Adrienne was very aware of his fingertip on the bared skin of her arm. It trailed up slowly, over soft skin, towards the crook of her elbow. And while she was very aware of it, she pretended as though she was not, and ignored the warmth it left as it trailed up onto the sleeve of her dress, continuing over onto her decolletage. There, she could not help herself, and her skin shuddered under the rough pad of his finger. Only once, just barely, before it relaxed again. The line he traced over the raises of her collar bones, up the swan like neck, to the strong jaw, over her cheekbones.

"The etiquette I am bound to is my favorite weapon." She confessed, simply allowing herself to enjoy the gentle touch. "It allows me an escape when the cards are not being played in my favor, and it provides security when I need it to." Society decided that women should not be left unattended for too long, and Adrienne used that to her favor. She had learned how long she could go unseen, and it allowed her to inject an urgency into any of her situations.

She opened her eyes then, the small grin still on her face. "The Baronessa Bianchi informed me that there is a family arriving next week by way of Spain from Paris. A Marquis, and his son. The wife and daughters are in the wind, she said. I asked her if she knew names, as I was curious to know if I knew them. She promised to find out and let me know." Did she feel guilty selling out those of her peerage for her own safety? Absolutely. Adrienne was not a completely heartless being. But when it came to the safety of her family, she would do anything to secure it. And she knew not what the man was capable of, and did not wish to play this game too close to the vest.

"Once she finds names and arrival dates, I will pass the information onto you." Her hand lifted to find his, drawing it away from her face and instead back down to her throat. She rested it just below her jaw, where he would be able to feel her pulse racing. From the closeness? Perhaps? Fear? Far more likely. "I should know within the next few days."

@Atrice

She didn’t seem to mind his gentle touch running up over her arm and towards her face at all, he kept letting those fingertips circle her skin while he spoke, and by now, they seemed to mostly follow the lines near her throat… her bosom, her collarbones, the beautiful neck she had. She had shuddered for a moment, but then seemed to steady herself again. And she claimed that the etiquette was her weapon and not her weakness and explained why. It annoyed him more and more that she wasn’t here on his side. That he had to use her like this; that he had to keep her family alive to use her instead of just having her cross over and be with him. Think about the things he could accomplish with such a skilled player by his side!

But alas, she was not a revolutionary. She was just kind of here, wasn’t she? Enjoying the life she lived and using every talent and skill at her disposal to making that life even more enjoyable for her. He was well aware that she was right now playing what he considered her strongest card; her outstanding feminine beauty and delicacy. She seemed so fragile… but he knew she was not.

She now finally dealt him a few pieces of information, with a grin upon her face even. Michel nodded quietly at her words; he’d keep the names in his mind and make sure that Marquis and his son were sent right back to where they belonged… in French prison, awaiting death with so many others. The handsome Lucien de Tournay included, as he was on his way there right now.

Adrienne moved now, moving his hand and letting her feel her pulse racing after she had promised she’d pass the right information onto Michel, “That is good.” Michel said, “It is very enjoyable to work with you, Mademoiselle. I’ll make sure to collect the information on my own.” He then added; a promise that she’d see him again very soon, although he would not give away any dates or places. He would decide when they met. He kept an eye on her, after all. If not him, then his other informants. Michel had been busy, the two months he’d been in Venice so far… busy collecting people and making them work for him.

“I suppose our meeting is coming to an end then.” Michel said, he had not yet removed his hand from her throat, “Unless you’d prefer we stay here a little longer. It is nice, isn’t it?”

@Nicole

The sensation of his hand on her throat did something for her, there was no denying it. Knowing that it would be so easy for him to choke the life out of her with his hand placed just so made her heart pound even harder than before. But he wouldn't, she know that, she was far more valuable to him alive. "I try to be quite enjoyable to work with, Monsieur." Was her sweet reply, a thick, heady purr that was more meant for a lover than a complete stranger. "It makes this little arrangement much easier when we are getting along."

"That is not all I had for you, Monsieur de Tours." All part of Adrienne highly doubted that this man had given her his true name. After all, why would he? It would make it easier for her to track him and have a better hand in this game. "So eager to be rid of me? I fear that you underestimate me so." She lifted her hand to trail a fingertip, the sharp edge of a nail, over his lips. Applying just a hint of pressure, it scraped across his lip very similarly to the way her teeth would. She trailed it down, over his jaw, his throat, down his shoulder and then down the arm that rested along her throat. She removed it from the creamy column of skin, but only to place it somewhere far more inviting.

