Chapter Text
The shoot wrapped two hours later than expected and it was nine in the evening by the time Mira leaves her trailer to climb into the back of the same black sedan that picks her up every morning and drops her off every night.
Her head is heavy with all the scenes she had to do that day, the costume changes, the bickering between René and Edmond, and now the audacious presence of Gottfried is added into the mix. She respects the guy, he’s a great actor, but Mira wishes he wasn’t such a dick all the time either.
Regina takes the seat beside her and gives her a lingering look.
“You need anything?” Regina asks, always dutiful, always anticipating Mira’s needs. Mira waves her off.
“I’m fine. I’ll need a shower after crawling on that dusty floor though.”
Regina smirks and nods. She settles on her seat and cracks open the book she’s been reading.
Mira stares out through the heavily tinted window and can only make out the streetlights as they drive back to Paris.
She’s been so unfocused lately. Imbalanced. She thought seeing Aemonn would help fix that but it just made everything worse. She’s just reminded how much she fucked up.
Now he’s having a baby girl with his girlfriend while she’s alone and lonely, surrounded by strange people that wants a piece of her. She’s used to it, but lately she feels the walls start to cave in. She’s lost her instincts and has been second guessing all her choices.
She’s pulled out of her thoughts when her phone that’s on the space next to her starts to buzz. She looks down, expects her agent or Zoe. She sees Laurie’s caller ID instead. Her entire body reacts to it right away with thrill and dread.
She looks up and Regina’s watching her, eyebrows quirked.
“Are you going to take that?”
She looks back down at it a moment longer.
“If I don’t she’ll just keep calling.” She acts nonchalant but a rush courses through her as she answers. “Laurie,” she says, her voice in a rehearsed playfulness. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Hello, darling,” Laurie’s sultry voice is a heady perfume; intoxicating and seductive. “How are you?”
“You’re calling just to ask how I am?”
“No patience for foreplay? How on brand.” Mira bites her lip as Laurie chuckles lightly on the other line.
“Sorry, it’s been a long day,” she says tiredly.
“Taping all your big scenes?”
“Yeah, it was on a train today. All the moving hydraulics gave me vertigo.”
“Poor baby.” Without much preamble, Laurie says, “I’m in Paris.”
Mira’s body betrays her and her spine straightens up, then a second wave of rush. It’s not like she’s stalking Laurie’s Instagram, but last time she checked this morning, Laurie has posted a selfie while on a hike, the Hollywood sign on her background.
“How?” she asks carefully. “Why?”
“Herman is shooting a perfume ad for Chanel. They’re paying him a lot and it’s all expenses paid so I thought I’d come with.”
“Ah. Good for Herman.”
“Hmm.”
“Good for you too, I guess.”
“It’s nice to be a kept woman,” Laurie agrees. “It was like that with you, before. Only I had to do your bidding all the time.”
“I mean, you were my assistant.”
“And you made sure I don’t forget.”
There is a pause on both sides. Mira wishes she had a cigarette right now.
“Where are you staying?”
“Back in Plaza Athénée. Do you want to see me?”
“Yes.” The answer is automatic.
“Yes what?”
“Yes. Please.”
Laurie’s satisfied hum makes the tips of her fingers tingle. “Meet me at the bar tonight?”
Mira lets out a humorless laugh. “No, no, no. Last time I did that, you ditched me for your husband.”
Laurie laughs too. “Not this time. I promise.”
Laurie making promises doesn’t really mean shit these days but Mira is physically unable to stay away.
“I’m still on my way back from set. I won’t be in the city for two more hours.”
“I don’t care.”
“You’ll wait?”
“Yes.”
“Fine,” she says it like she’s being forced into it.
“See you soon.”
Mira asks the driver to drop her off at the Plaza Athénée shortly after the call.
“You’re really doing this again?” Regina asks her when they pull up to the hotel just past eleven pm.
“I’ll take a taxi back. See you in the morning,” she simply says, ignoring Regina’s disapproving look.
