down heavily on Mildred's chair. She read about a gala being hosted by some Contessa and how the newly arrived, world renowned Remington Steele, apparently on a much needed holiday was causing a buzz among the social elite in Monte Carlo. He'd been seen around town with some of Italy and France's most eligible women. The latest on his growing list of admirers was an indian heiress Sabrina Ali and the notorious Anjuli Bouvais.
Laura sat the paper down on the desk and immediately felt the familiar tugging in the pit of her stomach. She picked up the paper again and turned the page looking for the remainder of the article. On the third page the words "jewel still not recovered" caught her attention. The hairs on her neck stood on end as she read about a Madame Veilleux's 6 carat diamond brooch being stolen while on display for a charity event.
"It can't be," Laura said weakly. "He wouldn't. He couldn't have,"
Laura read the article over twice and noticed the jewel had been stolen over a week before and had yet to be returned. An exhorbitant reward was being offered for it's safe return.
"I'll kill him!" Laura roared as she threw the paper down on the desk.
"Kill who honey, what's the matter?" Mildred said from Remington's door.
"Mildred, where did you get this newspaper? Did HE send it to you to brag that he'd pulled the wool over my eyes...again!" Laura spat.
"What are you talking about honey? Gladys gave me that paper when I saw her last night. For some reason she loves looking at the social columns. It makes her feel like Robin Leach or something. You know, lifestyles of the rich and famous," Mildred concluded.
"Did you happen to see who was featured in the society page?" Laura accused.
"Oh yeah I saw it. The boss seems to be enjoying his vacation. From the looks of it he's cutting quite the rug," Mildred said with a wink.
"That's not all he's been up to!" Laura said through clenched teeth.
"I'm not following you honey," Mildred said in confusion.
"It's obvious old habits die hard. Well if he thinks I'm going to let him besmirch the name Remington Steele and ruin my agency's reputation he'd better damn well think again!" Laura screeched.
Laura ran back to her office and returned less than three seconds later with her purse.
"Uh where are you off to Miss Holt?" Mildred asked in mock surprise.
"To Monte Carlo Mildred. One way or another this ends here and now! I'm not going to lose another nights sleep over that man and worrying about him ruining years of hard work to make this agency what it is now!" Laura said in a rush.
"Laura you're too upset to think straight right now. You go pack and I'll handle all the travel arrangements. Call me when you're done and I'll fill you in on your itinerary," Mildred soothed.
"Thank you Mildred," Laura said greatfully.
Mildred watched her practically knock the door off it's hinges and grinned. Sparks were going to fly and she wished she had a front row seat. She picked up the phone and looking through her address book dialed a number.
"Madame Veilleux please," Mildred said politely.
"Felecia? It's Mildred Krebbs. Everything went according to plan. Laura is on her way and as ready to do battle as a bull in a china shop. I only wish I could see the fireworks," Mildred laughed.
"Oh thank you Mildred. I knew you could pull it off. Now you've got all the information Laura will need right? Superb. I've taken the liberty of booking a later flight for you as well Mildred. You've worked too hard not be here for the reunion party I'm throwing." Felecia informed her.
"But won't that tip them off that they've been had?" Mildred replied.
"No Mildred, you leave everything to me. By the time they see you they'll have either kissed and made up or killed each other. I'll have my secretary call you back with your travel arrangements. Au Revoir," Felecia said and hung up.
Mildred hung up and sat back in her chair. She paused for a second, unsure of the outcome of the next meeting between Laura and Remington. She knew from past experience that it would be explosive. Felecia was right, they'd either kiss and make up, or declare war against each other and the way those two operated it was hard at times to tell one from the other. Whatever the outcome, nothing on earth would prevent Mildred from missing World War III.