Page 62 of Once Bitten

Chapter Twenty Three

There is something special about Paris at night. While the setting of the sun usually brings darkness and marks the time for people to retreat to their homes, the twinkling of a million lights strewn over the monuments of France’s capital lures the romantics out to play. The air is scented with promises and perfumes, of love and lust, of temporary insanity and tempestuous affairs.

We could hear the life streaming out onto the streets of Paris as we left our room and travelled down in the elevator. The normally quiet foyer was busy with women in their elegant gowns and men in their formal best, ready to start the night at the Four Seasons and let it end up where it may.

I clung to Finn’s arm as we walked through the hotel, the excitement reaching a fever pitch, feeling like I belonged in this decadent and lavish culture for once. He smiled at me, and I felt like the luckiest woman there, desired, protected, loved.

We’d had to tear ourselves apart after our declarations up stairs once the reception had called to tell Finn the car he’d ordered was ready. But I didn’t care, it had happened, and it could never be taken away from me.

“Finn! Kara!” A female voice called to us from the front entrance.

“What on earth?” Finn mumbled. “Heather?”

His twin ran up to us, pulling her small luggage behind her.

“Heather!” I ran up to her and fell into her open arms. We’d just left her yesterday but I was still so happy to see her, wanting to make up for lost time. “What are you doing here?”

“I just felt like surprising you, I wanted to see you before you went back to the States and we’re not too busy for the next few days so I thought, why not? Oh my god!! Is that your prom dress? You’ve had it all this time?”

I frowned, confused, “No.. I...you didn’t?...”

“Oh! I was so excited to see you, I forgot, Finn...I have a surprise for you too...look!”

We all turned towards the entrance, just as a stunning blonde woman walked in, dressed in a body hugging black dress. She waved to us as she struggled with her luggage.

“Oh my God.” Finn turned to me. “Kara...”

“Finn! Go help her!” His sister told him.

“In a minute, Heather.” His hand pinched around my bicep, almost painfully.

“Can’t you see she needs help? What’s wrong with you?” Heather scolded.

“Kara...Just. Just wait here.” Finn said firmly, letting go of me, and walked off in the direction of the woman.

I watched as she beamed at him as he approached her, dropping the handle of her suitcase to wrap her arms around him and kiss him on both cheeks.

“Who is that, Heather?”

“Oh, that’s Madeleine, Finn’s wife.”