TWENTY-ONE
The Femme Fatale Handbook
Part Two: Putting all of this to use
Chapter Six: The Introduction
So you’re busily working on your love for yourself and your confidence, right? You’ve abandoned all negative thoughts and actions from your life right? Good! Now you’re ready to proceed to the next step, and that is the introduction between you and your target. I do hope that you’ve got your eye on a specific man? If not, we can’t move forward until you settle on one.
If you are still reading, then I’m assuming that means you already have picked out your intended target? Yes? That’s great! Then let’s continue on and delve into the ways in which you’re going to introduce yourself to your chosen man. This part is simple. You aren’t going to introduce yourself at all. Instead, you’re going to wait for him to make a move on you, which allows him to think he’s in charge and he’s the pursuer. If you play into a man’s natural inclination to conquer, you will win the game. But you must do so artfully and you must, at all costs, hide your intentions. You must never allow him to realize you’re seducing him. He must always think he’s in charge or the spell will disappear.
So how do you manage this? It’s pretty simple. Make him know of your existence but also allow him to make the first move. In the real world, this could mean making meaningful eye contact with a stranger across a room, smiling ever so slightly at a guy in one of your classes or arranging for a friend to introduce you to the guy you’re secretly crushing on (as long as the friend knows him).
Once he initiates contact (or if contact is initiated for you), the game of cat and mouse begins. You play interested and then you back off. And remember never to suffocate him! Don’t give in to the idea that he needs constant attention from you because he will immediately decide he has you figured out and you’re just another desperate, predictable woman who wants to snare him in her relationship web.
Let’s say the introductions are made, what then? Now it’s time to work your female magic so you get under his skin. What’s the best way to do this without giving him the feeling that he’s conquered you? Become his friend. And I don’t mean just any friend. But become his flirtatious, femme fatale friend. A femme fatale friend is someone who still maintains her breezy sexuality and flirtatious candor. She drops very subtle hints with her eye contact and body language. She touches him with her fingertips as she laughs at his silly jokes but then she just as quickly turns the power of suggestion off, turning distant. She forever keeps him off balance as he never knows just what she’s after. Is she just interested in being his friend, or is there a chance she’s interested in more?
Becoming his friend is an artful tactic because you’ll get to know more about him—information that you can use to your advantage—and you’ll lower his guard. If you’re just friends, he won’t believe you have any expectations of him and he won’t believe you’re after a relationship with him. That means he’ll breathe a little more easily. Little will he know that all the while you’re plotting his eventual fall—as in falling in love with you!
***
NIKKI
“So, Nikki, we’ve covered how to tease guys we don’t necessarily want to get to know, but what happens if there is one that we’re, well, you know, sort of attracted to?” Dani asked me.
We were stretched out on our beds, studying, when she posed the question. I figured it would eventually come, but I never pushed the topic because I didn’t want to put the cart before the horse. However, I fully expected there would come a time when things went beyond teasing and developed into actual interest. And I definitely wanted us both to be armed and dangerous when that situation raised its ugly head.
“Obviously, there’s more we can do to signal our interest,” I replied casually. I didn’t look up from the history notes I was studying, and acted as though it was really no big deal because I didn’t want to stoke Dani’s nerves. “We just stick to what it says in the handbook.”
“What?” she replied, smiling broadly. “No list of reasons? No string theory? No tricking me to get me into a club? You’re slipping, Nikki.”
“Nope, nothing like that,” I said, and continued studying my notes.
“Okay, then what?”
“I haven’t really thought that far ahead, to be honest,” I answered in a dismissive sort of way.
“What?” she asked, shaking her head like she wasn’t sure she’d heard me right.
I shrugged. “I just figured we should focus on building up our confidence, and that’s what we’re doing.”
“Well, that’s fine for me because I just got out of a relationship, but what about you?” she asked, pointing out the obvious. “Don’t you think it’s about time you graduated to the next step? I mean, you kind of have to prove all of this works, don’t you think?”
I considered her comment for a few seconds as I cocked my head to the side and remained silent, but then I shrugged as I asked her: “Why do I have to prove anything?”
