sister, pretty and innocent. Not what came later. He couldn't bear to think of that. Jack stared up at the orange glow of the street light as it filtered through the trees, willing away the tears that threatened to blur his vision. He willed himself to get up, to head back to the hotel. But he wasn't ready, not yet. He would just sit for a little longer.
Sara looked up at the clock. Compass were due on stage in an hour — the rest of the band would be in their dressing rooms, running through their own pre-show rituals. Once upon a time Sara would have wanted nothing more than to be in the front row, cheering them on. But tonight was different. Tonight there would be no Jack Carter, no front man. And all Sara cared about was seeing him safe. She replayed their early morning conversation in her head, over and over, hoping to recall some small detail that would give a hint of where he was, of what he was thinking. But she had nothing to go on. Only what Michael had said, that he'd be roaming the city somewhere. She gazed out of the window and pictured Jack lost in the winding streets of Paris. Fuck it, she thought to herself, there was no point sitting around driving herself crazy. Ignoring the rational part of her brain, she pulled on her jacket and headed for the elevator. Though she barely knew Jack Carter, and had no idea what was going on, Sara was sure of one thing. He called her because he needed her. She came because, despite all her misgivings, she wanted to be there for him. And if she had to hunt him down in a strange, dark city, then that was what she was going to do
The rain had finally stopped, but the wind carried a chill. Sara stuffed her hands in her pockets, wishing she had gloves. The receptionist had thrust an elaborate map of Paris into her hands as she left the hotel, but she had given up trying to follow her route. It wasn't like she knew where she was going anyway. Instead, Sara followed the river, hoping the dark waters of the Seine would lead her to her lover. She scanned the faces of everyone she passed, hoping Jack would emerge from the crowd, but there were only strangers, puzzled as to why the tourist was staring at them. Though her body ached with tiredness, Sara kept walking. Suddenly she found herself standing before the glittering glass pyramid of the Louvre, and she stopped and stared for a moment. The contrast of the modern structure with the ancient building behind was quite breathtaking, and Sara almost forgot the purpose of her mission as she marvelled at its beauty. She thought of the Mona Lisa tucked safely away inside, charming visitors with her mysterious expression, unreadable yet alluring. Jack was no oil painting, but there was something enigmatic about him too, a sadness behind every smile. Hidden depths that she would love to uncover, if she could just lay hands on him. Sara checked her cell phone for the hundredth time, hoping against hope that he was back in the warmth of the hotel room wondering where she was. No new messages.
Passing the museum, Sara found herself at the entrance to a magnificent park. In the distance she could see the imposing structure of the Arc de Triomphe, and further, the tip of the Eiffel Tower standing tall against the skyline. Even in her anxious state, Sara felt overwhelmed by the beauty of the city. Surely Jack must have felt it too as he walked the streets. Sara hoped it had offered him a little comfort. She quickened her pace as she made her way down the wide central promenade. It was growing late, and the city's crowds were thinning out. Suddenly, Sara felt alone, and more than a little uncomfortable. A shadow made her start, but it was only a statue, partially concealed by the ornate shrubbery. Sara sighed and hurried on. A little way ahead, she could see a crowd of young men loitering underneath one of the metal lamp posts that flanked the path. Sara pulled her coat tighter around herself and tried to walk casually as she passed them. She had just put them behind her when she heard a wolf whistle, and some rough sounding French that elicited a laugh from the rest of the group. Then all of a sudden, Sara felt a hand clamp down on her shoulder. As she whirled round, she saw that they had formed a semi-circle around her. The lit ends of their cigarettes glowed in the gloom.
'Please…I'm just looking for someone,' Sara stuttered, unnerved by their predatory expressions. They were probably younger than her, some still bearing teenaged acne across their tanned cheeks, but there was something threatening about them nonetheless. The ringleader snaked his arm around her shoulders, and said something unintelligible in her ear, gaining another laugh from his friends. Sara could smell alcohol on his breath. She tried to pull away from him, but he grabbed her arm, his fingers biting into her soft flesh with such force that she cried out. Sara looked around frantically, desperate for someone to come to her aid, but all of a sudden the vast park seemed deserted. She cursed herself for being so stupid, wandering around by herself at night. Another man was approaching her now, saying something to his buddy, a sickening grin on his face. Sara reached slowly into her coat pocket, trying to find her wallet, hoping that the remainder of her cash would convince them to leave her alone. She tried to stay calm, to keep her breathing steady, not to give herself over to the panic she could feel building. Then, like a light in the darkness, a voice rang out.
'Hey! Leave her the fuck alone!'
Sara turned her head to see a dark shape running towards them. The ringleader reflexively loosened his grip on her arm, and she wrenched herself away from him, running as fast as her shaking legs could manage. The voice came again,
'That's right, run! Get the hell out of here!' Not wanting to look round to see if the thugs had responded to this request, Sara ran helplessly towards the voice, and collapsed shaking into the stranger's arms.
'Hey, you ok there? You're safe now, don't worry. Bunch of jerks.' The voice was American. Familiar. Comforting. Sara looked up.
'I was looking for you.' There was a moment of silence as they took each other in.'Looks like you found me.' Jack wrapped his arms around her and pressed her close to his chest.
Huddled on the bench, Sara clung to Jack's arm, unwilling to let go of him even for a second.
'Sara, I'm so, so sorry. I've dragged you out here and now you almost got hurt…thank god I got there in time. I don't know what I would have done if something had happened…'
'Nothing happened. I'm fine. I'm just worried about you. What on earth's going on Jack?'
'Don't you read the papers?'
'Yeah, I do. Now tell me what really happened.'
'Oh Sara. It's a long story.'
'Well I spent eight hours on a plane getting here. I'm ready for it.'
Jack looked down at her. Her cheeks were pink from the cold, her hair mussed by the wind. She looked incredible. He placed his hands in the small of her back and pulled her towards him, running his hands through her hair as their lips met. He felt her body relax as his tongue pushed its way into her mouth. Then she pulled away abruptly.
'Jack,' she said, trying to keep the smile off her face, 'I thought you wanted to talk.'
'When did I ever say that?'
'You're not funny. I've been so worried. Everyone's worried, and you just disappear off into the night, like, like…'
'An idiot?'
'Something like that.'
Jack stroked her face gently, trying to find the words to explain himself, but he drew a blank. There was so much to say, but he didn't know where to begin.
I'm sorry,' he managed at last. Then he kissed her again. Sara stopped trying to fight it. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. She helped him with the buttons of her jacket, until he could slip his hands into the warmth beneath. They traced her curves through her tight sweater, as Jack kissed her neck, allowing his teeth to gently pressure her soft skin. Sara let out a moan.
Jack's fingers were cold as they stroked their way over the sensitive skin of her belly, striving upwards to tease the hard points of her nipples through her bra. She was on top of him now, straddling his lap, his erection apparent even through the thick fabric of his jeans.
Maybe we should get back to the hotel,' she whispered hoarsely in his ear, grinding her crotch against him in desperation. She was dying to feel him inside her again.
Jack moved his right hand between her legs and began to massage her clit in rhythmic circles, applying just the right amount of pressure. Already dripping wet, Sara felt her pussy spasm as it let forth another gush of moisture.
'I don't think I can wait that long,'Jack grunted. 'I have to have you now.'
With her legs still wrapped around him, Jack lifted Sara he weighed nothing and carried her to a more secluded part of the park, away from the central pathway. He pushed her against one of the tall chestnut trees that
