They Will Always Have Paris

As she gazed, unseeing, out of the window at the scattered clouds
below the plane tinted with the early sun, Chloe's mind raced over the
past few weeks. She had talked wistfully in their correspondence about
meeting Grahame in real life and now here she was speeding on her way
towards a complete stranger in a foreign country, what was she doing?
Lying back, she closed her eyes and tried to calm her nerves. Surely
she knew enough of this man to be able to spend a few days with him.
In the months before, when they had talked to one another through
their computers and over the 'phone, they had found so much in common,
but it was still possible that they might hate each other on site.
Perhaps he was not what he seemed from their chats and pictures. So
much could go wrong, was she crazy? She looked out once more and saw
the Atlantic shimmering below as the clouds thinned. Grahame's words
echoed in her head, "life is too short not to grasp opportunities."
With a sigh she told herself to stop being negative and just enjoy the
adventure. Breakfast would be served soon, hot coffee and croissant.
She stood and stretched, it had been a long sleepless night and she
needed to freshen up.

At the same time Grahame was carefully unpacking his suitcase. As he
folded a sweater he walked to the open window and looked out at the
city below. The scents of the Paris flooded in and he breathed deeply,
a mixture of coffee, fresh baguette, hot geraniums and diesel. The
hotel he had picked was an older but comfortable building in
Montmartre near The Moulin Rouge. Below him he became aware of the
traffic and of pedestrians bustling along the narrow pavements past
tables where couples sat in the dappled early sun. He watched them for
a few minutes, some reading the voluminous French newspapers; others
were deep in earnest conversations and still more were just watching
the world stream by. Grahame smiled to himself; he loved Paris and
anticipating the week ahead with pleasure. Where was Chloe now?
Walking back into the room he looked at his watch already set to local
time. Chloe's flight was due at Charles de Gaulle Airport in less than
an hour; perhaps he should get moving. Catching his reflection in the
mirror he saw his brown eyes gazing back candidly. For a moment his
heart filled with doubt but he pushed it away and, grabbing his
jacket, went down to the lobby. He hailed a cab and was soon speeding
through the Parisian traffic, horn blaring and cabby swearing. The
cabby looked at him in the mirror, "You're meeting someone at Charles
de Gaulle, m'sieur?" he asked Grahame in English. "Yes, you're right,
I am". He replied. "A lady? Perhaps you will need zee flowers?" He was
grinning at Grahame. "Ah! - Good thought, thank you. Know any good
flower shops?" The driver nodded and pulled into a small side street.
"La voila m'sieur!" he waved towards a small shop, it's window packed
with a wild mass of colour. The cab waited, its engine idling until
Grahame returned with a small bouquet of tiny pink roses and baby's
breath in lacy paper. The driver nodded his approval and they were
back in the stream of traffic, then he turned his attention back to
swearing and leaning on his horn.

As the pilot announced the approach of Paris passengers craned to look
down at the sprawling city. "Somewhere, down there waits a man I have
loved and yet never met." She thought and her stomach did a little
flip. The plane touched down and taxied to it's disembarking gate.
Soon it was disgorging its load of tourists, businessmen, students and
lovers. The lovers were harder to identify. Looking at Chloe one saw a
business-like woman. She had chosen her clothes for comfort but still;
it was a formal look -- a suit in dark-blue cotton-knit with a white
T-shirt underneath. She carried an over-night bag, her only luggage,
in one hand and her documents in the other. Perhaps it was her brisk
manner and her direct walk as she strode through customs that gave her
the air of control and assuredness. Inside she was in turmoil, doubt
and anticipation fighting for supremacy.

Grahame saw her amongst the passengers walking out, a few already
waving to someone in recognition. He watched her until she was level
with him on the other side of the barrier. "Chloe!" he called out. She
paused and met his eyes for the first time. Around them time seemed to
stop. He raised his eyebrows, smiling and opening his arms in a
gesture of welcome. She hurried to be with him, dropping her bag at
their feet and melting into his arms. For a long moment they stood, a
tableau of stillness in the hubbub. He took her chin in his hand and
raised her face to his, kissing her gently on the lips. "Hey, you."
