Christmas with Duncan in Paris.......... After an extremely unpleasant year, a year where anything that could go wrong seemed to have gone wrong, I found myself alone, and with that gnawing urge to make a change, to break free, and so on a wild impulse I took two thousand dollars from what was left of the Insurance money I had been paid, and purchased a ticket to Paris. The city of lights and romance, and I was hoping, change. I wasn't to be disappointed in that. France, in general, was very different from the United States, but Paris, in itself, was unique, and surely I could not have met a man was more stimulating to look upon, more awakening to all my senses than Duncan MacLeod? And I had met him on my Birthday, too. It had only been a month ago, but it felt as if I had know Duncan much longer than that. And today was Christmas Eve! The barge that was his home, had become like a second home to me as well, but the place was often cold and drafty. Of course, I had learned that being wrapped in Duncan's arms was far more effective than any heater. Still, for this one special day of the year he had rented a suite at the Hotel Villa Royale on rue Duperre. The place was an absolute delight. I had never thought much about the world of Art, but in the short time I had known Duncan I had come to appreciate the art world and the artists in it, and this particular hotel seemed dedicated to the Parisian artists. The suite that we shared had a large Plasma TV screen, but we really were not at all interested in that. In the cozy large bed teeming with pillows, yes, in the inviting, overstuffed love seat before the large fireplace that when lit, as Duncan was doing now would cast the bedroom in romantic tones of flickering light-that we were very interested in, or at least, I found the upcoming night, and all the promise it held extremely alluring. Another amenity I found near to irresistible was the heated pool was about 8' by 8' square, and deep enough to come almost to the bottom of my breasts when I stood in the middle of it. I had pinned my hair at the back of my head in a makeshift knot, but short tendrils had escaped to cling damply against the nape of my neck and my heated-flushed cheeks and temples. It was more a sudden strange feeling, rather than any sound I had heard, that made me realize with a rather unpleasant shock that I was not alone in the pool room. Instinctively, I lowered my body under the water as far as I could without drowning, and heard his deep laugh. "Did I really startle you? Forgive me." I relaxed immediately upon finding out that the intruder was Duncan. "The pool room is completely our own tonight. I thought you knew that." I Shook my head, and glided backwards in the water. "No, this is all so new, you understand. I didn't realize it was possible to have a small pool all to yourself..." He stood in the doorway, a arched Moorish doorway with no door, wearing closely fitting tan linen pants, and a tight white t-shirt that wrapped around every muscle curve the man had. Flushed already from the steamy water, I was starting to feel just a little light headed, but it wasn't from the heat, or because I had been drinking, it was from looking at him, and remembering, and suddenly wanting....again.... I watched him in helpless hunger walk passed the first fireplace that was burning brightly, and knee down to ignite the kindling in the second fireplace. Surely, another fireplace pumping out heat was unnecessary, but the leaping, flickering flames provided and effectively flattering light that added to the duskiness of my tawny skin. It displayed his body beautifully as he shucked his clothes and stepped down into the water to join me. The lap of the small waves he made as he moved toward me caressed me, and unconsciously I moved to meet him. Alas, the turbulent year of misfortune could not end without one more mishap occurring and as my foot slipped out from under me, I went under with arms grasping at air. My bare butt hit on the tile bottom of the pool and I felt his firm, grasping fingers close around my arm, lifting me to the surface once again. I came out of the water, blinded for an instant by heavy strands of my dripping, clinging hair. So much for my makeshift tied back hair! "Please, allow me..." Long brown fingers, brushed my hair aside and I looked up, treading water, to realize he held me close up against him with one strong arm around my waist. I felt the burn, the heat radiating off him and welcomed his kiss. A mere brush of his lips, full of promise, a taunt of things to come. His hold on me loosened and I smiled at him before deciding to get a little exercise by practicing my crawl -in the opposite direction. Well I came up at the far end of the pool it was to find him there already. I wasn't surprised. He was a very accomplished man. I do not believe I have ever met someone who was more knowledgeable, or more entertaining - but then, I seemed to be infatuated with him, so perhaps I'm bias! The hour spend playing in the water, soon changed to a cozy hour snuggled up close in his arms. The love seat was a comfortable as it looked and the Christmas Cheer, an God only knew what Liquor that was, flowed freely, as did the conversation and the laughter. After a time we settled down on the fur rug before the fire to watch the dancing flames, speak of Christmas memories from years passed. It was just before midnight that Duncan saw that my eyes would fall shut only to snap open as I caught myself drifting off to sleep, and he lifted me up into his arms to carry me to the large bed. Sweeping the dozen or more pillows aside, he settled me down onto the mattress and soon joined me. Wrapped in each others arms was a wonderful way to usher out Christmas eve, and issue in a very early Christmas Morning! The end