** For authors notes, disclaimer etc. see chapter 1

Cross Country 3 – Choo-Choo

"You know years ago when they said they were going to build under the sea and put a tunnel between England and France I swore I'd never set foot on it." Sandra laughed as they sat in the queue of cars the next morning waiting for their turn to drive onto the train for their trip to mainland Europe.

"You weren't the only one it seemed like the biggest joke in the world I was convinced it would become a huge white elephant but here we are and I'll take it over the ferry any day." Gerry agreed just as a young man in a hi-vis jacket waved them onto the huge train carriage. Their night had been perfect and totally justified his decision to surprise her with the hotel stay. They'd had a fantastic meal in the hotel, soaked in the Jacuzzi then made love before falling asleep in the king sized hotel bed.

"Last night was amazing thanks for organising it I really didn't want to spend the night on the ferry. I don't know what I did to deserve you but I'm glad I did it you're amazing."

"I know," Gerry smiled winking playfully at her as she killed the engine unclipping his seatbelt and leaning in to kiss her gently. "But then you're pretty amazing yourself so I suppose we're well suited."

"You're so modest and so full of crap." Sandra laughed looking around as the last of the cars drove on and the doors of the carriage were closed. She'd been on the Eurostar a few times since the tunnel was opened but never on the car trains and she was quite excited, the idea of being on French soil in less than 2 hours and officially on the first part of their journey was so exciting and their first overnight stop at a vineyard four hours' drive from the terminal was one she was particularly looking forward to.

"Let's get out and go to the restaurant car for something to eat since we're here we should make the most of it."

"Gerry you ate a fry-up that would keep most people going for a week less than three hours ago you can't be hungry." Sandra laughed getting out of the car as he came round to her side pulling her into his arms as she got out.

"Yeah well if you recall." He whispered bringing his lips close to her ear as he did letting one of his hands slide down her back to rest on her ass. "I also managed to burn off quite a bit of that huge fry-up before we checked out thanks to you so after all that activity I'm hungry again. Besides between us we've four hours of driving to do once we get off this train so some coffee wouldn't go a miss."

"Ok then I suppose you're right and now that we're on here we might as well see it all." Sandra smiled giving him a quick kiss before taking his hand and pulling him in the direction of the dining car.

"Sandra weren't you the one saying I couldn't be hungry? You did have quite a large breakfast yourself but you're eating that pain-au-chocolate like you're not seen food in months." Gerry laughed twenty minutes later as they sat at one of the small tables along one side of the train's dining car.

"I know but I'm sorry there is no way they got this croissant from our side of the tunnel they just melt in your mouth." Sandra murmured taking another bit of pastry and moaning softly as Gerry shook his head laughing quietly as he pulled the plate away from her. "Hey! That's mine! Give it back!"

"No, absolutely not no more French pastries for you. Nothing is allowed to cause you to make those sorts of noises unless those things are being done by me!"

"Oh I don't know, with buttery pastry, dark chocolate and that dusting of icing sugar." Sandra smiled lowering her voice and glancing at him seductively through her eyelashes "Put all that together and I can see why people say good chocolate is better than sex."

"Now that's just a step too far I think it's time we went back to the car I'm not sure I approve of the effect leaving UK soil is having on you." Gerry gasped the mock surprise on his face making her laugh as she got up grabbing the last of the croissant off the plate as he lead her back toward the carriage their car was in. "If you're like this over a croissant what are you going to be like when we get to the vineyard tonight?"

"If they have food as good as this and wine to match I might just stay there and let you go on to the villa yourself."

"Is that so? Well maybe I could find myself some gorgeous Spanish nymphomaniac to keep me company."

"She'd need to be able to put up with your snoring first!" Sandra replied pulling him toward her enjoying the teasing playful atmosphere between them as she held out the last piece of the pastry letting it brush his lips as he bit it in half his eyes widening as he did."

"Oh my god that's amazing!" Gerry muttered taking the last piece as she held it out to him before feeding it to her smiling as she reacted in the same way as she had back in the dining car.

"Come on now that you've tasted it yourself you have to agree it's something else."

"Yeah ok I'll give you that it's very tasty but I'd still take a night of passion with you over it any day." Gerry nodded as the loud speaker in the carriage announced that they would begin disembarkation in ten minutes and that everyone should return to their cars.

"Well it looks like we're here maybe tonight when we get to the vineyard you can remind me why spending the night with you is more exciting than any French pastry." Sandra smiled kissing him hungrily tasting the sweetness from this tongue as it briefly battled with hers before another announcement brought them back to reality and they got back into the car just in time to see the doors opening on the side of the carriage and moments later they were driving out into the French sunshine.

"Well now that we're on the road again I'd say that was a challenge you just threw down there Sandra." Gerry said quietly following the other cars in front of them toward the motorway.

"I've no idea what you mean." Sandra replied with a teasing wink before putting on her sunglasses and settling back in the car seat for the drive ahead feeling herself smile at nothing as the images of how their first European night was going to pan out, She had every confidence that the whole fortnight was going to be peppered with lazy days and nights exploring each other's bodies, that night would just be the start of it and she couldn't wait. She was finding it impossible to hide just how excited she was about all of it as she glanced over at him and knew he was thinking exactly the same thing.