She smiled at his signature greeting... "Hey you." He presented her
with the roses and she took them, burying her face in the flowers to
hide her emotion. "I wasn't expecting you to meet me!" She said once
she had recovered. "But it's wonderful you're here." "I wouldn't have
it any other way. Shall we head out or would you like a coffee? Or
something stronger?" he smiled. She once again heard the soft Welsh
inclination in his voice that had reached her over the 'phone. "I'm
exhausted, Grahame, can we just go straight to the hotel?" "Of course,
here, let me --- " He bent to pick up her bag. Outside they found a
cab and set off through the bustling city. Chloe was aware of the
sights of Paris speeding by but she couldn't take her eyes off him. He
took her hand in his and his heart sang as he realised they were
finally together.

To take the final step to meet hadn't been an easy decision for either
of them. Earlier their "affair" had stalled several times when real
life intruded but, always, they were drawn back together. Grahame was
careful to compartmentalize his world; he had a good marriage and was
totally faithful to his wife. He reasoned that "cyber sex" was not
being unfaithful and hurt no one. Chloe had kept her liaison with
Grahame secret and always made sure her husband was away when they
spoke. It was a fact that since meeting Grahame Chloe's marriage,
already better than most 12-year-old partnerships, had heated up.
Surely, she reasoned, it wasn't so bad. However, to actually meet was
a totally different thing. Chloe knew that she would look for the
qualities in Grahame she had grown to love through their computer
correspondence, the tenderness and control she yearned for. They had
often put into words a desire to make real their love, were they
taking it for granted that they would? Or were they strong enough just
to spend time together, enjoying one another's company, the galleries
and all Paris had to offer. They had both, after all, talked about
their love for their respective partners and how they had been totally
faithful. Now Grahame was studying her face in the flesh, the blue
eyes and wide mouth he knew so well from her pictures. She was even
blushing, just as she had described over the Internet. She looked back
shyly taking in his features one by one. "I can't wait to show you
around." He said. "I know you've been here before but I have places
special to me that I want to share with you." She smiled at him a
little wanly, "can I have a cat-nap first, just 20 minutes...?" He
laughed at his own impatience and gave her hand a squeeze. "Of course,
I am so excited to have you here, that's all." He led her from the
lift to their room. Stopping at the door he looked at her. "Should I
carry you over the threshold?" She laughed and playfully hit him on
the shoulder. "No, I don't think that's really called for." He laughed
too and told her he had been joking as they entered the cool room. She
looked around admiring the spacious room and Grahame noticed her gaze
lingered on the twin double beds. She looked back at him. "I didn't
want to assume anything." He said by way of explanation. "We had
agreed on one room but not the sleeping arrangements." She went to him
and flung her arms around him. "It's perfect, Grahame, just perfect.
Thank you!" "O.K., I'll go down to the bar and read for a while. You
sleep...." He picked up a paperback and headed for the door. "Can you
wake me in half an hour or so? I shouldn't sleep for too long or I
won't sleep tonight." "I will." He smiled an amused little smile.
"Half an hour." And he was gone. She filled a glass from the en suite
and arranged the roses, placing them on the table by the open window.
She drew back the cover of one of the beds, kicked of her shoes and
sighed contentedly. It was all so unreal and yet so wonderful. Lying
back, she tried to still her thoughts and capture sleep but her mind
was racing. They had actually met and touched!!!! She shivered with
excitement and yet it wasn't sexually charged as she had imagined it
would be. They were like old friends in many ways. Grahame hadn't
said. "I can't wait to get you to bed," even if that was what was on
his mind. He had said he wanted to show her "his Paris" and she
appreciated that. Gradually she drifted off into an exhausted sleep
and dreamt of rows of cyber on a computer monitor and distant traffic.

