Sparkling like jewels, they came toward her, ten
doubloons of various colors, thrown by the masked man
riding on the huge Mardi Gras float.  Turning end over
end and reflecting light, most were snatched out of the
air by practiced hands.  However, several slipped
though eager fingers to hit the pavement bouncing and
rolling.  One golden doubloon bounced and started
rolling toward her.  On her knees, Joanna reached for
the treasure.  She felt it under her finger tips.

"OUCH," she screamed as a foot smashed her fingers into
the pavement.

Looking upward, she saw a face glaring at her.  Quickly
it disappeared, the owner moved on seeking other Mardi
Gras treasure.  Joanna looked at the golden doubloon
and put it in her pocket.  Her fingers still smarting
when she looked toward the float.

"THROW ME SOMETHING MISTER!" shouted the crowd.

The float had stopped and a masked rider was teasing
everyone with some large Mardi Gras beads.  He held
them in the air above his head, titillating and egging
on the crowd, which encouraged even more entreating.

Joanna had finally managed to work her way up front,
where the riders could see her.   This year's Bacchus
parade was almost over and she still had not even
caught one single set of beads.  Oh, she had tried, but
she was not nearly aggressive or tall enough.  Someone
else always grabbed them before they got to her.  All
she had for her efforts was the golden doubloon she had
just pocketed.

The float rider was still teasing the crowd with his
beads when he spied Joanna waving her arms.  Looking
directly toward her, he held them out in her direction,
then reaching down with his hands; he mimicked lifting
his shirt upward toward his neck.

Joanna was puzzled by his actions.  What was he doing?

"SHOW HIM YOUR TITS!"  Shouted someone next to her.

Joanna was shocked and looked down.  She couldn't do
that.  Did he think she was some kind of an
exhibitionist?    When she looked again, he was handing
them to another woman who was flashing him with her
breasts.

Joanna was disenchanted with the parade and this whole
Mardi Gras thing.  Now, she would never get any beads.
She hated all the noise.  She hated the suffocating
crowds.  She hated the pushing and rudeness.  She
remembered how that guy who had stepped on her fingers
hadn't even apologized.

"Why did I let Susan talk me into this stupid trip,"
she thought.  "I could be back in Virginia, in my cozy
apartment reading a good book or writing one."

Feeling lost, out of place and all alone, she once
again looked toward the float.  Next to the rider who
had wanted her to flash him, was a tall rider.  He was
looking directly toward her.  All she could see behind
his mask were deep dark eyes.  Like deep pools, they
drew her into them.  They were the most intimate and
intoxicating eyes she had ever seen.  She just stared
into them, and they seemingly stared back into hers.

Slowly, he reached up and took from his neck the most
beautiful set of beads she had ever seen.  They were
Bacchus medallion beads.  Cast with the Krewe of
Bacchus's crest and seal.   Just as the float started
moving, he reached down and handed them to Joanna.

Shortly there after, the parade ended with the sweeping
crews and fire trucks coming through and cleaning up
the mess.  People started milling about and leaving.

Joanna was still in a daze when Susan found her.

"How did you do Joanna?  Great parade, huh?  Heyyy
what's that?  Oh, girl you did well.  What did you do,
show him your tits?"

"NO!" snapped Joanna.

"Whoaaa, sorry girl, I didn't mean to," replied Susan,
not finishing her sentence.

"But, do you know how hard it is to get beads like
that?" she continued as if nothing had happened.
"Those are saved for someone special."

"Really?" thought Joanna, surprised.  "I wonder?" she
never finished her thought.

"Come on let's head to the French Quarter," urged
Susan, as she took Joanna by the arm.  "We can visit
Pat O' Brian's.  That's where the action should be"


*************************************************

Pat O' Brian's, was beautiful.  The courtyard with its
fountain of fire and water was how Joanna had
envisioned New Orleans in her mind.  The piano player
in the bar played a mixture of Mardi Gras, Jazz and
contemporary love songs reminding her of its historical
past.

