I was 23 years old that fateful summer in Paris. I had just finished work and was scurrying along the Boulevard and in a split second, my whole life changed forever.

In my hurry to get back to my apartment prior to dusk, I slipped and started to fall heavily onto the cobblestoned pathway. I immediately let go of my handbag and placed my hands in front of me, tensing my body, preparing myself in the anticipation of the searing pain that would fill my body and mind as I hit the sharp uneven cobblestones.

I felt helpless as I saw the cobblestones rising to meet me, berating myself for hurrying along in the dusky mist that had left a dangerous moisture on the Boulevard for those not of sturdy steps.

Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw these strong masculine arms reach out and catch me just milliseconds from me hitting the walkway. He struggled to keep me upright, I felt him gather his strength in his body as he took all my weight in his arms, and lifted me back onto my feet.

We stood like that for what seemed like eternity, he with his arms around me from behind, we were as close as two spoons. I could feel his heart beating on my back, his short breathes of exertions on the back of my neck, the ardelian was still running through my body, so in a moment of relief, I relaxed and leant back into the arms of this stranger that had saved me from my fall.

He relaxed and gently released me from his arms and I took a step forward and slowly turned around to thank this kind Samaritan. As I raised my face to look at him, I inwardly gasped, he was the kind of man your mother warned you about, tall, dark sexy and dangerous

He was about 6’4’’ tall, broad shoulders, dark shoulder length hair, tied back off his face to reveal deep blue eyes framed by long thick eyelashes, his full pink lips were slightly parted in a knowing smile to reveal beautiful white teeth. He was wearing a black suite with a black cape tied just under his manly chin, to keep out the coolness of the setting sun.

As he released her from his arms, he sighed, the warmth he felt flowing from her body, had awoken him to the beauty of the setting sun, the rays of which were reflecting back at him as captured in the softness and beauty of her waist length blonde hair. As she turned and raised her pixie shaped face, he stifled a sigh. She had a light in her eyes that shone like water through a gossamer veil.

In that fleeting moment, they both realized, there was a very strong sensual electricity between them, where it would take them, only time would tell, it was a decision each of them would come to regret in time.

In silent communication, he took her by the elbow and guided her towards a destination unknown to both of them.

They sat quietly at the sidewalk cafe, sipping their coffees and nibbling their croissants while avoiding each other's glance; both couldn't help wondering who would first utter the words they had been dying to say since the moment they met.

He then uttered the first words I know that I should have asked for vegemite on toast, these croissants aren’t as tasty as I thought they would be. Her eyes flickered with excitement, her thoughts precisely, she was dying for some Kimichi, her mother had always told her kimichi tastes better in France.

The cafe was crowded, sitting at the table next door, was a dour woman, we both noticed her as she had just called out quite loudly and in a most arrogant fashion waiter there is a fly in my soup, she was now leanong on the table with a slow burning cigar in a cigar holder resting in her hand, the look in her eyes was one of centempt, at her feet sat a miniature poodle dressed in a diamond encrusted coat, I said "Parlez-Vous Anglias, Dammit" don't stick your nose up at me, with that the dog jumped up and clamped his teeth on my booted ankle, the dog just wouldn't let go, my mysterious stranger leapt to his feet and prodded him off my ankle, in doing so, some of the diamonds on the diamond encusted coat broke the dogs skin, it itched and it itched, and when he scratched it open, he knew that he would never live the same way again.

The woman stubbed her cigar showing off her fingers each of which were dripping in diamonds, shrieking at the top of her voice as she left the café, “the dog is now spoilt merchandise and no longer perfect, I am leaving him here”, the waiter ran after her, with the poodle under his arm “…but wait, you can’t do that, it’s illegal”

We both turned, and look into each other’s eyes, “hello” he said in a voice that made me want to melt on the spot, “my name is Marcus”. I lowered my face in embarrassment, hoping he did not see my girlish flush at the sound of his voice. I answered hoping that I could control my breathlessness “my name is Kathleen”. The ice had been broken, the dam was now flowing.