Instead, she guided it down her form, slowly, with her own. "The Marquis de Chevigney has taken up residence under an assumed name in San Polo. He is passing himself off as a merchant under the name of Louis Dubois. He owns an office downtown." She placed his hand, palm down, on the flat plain of her stomach, just where it met her pelvis and her hipbones raised from her skin. A silent invitation if there ever was one. "He has married an Italian woman, but I knew him before. There were rumors that he murdered his wife as she was found dead, nearly to full term in pregnancy, under mysterious circumstances."

She sat up only slightly, bringing their faces closer together, and lowered her voice to a whisper. "Would you like for this to be the end of our rendezvous? Or would you rather I stay?"

@Atrice

He felt how her pulse raced beneath his fingers and knew her heart was beating faster – it made his own pulse race too, to be honest. Michel enjoyed having control over other people, and he almost felt like he controlled her now. Almost, however, was the key word here. He knew she was playing him and he didn’t want to make it too easy for her. On the other hand however, he could of course play along and make her believe she held the power… well, he’d see about that. She said she tried to be enjoyable to work with, because it made their arrangement so much easier. He nodded; it was almost too easy. And this was why he remained alert near her.

Michel thought she had no more information for him, but she said she did. She wondered if he wanted to get rid of her, and then she reached up to touch his lips and his jaw and throat and down to his hand, that still rested calmly upon her throat. She removed his hand, moved it, guiding it down over her chest and to the lower part of her stomach… all while telling him about another Marquis that was here in Venice. Apparently there was even gossip to be had about this Marquis. Meanwhile, his hand rested just above her pelvis, and if it wasn’t for the many layers of fabric from her dress, he’d feel her warmth much better. Then she sat up and wondered whether he wanted this to end.

“It doesn’t have to be the end.” Michel said and slid his hand further around her, now actively pulling her closer to his own body. He kept her there in a tight, but not forceful, embrace, “It is pleasing to work with you. Very pleasing. But I’ll leave it up to you… you hold the information. And I am exposed in your presence.” He leaned his head closer to her, let his lips hover just above hers, “What do you want…?”

@Nicole

The soft she emitted at the much firmer grasp pulling her closer into the man was soft, feminine. Whether or not it was falsified was a very valid question, but it was believable. Her hand rested on his chest, firm enough to hold him just far enough away, her lips slightly parted, and a flush on her features. For a moment, she was sure he meant to kiss her, but he stopped just short, whether by his hand on her chest or his own volition, she was not sure. But they were close now, she could taste the wine on his breath. Wide eyes searched his face for a moment, icy blue pools beneath thick, dark lashes.

Was it fear that widened her eyes, or arousal from the display of masculine power? Perhaps it was a combination of the two. Regardless, when she had put up almost an defense against him, she had pulled one foot up to give her leverage, the action causing scarlet colored skirts to slide down and pool at the top of her raised thigh. White silk stockings encased a toned calf, leading the way up from a crimson and gold heel up to delicate knees, and ending at mid thigh with a matching crimson ribbon. Above that? A creamy thigh, flawless, blessedly bare. Begging to be touched.

"I hardly believe you are exposed before me. You still have your secrets, Monsieur." Her voice was barely more than a breath, a heavy whisper. "I am afraid I am the one quite exposed to you, as we are." Each word she spoke was a caress of her lips on his, a touch so soft it could be accidental. Icy pools left his for a mere moment to glance down at his lips, as close as they were, before finding his eyes once more. "So far, I have been the aggressor, Monsieur. But that is not my role to play."

She bit her bottom lip for a mere moment, contemplatively. "If you want something, you will have to take it."

@Atrice

How could he not enjoy the soft sound that came from her, as he now pulled her closer? Adrienne was a feast and he longed to enjoy her, but how could he truly enjoy her when he knew he couldn’t trust her? He could trust her as much as she could trust him… which meant not at all. It had taken so much effort for Bruno to make Michel trust him, and now Bruno was gone, so why should he want to trust anyone again? But he wanted her. There was no denying that. Her beautiful lips were slightly parted, her skin was slightly rosy and her hand rested on his chest. Their eyes met while he explained this did not have to be the end, but he claimed he’d leave the final decision up to her.

Her thigh was exposed and she didn’t seem to care one bit. Did she allow him to gaze upon it… was she tempting him? He’d believe that she was. She claimed he was not exposed to her, because he had his secrets – and she was the one who was exposed to him. Yes, her body was, but what about her mind? She was an alluring butterfly, this one, but he was as attracted to her mind as he was to her body. Their lips were even just touching while she spoke and a part of him longed to just dive in and take what he wanted. But not here, not tonight.