However, Joanna decided there were almost as many
people jammed into the courtyard as the parade.  The
cacophony of their talking was distressing her.  Joanna
felt claustrophobic and for the tenth time, in the last
hour, wished she were back in her hotel room.  She took
another sip from her fruity rum punch drink they called
a Hurricane and debated whether she should just leave
Susan and return by cab.

"I see you are still wearing my beads," stated a rich
voice behind Joanna.

She turned and looked into those same deep eyes.  "It's
HIM!" she thought shocked and surprised.

Her musing broken and flummoxed by his appearance, she
struggled for words, "Err.err I'm sorry, I"

"Oh forgive me, I am sorry," he apologized smiling.  "I
have forgotten my manners.  Allow me to introduce
myself, I am Paul de Strahan," he replied while
offering her his hand.

"You, you are the one who gave me the beads," stammered
Joanna while shaking his hand and trying to make sense
of this sudden apparition.   "Thank you!"

"Oh you are quite welcome," he said gallantly.  "May I
join you?"

"Yes sure," replied Joanna, wishing she had not drunk
so much of her Hurricane.  She suddenly felt dizzy.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, thank you.  I am fine.  It's. it's just so
sudden, your appearance.  I mean.how did you know I
would be here?"


As Paul laughed lightly, Joanna noticed that his entire
face lit up. He seemed so natural, so at ease; the
opposite of how she felt.  She couldn't help liking
him.

"Oh it was easy. well, actually it was just a guess.
but, I was correct," He answered, laughing again.

"One of the things tourists often do when visiting New
Orleans is come here, to Pat O'Brian's and drink
Hurricanes, just like you are doing now.  So, after the
parade ended I quickly changed and came here hoping to
find you."

"But why?"

"Why?  Because, well because, I guess I wanted to find
you.  After seeing you from atop the float, I could not
get you out of my mind.  I wanted to meet you.  I do
hope I am not being too forward or presumptuous?  If
so."

"OH NO!" Joanna cried.  "I mean, no you aren't; I am
pleased that you came looking for me," she continued in
a much more restrained manner, wondering if the alcohol
she drank was making her feel so queasy. and yet happy.

"Then," he smiled, "you have me at a disadvantage."

"Oh?"

"I don't know your name."

"Oh my gosh!" exclaimed Joanna, embarrassed, "I am so
sorry, it's Joanna Bryant from Richmond, Virginia.  You
are from New Orleans?"

"Yes, I am.  Born and reared in New Orleans," he told
her, smiling.  "So are you here alone?"

"Yes err NO!  I am here with my girlfriend, Susan,"
replied Joanna, pointing in her direction.

"Are you here just for Mardi Gras or for business, too?
Often, people use business as an excuse to come to
Mardi Gras," he asked her.

Because of the noise, Joanna did not hear everything he
said.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you.  What did you say?"

"I was asking why you were here.  Look, would you like
to go somewhere else that's quieter?  I know a little
coffee shop not far from here where they make that
wonderful New Orleans' style coffee.  Would you like to
go there?"

"You mean that stuff you have to drink with a spoon?"
chuckled Joanna while, wondering if she should go with
this stranger.  Her gut said yes, her mind said, be
wary.

"Yes!"

It was after one thirty in the morning when Joanna
finally got back to her hotel room.  After, washing her
face and changing, she lay in bed and relived the
events of the past few hours.  She could not believe
this was happening to her.  It was like being the
heroine in one of her novels.  Yet, here she was and,
it was really happening to her.

She knew that she should go to sleep.  Paul would be
picking her up at nine and taking her to breakfast at
Brennan's.  Later, he would give her a tour of New
Orleans.

Never before had she felt so alive.  Her lips tingled
where he had kissed them lightly.  Her stomach
fluttered when she thought about him.  She wondered
what it would feel like to hold and kiss him, feeling
his body against hers.   She fell asleep imagining his
hands touching her body.


