Category Archives: Paris

Dreams, Paris, Romance, Short Story

10. Toto, We’re Not in Kansas Anymore- Ruby Slippers

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Ruby Slippers

Have you ever felt you were exactly where you were supposed to be? When you were supposed to be and with the person you were supposed to be with?  Have you ever felt the spiritual connection with someone at your core and just couldn’t explain it? I knew this and  that Teddy Bear was the person I had been searching and waiting for, he was the soul that had always been in my life waiting for me. He felt it too. We spoke late into the night, we spoke of our hopes and dreams, of things we didn’t dare talk about with our friends or family for fear that they would think us a little bit strange. We spoke about philosophy, we made love, we spoke about fears, we made love, we slept, we woke in each others arms, we kissed.  We fell asleep again in each others arms, I slept like a baby content and secure in his arms.

Feeling warm and loved, I looked up into his face in the early morning light. It’s almost dawn.  I’m blissfully happy. The birds outside the window begin to chirp as the sun rises. He murmurs in my hair, “You are beautiful and you are an amazing woman. I love you, we will be together again.” He begins to kiss my face, but his face begins to fade. I smile, then realize “Wait, a minute, what’s that last part mean? “Would those birds be quiet? I can barely hear myself think. Why is he fading?” The chirping is getting louder by the second, unbearably so.

Then my eyes slowly open, I know. My nature alarm is telling me its time to wake up. I’m hugging the velvety soft pillow in my bed, sleeping alone, here in Denver, Colorado. I didn’t want to click the ruby slippers yet and come home.and Oberon is licking my face to wake me up. “Noooo, OBIE! not YET!” I linger in bed, hugging those pillows, wanting to go back to sleep, to go back to the dream. But I feel around my neck and the small gold aquamarine necklace is there. Was it a dream or a beautiful memory?

Dreams, Paris, Romance, Short Story

9. Toto, We’re Not in Kansas Anymore-Gargoyles Watch Over Us

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Gargoyles Watch Over Us

Night has fully fallen and Notre Dame has taken on a whole new dimension. The gargoyles are guarding the cathedral and the city.  As my teddy bear and I walk beneath them they look down upon us and watch as he gently kisses me in the shadows of where we first met. The clouds move slowly across the full moon and the night is slightly chilly, he wraps his arm around me as we continue our walk.  Paris deserves the title “City of Love” for a reason, along our walk we see many couples in the moonlight, holding hands, embracing, kissing and laughing. I look into his eyes and think to myself, “for once I am among those enjoying this pleasure as well and with such a beautiful person, how did I get so lucky?”.  As if he reads my mind, he strokes my platinum blonde hair, and tells me he loves how my hair shines in the moonlight and how beautiful I am.  He feels as if he is the luckiest man in the world tonight to be with me. We stand at the edge of the riverbank in a small park and embrace for the longest time, not wanting to let go.

GargoyleandtheMoonWe circle Notre Dame once more as he watches me take more photos of the gargoyles as I am fascinated by them. They are more predominate at night than they ever are during the day.  Are there more of them?  They seem alive. There is magic in the air. The moon plays peek a boo with the clouds. Teddy Bear and I kiss each time it hides.  We laugh and walk as we play our game with the moon.  We talk about our lives. He asks about my home, how often I travel, if I like to travel, if I like traveling alone if I would like a travel partner sometime.  I look at him as he smiles and looks at me out of the corner of his eyes. I find out that he is not from Paris, but from Italy, but here because he comes from a long line of artists and his family has art displayed in some of the museums.  His story is fascinating. He shows me the museum that is now closed where his father’s artwork is displayed. We have now walked to the west side of Notre Dame and closer to the Musee d’Orsay. He says,. “My apartment is near, would you like to come up for a drink?”  By now, I am becoming familiar with Paris and realize just how close he lives to my flat.  Not far at all.  “Yes, I would love to come up”, knowing full well, it means I will most likely spend the night in my lover’s arms.