Downstairs Grahame sat restlessly in the bar. He was looking at his
novel but saw none of the words. He was thinking of the woman sleeping
upstairs. Was she what he expected? Was he what she expected? A ball
of nervousness formed in the pit of his stomach and he reached for his
drink. He couldn't help looking at his watch too often; the hands
seemed to creep round. He wanted to be with her again but knew she
needed to sleep. Suddenly he stood impatiently, paid his tab and went
to the lift in the lobby. Upstairs he stood outside the room,
listening. Carefully slipping the security card into the slot in the
door he opened it as quietly as he could. She was lying on her back on
top of the covers; her lips open slightly, breathing softly. Grahame
sat on the other bed watching her sleep. He was able to take in all of
her now, her long legs bent slightly to the side, her torso turned at
the waist. One arm was above her head on the pillow, the other lay
loosely across her hips. Her eyes moved restlessly beneath her closed
eyelids - "She's dreaming." He thought and wondered what it was she
saw. The jacket of her suit had fallen open and Grahame could see the
outline of her nipples under her T-shirt. He looked away quickly
feeling a little guilty. He walked to the window and looked out over
the wrought iron balustrade of the small balcony. Below Paris was
alive and he felt a prickle of excitement once more as he thought of
the days ahead. He stood there watching the traffic and people below
for a few minutes before turning back into the room. Chloe had stirred
and rolled onto her side, her hand was under her cheek and her skirt
was hiked up showing the very top of her stockings and a suspender.
Grahame felt a twitch of arousal and went to the bathroom for a drink
of water. Standing at the sink, sipping the water, he looked at
himself in the mirror. What he was thinking was against everything he
stood for, faithfulness, honesty and integrity. He closed his eyes but
all he saw was the image of Chloe lying on the bed, vulnerable and
unaware. All the scenarios they had played out while cybering flooded
back, the tender moments, the forced sex and the semi-rapes, but
always the love. Again that little flick of arousal. Walking back in
to the bedroom he saw she hadn't moved but lay sleeping soundly.
Outside somewhere a church clock struck the half hour. He walked to
the bed where she lay and stood looking down at her. She was still
dreaming, her eyes moved beneath their lids and a small smile flitted
across her sleeping face. Leaning down he kissed her face and
whispered. "Wake up, sleeping beauty." She started and opened her
eyes, looking around, confused, trying to remember where she was. Then
Grahame watched as recognition slowly appeared in her eyes. "Oh. I was
dreaming." She smiled stretching languidly. "How long have you been
here?" "I came up a few minutes ago." He sat on the bed. "I just
couldn't concentrate on my book knowing you were up here." His mind
was racing, should he touch her now? He wanted to take her and make
real all the times they had loved one another in cyber space but he
held back. After all, he told himself, they had the week ahead to
catch up and really get to know each other. He would wait. It was she
who sat up and leant towards him. She had been watching his face as he
battled with his feelings and recognised them. He took her in his arms
and held her for the first time -- really held her.

Their first day together went by so fast as they filled in all the
gaps. They talked non-stop. They had Lunch at the hotel after which
they walked slowly through Montmartre. It seemed so natural to be
holding his hand as they strolled along. By late afternoon they were
sitting in the courtyard of a small café sipping wine. Grahame
deliberately took a seat across the table from Chloe so that he could
look at her. She had her back to the sun and he kept his sunglasses on
so that she couldn't see where he was looking. It allowed him to
blatantly look at her breasts under her white shirt, take in her whole
appearance, which he would have been too shy to do otherwise. She was
starting to look tired he thought and he stretched an arm across the
table. She took his offered hand and looked at him. "You're tired." He
said taking off his sunglasses. "I'm taking you back to the hotel."
Back in the cool room he turned back the covers on the bed. All the
hours of travel seemed to catch up to her in a rush and she felt weak
with fatigue. "I'll take a shower and then, may be I'll feel better."
She said slipping off her sandals. He laid back, his hands under his
head and watched her gather together her wash things. She was
conscious of his eyes on her and, really just to hide her shyness, she
said." Want to join me?" He leapt up eagerly but then realised she had
not been serious. "I'm sorry, Grahame. That was a stupid thing to
suggest." "It's alright." He smiled, lying down again. "I'll wait
here." He heard the shower turn on and the curtain slide across. He
imagined her slipping off her travel-worn clothes and stepping under
the needles of water. She'd have her eyes closed, he thought. He could
go in and she'd never know. He shook his head to get rid of the idea
and to deny the thought. If she had opened her eyes and seen him she'd
have the wrong idea about him, but he longed to join her, to touch her
bare skin, to hold her. In the shower Chloe had turned the water on
full and cool. Smiling to herself she thought, "I never imagined I'd
need the proverbial "cold shower"" But the cool water did the trick
waking her up and making her head clear. She stood a little longer
than necessary allowing the water to cascade down. She was nervous
about the evening, the night ahead. She had seen Grahame's smile when
she'd asked him not to let her snooze too long in case she couldn't
sleep that night. She knew what had he been thinking. Stepping out of
the shower she realised what her next decision was. Should she walk
back in to the room wrapped in a towel? There didn't seem to be any
robes and she had stupidly not thought of taking in a change of
clothes. Bravely she opened the bathroom door and stepped into the
bedroom with the large white towel tucked under her armpits. Grahame
stood from where he had been seated by the open window. "All yours."