*************************************************

Right on time, Paul met Joanna in her hotel lobby.
After introducing him to Susan, who just had to meet
this mysterious fellow, they took a short cab ride to
Brennan's Restaurant on Royal Street.  They walked into
the paneled foyer and were greeted by the general
manager of Brennan's.

"Well, look who has decided to grace us with his
presence, Monsieur Paul de Strahan."

"Hi Gerald," said Paul, "It's good to see you again.
Thanks for getting me a table on such short notice"

"For you, Paul, anything," exclaimed Gerald while
shaking Paul's hand and giving him a hug.

"And who is this lovely and charming young lady, you
have with you?" he asked.

"This is Joanna Bryant.  She is visiting from
Virginia."

Gerald turned toward Joanna, bowed slightly and
extended his hand, "Virginia!  Lovely state.  Well,
welcome to New Orleans.  It is a pleasure to meet you."

Then, smiling at her he continued, "Has this rogue told
you any lies about us?"

Joanna laughed, "No, I don't think so.only, that I
would enjoy breakfast here."

"Enjoy, ENJOY!" exclaimed Gerald in mocked
mortification, "Just enjoy?  See if I will pay him to
advertise Brennan's next month."

Then laughing, Gerald motioned with his hand.  A waiter
appeared.  "This is Jerome; he will be serving you this
morning.  Enjoy, Joanna.  It was nice meeting you."

"Same here," replied Joanna.

Jerome escorted Paul and Joanna to a table located next
to a large plate glass window that offered a view onto
a beautiful courtyard filled with lush plants and a
fountain.  She thought the setting idyllic.  Jerome
pulled Joanna's chair out for her.  After she sat, he
unfolded her napkin and carefully laid it on her lap.
She felt pampered.

Handing her the menu Jerome asked, "Have you dined with
us before?"

"No, I haven't.  This is my first time.  What would you
suggest I try?"

"My recommendation would be to start with a cup of
turtle soup as an appetizer.  For the entr‚e, you might
try Eggs Sardou, which are poached eggs on artichoke
bottoms with creamed spinach and hollandaise Sauce.  If
you prefer a more traditional meal, try the Eggs
Benedict, which are poached eggs and Canadian bacon on
an English muffin, topped with hollandaise sauce.

For desert, I would recommend our famous Bananas
Foster.  Bananas saut‚ed in rum sauce flamed at your
table and spooned over home made vanilla ice cream."

"All that for one meal?" asked Joanna wondering how she
would eat it all.

"Don't forget the fresh baked French bread, coffee and
wine," added Paul chuckling.

The meal was fit for royalty and Joanna felt like a
storybook princess.  For two hours, she and Paul ate
and talked.  She found herself admiring Paul for his
easy wit, grace and intelligence.  Never before had
anyone captivated her interest the way he did.  She
loved looking at him when he talked and seeing the
animation on his face.  It was obvious that Paul was
comfortable with himself.  Joanna hoped that she
wouldn't wake up and find that everything had been a
dream.

Paul told her of how his family had arrived in New
Orleans as mercenaries during the Battle of New Orleans
and had stayed.  She learned of the old warehouses his
family owned near the river, and how he had been
turning them into upscale apartments and condominiums.

She also found herself telling him about herself.  She
told him about how she wrote historical romance novels.
She mentioned her love of historical buildings and art,
and it was partially because, of the history of New
Orleans that she had agreed to come with Susan.  She
also mentioned how she hoped to write a novel with New
Orleans as the setting.

"Well, I for one am glad you came and I met you," said
Paul, reaching for her hand.

"So am I," replied Joanna softly, as she felt flush
with the touch of his hand on hers.

"Come let me show you the city and her elegant beauty,"
offered Paul rising from his seat and pulling Joanna's
chair back for her.

The rest of the day was a dream for Joanna.  Paul gave
her the grand tour of New Orleans and her rich
heritage.  Later that afternoon, he dropped her off at
her hotel, so she could freshen up and change for the
evening's Krewe of Proteus parade and dinner.