  • Photography by Candace Stauber, Notre Dame, April 2016
Dreams, Paris, Romance, Short Story

8. Toto, We’re Not in Kansas Anymore – River Walk

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metro500River Walk

We finally pull ourselves together and come out into the dusky colors of the setting sun.  The hues of blues, purples, and pinks in the sky amaze me. We walk to the Rue de Rivoli and follow the river to the metro stop. We watch the sunset over the water, holding each other tight. The sky lights up like fire, with the virga from the rains not quite coming to the ground, but giving the sky an astounding image for my camera. I set my camera on the bridge’s wall to take some pictures since I didn’t bring a tripod.  This is the perfect spot to watch the Tower come to life.  I was afraid I would be too far away, but with the water and the landscape, it is breath-taking to behold.
Suddenly the Eiffel Tower begins to sparkle, it looks like they are setting off fireworks.  It looks like a giant sparkler in the distance and then the golden lights start glittering and running up and down the struts of the tower. I know I am holding my breath in awe. As the spotlight starts rotating in the top of the tower. I try frantically try to set my camera settings to get the perfect picture. I feel foolish doing all this in front him, but I want the picture so badly. He smiles and waits. I must have taken hundreds of photos both with my DSLR and with my phone before I was satisfied enough to say, “Let’s eat, I’m starved.”

20160416_cityoflightsg500The skies have now turned to a beautiful cerulean blue, and the lights of Paris have come on.  The river is lit up. All the buildings are lit up. The sidewalks are bright. It is a gorgeous night for a walk along the Seine. He takes me to a small restaurant close to Notre Dame where we met, we sit on the second floor and overlook the city.  We have a wonderful view of the river and as we wait for our dinner, he pulls out a small box and hands it to me. I’m surprised. “What’s this?”, I say as I open it. It’s the little gold necklace I admired in the Latin quarter with the aquamarine crystal. I look at him, “This is beautiful, but,” and he stops my sentence midway. “I saw you admire it, it’s your birthstone, isn’t it?  It is beautiful like you. I want you to have it.” I smile and blush, lean over to kiss him as my lips brush against his, I say, “Thank you, you really shouldn’t have done it, but I love it. Thank you.”

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  • Photography by Candace Stauber, Center of Paris along the River Seine, April 2016
Dreams, Paris, Romance, Short Story

7. Toto, We’re Not in Kansas, Anymore -Afternoon Showers

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Wrapped in his strong arms, I am content and happy. We lay together skin to skin, not feeling the chill in the air.  He is so warm and our breathing becomes synchronous. The day has been full of new sights and adventures for me, the afternoon, well, let’s say, I’ve met a lover I will not soon forget. His kisses are sweet and slow, his embrace warm and loving, his love-making, giving and demanding at the same time. Energetic and gentle, he’s a considerate lover.  His hands know where to touch but he also knows when to ask if something he does pleases me.

I’m  very happy right now. I make a soft little purring sound.  He chuckles. “So, kitten, are you ready to see the lights of Paris?” I  am comfortable in his arms, he’s so warm, I don’t want to leave this bed.“Hmm, but you are like a teddy bear, you are so warm, I don’t want to leave this spot.”, I tell him, speaking into his chest. He strokes my hair.”Don’t worry, your teddy bear will be right here when we get back if you want.  I know you wanted to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up, didn’t you?”  Okay, he knows exactly what I really wanted to see, he knows I don’t usually go out at night by myself when I travel, and I was looking forward to seeing the famous lights of the Eiffel Tower like I had seen on the news and in magazines.

“Let’s shower, get dressed, go out and we’ll get some dinner too, how’s that sound, kitten?” as I watch him rise from the bed and head to the shower. His muscular body makes me sigh, I enjoy watching that chocolate skin and ass walk away from me. “Mmm, very nice”, I think to myself.  He looks over his shoulder as he starts the shower, “Are you coming?”

The shower was smaller than both of us could really fit, but we manage.  Under the shower, we embrace and kiss.  As we kiss, he lathers up the wash cloth and begins to wash my body. The experience is exquisite. Of course, I am a firm believer in giving as much as receiving and he gets the same treatment from me as well. I cover every inch of his body and soon he starts moaning. “Stop or we may not make it to the sunset, my dear,” I notice just how aroused he is becoming as my slippery hands encircle his ever enlarging shaft. I smile wickedly, lean down and kiss him, slowly and deliberately.