She walks inside to the bar and despite the late hour, patrons still fill most of the tables. She doesn’t see Laurie though. She fishes out her phone from her bag and calls her.
“Hello?”
“I’m at the bar and… you’re not here.” Mira can feel the first signs of a migraine coming in. She knows where this is going before Laurie even answers.
“I know. I changed my mind.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” her voice is a quiet controlled rage. Inside, she’s fuming. “Are you even in Paris?”
“So angry.” Laurie’s voice is mildly mocking and Mira’s breathing grows heavier with fury. “I just meant I don’t want to meet at the bar anymore. Come up to my suite instead.”
This is humiliating. Mira feels like an obedient dog with an abusive owner but still wags its tail and do all the tricks it's asked to.
“No. I’m leaving.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Fuck you.”
“Which one? You can’t do both.”
Mira seethes. Laurie slightly relents.
“Come on,” she coaxes, her voice softer and Mira hates how much it exactly has the effect on her as Laurie intends. “Elevator to your left, top floor, last door on the hall.”
Then she hangs up. Mira stands in the middle of the room, a deathly grip on her phone.
“You want a table, madam?”
The poor waiter recoils as Mira’s glare transfers to him. She quickly composes herself, remembers she’s a public figure and if she’s not careful, this would end up on some tabloid tomorrow. So she puts on a friendly smile.
“No. Sorry. Change of plans.”
She walks back outside, heart thumping wildly. She lights a cigarette and exhales the smoke to the hot and balmy summer night. Exhaustion suddenly crashes over her and she is slightly delirious from having little to no sleep.
She should go back to her own hotel and have a proper rest so she can feel sane tomorrow. She watches the traffic for a while, working up the courage to hail a taxi.
But she thinks about Laurie upstairs. Laurie’s brown steely eyes, her perfectly shaped lips, the way she says Mira’s name the only way she knows how: full of contempt and adoration at the same time. Mira finishes her cigarette quickly and discards the burning embers on the ground.
“Fuck,” she mutters and goes back inside.
When Laurie opens the door, she’s only wearing a black, silky, very short, very lacy nightgown and an undone robe on top of it. The fabric contours around her body perfectly and doesn’t leave much to the imagination. Her hair is loose, immaculately framing her face. Mira openly stares and cannot do much else. Laurie smirks then bites her lip.
“I knew you’d come.”
Mira raises her eyebrows at her outfit. “Doesn’t look like it.”
“Oh this?” Laurie asks, running a sensual hand on the length of her nightgown. “This is for you.”
Mira almost chokes on air. She swallows hard from the way Laurie’s gaze is boring down on her. If looks could kill… Unable to find her words, Mira quietly enters the room, the scent of Laurie’s perfume makes her knees weak.
Despite being the movie star, she suddenly feels out of place in the glamorous suite while Laurie is right there, looking effortlessly hot and perfect. She, on the other hand, is wearing a casual outfit of a loose green polo, a pair of worn down jeans, and Nike sneakers.
“Where is Herman now?”
“They have to shoot in Marseille for two days. He won’t be back till tomorrow night.”
“Ah,” Mira says at the information. She turns to face Laurie as Laurie goes to the bar. She takes the bottle of champagne that’s on a bucket of ice and pours the contents on two flutes. “When the cat’s away…”
Except, Laurie’s not a mouse. There’s not a timid quality to her at all. She’s a lioness expertly stalking her prey. She’s agile with deadly instinct, ready to pounce at the perfect time.
Mira slumps down on the velvet sofa in the room, the cushions hugging her small frame. She watches carefully as Laurie saunters to her, champagne flutes in both hands.
“You look worn out,” Laurie tells her, handing her a glass. She chuckles as she accepts the drink.
“Are you saying I look like shit?”
Laurie frowns thoughtfully as she straightens up and stands in front of Mira. “You never look like shit. You always look so fucking good, no matter how tired you are. Or drunk. Or fucked up. Or those three at the same time.”
