by E A Harvey
They had returned to the café where they had so much fun with Paula and Patrick.
"Pierre you must understand, I believe Janet wants me dead, so that, in some way, she could take over father's business when he dies, which, sadly maybe far too soon, Peter is not interested or even capable of being CEO. Mummy will still own majority shares so will have a large income.. As for me, even after Daddy has gone, my allowance will still stay the same as will Janet's. There is no way, however, Janet would be voted on to the board she knows nothing about finance; less even than I do. Daddy confided in me that moneywise his family should never need to worry; I think he has offshore accounts which Mummy knows about. Nevertheless although we will be adequately provided for, Janet is greedy, always has been. Sorry I am rambling on and, no doubt, boring you" said Penny
"Not at all” said Pierre “But don’t you not think that maybe you are exaggerating the situation a little. After all, Janet has never threatened you, has she”?
"Yes and no. We all say things like “I could kill you” without actually meaning it. But when she lay naked with Bob the expression on her face portrayed so many feelings; hate, satisfaction and a look of pure evil. Janet always finds it difficult to hide her feelings of jealousy towards me”
"Okay. Let’s leave it there and think of something which makes you happy. I am taking you to dinner tonight, it’s the opening of a new restaurant owned by a friend of mine, I have told him all about the beautiful English girl I have fallen in love with and he wants to meet you”
She looked at him with an expression of shock and pleasant surprise. Love, he is in love with me” she thought. “Oh please if it's true don't let anything spoil it this time”. She knew what she felt for this man, in spite of all efforts to resist, she was also in love.
Later on that evening he arrived and rang the bell. Opening the door to him she smiled. As he looked at her his mouth fell open
“You are the most beautiful girl I have ever laid eyes on I swear, you look amazing”
“Thank you. And I must say you look so very handsome yourself”
The taxi hurried around the streets of Paris and she thought how lucky she was. She was with this very handsome and charming French man who thought she was beautiful and was in love with her. She couldn’t imagine anything better.
The evening was a wonderful success; Pierre’s friend was as nice as he had said. They enjoyed an excellent meal followed by dancing. Pierre held her so close that she wished the evening would never end.
In the taxi on the way home, he pulled her close and while they kissed Penny started to cry. "Darling have I upset you have I done something wrong" he asked
"Oh no, I am just so wonderfully happy, happier than I'd ever thought I could be again.
"Pierre I have something to tell you, something very important to me, I am still a virgin. I always wanted to save myself for Mr Right. I thought that was Bob, and you know how that ended,
Pierre I am ready and would like to spend the night with you if you will have me"
"It would be my honour to be your first, but only if you are sure. You must know by now how deeply in love with you I am"
As the driver headed to the changed address, she sat with her head on Pierre’s shoulder; her heart beating faster as she considered, with excitement, what the evening had yet in store.
He held her hand gently as they entered his apartment and as he closed the door behind them he thought he heard her give a sigh.
"Penny ….."?
He never finished the sentence. She had slipped the thin shoulder straps off and her dress had drifted slowly to the floor. What he saw in front of him left him speechless, her magnificent body completely naked, beautifully tanned. Her full breasts stood firm and proud the nipples already hardened with desire. She had felt his erection pressing against her when they danced and realised her choice of dress minus underwear had certainly had the desired effect.
He swept her naked body up into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. As she lay on the bed she watched him undress. His firm body excited her even more and, as he removed his underwear, she watched as his erection enjoyed its freedom.
He lay down beside her and his mouth found hers. At first he kissed her so very gently and then with more passion and desire. His tongue explored her mouth and she found herself enjoying and wanting more of its searching. She felt his hands sliding around her body, first across her flat firm tummy, which made her jump with pleasure, and then on upwards, she knew he would fondle her breasts and her anticipation made her giddy. The feeling between her thighs was warm and damp and as he touched her nipples she thought she would explode. His hands were experienced, at times gentle and at other times rough, every touch bringing her closer to eruption. Then his mouth moved from her lips to her now hot and pleasantly sore nipples which he teased with his tongue and teeth. By now she could stand no more her body ached for him to enter her.
“Oh please Pierre, please take me” she begged but still his hands explored her body. Finally, after what seemed an age, his hands worked their way from her breasts down over her waist and around to her bottom where his fingers did things which made her heart skip. When his hands began to explore her wet mound, her orgasm tore through her wanting body. As her body shook he took her in his arms and held her close and stroked her cheek. She opened her eyes and smiled at him.
"Pierre I love you very much".
He did not answer but kissed her gently. As he rolled his body over hers she arched her back for him. His erect penis slid into her and she gave a gasp as she lost her virginity.
