Arielle works for French immigration in Paris and has a reputation for a cold heart. She likes to entertain herself with the younger guys and never considers developing a relationship with a man. When she meets a wealthy and sexy middle-aged man who offers to give her everything, she finds the idea attractive but simply can’t commit.<br><br>On vacation in Spain, she meets a desperate young Moroccan whose work visa is about to expire. Against her better judgement, she gives him advice, then help. But when she returns to Paris, she finds she has set a chain of events in motion that quickly spirals out of control. The young man’s feelings of inadequacy lead to jealousy, gambling, and a chance meeting with a mystery man, completely changing the course of his life.<br>

I Love You Ten Million Times Over

But he couldn’t wait that long. He called me Wednesday night.


“It has already been four days since I have seen you,” he said, “and I find I am counting the hours until I see you again. Will you go to dinner with me Friday night? And there is a new exhibit opening at the D’Orsay. Let’s go on Saturday.”


I ignored the insinuation that I would be staying with him on Friday night. We both knew that was a given. The impressionist museum home to Monet and Seurat was my favorite. I needed no further persuasion.


“Yes, I’d like that,” I blurted out way too quickly. But it really didn’t matter. I had had enough time to sort out my feelings. It was clear that I was quite fond of him, maybe even falling in love with him. There was nothing to do but go on down the road and see where it went. And it was clear that he was in love with me. I could see it in his eyes that first night, and when he had carried me to the bedroom after breakfast. For him it was more than just sex.


Chapter 7