“Thanks,” Mira says, slightly surprised at the candidness of it. She rakes her eyes over Laurie’s body, can almost feel the heat radiating off her. Mira feels drunk already. “Well you look… hot.”
The smile Laurie gives her is innocent and Mira doesn’t know how she does it while she’s wearing that. “Do you miss it when I dress up for you?”
“Yes.” She takes a drink before she can blurt out anything else. Like how she’s wet now just thinking about the tight leather skirt and halter top Laurie wore for her when they were in Sydney last summer.
“Why don’t you stay? Relax a little.”
Mira almost laughs, because all Laurie is doing to her is make her more nervous. Her tongue darts out to lick her lips and she nods mutely. That makes Laurie happy and Mira feels something warm and heavy pool around her stomach.
“Good girl.”
Laurie finishes her drink in one go and puts the glass on the coffee table. Then she crouches in front of Mira and starts to untie her shoelaces. Mira can only watch, eyes hungrily roaming every bit of Laurie’s exposed skin. She wants to reach out and touch her, but feels like she’s not allowed to. Not yet, at least. So her fingers flex against the couch instead, greedy and impatient.
She’s so turned on just watching Laurie suddenly play a subservient role. That’s exactly what it is though, just a show. None of it is real. But the most fucked up thing is Mira feels something else tug on her heartstrings. It’s oddly domestic, this action that Laurie’s performing, and a sudden wave of tenderness washes over her.
It doesn’t last long.
“So,” Laurie says once she gets rid of the shoe and sock on one foot and starts to work on the other. “You fucked her yet?”
“Who?”
“Your new little assistant.”
“Regina?” Mira laughs aloud and Laurie looks up at her. She doesn’t seem to appreciate Mira’s reaction and yanks her sock a little too forcefully. “Why does everyone think I’m fucking her?”
“Because it’s what you do.” Laurie’s voice is suddenly cold. She takes Mira’s shoes and tosses them to the side of the room.
“It’s what I do? What, fuck my assistants?”
“Yes. That’s your thing.”
“I’ve only fucked one. That can’t possibly be my thing.”
“That’s not what the media is saying.”
Laurie stands up and refills her glass. Then she takes the opposite end of the couch. Mira gives her a measured look. There’s satisfaction as she realizes that maybe she has the upper hand.
She slides over to Laurie and slowly wraps her arms around her neck.
“Is that why you’re here?” She gives Laurie a little tug, Laurie’s shoulder bumping against her chest. “To keep tabs on me?”
“I already told you why I’m here.”
“Right. Herman. His work. Blah blah blah.”
Laurie tilts her head to look at her properly and they’re suddenly so close. If Mira slightly moves, she can capture Laurie’s lips on hers. She gets lost in Laurie’s eyes though, dark and gorgeous.
“I am not fucking Regina,” she says, finding herself repeating what she told Gottfried a few days ago. “She’s professional, no bullshit. And she’s a good kid.”
“And what would that make me?”
“You,” Mira says, leaning in slowly until their foreheads touch. “Are a bad woman.”
They both chuckle and she watches as Laurie’s eyes drift to her lips. “Am I?” Laurie whispers, a hint of excitement in her tone.
“So bad. Very very naughty.”
“You like it when I’m naughty.”
Mira simply nods in agreement. She’s fucking powerless when Laurie orchestrates whatever she pleases and all she can do is sit back and watch. She releases Laurie but lets one of her hands wander. Laurie allows it. She touches Laurie’s shoulder, down the length of her arm, to her exposed thigh.
“I miss you.”
She feels the muscles on Laurie’s leg tighten as soon as she says it and she can’t help the pleased smile that appears on her lips. Her hand moves to the inside of Laurie’s thigh and gives it a squeeze, enough to hurt a little. Laurie takes a sharp intake of breath as she feels the pain, then leans back against the couch, legs spread involuntarily.
“How much?” Laurie’s voice is slightly labored.
Mira opens her mouth but no words come out.
“Say it,” Laurie orders.