Once again she came for him. Rolling on top of him she could at last express her feelings and rode him hard and fast until she felt him ejaculate into her. She was free and she now understood why her sister had so many one night stands, sex was exciting.
She climbed off his now wilting erection; it was time for her to explore his body the way he had done hers. Taking his wet penis in her fingers she placed it in her mouth and began to suck and lick it until she felt a reaction. She heard him moan with pleasure and knew what she was doing was exciting him. It made her wetter to feel his penis swell and throb. She could feel that he was about to ejaculate once more, mounting him she rode him until his moan told her it was happening.
"If I didn't know better Angel I would have thought you were very experienced in bed" said Pierre as they lay together.
"Janet once showed a blue movie on the DVD player when our parents were out. Actually we watched a few. Oh, and I have read a few romantic novels, one called fifty something or other”
She woke the next morning to see him staring at her.
She raised an eyebrow in question.
"Sorry, darling but I just wanted to watch you sleep, you’re so very beautiful”
“In that case would it be okay if I asked for more of what we had last night”?
Chapter 10 Rene
"Thank you very much Justine, nice talking to you again".
Sarah Daniels replaced the telephone on the cradle and looked at her pad. She now had Robert Heath's address and telephone number, which Justine had got from Patrick, along with Penny Scott's address in Paris and mobile numbers for Gabrielle and Pierre DuPont.
“The game is afoot she found herself thinking. I'm reading too much Sherlock Holmes; do get a life, Sarah. Right let's try Mr Heath”.
She dialled his number but it went straight to answerphone, "Mr Heath this is D I Sarah Daniels. Could you call me back on this number as soon as possible please".
Browsing through her mobile she was hoping she still had the number of Rene De Salis.
They had met when she had visited Paris on holiday and out of courtesy and curiosity had called into the local Gendarmerie. Rene was the senior officer on duty that day and invited her to stay for coffee. She had been a lot younger and prettier then and the job had not worn her down as it had over the past years. They had spent some time together when Rene was off duty and after an evening o
f dining and heavy drinking they had finished the evening in bed together. As pleasant as it was, it was only a one night stand, but they stayed in touch for some time afterwards until it eventually petered out.
"Rene, Rene is that you" she said in lousy French” "Oui" she heard him say "Rene it's me Sarah, Sarah Daniels.
How are you, and please speak English my French is down to about ten words"
"Sarah, Sarah is that really you, it's lovely to hear from you after all this time, I meant to call you"
"Don't apologise, Rene, I know exactly how it is, we always mean to but time goes by and then it's too late”
"What can I do for you Sarah, it is so good to hear your voice" She could hear he was pleased to hear from her by the many times he called her by name.
"Rene I am on a case and part of it leads me to Paris and a young lady who might be able to help in the investigation of a murder in the UK”
"What can I do to help? I will be happy to help, but I have a better idea. Why don't you come to Paris and investigate it yourself? I can clear it for you. I would be helping our fellow police and I can take you to dinner and we can catch up"
"Fine Rene, that sounds like a good idea. If I can clear it with my superiors I will let you know and should be able to see you in a few days”.
"I will look forward to it Sarah, so very much"
She sat back on her chair and memories of Paris, all those years ago, flooded back to her and she smiled to herself.
Maybe it had been more romantic than she would care to admit.
Her phone rang and brought her back to reality. I must clear this bloody desk she thought to herself.
“Okay Bones what have you got"
The voice on the other end started to reel off information
"Time of death is between, Friday evening and the early hours of Sunday morning. There were marks on the victim’s wrists caused by them being tied. He had struggled to break loose at some time so the wrists were very much bruised. Also he died from strangulation, probably with the necktie, and not from hanging”
"Thanks, Bones that answers a few questions; I owe you a beer, talk soon”.
"So it would seem any thoughts about suicide are out of the question. Not that we really believed that was how he died. At least now we know for sure" Sarah said to herself.
Chapter 11 Raincoat
"Please meet me at our favourite café darling. I have something to tell you and I also have something to ask. How is seven o'clock for you”?
"Seven is fine Pierre but why so secretive? What are you up to" Penny said into the phone. “Nothing darling I promise. I just love the place and it's where we had such fun with Paula and Patrick. It's also the place where I started to fall in love with you"
"I will meet you but only if you promise to buy me one of those aperitifs that Paula had, a James Bond I thinks it's called”
"That's not quite its name but I know which you mean" he laughed
"See you at seven”
“Yes and I will wear something pretty for you and then maybe afterwards you will take me to your apartment and make love to me”
“Yes maybe”. He hung up.
"What a blooming cheek, what does he mean “maybe" she said out loud.