Michel did however slip his free hand down to her exposed thigh and he pushed the dress further upwards, to let his hand slide to her inner thigh and gently caress her there, so close to her true and most precious warmth, “I do want something...” Michel replied to her and finally he gave in and pressed his lips against hers; a demanding, heated and lingering kiss. If she tried to pull back and away, he’d follow her and force the kiss upon her. If she returned it, his lips would part beneath hers.

His lips left hers when he heard footsteps in the hallway outside the quiet library where they sat. And then he sought to meet her eyes again, “… but it won’t be here, tonight.” He added and his hand stopped caressing her thigh and pulled back, letting the skirt fall back to its proper place there. He had to maintain control here; he had to remain in charge, “Trust me though, that I will return to you soon for the information you promised me.”

@Nicole

Rough fingertips on the inside of her thigh. Adrienne couldn't help herself, moaning at the teasing caress, her entire body shuddering as his knuckles nearly touched what differentiated her from any man. It took all of her self control to keep from asking for more, begging for him to touch far more blessed flesh than the creamy inner thigh. She whimpered then, her eyes closing. head tilting back for a mere moment. When she lifted her face once more, he claimed her mouth with a kiss. It was hard, she could feel her lips bruising under the pressure, and it surprised her.

She jerked back, but he followed, and with her head in his lap, there was not far that she could go. And soon, the hand that had been placed on his chest originally to push him away now fisted the front of his shirt. Her teeth bit down on his bottom lip, lips parting in supplication to his assertion of dominance. And she growled, a lioness's growl, her hips arching up into the hand still playing across a pale, soft, thigh. Just a flinch and he would be touching her, and that was as terrifying as it was arousing. Her heart pounded, adrenaline making her mouth and throat dry. Her blood pulsed in her ears.

And when he pulled away, she tried to follow. His hand left her thigh, her skirts falling back to where they belonged. And while the footsteps outside would be a blessing under normal circumstances, Adrienne was not quite ready to be done yet. Pounced was probably the most appropriate word for what she did next. She straddled his lap, legs tucked on either side of his lap. Crimson skirts were caught between them, and almost clumsy hands yanked them out of the way so she could find better contact. Those same inner thighs that had been teasing earlier now wrapped surely around him, muscles flexing to pull her closer to him.

She claimed another kiss then, hard and heavy, much as his had been. Were he to pull away, she would follow as well. And only when she had taken his lips and his mouth, teasing her tongue along his for mere moments, did she pull away. "Soon, I hope." And she made to climb off of his lap.

@Atrice

She moaned and shuddered when he teased her, so near the place where he’d pleasure her the most, yet he did not go that far. He was only teasing her, letting her know there could be more and letting her get used to his touch. The sound of her was almost more than he could take though; he could feel how his trousers grew even tighter. And then he pressed a demanding kiss to her lips. She pulled back, but he followed her, didn’t let her escape the kiss, all while he kept caressing her thigh. She seemed to enjoy it and now her hand even fisted the front of his shirt, as if she wanted more and more.

Michel smiled into the heated kiss and she growled. Her body arched, almost demanding that he pleasured her for real with his hand, but he did not give into her. He wanted her to give into him, no matter how badly he wanted her right now. Michel could have an amazing amount of self-control when he wanted to have it. Bruno knew that too; even felt it rather often. Now however, Adrienne was the target and the prey and he was tormenting her by not doing what she wanted.

When he pulled away, he promised he’d return to her soon. Adrienne instantly moved though, she straddled him and yanked her skirts out of the way. With where she sat then, she’d definitely be able to feel his desire for her, although there was still his trousers between them. Then she initiated a new and demanding kiss, and he did not pull away. This was what he wanted, after all – for her to want him and come to him. He felt his crotch stir beneath her, but did nothing to continue this act they’d almost begun. Adrienne then pulled away and slipped off his lap to adjust her skirts again. Telling him she hoped he’d come to her soon.

“Keep your hopes up then.” Michel promised her with a smile and a spark in his eye. He stood too, to fetch his glass of wine again, “Enjoy the rest of your evening, Mademoiselle.” And with that, he made his way to the door again and left her there in the library. This had gone much further than he’d expected, but it had been very enjoyable! Michel definitely had more than one reason to seek her out again very soon and hopefully unexpected too.

@Nicole