Rush

where Gabe
     got a map and spent a few moments speaking to the concierge. After that, they were
     on their way.
    They left the hotel, and Mia sucked in her breath at the beauty of the day. There
     was a crispness to the air that immediately refreshed her. There couldn’t be a more
     perfect day to sight-see in Paris. The sky was brilliantly blue without a single cloud
     to mar it.
    After the first block, Mia shivered when a brisk wind with a biting chill blew down
     the street. Gabe frowned and then broke away, heading for one of the vendors that
     lined the block.
    He chose a brightly colored scarf, handed Euros to the man and then returned to where
     Mia stood on the sidewalk. He looped the scarf around her neck, covering the lobes
     of her ears with the warm material.
    “Better?” he asked.
    She smiled. “Perfect.”
    He gathered her to his side, holding her tightly against his body as they continued
     their walk. Mia sucked in deep breaths, reveling in the sheer beauty of the city.
     She stopped often, looking into the windows of shops or taking time to browse the
     street vendors. Through it all Gabe was patient and attentive. If Mia so much as looked
     as though she liked something, Gabe was quick to purchase it. As a result, they now
     carried several shopping bags with them.
    The view from the Eiffel Tower was magnificent. They stood staring down at the city
     of Paris, the wind ruffling Mia’s hair and tugging at the ends of the scarf.
    Impulsively, she went up on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to his mouth. His eyes darkened
     with surprise and what looked like relief.
    As her heels hit the ground again she grinned ruefully. “It’s always been a dream
     of mine to be kissed on top of the Eiffel Tower.”
    “Then let’s do it right,” Gabe said gruffly.
    He dropped the bags he was holding and pulled her into his arms. He cupped her chin,
     tilting her head up so her mouth was angled perfectly for his. Then his lips slid
     warmly over hers, his tongue brushing lightly, coaxing her to open to his advance.
    She sighed into his mouth and closed her eyes, soaking up every second of the experience.
     Here in one of the most romantic cities in the world, she was fulfilling a teenage
     dream. What woman wouldn’t want to be kissed atop the Eiffel Tower?
    The rest of the day was more fulfillment of her most vividromantic fantasies. They saw the sights, laughed, smiled and took in the wonders of
     the city. Gabe was so very tender and he spoiled her endlessly.
    At one point, he called for a driver to take their bags back to the hotel because
     they’d become too much for them to carry.
    And at the day’s end, he took her to a restaurant overlooking the Seine. Dusk had
     descended, and all the lights twinkled and popped against the skyline. She was tired
     from all the walking, but there had never been a more perfect day.
    As they waited for their entrees, Gabe reached underneath the table and propped her
     feet on his lap. Unlacing her shoes, he pulled them off and began to massage each
     foot.
    She groaned in sheer pleasure as he pressed into her arches and rubbed the soles.
    “We’ll take a cab back to the hotel,” he said. “You’ve walked enough today. Your feet
     will likely hurt tomorrow.”
    “They hurt now,” she said ruefully. “But this has been the most fabulous day, Gabe.
     I can’t thank you enough for it.”
    He sobered instantly. “No need to thank me, Mia. I’d do damn near anything to make
     you smile.”
    His gaze was so serious, his eyes intent. Every time he’d looked at her today, there
     had been a softness that made her heart squeeze just a bit. Almost as if he cared
     for her. Beyond just as a sexual object.
    Their food came and Mia dug in with gusto, even though they’d snacked on delicious
     pastries, breads and cheeses the entire day. She slowed toward the end of the meal,
     because as wonderful as the day had been, she knew that when they returned to the
     hotel that it would be time to face the issue they were currently avoiding.
    She wasn’t in any hurry to end the day. It would be a memory she would savor her entire
     life. No matter what happened in the future, she would never forget her time in Paris
     with Gabe.
    When it came time to go, Gabe took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers, and
     they walked out to the patio overlooking the river. A dinner cruise floated by, the
     lights twinkling festively.
    It was a gorgeous night. Chilly. Heralding the coming