"I have a special place to take you for dinner,"
announced Paul when he kissed her goodbye.

Closing the door behind her, Joanna felt her stomach
fluttering and her body begging for more of his touch.
Closing her eyes, she savored the wonderful feelings
and made a decision.

Then, she heard Susan knocking with vigor on the door.


*************************************************

Paul picked her up around six.  He brought her to the
Columns Hotel on St Charles St., where they had
reserved places for the parade.

"The owner," said Paul on the way over, "is a member of
Bacchus.  But, don't tell anybody, Ok?"

"Why not?"

"Because, membership in the Krewe is secret," he told
her.  "Very few people outside a Krewe know who the
members are, especially in older more prestigious
Krewes"

Joanna knew that he could have easily added, "such as
Bacchus," but didn't.  She knew that Bacchus was one of
the oldest and most famous Krewes of Mardi Gras.  She
was impressed that he did not act important or
conceited about being in Bacchus.

"One of the wonderful things about Mardi Gras," Paul
continued, "is that everyone is equal during Mardi
Gras.  We are all the same. That is the reason for the
masks.  No one knows who the other person is.  It is
the largest free festival in the world and provided by
the Krewes."

"How do you do that?" asked Joanna.

"Each Krewe exists primarily to put on its Mardi Gras
ball and parade.   Each Krewe stages its parade for the
people of New Orleans.  All we ask is that you come out
and enjoy yourself," he finished.

Joanna felt guilty as she thought how she had hated the
parade last night.  She was glad he had told her about
their purpose.  She felt happy and alive with him, and
was excited that she was with him for this parade.

When they walked up the Columns' porch, Charles
Landrum, owner of the hotel, greeted them.

"Hi, Paul, I missed you last night.  You didn't attend
the ball.  What happened?"

"Sorry, Charles, something came up and I could not be
there.  I should have told you I was leaving.  Charles,
this is Joanna Bryant from Virginia, she is visiting.
Joanna, Charles Landrum.  Charles owns and runs this
beautiful hotel."

"It's nice to meet you, Joanna," acknowledged Charles
smiling, "I see why Paul was unable to attend the
ball."

Joanna blushed, "Thank you, it is nice to meet you
too."

The sirens drowned out anything else that she might
have said.  The leading edge of the parade had arrived.
They headed toward the street and parade with everyone
else.

Joanna witnessed a parade pro in action.  She laughed
and giggled with delight at Paul's antics.  He was all
arms and legs as he positioned himself to catch tossed
beads.  He jumped with the best and grasped them out of
thin air, just before they fell into someone else's
hands.  He would then place them around her neck.
Joanna quickly found herself exuberant and enjoying the
parade.

Her inhibitions fell aside and she started yelling with
the crowd, "THROW ME SOMETHING MISTER!"

Soon she had two-dozen sets of beads hanging around her
neck and her small bag stuffed with doubloons and other
trinkets.  She started feeling guilty about Paul
grabbing so much stuff until she noticed that no one
minded.  In fact, everybody seemed to have beads around
their necks, stuffed in bags or in bulging pockets.

After the parade ended, they stayed and visited.  Paul
introducing her to several of his friends; everyone was
talking about parades and Mardi Gras.  Some of them
asked if Joanna was enjoying the parades.  Considering
the fun she had with Paul, she nodded yes.  Soon, it
was time for dinner.

The Feelings Caf‚ was one of the most romantic places
she had ever seen.  Once someone's home, the building
was two stories tall and built New Orleans style, i.e.,
long and narrow.  A high stucco wall enclosed the yard.
The entry led into a foyer, which opened onto a
picturesque courtyard with tropical plants growing
lushly and paved with flagstones.  Soft piano music
came floating out of the piano bar, while gas lanterns
flickered from each wall, creating an intimate and
romantic atmosphere.

