"Well," I said, "I live in Beijing, Alpha is my fiance and, apparently, I play silly games with silly boys. What about you?" He grinned, perfect, straight, white teeth gleamed. He ignored my question and replied:
"Where are you from? What do you do?"
"Nothing! Rien!"
"Ahhh... a Kept Woman! Wonderful. I felt in my soul that I should come and speak with you." I tried not to laugh - I think I'm a little far gone to speak of souls.
"Well, Coquette, I like you. I do not know why yet, but I like you." He signaled the bar man and asked for the wine list. He flicked to the champagne page and gave a small Gallic shrug of disappointment. He returned the wine list to the bar man.
"I would have ordered you champagne, ma Coquette, but this is inferior generic stuff. The next time we drink together I will give you proper champagne. No Moet for you." He eyed me through lazy, half lidded lashes for a moment. I stayed perfectly still. I knew he was weighing me, turning me over in his mind. He knew how to look, this Frenchman, a quick zigzag that took in my hair, my eyes, my mouth and my breasts. The bar man still hovered, waiting for our order. Finally the Frenchman ordered a bottle of red wine. He gave another Gallic shrug as he tried it.
"It is not the best. Again, Coquette, I will show you better. You don't mind."
"Oh no, I enjoy it when men order for me. But how do you know I'll sit with you for an entire bottle?"
"How could I not, Coquette? When you smile so prettily at me? You will sit, we will talk and later I will kiss you. Bon?" I laughed again, his audacity and confidence were amazing.
"C'est bon, Frenchman, C'est bon."
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