to the airport", he explained, putting my bags into the boot.
Daniel really wants me to arrive safely…
"And do you also have to chaperone me during the flight?" I asked with a hint of irony, making hin laugh.
"No, Miss, I’ll take a different flight. Mr Wietermann will collect you in person in Paris."
What an honour!
I thought, but I stopped myself saying it. I didn’t want to make Ray feel uncomfortable by mocking his boss.
"The packet in my room, that was you, wasn’t it?"
"Yes, Miss."
"Have you been watching me since Mr Wietermann left?" There was no aggressiveness in my question, just curiosity.
"Well… Mr Wietermann asked me to look out for you without disturbing you."
"Bravo Ray. You are a master of discretion. I would never have suspected if there hadn’t been that packet on my bed."
We arrived at JFK International Airport in under forty-five minutes. Ray took care of the formalities and luggage check-in and escorted me to boarding. A few steps after the last check point, I stopped to wave to him. He waved back, while tapping on the keys of his telephone. I was sure he was writing to Daniel…
Nine forty-five am by the clock on the plane, three forty-five pm on my watch. Turn off telephones. Bye bye New York. I was comfortably settled in business class at a window seat (thank you, Daniel!) and my eyes were already closed before take-off. I noticed noises around me, but identified them less and less, as I drifted into sleep, into dreams…
… It was quite dark in the room I was in. But that didn’t worry me; on the contrary the atmosphere was subdued, muffled and sensuous. Long, heavy, dark-red velvet hangings hung on the walls. On the floor, wide dark-coloured carpets decorated with arabesques and flowers intertwined and overlapped. In several places there were small, very low, sculpted wooden tables. On these tables were large golden candle-holders and bowls overflowing with fruit. The aroma of wood, amber and incense was intoxicating. The only sound was the crackling of the fire in the hearth I was standing in front of. The atmosphere in the room was completely overwhelming and entrancing.
I was sitting among a pile of enormous cushions, my legs slightly bent to the side. The dance of the flames hypnotised me. The fire warmed my face and my whole body. I crossed my arms, took hold of the edges of the diaphanous gown I was wearing and slowly raised it over my chest and over my head in a sweeping movement worthy of a dancer. The light of the flames was reflected on my chest, giving it a bronze tint. I ran a hand over the back of my neck and the sensuous movement made me sigh. I felt completely relaxed, slightly unsteady and slightly hazy.
Suddenly, a pair of hands touched my lower back. I was not frightened, not even surprised, I was waiting for them. With their palms against my skin, they slowly climbed up along my spine and continued over my shoulders and down my arms. I could feel the strong, naked torso of a man against my back, draping me in his body.
He stayed like that for a long while, until a feeling of utter completeness spread through me. Time had stopped. Nothing bad could happen to me while I was encircled and protected by this man.
His hands continued their journey. He measured the curve of my breasts with his caresses. My head turned and rested on his shoulder as I offered my neck for his kisses. His hands were on my stomach and he left them there. He let them spread their heat as far as my womb.
I was hot, unbelievably hot. With the tip of his tongue, he delicately licked the beads of sweat on my shoulder, while sliding one hand between my thighs. I heard the hissing of the flames, the fire crackling and our deep breathing.
In a corner of the room, leaning against a wall, was an enormous mirror. Graceful curves rippled in its reflection and I could see erotic shapes, two bodies entwined.
The man lay me down in the bed of cushions. I could see his face now. It was familiar to me,