Once again, the food and service were delicious and
impeccable.  However, she barely remembered the
courtyard and the wonderful food and wine.  Instead,
she was lost in the world of Paul.  Never before had
she found someone with whom she felt so at ease and
comfortable.  As they talked, she found they shared
many interests.  He was an avid reader and student of
history and architecture.   While at Tulane, he had
spent a semester abroad where he discovered the
architecture of Europe.  Later he returned and spent
two years studying in Europe.  She told him how she
took month long trips through Europe in researching her
novels.  Soon, they were sharing with each other,
favorite places and fond memories.

When the meal had ended and they were drinking coffee,
a lull settled over their conversation and tension
enveloped them like morning fog.  Each knew what was
coming next.

"Joanna," asked Paul, "Would you like to come and see
my place?  It is in one of the warehouses I told about.
The ones I am renovating."

"I would love to Paul.  However, I should tell you
something first."  She took a breath and steadied her
composure, "I.I am a virgin, Paul."

Shock and surprise crossed Paul's features.  "You are
kidding?  At your age?"

"NO! I am not and YES at my age!" replied Joanna
tartly, upset at Paul's dismissal of her
acknowledgement, her face reddened.  Tears began to
well in her eyes, as she felt the sting of ridicule.

"Do you think I am some kind of freak or looser?" she
continued, feeling put down and hurt.  "Just because I
don't sleep with every self-proclaimed stud, doesn't
mean there is something wrong with me." She suddenly
stopped when Paul laid his hand on her forearm.

"I'm sorry, Joanna.  I didn't mean to insult you or
hurt your feelings," apologized Paul, "I was just
surprised.  No, I don't think there is something wrong
with you.

"Look Joanna, when I first saw you, I was captivated by
your beauty.  I meant it when I told you last night
that I wanted to find you.   Something inside of me
drove me to look for you.  I am glad I went searching."
Then looking into her eyes intently he continued,
"These past twenty-four hours have been very special to
me.  You have become special to me.

"However, if you wish, I can take you back to your
hotel."

"No," replied Joanna softly, touched by his words.

"I said I was a virgin.  I didn't say I wanted to
remain one.

"The reason I am still a virgin is because I am a big
romantic, can't you tell?" she said smiling.

"I have never met a man with whom I felt close
enough.intimate enough to offer my virginity.  I did
not want to give it to just any man.  I was saving it
for. well at this moment, I don't really know for whom
or what I was saving it.

"However, I do know that no one ever seemed worth it.
until now.  I am sorry for my overreaction.  I was
afraid to tell you.  But, I knew I must," she finished.

"I don't know what to say, Joanna," said Paul
bewildered at this revelation.

"Then say nothing!  Just take me to your place and make
love to me."


*************************************************


They were quiet during the ride to his place.  Each was
lost in his or her own thoughts.  Joanna felt close to
Paul and, reaching toward him, she placed her hand on
his forearm.  Paul smiled at her then grasping her
hand, he squeezed it gently.   She laid her head on his
shoulder and he placed his arm around her.  She felt
secure.

His condominium was beautiful.  Its hardwood floors and
high ceilings along with period wallpaper and fluted
doorframes made it seem palatial.  In his apprehension
and hesitation to not rush things, Paul showed her
every detail of the place, leaving out only the master
bedroom.

She too, felt nervous.  Along with her nervousness,
there was an ache in her loins and her desire to be
held and feel his closeness.

"Paul, I need to freshen up.  May I use the bathroom?"

"Of course, I'm sorry.  You may use this one.  I will
get us some wine."

When she finished, she found Paul standing in the
bedroom, waiting for her.  He had lit a gas fireplace
and pulled down the bedcovers.

Paul pulled Joanna into his arms and chest.  She
wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face
into his chest.  One of his hands went to the back of
her head and gently caressed her hair while rubbing the
nape of her neck.  After a few moments, he tilted her
head back, lowered his lips and kissed her gently.

Warmth spread throughout her body as his lips caressed
hers.  He took his time kissing her.  She lost herself
in his embrace and lips.  When his tongue played with
her lips seeking entry, she gladly parted them, and
soon their tongues danced a dance of love.