“Well, you’ve got me buying into everything you’re selling, but it would be a lot easier if you were attempting to make all of this knowledge a home run,” she answered honestly. “I mean, we can’t be expected to flirt and retreat forever.”
“I’m not saying that we should,” I argued back, somewhat irritated that we were getting into a full-blown conversation on the topic because I had to study for my history test in the morning.
“At some point you have to move to the next level, Nikki,” she continued. “And from where I’m standing, you’re ready.”
“Why are you so convinced I’m ready?” I demanded, feeling affronted.
“Because you haven’t mentioned Brandon or Beau in so long I can’t remember,” she started. “And you’ve definitely mastered the art of talking with the opposite sex. It feels like you’re kind of stuck in a holding pattern.” I nodded but didn’t say anything because I knew she was right. “It’s okay if you’re scared, Nikki,” she continued.
“I’m not scared,” I nearly interrupted her and then took a deep breath. “But I see your point.”
“Thanks.”
“I just don’t really know who I’d even want to try to seduce,” I started with a shrug as I bobbed my pencil on my lips and thought about it. “I mean, all of the fraternity guys I know would just be too easy, and what’s more, I can’t say I’m interested in any of them.”
“I get that,” she answered with a nod. Fraternity jocks were exactly that, and we were polished, mature and sophisticated ladies who were in the market for someone much more … well, just much more.
“Yeah, so that leaves pretty much no one,” I said.
“Um, no it doesn’t.”
“Who does it leave?”
“Derek Anderson.”
I immediately started shaking my head, the idea of seducing Derek something I wouldn’t consider in a million years. In fact, even the idea of it was enough to make me want to join the nearest nunnery. “You can’t be serious.”
“I’m totally serious,” Dani answered and smiled at me broadly as she plopped her index finger forward. “First, he’s going to be way more difficult to take down than a fraternity guy will be, for starters.”
“And he’s also my professor and I think that’s illegal,” I answered.
“It’s not illegal but good point—you’d probably have to wait until the semester is over which is in … oh, one week,” she pointed out. “And on that subject, have you answered him yet about becoming his T.A.?”
“No,” I said as I turned my attention back to the book in front of me which was my surefire way of telling her this conversation made me uncomfortable and I didn’t want to continue it.
“Why not?” Dani insisted.
“I figured I’d let him read my term paper first to see if he changes his mind. I mean, if I bomb my paper, he might not want me to be his T.A.”
“When have you ever bombed anything?” she asked with a frown.
“After Brandon dumped me.”
“When have you ever bombed anything taking Brandon and the breakup out of it?” she repeated.
“Never, but there’s always a first time for everything.”
“I think you’re stalling because he makes you nervous.”
I finally looked away from my notes and sat up on the edge of the bed. “He definitely doesn’t make me nervous.” I frowned at her. “What’s point number two?”
She smiled ostensibly because she knew she had me. “Point number two,” she started as she flipped her middle finger up. “Is that I think you totally have a thing for him,” she continued.
“I so don’t have a thing for him!” I railed back at her. “Most of the time he’s acting like a complete asshole anyway.”
“All the more reason,” she said with a shrug. “You both are like two kids on the play yard, pulling each other’s hair because you lack the maturity to tell each other you want to play doctor.”
“Really?” I asked as I shook my head again.
“Really,” she insisted. “He wants to insert his stethoscope into your …”
“Okay, okay,” I said with a laugh. “Not that that is even possible,” I continued with a frown ’cause the idea was kind of gross. “But even though you are totally and completely wrong about everything you’re saying, I’m going to take you up on your bet anyway.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that I have zero romantic interest in Derek, but I’m going to seduce him just to prove to you that I can.”
“I think you should,” she answered with a quick nod.
“I mean, you did have a good point about me needing to take this whole business to the next level.”
“Yep, I did,” she agreed. “So does that mean you’re going to become Derek’s T.A.?”
“I guess so,” I answered, but I wasn’t convinced.
“I mean, it would make your seduction attempts much easier if you’re actually able to interact with the guy, right?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I guess that’s a good point.”
“It seems I’m full of them tonight.”
“I’m going to remember this, by the way,” I said as I eyed her narrowly.
“What are you threatening me with now?”
“When it’s your turn to take it to the next level, I get a say in who will play the part of your victim.”
