by Cia
Wed, 20 Sep 2000 

  
     The car pulled slowly up to the entrance of the club. She got out, 
looked around.....for what?......she had no idea. She opened the rather 
heavy door and went inside. So this is the place, she thought to herself, as 
she fingered the matchbook in her pocket. She felt, and appeared to those 
around her, so out of place here. It was a foreign world from the one she 
lived in. The music, the people; so different, yet all drawn to the same 
place. She found her way to the bar, sat down........ 
      
     "Let me help you with your coat. It can get so.......hot......in here." 
The words from that voice seemed to run like honey down her back. 
      
     "Yes...." 
  
     "That's better now, isn't it? Would you care for a drink?" 
  
     "Uh......wine.....red, please." 
  
     "Wonderful choice!" He turned to the bartender, "Bring a bottle of 
Janette's special vintage. You'll find a few still in the cellar." He 
turned back to her, brushing the hair from her neck. 
  
     "First time?" 
  
     "Huh?" She forced herself to gather her wits. "I'm so sorry.....what 
did you say?" 
  
     "I was wondering if this was your first time here? I'm sure I would have 
noticed 
     one as lovely as you if you had been here before." 
  
     "Yes, it is.....and thank you??" 
  
     "LaCroix.....Lucien LaCroix. The Raven is mine. And you are?" 
  
     "Myra Schanke." 
  
     "What a fitting name. It means 'longed for'." 
  
     "My husband is......" 
  
     "Yes, I've had the pleasure." 
  
     "Funny, he never mentioned you." 
  
     "Well, you do meet so many people in his line of work." 
  
     "Of course." 
  
The bartender arrived with the wine. 
  
     "Ahh.....good. I think you'll find this a rather unique wine. So full 
of life!" 
  
Myra's tentative sips progressed to her draining of the entire glass. 
  
     "That was extraordinary. So full-bodied. Won't you join me?" 
  
     "Not just yet." 
  
     "Would you mind pouring me another?" 
  
As he poured, his eyes never left her face. He sensed her responding to him 
and his smile elicited a blush which encompassed all visible above the 
neckline of her dress. 
He offered her the glass. She took it and felt the cool softness of his 
fingers. An intake of breath escaped her. She raised the glass to her lips 
and drank deeply. 
  
     "Come, my dear......" 
  
As he led her to the back room, her coat fell softly to the floor. 
  
  
Cia --)-------