Ana put down her fork after letting the last morsel of the delicate French pastry melt in her mouth. She closed her eyes and sighed. “That was delicious. Before I leave here tonight I’m getting the name of that patisserie. That was simply heaven.”

            Across from her, Lazarus placed his elbows on the table and pressed his fingertips together. If the evening was successful, Ana would not be leaving. “I’m glad you approve. I enjoy watching you eat. Food is such a treat for the senses.” How could he tell her that his own supper was nothing more than a tasteless mass of texture. The only thing he could taste was the heady mix of her natural scent combined with the floral base of perfume. The scent settled on his lips and he licked them often. It was his appetizer. What a joy it would be to taste her! His fingers shook slightly with anticipation. His groin hardened. Her nose appreciated the aroma of the food. His nose heightened his lust.

            Her scent was stronger tonight than it had been this afternoon. He knew it was partly due to the fact that she wore less clothing. But he was also sure that the atmosphere, and his previous offer, sparked her interest, whether she was ready to admit it or not.

            “Come sit with me in the living room.” He stood and took the candelabra, leaving Ana no choice but to follow or be left in darkness. He set the candelabra on a small table and took a place on the sofa. He had previously removed all the other chairs from the room, leaving only the sofa for them to share.

            Ana hesitated before sitting at the opposite end.

            “Come, Ana. Shed your shoes. Be comfortable. Paris is all about creature comforts. Good food, relaxed ambiance, excellent company. I have missed it so,” he said in a wistful tone.

            Ana leaned into the cushions. “Yes, Paris is the most beautiful city I have ever seen. At least so far.”

            “More wine,” he offered.

            “Oh, no. If I have any more wine, my mouth will runneth over. I’m liable to say things I’d rather not have you hear.”

            “Such as...”

            “I—I think you’re very handsome.”

            His eyes spotted her blush in the dim light. “I thank you, Ana. Such a compliment deserves a reward. May I kiss you?”

            Her eyes darted to his face. He saw uncertainty in her glance and moved to reassure her. “Nothing will happen unless you want it to. And if you want it to, then I consider myself a lucky man to be chosen by you.”

            “I—I don’t—”

            “I know. I don’t think there is anything wrong or strange because you chose to wait for a time that is right for you. Oh, don’t look so surprised, or embarrassed. You have such an untouched sweetness about you. I guessed. I see by your expression that I guessed right.”

            “Then you’ll understand if I don’t react the way you think I should.”

            “On the contrary, Ana. I’m sure you will react the way a woman should when kissed by a man who desires her.”

            “But I’m not sure I desire you physically. I’m attracted to your mind, I’m touched by your attention but—”

            He moved closer to her and let his arm settle across the top of the sofa. The warmth of her body washed over him in waves.

            “Let your heart be your guide, Ana. Let your body lead your mind. In the end, you’ll do what’s right for you.”

            She turned her head toward him. Lazarus brushed her loose hair over her shoulder. “Like strands of silk through my fingers,” he whispered. “Nut brown with hints of gold and red that glint like jewels in the candlelight.” He buried his nose in its softness. “Your perfume invades my senses. Kiss me, Ana.”

            She tilted her mouth toward his. He saw her swallow, watched her jugular jump. Whatever happened now, a hunger would be satisfied. His mouth came down on hers. Such sweetness! A soft, yielding kiss. She sighed softly and Lazarus took her in his arms for a full embrace. The kiss continued. Their mouths foraged, explored, broke apart, then foraged again. He pressed her closer, felt the crush of her breasts against his chest. His fingers gently traced the bare skin of her back. She shuddered closer to him.

            Finally he broke the kiss and pressed his lips to her temple.

            “What do you feel now, Ana?”

            “Longing.” Her voice was soft with desire. Lazarus smiled into the darkness. He had lit a fire, but he would not feed it if she was not willing to continue. “That was the most spectacular kiss I’ve ever had. But I’m sure I’m not the first to tell you that.”

            “On the contrary, Ana. A kiss between a man and a woman is a first, unique glimpse into someone’s heart. Desire meets desire, the body reacts. You can look into yourself and know whether or not it’s right.”

            “Laz...” She looked into his face and his insides suddenly rejoiced. He knew her heart had just made its choice.

            “It is right. What I’m feeling now, inside.”

            “Desire.”

            “Yes.”

            “Arousal.”

            “Oh, yes.”

            “What do you want, Ana? Tell me.”

            “More. I want you to touch me.”

            He chuckled softly. “We shall go slowly.”

            But she didn’t want slow. Lazarus opened a door for her. She stood at the threshold. He held out his hand, ready to guide her into the unknown. Her breasts felt tight in the dress, her nipples taut and rubbing against the lining. She wanted him to touch them, to stroke them. Her body tingled at the thought. A sudden rush of desire shot directly to her mons. Her buttocks tightened in reflex. No other man had ever made her feel this way.

            This time she initiated the kiss. Her hesitant fingers gave way to more intimate explorations. She fondled his hair, loving the way its coarse texture reflected his masculinity. She put her arms around him, marveling at the width of his shoulders, the breadth of his chest, the way his six-pack abdomen tapered to narrow hips. There was no softness about his body. He was all flat planes and angles, strength and sinew. Her fingers surrendered their hold on his hair and traveled to the front of his open shirt. She passed over the freshly starched cotton and tentatively fingered the hair on his chest. His breathing deepened. She opened her eyes and gazed into his face. His eyes locked on hers. Dark eyes, wide pupils with exploding lights in the centre.

            “I want you.” She was surprised to discover that she had murmured the words, not him.

            “I know.” She barely saw his lips move, if at all.

            She reached up and pressed one of his hands in hers, then guided him down to the hem of her dress. “I want you to touch me. I ache deep inside.”

She wasn’t sure whether she pulled him down on her or he pressed them into the cushions. Nevertheless, Ana gloried at the feel of his heavy body on top of her. He was kissing her again, exploring. Her ears, her throat, her cleavage. It was easy for him to sweep aside the silk of her décolletage. For the first time, her breasts were exposed to the air—and to a man.

            “So white,” he murmured, almost in awe of her. “Milky white with pink tips. So round, so full. Feel how they respond to me.”

            He blew on the tips of her nipples. Ana gasped and shivered at the sensations he created. He nuzzled each in turn, pressing his cheeks against them and planting light kisses around the areolas.

            “Your skin is like silk, Ana. Soft, warm, natural.” His words seduced her, drugged her. This is the way she always imagined it, a man who cherished her, who was patient and held his passion in check and helped her over the edge. The words of his note flashed briefly in her mind: we have much to learn from each other...let the lessons begin. These were her lessons. She was learning from him.

            She jumped suddenly as his hands found their way under her dress. Slowly, he edged it up. Instinctively she inched her legs apart. At last his fingers discovered her naked tangle of curls.

            “Ana, how bold of you. I believe I like it. Part of you anticipated me. Or did your Latin training include reading the Ars Amatoria?”

            She offered an apologetic chuckle. “Ovid was a dirty, old poet. My roommate is a dirty, young practical joker. She stole my underwear. I’m going to fire her.”

            “On the contrary, I shall nominate her for a medal. And Ovid was the first pornographer.” With that, he lightly stroked her outer lips. Ana shivered.

            “Your body has anticipated me. When I stroke you, your folds swell. Your opening is a slick well, weeping fluid. I could make love to you here and now, but I think you shall like it more in my bed. Come, Ana. Let me take you upstairs and give you what your body desires. Let me show you pleasure.”