<strong>Marie, Coming Back into the Playground, Playing with Roxanne, Teasing Kissinger</strong><br/><br/>Marie stood in a dark alcove for awhile, near one of the servants’ corridors leading to the Playground, dabbing tears away from her eyes with a lace handkerchief.<em>Stupid girl,</em>she thought angrily to herself,<em>stupid, stupid girl …</em><br/><br/>Marie adored Lee Chang. In many ways, she represented everything she ever wanted to be. He always was in control, so confident, so sure of himself. In many ways, her burlesque show in Paris had been much like that – teasing an audience with the promise of the forbidden, building up their collective lusts as she hinted at the best sex they’d never have … always in control of her audience. And when she’d worked as an escort and prostitute, the same applied. She never allowed a client to take charge of her, or a situation to get out of control … again, she always was in control. It was why Marie allowed herself to submit completely to Lee Chang, possibly the only man who she’d ever been submissive to – she admired and respected him, so much, and he was exactly what she hoped someday to be.<br/><br/>She adored fiery Roxanne and sweet Charlotte, too. But she knew she could never simply love them, without conditions, without wanting to be in control. If there was anyone in the Pleasure Dome who Marie might’ve given her heart to, unconditionally … it was Tom O’Reilly. Marie had harbored a crush on the man ever since he’d started working for Lee Chang. She didn’t know why. It was a stupid, silly, schoolgirl crush … but nevertheless, she’d had it. And she thought tonight, maybe she’d act on it. And open herself up to him.<br/><br/>And he’d brushed her away, unwanted.<br/><br/>Marie wiped the last of her tears away, her face burning hotly with anger.<em>Fine,</em>she thought.<em>Lesson learned. I won’t be making <strong>that</strong> mistake again …</em>.<br/><br/>Standing up straight, Marie straightened her dress. She stepped to a looking glass that hung from a wall, and carefully cleaned herself up, bringing her appearance back to her usual high standards. A wicked smile crossed her pretty face.<br/><br/><em>Time to cheer up,</em>she thought.<em>Time to have some fun …</em><br/><br/>Putting her troubles aside, Marie sashayed back into the Playground, twirling about in a merry dance as she weaved between the tables to the bar. She saw Lee Chang, surrounded by some guests as he chatted with them … and adorable Charlotte, looking absolutely radiant.<em>She’s the perfect companion for him this evening,</em>Marie thought admiringly.<em>Such a sweet angel … and if she’s taken out my clockwork vibrator yet, I’ll have so much fun punishing her …</em><br/><br/>Since Lee Chang seemed engrossed with his guests, Marie thought it wise not to disturb him … she knew better that to distract the man when important things were afoot. Instead, her dark eyes lit up when she saw her sexy Roxanne, carrying a drink to Kissinger. Ideas floated wickedly through her head, and she decided to act on them.<br/><br/><em>Everything’s … coming up roses …</em>Marie sang merrily. She came up right behind Roxanne just when the stunning redhead reached Kissinger’s piano. Her hands went down to Roxanne’s hips, touching them with a gentle caress, and then slowly slid up Roxanne’s waist – that slender, perfect waist of hers – all the way up to her friend and lover’s breasts. Her hands lightly cupped and squeezed those wonderful breasts, and Marie drew Roxanne’s body in tight towards her own.<br/><br/>“Mmm, I missed you, darling,” Marie said. She moved one hand upwards to brush away Roxanne’s hair, exposing the flesh of the woman’s neck … and began kissing that sexy neck with hungry, insistent kisses. “Missed you very much … I want you.” Her other hand began kneading Roxanne’s breasts much harder, and she began grinding her crotch against the woman’s shapely derriere.<br/><br/>Marie looked up at Kissinger while she groped Roxanne. She gave the musician a playful wink. “Some bedroom music, if you don’t mind? And if you put us in the right mood … there’s always room for three.”