“I fucked myself the other night thinking about you.”
Laurie lets out an amused chuckle. “God, that’s hot.”
Mira bites her lip and she feels suddenly bolder. She moves her hand up Laurie’s leg, the part covered by the silk and Laurie sighs contentedly.
“Do it now.”
Mira was too busy with her roaming hand that she doesn’t hear Laurie the first time. Only when Laurie grips her wrist to stop her movements that she finally looks up. Her eyes are blown and she can’t focus on anything else except wanting to feel how wet Laurie is on her fingertips.
“I said do it now.”
Mira blinks, head still foggy. “Do what?”
“Fuck yourself. I want to see.”
Mira chuckles nervously and she retrieves her hand from Laurie’s grip, her face red and hot. She leans back to her end of the couch and empties her drink. Laurie watches her quietly as she squirms on her seat.
“No.”
“Come on. Don’t be shy.”
“I said no.”
“Why not?”
“Why don’t you fuck me yourself?” Mira’s voice is playful and light to mask how she feels cornered.
“So fucking bossy.” Then Laurie moves her head side to side as if thinking about it. “I’m not sure you deserve it, darling.”
Mira shifts on her seat, feels her arousal reaching an uncomfortable territory. She just wants Laurie on her, in her, all over. She had to push back though, for the sake of her sanity. Or just to give her an illusion of control.
“You don’t think I don’t know you went to see Aemonn?”
Mira raises her eyebrows in amusement and laughs. Laurie gives her a dark look.
“Are you moonlighting for TMZ now?”
Laurie shrugs. “I know people on his set.”
Mira stretches out her legs on the couch so her feet rest on Laurie’s thigh. Laurie’s hand comes down to cover one ankle.
“You can’t seriously be jealous of Aemonn.”
“No?”
“I dumped him for you. Then you dumped me for Herman. So if we’re doing the Math here, shouldn’t I be jealous of Herman?”
“I would never want you to be jealous of my husband,” Laurie says sincerely and Mira rolls her eyes at her. She looks at Mira’s empty glass. “Need a refill?”
Mira holds it out. “Yes, please.”
Laurie shrugs off her robe before taking the glass from Mira. When she stands up to go to the bar, Mira’s throat goes dry. Laurie’s nightgown has a backless cut so she’s treated to a whole new view. Laurie’s back is toned, smooth, and graceful and all Mira wants to do at that moment was to run her tongue up and down her spine.
“You’re right. I’m mostly here to make sure of one thing.” Laurie fills up Mira’s glass, but then takes the whole bottle with her too as she goes back to the couch.
“What is that?”
“That you’re still mine. That I still own you.”
Mira tilts her head up to the ceiling and laughs. She starts to feel this is a losing fight.
“I am. You do.”
Laurie’s face swims to her vision as Laurie stands over her with a wicked glint in her eyes.
“Prove it.”
Without breaking eye contact, Mira’s hands starts to unbutton her jeans and slowly pushes it off her legs, kicking it to the side after. Laurie’s eyes flicker to her exposed legs and hums in approval. She starts to remove her underwear next but Laurie shakes her head.
“Keep that on.”
Mira can feel her heart hammering through her throat and she feels so thirsty all of a sudden.
“Go on,” Laurie says with a tilt of her head. “I’m waiting.”
“Will you at least let me drink a bit more before I destroy my pride?” It was meant to be a joke but her voice delivers it with more sincerity than she expected.
“Fuck your pride, Mira.” There’s genuine anger there and Mira blinks slowly as it settles in her bones. Laurie thrusts the glass to her a little callously. “There.”
Mira downs it in lightning speed, feels the liquid fizzles down her throat. As a futile attempt of defiance, she holds out the glass, a polite smile on her lips.
“More please.”
Laurie scoffs and shakes her head in frustration. Instead of pouring her another round however, Laurie raises the bottle to her own lips and takes a swig. She places the bottle on the table then leans down, hands on either side of Mira’s head, and connects their lips.