Dreams, Paris, Romance, Short Story

6. Toto, We’re Not in Kansas Anymore – That’s Not His Name

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That’s Not His Name

He opens the door for me and lets me the enter my apartment first.  Suddenly from behind, he sweeps me into his arms. I squeak in protest and slight embarrassment.  I’m not a little woman.  Think of those paintings by Ruben, those women lounging around with just a few more curves, yeah, that’s me. But effortlessly, he carries me over to the bed and places me down gently, not even out of breath.  Sitting on the edge of the bed he reaches over and slips off my shoes and starts massaging my feet. I blush.  This just doesn’t happen to me. It feels wonderful, though.  His hands are strong and sure. They massage and hit all the right trigger points, they start to move up to my calves and legs. “Is this okay, tell me if you want me to stop.”  I’m nervous but definitely not wanting him to stop.  I’m thoroughly enjoying this. His hands are warm and gentle.

The rain can be heard outside the window and on the roof, I’m on the top floor. The mood could not be any better. It’s becoming dim in the tiny apartment even though it is late afternoon because of the storms outside, but I love the sound of rain and with him next to me I begin to sigh. He lies down next to me and says, “I should go and let you rest, I’ll come back later.” as he kisses my neck and moves to my lips. I love his seduction and I don’t want him to go. “Stay, you’ll only get wet outside.  We can both rest”

His hands move up my torso and touch my cheek, as he slowly trails kisses down my neck he unbuttons my blouse one button excruciatingly slowly at a time. It seems like he’s taking his time enjoying my anticipation. His kisses move further down my collar bone to my chest and my bosom.  He is pleasantly surprised when he releases them from their bondage to see just how much he gets to play with. “Ohhhh, my dear, what large ….eyes you have” he smiles and kisses one and then the other.”OH, my dear, what a nice mouth you have”  I reply.

His mouth continues to explore my neck and bosom, while his masterful hands continue to undress me. I’ve managed to undress him as well, and my hands explore him, I notice the difference in our skin tones, he is so dark and I am porcelain pale.  His hair is so black and mine is so white.  We look like Yin and Yang lying there together.  His skin is a beautiful color, I admire the silkiness texture of it and the muscles beneath the surface. As he kisses me, his mouth moves further south on my body and I moan”Oh My God”.  He stops, looks at me, smiles and says,”Candy, that’s not my name.”

  • Rainy Afternoon in Paris along the Seine, April 2016. Photography  by Candace Stauber

 

Dreams, Paris, Romance, Short Story

5. Toto, We’re Not in Kansas Anymore -Be Still My Beating Heart

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Be Still My Beating Heart

I wake early the next morning, I still hadn’t adjusted to the time difference from Colorado to Paris, but thinking about Frédérico hadn’t kept me asleep either. I was excited and anxious to see the man. I felt giddy like a young teenager on her first date, that’s how he makes me feel. Looking forward to today I search through my limited belongings.  I only packed one suitcase, not expecting to meet the man of my dreams by any means, so not exactly packing for the occasion.   Okay, something simple and yet classy.  That should do it. I dress and go to the local Starbucks to get my Venti Chai tea and to hook up to the available Wi-Fi.  He said he would contact me before he came to pick me up and the Wi-Fi in the apartment just wasn’t reliable.

Ding. Halfway through my chai, I hear the bell. It’s him. I know I’m smiling. He’s on his way, I tell him to meet me here.  We’re going to have a wonderful adventure today, I just know.

His presence in the coffee shop warms me more than the tea and as he leans over to greet me with a kiss on the cheek. His smile makes his dimples deeper and his eyes glisten. This man knows how to smile.  Not one of those fake smiles, but one that fills his whole face to his eyes.

We are close to the Latin Quarter and decide to walk to the Pantheon, I have no clue where that is, but the walk takes us past small interesting shops and he is patient enough to let me window shop on the way. In fact, there are a couple of jewelry shops I just can not resist and have to go in to see the handmade treasures.  I adore jewelry from other countries and always bring home at least one piece when I travel.  I had to remember this shop later.  The piece I had my eye on was an elegant little gold necklace with an aquamarine oval crystal and azure lapis stone dangling close by.   I didn’t want to take my time though buying jewelry when I was with Frédérico, so quickly moved on.

