Morning has arrived, Annie move a bit but remained asleep. Eyal started another pot of Colombian coffee and back to making more calls, this time to Eliam Chodorow - intel specialist with Mossad. He needs a rundown on Kyril Davy, the man who purchased the ransom oil painting and to find out the name of the painting. Also any recent movement on Dolph Branstrom and latest on large sums of money coming into his account. Follow the money trail.
The smell of coffee brewing brought Annie to life. Opening her eyes and seeing Eyal seated at a small table only dress in his jeans she felt refreshed and happy. Sleeping next to him had not been a dream. Slowly easing out of bed she reached for her robe but is was across the room, where Eyal had dropped it the night before.
Eyal hearing her stir, got up and retrieved the fallen robe for her, "Morning Neshema, you looking for this?" He handing the robe to her, "I've put coffee on and later we'll get brunch."
"Morning to you and that sleep felt so wonderful."
"You needed it. Now get some coffee for us and I'll bring you up to speed on what I've been doing." He kissing her on the top of her head and went back to the small table, his phone and opened laptop. There being sweetness about him, not making any quips about the prior night and her misstep. She felt embarrassed about her actions the night before but not regretting the attempt of seducing Eyal. Annie thankful for his low-key reaction, wrapped the robe tightly around her look at the shirtless Eyal and smiled, the man even looked super sexy in the morning light. She wasn't sure how much longer she could wait, aching for the feel of his touch she tried to push visions of them together out of her mind - wait she would for his move.
Fixing two cups of coffee, Annie was really feeling good about working with Eyal and somewhat hoping this mission would not end any time soon. For her being in the dark, she was her own boss but Eyal, well she wasn't sure about Eyal and the extend he had control for running the mission. She assumed it was unlimited.
"You've been busy this morning." With her gorgeous smile as she placed a hot cup of coffee before him.
"Sure have, tomorrow we are traveling to London. I'm in hopes Dolph Branstrom will stay there for a day or two, we need to take him out. Once I finish the plans I'll read you in. I need to get in touch with a London asset."
"Okay, so what's on the agenda for today?"
"A free day Neshema for us. You and me doing nothing but taking in the sights and sounds of being in Paris. We may be in for a long haul with this mission so we should take advantage of downtime."
"We should check on that guy who purchased the ransom painting."
"Already in the works as well as a few others on the game board, and that guy is the main target. Put your little spy hat in the closet and let me be the man showing a pretty girl some fun. I don't think we have ever done that for more than hour before all hell broke loose."
"I'm with you. I'll go take a shower and get ready." She was waiting for one of his sexual quips but he only smile at her with an approving nod. Yes this man knew the perfect time for kindness and the time of his sexual playfulness. He must be able to read my moods she thought even if I can't.
Annie and Eyal chatted about things to see and finally decided on going to the Montmartre area, visiting the vineyard and take in the shops along little romantic streets where there are almost no tourists, visit artist's studios and the famous Place du Tertre square where many penniless painters including Picasso and Utrillo once lived. They eat at charming café and quickly toured the Sacré Coeur Cathedral. At magical day for them, a time of refreshing hours being together and discovering one another more on a personal level, their likes and dislikes. They seem to enjoy much of the same things and Annie had guess that Eyal had multi taste, the finer things in life and also he enjoyed beer and ball games, something that really caught her attention, horseback riding.
"Horseback riding, I would never have guessed that about you."
"Why not. I'm from the Middle East where the finest Arabian horses are raised. As a young boy I belonged to Tzofim, the Israeli scouts and part of an honor guard, a mounted squadron and very elite. Not only did we ride the extraordinary animals we also took care of them, that's where I learned to shovel shit. What about you, ever ride?"
"Once. Being an Army brat we didn't get much of a chance to do those different fun things. My father was stationed in Texas once and Danielle and I went for an afternoon to some riding dude ranch. Poor Danielle seemed to be a real klutz and landed on her bottom a few times. Don't think they were the finest of horses."
"Probably not." Slipping his arm around Annie, "You ready to watch the sunset with me."
"You know I'm."
"I know just the place, a bottle of wine and fine cheese, come on Neshema we'll get to see our sunset and think of nothing at all."
"Your promise made in Amsterdam."
"Yes, and it will be a lovely evening for us."
The Canal Saint Martin a lovely canal near Gare du Nord where there are plenty of little cafes all along the way, Eyal stopping to buy wine, glasses and cheese, they found a dreamy spot to watch a beautiful sunset. Later have a nice pleasant dinner at one of the small cafes they were fully enjoying being together and Annie wondered if maybe the timing was closer at hand than she imagined. She was willing but it would have to be his move now.
Turning the key to their hotel room, Eyal knew the timing was now, especially for Annie because he sensed her loneness for the past months were really working on her emotions. The ability he possess to read Annie's many moods was working overtime, telling him she was latching onto the only person from her former life for comfort or was she feeling more, that he could not read. He knew Annie needed to belong, to have someone in her life there she could depend on and love, yes love but to what extent, the love of a loyal friend or dedicated lover. He wasn't sure if she had gotten over Auggie or if Auggie was waiting for her return. He wasn't ready for the next level in their relationship and unsure if Annie herself really knew. The last thing he wanted to do was cause her any more hurt, she had suffered enough and perhaps a closer, more intimate relationship with her would be the right move. For her to have that special bond only an intimate relationship could bring. Surely he wasn't against the sexual aspect, lord only knows how difficult it has been for him to keep that distance, downright cruel at times.
