"Tell me. Was there a certain moment? A moment when you knew we'd end up doing something like this?"
Falling bedsheets revealed her naked body.
"Yeah, there was."
***
'Arrivals are processing now. Once again, we apologise for the delay. Bienvenue en Paris.'
I stood, waiting for them to come through with the rest of their flight. Like all the other lovestruck couples, they'd be happy just to be off the plane; ready for their romantic weekend. Not the tallest of women, the blonde highlights -- shown off in her recent photos -- would make her easy enough to spot. I quickly hid the gift as a hapless girl melted away from the crowd.
Something odd happens when you've been separated from someone for a long time. You meet them and then start processing information. It filtered through my brain like this. First, she was categorised as a woman. Then, further ranked as an attractive women. Finally -- all this happening within nanoseconds -- neurons informed me it was Niamh. My sister. At least that's how my brain worked.
Delayed in Manchester for over an hour, I figured she wouldn't be in the best of moods. The lone girl that came towards me looked utterly deflated. A cell phone in one hand and passport in the other, my chin glanced hair as she hugged me.
"Niamh? Everything ok?
My heart sinking, I already knew it wasn't.
"Where's Barry?"
She pulled back slightly and looked up at me. True to her stoic nature, I could tell no tears had been shed.
"He tested positive last night."
"You've got to be kidding me," I said, pulling her tight. "Do they even bother checking for the virus anymore? Ah, sis, he should have risked it."
"Not everyone's like you, Matt."
Our bodies pinned in loving embrace, it was no surprise she felt it.
"Um...Is that for me?"
Although giving her chest ample room to breathe, the jacket and half unbuttoned Henley shirt combo offered little protection against the thing digging into her. Black ink, along with the source of the bulge, was revealed when I lifted up my hoody.
"Here you go," I said, handing her the rolled up beret. "Bienvenue en France!"
Niamh unfolded the hat and cracked a smile.
"I like the 'baggy top without t-shirt' look you're rocking there, bro."
"Uh, yeah...I was running a bit late this morning. Just hopped in the shower and threw on whatever was clean."
Brown, suspecting eyes stayed on me as she fixed her beret. Brunette locks with blonde edges flowed down her chest.
"Well, I hope she was cute. Mon méchant frère."
"I couldn't possibly comment. Anyway!" I said, swiftly changing subject. "I don't think you're in the mood for riding two trains. We'll get a taxi. We still have a few hours ahead of us."
"Honestly, the day I've had, the hotel bar sounds good right about now."
"Nonsense!" I said, taking her rucksack. "Besides, what I want to show you is on the way. It's really big and impressive," I said in a sing-song voice.
"Oh? Well, in that case..."
Her top lifted as she rose on tippy toes to hug me.
"It's so good seeing you again, Matt."
Walking through a packed Charles De Gaulle, it was nice to see Niamh loosening up. Yeah, it sucked that Barry wasn't here -- Paris was a city for lovers after all. But then that didn't have to stop us from having a good time. I was determined to make her visit a worthwhile endeavour. It might mean I'd have to cancel some romantic plans of my own, but that'd be ok. Family came first. I was more than confident that we could salvage the situation. The way she sealed her lips to mine during our hug meant Niamh was certainly getting into the French way of things.
***
"My Gosh!" she said pulling me by the hand. "It's incredible."
We leaned over the railing and drank in the sight of the Eiffel Tower. Still a fair distance away, our elevated location amongst green, leafy trees, gave the old iron structure a proud, natural charm.
"I told you you'd like it. Less tourists here as well. Makes all the difference."
The red lipstick she applied in the taxi gave her smile a tremendous glow.
"Incredible," she whispered, resting her head against my shoulder.
I was happy to wait for her to be done with her sightseeing. Although I'd seen the thing a couple dozen times, I had to admit, it still had an alluring pull. So much so, I thought it was the tower itself causing my arm to move. Niamh dragged it around her waist. Her gaze stayed on the monument.
"Go behind me. I want to imagine what it would be like with Barry."
Hands caressed her waist far too easily. Her single, hard jerk placed me much too tight against her rounded denim hind.
"Jeez! Careful, sis," I joked.
Looking around, I had to remind myself that no one knew we were frère et sœur. Yeah, it was strange, but Niamh just wanted to experience the emotions she would have felt with her boyfriend. Who was I to deny her that. Ever the pragmatist, she probably saw it as simple as my arms being able to do the job. The scented hair in front of me proved a nice distraction. A distraction from thinking about what was pressed up against me. It'd be fine. Apart from the obvious, the fact that I'd been with a girl that morning meant I wouldn't be so easily excited.
"Just relax," she said.
I steadied my feet as fingers intertwined over her belly button. She drew her head back slightly to show me her smile. I assumed it was probably that movement that caused her bum to slide. We stayed there, bound together, as the warm evening drew in.
"It's pretty spectacular all lit up," I whispered.
Niamh remained silent, only resting her soft fingers over my knuckles. I guess she would have done that with him. The scent of her hair lured me closer. Close enough to glance silky strands. Then, I gasped. Not because the tower suddenly came to life, but because it made her jolt back into me.
"My God!" she announced.
My nose buried in her hair, I guess I groaned or something. Layers of clothes prevented other things from being buried.
"It really is impressive," Niamh whispered.
I kept reminding myself, that in this situation, I was Barry - and that his girlfriend was referring to a tower of iron. Originally, I'd planned on been long gone by then. Leave Niamh with Barry, while I went home to get ready. I'd lost track of time. That didn't matter. Plans had changed. I knew from the second I saw her in the airport that my evening was going to turn out very different.
My lips crossed an earring as she slowly turned her head. I could see eyes were closed as I wet her cheekbone. She stopped when mouths met. Noses bumping, we shared a harmless few pecs. Nothing too unusual, until she opened her mouth. She moaned as I pushed inside. It's what any boyfriend would have done.
Niamh's response melted all illusions. She pulled my hands tight to her body. Her top rose to reveal the small of her back. The girl protected in my grasp, we weren't the only ones making out. Maybe just the only ones that weren't strictly a romantic couple. Squelching lips concealed our groans. Not obvious to any onlookers, Niamh's movement was tantalisingly slow. I, however, felt every inch of her rolling hips.