The Pantheon stood before us at the top of the hill, it looked like something I’d seen in Rome with all the columns. I didn’t expect that I suppose I should have with the name but was surprised. I hadn’t thought about the benefits of him being a museum curator, for one, admittance to any museum in Paris is now easy.  We bypassed the lines and got tickets, solely on his employee ID.  He is such a handsome man, and I noticed the girl in the ticket booth flirt with him and bat her lashes trying to get his attention.  He immediately circled his arm around me and asked for two passes.  She looked crestfallen and handed him the passes.  He smiled at me and gave me a wink. “I am yours, mon cher, and you are mine while you are in Paris.”

Having visited the Pantheon, we walked back to Notre Dame and grabbed a bite to eat at a small café.  It’s getting late in the afternoon. I’m exhausted, to tell the truth. I know I walk a lot while I’m visiting countries but having someone show the city to you is so much better and makes the time go so quickly.  The only thing it doesn’t do is ease the pain of the sidewalk on your legs.  I needed to rest.  We walk back to my apartment, Frédérico knows that we’ve had a busy day today but wants to spend more time with me.  I need to rest for a while.  I reluctantly tell him that I have fibromyalgia and that I need to rest for a bit. I don’t like to admit this to most people about having this disease, for one it’s hard to explain because I look just fine, but my body needs the down time and to pace itself, otherwise I hurt — a lot.  He opens his cell phone and googles it. Looks up at me and says “This?  Is this what you have?”  And points to the wiki page about fibromyalgia.  I smile and say “Yes, but I’m better than most, I take care of myself.”  He continues reading and as he gives me a gentle hug, he murmurs in my ear, “Okay, you go upstairs take a nap, I’ll pick you up at dusk to see the sunset and we’ll go to dinner, how’s that sound to you?”  I linger in his arms, not anxious to leave as I inhale the slight muskiness of him and the aroma of his aftershave.  It sounds heavenly!

Evidently, he is not anxious to leave me either, as he holds my hand and walks me up the narrow staircase to my flat. Sometimes it’s so narrow we can only walk one person at a time, yet he still holds my hand.  I need to rest for a couple of levels, but he is patient and kisses me while he waits.  I think he likes those pauses in the darkened stairwell.  Being so tall, he needs to duck when he gets to the top floor, so he doesn’t hit his head, but we finally make it to my door.

I reach for my key and fumble with it, he takes it and smoothly unlocks my door and smiles as he gives me a sideways glance with mischievous brown eyes. Be still my beating heart.

  • The Pantheon, April 2016, Photography by Candace Stauber
Dreams, Paris, Romance, Short Story, Uncategorized

4. Toto, We’re Not in Kansas Anymore -Oz

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Over the Rainbow

As I slowly make my way up the five flights and narrow staircase to my tiny Cinderella flat I think about Frédérico, wondering what tomorrow will bring. I still feel his kiss on my lips and smile to myself as I climb, blushing at the indecent thoughts I am having as I go up the dimly lit staircase.

In my small one room apartment, I quickly slip off my shoes and throw my pocketbook, camera and jacket on the fold out table. I quickly rush over to the window overlooking the street to see if I can see him somewhere on the streets below. Will I catch sight of that tall, dark haired man walking through the crowds here in St. Denis?  Not many are as tall as he. But, no.  I sigh. All I see are the hustle and bustle of the evening crowds starting to gather at the Cafe Oz beneath my window. The lights are bright and the Paris city is preparing for it’s party time. The city of lights is coming alive. I truly feel like Dorothy now.  I’m not in Kansas anymore and am definitely over the rainbow.

  • Feature Photo: Notre Dame Gardens, Paris, France. April 2016. Photography by Candace Stauber
Dreams, Paris, Romance, Short Story

3. Toto, We’re Not in Kansas Anymore-Breathless

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Breathless

It’s beginning to get late in the evening and I check my GPS on my phone to make sure I know how to get back to my apartment. He asks where I’m staying and I say in the St. Denis area.  He says he’ll walk me to my apartment because it really is near by.  It’s been a busy day and the streets of Paris have exhausted me and confused me enough and I’ve gotten turned around way too many times today in these narrow alleyways, I take him up on the offer.