She smiled at him gesturing to the shower. "Oh, I had one this morning
before I set off to meet you." Chloe swallowed, where should she
dress? It would look so prudish to gather her clean clothes and scurry
back into the bathroom and yet - and yet - could she bear to get
dressed in front of a stranger? She took a deep breath and went to her
open her case on the luggage stand. She was looking down at the jumble
of clothes when she felt Grahame's warm hand on her damp neck. He
gently removed her towel and turned her to face him. Her arms went up
around his neck and she felt the thrilling sensation of his cotton
shirt against her naked nipples. "Do you want this, Chloe?" His eyes
searched hers. "I do, yes --- " "But ---?" He took a step back, his
hands on her waist. "What about our "real life"? The people out ---
there" She gestured towards the window. "This isn't the shadow world
any more. We are totally breaking "the rules". "Then why did you come?
Surely not for a guided tour of Paris." He smiled and she laughed in
spite of herself. "We can love one another just this once, make real
all our fantasies. We'll never forget, it will complete the circle."
Still she hesitated. He let his hands fall to his sides in a small,
despairing gesture. "Very well, I respect your decision. It will
probably kill me but I will do as you want." He turned away. She
grabbed his arm, turning him back to face her. "I just need time,
Grahame. Time." "We only have a week, we don't have "time". What are
you afraid of?" "I'm not afraid --- Well, yes, I am. Aren't you?" "Of
what? We know one another so well already. Don't be afraid." He
scooped her into his arms again. "You will be the first time I have
broken my wedding vows. I've never done this before." "Neither have I,
we're in the same boat." He kissed the top of her head, still damp
from the shower. "Get dressed. Let's get some dinner!" Relieved, she
got dressed in her most attractive cotton dress and took care with her
hair. She looked younger and prettier than when she had arrived. As
they stepped out onto the Paris side walk people looked and smiled.
Could they see their love, Grahame wondered. He felt it was like a
cloud surrounding them, wrapping them. They held hands as they walked
along. Grahame had a restaurant in mind, one he knew from previous
visits.

He led Chloe down a narrow alleyway. It was cool after the heat of the
day and the scent of flowers hung in the air. Soon the alley open into
a small square lit by hanging lanterns strung from the trees. Small
tables were set about, each with its own candle in a glass chimney. A
waiter greeted them and took them to a table close to a small
fountain. Here they sat and had, what Chloe felt, was the best meal
she had ever had. Still they talked non-stop, always avoiding what
hung so heavily between them. Grahame was determined not to press the
issue and Chloe knew he was giving her time and space. As the meal
ended and they both sipped the last of the second bottle of wine Chloe
leant across the table and took Grahame's hand. "Maybe it's the
courage I just got from that wonderful wine --- who knows? But I have
decided." He smiled a little sadly. "You need courage?" "Not really,
but I have made up my mind." "And --?" "I think we should go back to
the hotel and make love." He squeezed her hand and. Looking into her
eyes he said. "Are you sure about this Chloe?" "I've had enough time,
tonight, to realise that, if I don't do this, I'll live in regret for
the rest of my life." He stood pushing back his chair and walked round
the table to her side. She looked up at him, so familiar and yet a
stranger still. He took her face and gently kissed her on the lips.
She responded, opening her lips slightly and raising her hand to touch
his face. He pulled back and took her hands pulling her to her feet.