She looked in the mirror and was happy with the girl who smiled back, I don't think so" she said laughing.
Later
Looking across their little café she saw him talking to the owner. Pierre turned and saw her.
A broad smile lit up his handsome face.
He came over and held her hands and planted a kiss full on her mouth.
"You look lovely as usual my angel, but why the raincoat? It's not raining is it and I am sure it's not going to"
By this time the owner had walked away to fetch his drink.
She smiled and opened the raincoat. Underneath was the dress she had worn the night she gave herself to him. He knew instantly that underneath that dress she was naked. Seeing that she had got the reaction she had hoped for. "Maybe” I think you said. Is “Maybe” still your answer"?
She closed the raincoat as quickly as she had opened it.
“Your shameless darling and I thought you were such a lady"
“I was until I came to Paris and met you” she laughed.
"Come on let's go to my place and help you out of that raincoat, you’re getting funny looks”.
"Excuse me, you said maybe, and I want my James Bond first and, you have something to tell and something to ask if I remember correctly ".
“A Lillet please” he said to the owner who had now returned with Pierre’s drink and was looking at the raincoat with a questionable look on his face.
Pierre led her to a table and as she sat down she looked at him with a "so what's this all about" look on her face.
"Firstly darling, what I need to tell you is that I need to return to Singapore, I had just returned from there the night we met and need to go back soon for a few weeks. Its business and it's very important. I hope you don't mind”.
“Of course I don't mind Pierre, but I will miss you. I was thinking of returning to the UK anyway to see Mummy and Peter, so this will be a good opportunity”
"That’s a great idea, and maybe you can also see Paula and Patrick and ask them to visit us again soon. We all had so much fun last time”.
"And secondly" she asked
With that, Pierre got down on one knee.
"It would make me the happiest man alive if you would do me the honour of becoming my wife Miss Scott”
She put her hand to her mouth and a look of shock spread across her whole face.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
“You want to marry me, really, oh yes, yes please darling, but only If you're sure. Being married to you would make me so, so happy”
She kissed him with so much passion that the other patrons in the café started to applaud.
Pulling away from him she opened her raincoat so very slightly.
“And now “Maybe” you can wait until we are married" she teased.
Chapter 12 Paris
Chef Inspector Rene De Salis walked past customs and passport control by showing his warrant card at De Gaulle Airport.
He knew her flight was on-time and he had no intention of keeping Sarah waiting.
He had shaved, showered and added cologne and his fellow officers at the station had remarked how smart he looked. But they also joked, when he wasn't around, that there must be a woman involved somewhere.
He grabbed her hand luggage as she passed through the first of the gates.
"Sarah you look wonderful. The years have been good to you; you’re still a lovely woman. How was your flight? How are you? It's great to see you. Oh dear, I sound like I’m conducting an interrogation. Can I start again" laughed Rene.
She was pleased that he had said she looked good. She had taken her time over her appearance. Her hair had been done professionally, a smart two-piece navy suit on top of a well-pressed blouse, tasteful makeup and heels. “Heels”? I never wear heels” she thought.
"Do you have any more cases?"
"No that’s it, I have enough for two or three days" she replied
They passed through baggage reclaim and customs with Rene nodding at the officers on duty "Sarah please will you do me the honour of staying at my apartment, I have a spare bedroom as you know and it will be all above board, I promise"
“Rene I am a big girl and I can look after myself. So yes I will stay with you and yes it will be very professional, I promise"
They had reached the police car and after putting her small case in the boot he helped her into the passenger seat.
As he drove they talked about her last visit to Paris and that she had learned so much about the way the Gendarme worked and it had helped her to advance her own career. He pointed out a few places they had visited and she was surprised how much detail he remembered about their time together.
The car stopped and she realized they had r
eached his apartment. As they climbed the stairs it all came flooding back as though it was yesterday, he opened the door. “Nothing has changed, it is yesterday” she thought.
“Rene you need a woman in your life. This apartment is exactly like it was the same furniture, even the same drapes. And no, that was not an offer" she laughed.
He opened the door to the spare bedroom and placed her luggage on a side chair.
She noticed the well-made bed and the tidiness of the surrounding rooms; even a vase of flowers. “You were very sure I would accept your invitation to stay with you I see Rene”
"You see I taught you well, check everything and everywhere when you walk into a room" he laughed.
"When you have sorted yourself out Sarah I will take you out for dinner. I have taken the liberty to reserve a table for two at a nearby restaurant. Don’t rush, we have plenty of time”.
After a short walk to the restaurant, she instantly recognized it as the one where they had spent their last evening, where they would drink far too much Pinot Noir leading them to end up in bed together.