She appeared to think about it for a few seconds, but then she nodded. “Deal.”
“Deal,” I repeated as I studied her. “From this point forward, we’re in this together,” I said.
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t want to play the part of your instructor anymore,” I answered as I got up and headed for the bottom drawer of the side table we both shared. Pulling it open and reaching into it, I pulled out the notebook and handed it to her.
“Why are you giving this to me?”
“Because I think it’s time that you read it for yourself. That way, you’ll know what’s ahead and can prepare yourself better. Plus, I want us to both be on the same page so you can help me when I need it.”
“Okay, I can do that,” she answered as she glanced down at the notebook with a smile.
“I still want to keep this on the down low,” I continued. “So don’t start waving it around at everyone, or leaving it out for anyone to see it.”
“Of course not,” she matched my serious tone. “I’ll guard it with my life.”
“Great. It’s yours.” The thought of letting it go completely was a little overwhelming. “Actually, wait, no, it’s ours, but you’re welcome to it.” Then I shrugged. “And who knows, if we both can prove that everything Jane says is true and works, maybe we can tell the other girls about it then. But for now, let’s just keep it between us, okay?”
“Okay,” she answered with a smile. I studied her as she put the notebook on the table beside her bed and faced her psychology textbook. I continued to stand there, lost in my own thoughts, as I considered what I’d just signed up for. Seducing Derek Anderson … I didn’t know what to think about it. Eventually I made myself comfortable on my bed and returned to my homework. I had a test in the morning and I really couldn’t afford to blow it.
***
NIKKI
The next day, I was still in shock. I couldn’t believe I’d actually agreed to make Derek the object of my attempted seduction. I mean, what had I been thinking?! But now that the words were out of my mouth, there was no going back.
I was nervous. That much I couldn’t deny. It was one thing to woo the geek at the library or flirt with any of the handful of guys Dani and I had come across at the various clubs around campus, but to actually put a fully-fledged seduction on Derek? That was another thing entirely. For starters, he was a professor and so much older than I was!
The very idea that I could fail had me feeling sick to my stomach. The other stuff had been easy—drawing guys in and dangling a string in front of them which had proven more or less easy to get them to bat at. And while I actually enjoyed that part, I was increasingly uncomfortable with the idea of allowing someone to get past a certain point. The truth was that I really didn’t want to fall for someone and be hurt again.
When I walked down the stairs in my Feminism in Literature class and piled into the line that was forming so I could get my grade on my term paper and my final grade in the class, my heart was pounding. I knew I needed to give Derek an answer to his offer about the teacher’s assistant position, and I wasn’t going to delay any longer.
When I reached the front of the line, Derek eyed me with a slight smile, and flipping through the papers in his hand, he pulled one out from the middle and folded it slightly as he handed it to me. I immediately opened it and noticed the A written in red ink at the top of the page. Flipping through the pages, I noticed there wasn’t any other writing.
“And here is your final grade,” he said as he handed me a slip of paper that was folded in half.
“Thanks,” I said as I started forward, not wanting to get in the way of the rest of the students who were shuffling out of the class, seemingly as quickly as they could. I stepped to the side so I could let the rest of the students pass me and I unfolded the sheet of paper in my hand. A straight A. I unzipped my backpack and placed the slip of paper and my term paper inside. When I faced forward again, I noticed the line now only consisted of four students.
“Nikki,” Derek said in greeting once the last of the students in line had emptied out of the classroom.
“I wanted to give you an answer about the T.A. position,” I said as I approached him. He was busily trying to pack his things into his briefcase. I wasn’t sure why, but I was incredibly nervous.
“Okay,” he said once I didn’t say anything else. “I’m wondering if your mystifying silence means I’m supposed to guess?”
I laughed but it came out sounding anxious and goofy. “No, you don’t have to guess,” I said. “I wanted to take you up on it and to thank you for thinking of me.”
“Well, you’re welcome and thank you,” he said as he started for the door. “But I’m in a hurry to get to my next lecture and I can’t talk. Do you want to come by my office at four and we can discuss it?”
“Sure,” I said as he gave me a clipped nod and an even faster smile and then disappeared down the crowded hall.