"I better not do this in public." He said grinning. "I know what will
happen and I don't want to make an exhibition ---." They hurriedly
paid the bill and walked back to the hotel trying to look casual but
wanting to sprint. Once safely in their room with the "ne derange pas
" sign in place they stood awkwardly for just a moment then came
together in an hard passionate kiss as each fumbled and pulled at the
other's clothes. "Wait, wait." Laughed Grahame pulling away. "Let me
-." And he sat on the bed in front of Chloe to undo the buttons down
the front of her dress. She stood looking down at his fingers as the
travelled down to her waist, the dress falling open with each undone
button. At her waist he slid his hands in around her body and kissed
her belly. She arched back barely able to contain her desire for him.
Her hands held his head gently and she bowed over him, kissing his
hair. He slid the unbuttoned dress off her shoulders and stared at
her. " I want you so badly Chloe, I can hardly stand it." he said
between clenched teeth. She continued to undo his shirt. Her fingers
shook, was it nerves or was it suppressed passion? Both, she though,
smiling to herself. When they were both in their underwear she sat
beside him on the bed. He held her and they kissed, tenderly at first
- almost tentatively. Reaching behind her he unclipped her bra and it
fell away, freeing her breasts. His hands slowly, smoothly moved up
her torso from her thighs to her waist. He leaned in and took each
nipple in his mouth, sucking them in, flicking with his tongue. She
closed her eyes and moaned softly. He moved to kneel before her and,
looking up, cupped her breasts in his hands. "Ah, 36C." He said
smiling. With his palms still containing her hardening breasts he let
his tongue leave a cool trail down her body from the hollow of her
neck to her navel. Her hands were resting on his shoulders. She
shifted her legs, opening them un-ashamedly, inviting him lower.
Grahame caught the scent of her arousal and felt his cock stir. He
removed one hand from her left breast and placed it on her thigh, with
the other he gently pushed her to lie back and lifted her legs up on
to the bed. She allowed him to move her as he wished and when he slid
a hand into the waistband of her panties she raised her hips from the
bed to help him slip them off. Almost as if she had reached the limit
of her control, Chloe let out a low growl and wrenched at Grahame's
underpants. He helped her lower them past his swollen penis and she
swallowed when she saw how aroused he was. He stood by the bed and
gazed down at her, his erection hard and proud. She reached out and
grasped it in a cool hand, amazed at the heat of it. Grahame gave a
sharp intake of breath as she gently manipulated his penis. "Chloe,
take care. I'm ready to explode." He said huskily. She smiled and
released him reluctantly. Grahame knelt on the bed at her feet.
Kissing the length of each leg, he inhaled deeply as his lips reached
the crease at the top of each thigh. The aroma of her arousal made him
want to take her right there, right then, in a passionate outburst but
he held back. He spread her soft, moist lips and parted them gently.
To his fingers they felt like the petals of an exotic flower, a flower
with a powerful, intoxicating scent. She gave a long sigh when he ran
his finger along the gash resting, finally on her clit. His hands
grasped her hips and he positioned himself with his face buried
between her spread legs. His tongue found her clit and flicked it,
much as it had flicked her taut nipples. Her body stiffened and she
gasped, her hands grasping his hair. Grahame gently introduced a
finger to her soaking cunt, then a second, moving them, fucking her
slowly as he sucked and licked her hard clit. She writhed and moaned,
saying his name over and over. He raised his eyes to watch her
ecstasy, increasing the speed of his fingers. Her legs came up and
wrapped him, holding his head to her. As she lifted her hips from the
bed Grahame let his free hand find her bud. It was slick with the
juices that had trickled down and he gently circled the puckered bud.
Chloe thrashed and cried out. He found it hard to keep his two fingers
in her but his mouth remained on her working its magic. He didn't
press into her bud --- "not yet," he thought, "not yet." He felt the
walls of her cunt lengthen and straighten, quiver and pulse -- deeper
he drove, adding a third finger carefully. Chloe gave an animal cry
and pulled on his hair, making him wince. Around his fingers her body
seemed to draw him in, consume him. She arched violently and he
watched her body slowly flush pink as she climaxed. After a few
juddering moans she sank back, gasping for breath. Grahame gently
removed his fingers and laid his head on her heaving belly. "I love
you." He whispered so that only he heard.