She was pouring them two glasses of brandy, "Last night was fun, I love working these mission with you. I know you are a loner but I think we make a good team." she putting Eyal's drink on the table beside him, her face very close to his. He reached up and brushed her hair from her shoulder.
"Our last time in Paris turned out to be great team work. You know our little romp in Washington's hotel room was real for me but you turned me down flat in Tel Aviv." he said tenderly.
"I was involved with someone then."
"Simon Fischer. Annie I'm sorry things didn't work out for you."
"Oh I loved him dearly but I don't think it was unconditional because I had second thoughts about running away with him, leaving Danielle and family was something I couldn't do. Now look at me."
"You moral drive to protect those close to you. One of the many things I so admire about you. Remember out time in Washington, you would go to any length to keep me from killing the man I was hunting."
"Oh I well remember Washington." She walked over to the bed, set down and took off her heels, took a sip of her drink, "Yes, Washington was very real. After you got shot, I thought I would never ever see you again, but our paths have cross again."
"Kismet." Eyal got up from his chair and came over to the bed, set down beside her.
"Maybe fate is trying to tell us something. This could get to be habit forming" Annie looking into his eyes, bit her bottom lip, slipped her hand on his leg and put her drink on the night stand. Eyal slowly put his arm around her waist softly kissing her neck, still sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Do you really believe in fate." Annie asked.
"Yeah, I do - funny thing, I have use Kismet as a game line for so long I was believing that fate was something you made. But now, with you sitting here I do believe in fate." Eyal was swilling his brandy around in his glass, took a drink and put his glass also on the night stand. "You believe in fate?"
"I don't know Eyal, but one thing for sure, we seem to be working with each other a great deal - who would have thought I run into you in that little café in Ajaccio, Corsica. At the very time when you were the one person I need to see most. That was fate."
Eyal put his hand on top of her hand resting on his leg, "Something is changing between us, we not playing the seductive games anymore."
"What, instead of play games we are discovering who each of us are behind our mask." Annie reached for her drink and took another sip. "May I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead."
"Are you free? Is there anyone else in your life?"
"No Annie, I'm very free and have been for a long time. I know this afternoon was no game - very real and enjoyable." Eyal was looking at her with warm loving eyes. "Let me ask you something Annie, that night in Corsica, would you have gone through with the ramp between the sheets with our target?"
"Yes I would have for the sake of the mission...I was determined not to fail." she paused a second "Do you think any less of me because I would have?"
"Oh good god no Annie, I'm completely impressed with your commitment, I very much respect you." Eyal reached his hand to her face and gently caress her cheek with the back of his hand. He tenderly lifted her chin and kissed her softly. Her arms reaching up behind his neck to pull his soft lips down onto hers. Their kiss was gentle, a statement of intent. His lips brushed hers slowly and gently, barely a whisper of a touch. She could feel how much passion he had restrained behind the caring affectionate moves and how much he was holding back waiting for her to come to him freely.
The next time he applied his gentle pressure pushing her backed on the bed, her lips against his and passionately encouraging him. Having given him permission to do as he wanted she felt Eyal fanatically reposition his body around hers, curling his form even further around hers, pressing her closer to him and running his hands down her back. They both closed their eyes at the feel of each other. When his warm, huge hands fell to the bottom of her spine. Annie returned his action, tasting a hint of brandy and his smell that was uniquely Eyal, a clean fresh smell of the ocean.
The hands on her back pulled her into him, and she felt exactly how much he wanted her. Annie set up quickly, "Annie, what's wrong?" He was worried she could be having second thoughts and a cold shower might be next for him.
"Nothing's wrong, I, I, I... Eyal we are still dressed" She gasped, her excitement making breathing steadily difficult if not impossible.
"I can take care of that small matter." Eyal reaching to remove Annie clothing with gentleness and ease. He gave her that cocky grin; the one that she now knew from experience was entirely justified, "Your wish is my command, Neshema."
Eyal being gentle yet passionate with his kisses and without a doubt it was the best kiss she had ever had, and if his whimpers were any indication it had to be great for him too. Annie would have happily kept kissing him for the rest of the night, grateful to finally feel his mouth on hers without pretences or fear. She was now totally with her Eyal Lavin and adoring each touch of his hands.
Eyal had other ideas. His hands slid up her stomach, raising goose bumps in his wake. She twisted and he pulled back, staring at her, his brown eyes boring into her in question.
"Annie?"
"It's not fair for me to lose my shirt if you don't lose yours." She said uttered expressionless. Eyal sagged with relief, sat up and ripped his shirt over his head, tossing the navy blue cotton knit into some far corner. It would be found at some point the next morning.
That evening Kismet turned into ecstasy and for Eyal mixed emotions, had he move too quickly, taking advantage of a forlorn Annie, a very brave but lonely woman who for a long period of time was totally isolated from genuine companionship. Would he later regret this spectacular night or would this be the start of a long journey of romantic bonding. With Annie snuggled close to him, sleeping in his arms, he staring at the ceiling - this feeling so right and yet so wrong.