Mira parts her lips and she groans as the liquid erupts inside her mouth. She swallows as much of it as she can, but a bit of champagne still dribbles down her chin. Laurie chases it with her tongue, saving the last drop of alcohol and Mira openly moans.
Then they’re just kissing. It’s messy and graceless. It’s a devastating mix of tongues and clashing teeth but Mira wants more. More, more, more. It’s never enough. It can never be too much. She pulls Laurie down by the back of her neck until Laurie is half sitting on her lap.
Laurie’s mouth is warm and soft and it’s melting every side of Mira’s face. All she can do is helplessly kiss back, with the desperation of an addict trying to get her fix. Laurie’s thumb pulls down at her chin to part her lips. Then she rolls her tongue so deeply inside Mira’s mouth that she feels it in her cunt. Mira moans again.
Then just like that, Laurie’s lips are gone. Her hands leave her face, and she stands up from Mira’s lap. Mira slowly opens her eyes in a daze and sees Laurie retake her seat on the other side of the couch.
“Now will you do what you’re fucking told?”
Mira doesn’t put up a fight anymore. She quietly slips a hand under the waistband of her underwear and sighs deeply when she feels how wet she is.
Fuck it, she thinks. Might as well give her a fucking show.
She groans as she runs her fingers up and down her folds and she arches her back as pleasure ripples down her body. Laurie’s eyes are transfixed between her legs, her whole body is unmoving.
“Laurie.” She pants more than she speaks Laurie’s name and Laurie’s gaze flicks up to meet hers, her pupils blown and wanting. Mira can feel she’s getting close to orgasm in an embarrassingly short amount of time. But she can’t be blamed when Laurie’s watching her with unbridled lust and pure joy.
Her eyes become unfocused as she picks up her pace, her lips part as her breathing gets more and more labored.
“Fuck.”
She feels her fingers cramp and her rhythm slightly slows because of it.
“Don’t stop. Keep going,” Laurie’s low voice encourages her and Mira moans. She obeys and soon, too soon, she wipes out.
White hot orgasm slams against her body like a truck. She shuts her eyes tightly, her vocal chords straining as she tries to muffle the moan that’s trying to escape.
Then she slumps down the couch in a heap. A thin sheet of sweat covers her body and she’s hot, sticky, and a little uncomfortable. There’s heaviness in her muscles and she feels so tired all of a sudden.
Laurie, who was watching her in silent amazement, pushes herself off the couch and crawls over to her. With great effort, Mira looks up as Laurie stops above her, hovering.
“You have no idea what you do to me,” she tells Mira quietly. Mira chuckles tiredly, her chest shakes in an effort to properly breathe. “You're so fucking sexy baby.”
“Says you.” She pinches the front of Laurie’s nightgown, feels the silk between her fingers. “I want you to come on my mouth.”
Laurie’s smile is wide and cheerful, and Mira is pleased with herself for having said the right thing. The urge to kiss Laurie all over again is back and she stares hard at Laurie’s lips, hoping she’d take the hint.
She feels giddy then when Laurie starts to lean down. Her lips stop short though, only planting a kiss on Mira’s forehead. Still, Mira sighs in surprise at the tender gesture.
“How about you clean up first?” Laurie stands up and walks towards the bathroom. “I’ll run you a bath.”
Mira watches her go. “If I don’t know any better, I’d think you get off on playing my assistant still.”
Laurie whips around and gives her a warning look. “Watch it.” Her voice is dark and serious. “I can still kick you out.”
Mira smiles and hold her hands up in surrender.
“I’m sorry. Should I assume you’re doing this out of the goodness of your heart then?”
Mira’s smile drops as she watches some of the sharpness on Laurie’s expression slip. Laurie blinks and something resembling to affection flickers in her eyes. Then it’s gone as quickly as it came.
Laurie doesn’t answer and continues to the bathroom. After a moment, Mira can hear the water running.
She touches a hand against her chest, heart racing. She waits for her heartbeat to settle down before she stands up from the couch and follows Laurie.