Where it took me an hour to get to Notre Dame that morning, it only was a few blocks from my apartment and over the bridge.  It was so easy to get to when he took me back.  I chuckled to myself. I had made things so difficult.  Walking through the now bustling district of St. Denis with the outdoor cafes and coffee shops, we pass the Lebanese restaurant and the Sushi restaurant to come to my door.  He says, “It’s been a pleasure, my lady”, as he takes my hand and kisses it gently “I hope I can see you tomorrow, I don’t have to work for the next few days and I would consider it an honor to spend the time with you, I would love to show you Paris. Would you like that? Can I pick you up in the morning?” I smile and say, “I would love it” (are you kidding?  I’m not turning this down!)  He says, “Come here”, as he guides me to the first step to my apartment.  I look at him cautiously.  He tells me to step up. I do, now I stand a little taller, he then holds me firmly at my waist and gently kisses me goodnight. “Bonsoir ma chérie, à demain”, then turns around to leave, leaving me totally breathless.

  • Feature Photo: St. Denis District, Paris, France. April 2016. Photography by Candace Stauber
Dreams, Paris, Romance, Short Story

2.Toto, We’re Not in Kansas Anymore -The Encounter

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The Encounter

Immediately I noticed his dimples when he smiled and I have to admit, dimples are one of my weaknesses.  I absolutely love dimples on a handsome man.  I had to look up, he was so tall.  I’m only five foot four inches, this guy had to be over a foot taller than me.  I couldn’t help but smile back, and I’m sure I blushed a little. I know I looked like a drowned dog, wet with rain, my hoodie soaked, my hair sticking to my face because of the wind, camera around my neck.  I must have been a sight. But here he was this man, this handsome, cute, adorable, man, asking me if I wanted to see the best part of Notre Dame?  Wait a minute, is this a scam?  “Well, you know, I don’t usually talk to strangers.  And I’m ok.  I really don’t want to stand in that long line to get into the cathedral.”, I said.  He smiled. “I understand, don’t worry, I’m ok, really, I work for the museums, I am a curator of one of the museums here in Paris, look.”  And he showed me his employee ID. (Like I can read French, really.) But it did look like an official employee id and I did see his name, Frédérico Lucasa, and the name of his museum, the Musée d’Orsay.

I decided I’d take the risk, besides, it’s daylight, there are lots of people around and he’s just so good-looking. Okay, what can I say, I was also very flattered and curious. I was in Paris and a handsome man wants to show me around.  What would you do?

He takes me to the back side of Notre Dame, the gardens. Yes, it is beautiful and you can see the architecture of the building so much clearer.  We walk the gardens and he tells me about his work at the museum, I’m listening to the melodic timber of his voice more than I am his words as I stop occasionally and snap photos of the cathedral.  The rain starts to pick up. “Let’s get a cappuccino and get out of this rain before you get soaked.”, He says and leads me across the street to a small café where we go inside and are seated at a small table in the corner.  It’s so much warmer here and the cappuccino is warm and rich on my tongue, I find myself wanting other things warm and rich on my tongue, and I just met this man. Such a brazen hussy.  I smile, as I control my thoughts and continue the conversation with him. He asks how I like Paris, how long I’m staying, you know all the fair weather, polite talk people do to get to know each other while he reaches for my free hand and covers it with his.  His hand is so large and warm.

  • Feature Photo: Notre Dame Gardens, Paris, France. April 2016. Photography by Candace Stauber
Dreams, Paris, Romance, Short Story

1. Toto, We’re Not in Kansas Anymore – Paris

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Paris in Springtime

In all my dreams never did I expect to be walking the narrow streets of Paris this spring.  The air was full of new life; the trees were just budding with fresh leaves. There was still a chill in the air and the streets were wet because of the mist that was falling.  I was people watching as always, running around with their black umbrellas, everyone trying to keep out of the rain, but still trying to see the sights or hiding under awnings of the cafes to keep dry.

I had my hood up on my hoodie, didn’t want to bother with the umbrella, the wind was blowing too hard and I’d seen too many inside out umbrellas that morning. Besides, I was busy with my camera, trying to get that perfect photo of Notre Dame and those wonderful gargoyles.  They were just so many, I walked all around the cathedral thinking, I’d love to go inside, but the queue was all around the building.  Studying the outside, however, occupied my thoughts and I really didn’t care or mind the rain. I was absorbed in the majesty of the building and the architecture.

Suddenly, he was there, “Would you like to see the best part of the cathedral?”, he said in a slight accent and rich deep tone of voice.  I looked up out of my camera lens into a face smiling at me with sparkling brown eyes, with a glint of gold.

  • Feature Photo: Notre Dame, Paris, France. April 2016. Photography by Candace Stauber