Breaking the kiss, foreheads touching, he silently
began to remove her clothing.  Her blouse, her bra, her
skirt - each item he neatly folded and placed on an
adjourning chair, to wait quietly until she returned.
As each item of clothing was removed, he lovingly
kissed the skin beneath, first sending shivers then
fire coursing through her body.  In her mind there was
only Paul and her desire for him.

When the final article had joined its companions, he
looked her over with those deep eyes that now drank in
her beauty.

"Mon Dieu, you are beautiful!" he whispered.

He lifted and carried her to the turned down bed where,
he gently and tenderly laid her on the pure white
Egyptian cotton sheets.  Then, while looking at her, he
slowly began removing his clothing.  Watching his taunt
body being revealed little by little was immensely
erotic and exciting for Joanna.  She found herself
eager to feel his touch and his body pressed against
hers.   Still, the intense pleasure and desire that
tore through her as she felt his weight on top of her
and his chest and legs against hers, caught Joanna by
surprise.

He kissed her deeply and with passion.  Their two
bodies shifted, intertwined and shifted again, matching
their tongues in the dance of love.  Two days of
emotional bonding drove their bodies toward the
epiphany of human bonding experiences, two bodies and
souls becoming one.

She felt the touch of his skin on hers, his lips on
hers, his maleness moving and rubbing against her,
seeking entrance.  Her body and emotions, soon wanted
him completely.  She was ready.  "Please, Paul.  I am
ready, I want you in me!"

Paul produced a condom, which he tore open and unrolled
over his erection.  Then he surprised her by rolling
over on his back.

"Here Joanna, get on top," he said, "That way it will
be easier for you to control the entry.  If it hurts,
just stop."

Moving to straddle his hips, she positioned herself
over him, aligned him with her opening.   She slowly
and with some apprehension, allowed herself to sink
downward.  She was wet, and she was ready. He slid in
easily.  Surprisingly, there was only a little
tightness and no pain.  She allowed him to enter her
about halfway, stopped, raised herself then lowered and
received him totally.

Never before had she experienced anything so wonderful.
"Oh God!" she thought, unable to express in words her
feelings.  Like flashes from a dream; emotional images
of relief, becoming a complete woman and finally
exorcising her self-imposed stigma mingled with the
physical pleasure and envelopes her consciousness.

She slowly started rocking her hips trying to find out
what felt best.  Soon, she had the proper friction and
her pace increased rapidly.  Focusing on the
pleasurable sensations, she felt them grow, radiate and
flow throughout her body, building and growing higher
and higher.

So wrapped up in the experience was she, her climax
caught her by surprise.  Like water pouring through an
open dam, to fill the fields with its life giving
essence, the joy and pleasure rushed through her and
filled every fiber of her body and by extension, her
soul.

When spent and finished, she looked down and saw the
broadest smile beaming from Paul's face.  She hugged
and kissed him with total joy.   Emotions of
completeness, relief and love all combined to overwhelm
her emotionally.  She started to cry.

"What's the matter?" asked Paul, suddenly anxious.
"Did I hurt you?'

"Oh no, It was wonderful!  Thank you so much.  I am
just so happy," she cried.

"Awwww honey," exclaimed a relieved Paul, who hugged
her with tenderness.  Still buried in Joanna, he slowly
began to stroke in and out of her.

"Oh my God," exclaimed Joanna, "you haven't come yet."

"No but I will," replied Paul smiling, "Here, let's
roll over."

Positioning her below him, Paul reentered her and began
to make love to Joanna.  She again felt him spreading
and filling her.  She opened and gave herself to him
totally.  Her body received him and her spirit soared.

When he tensed and changed his pace, she realized that
he too, was experiencing the joy and pleasure she had
just received.  She was glad that she was a woman and
that she had been able to give him back some of what
she had received from him.

Later that night she awakened.  After going to the
bathroom, she watched him sleeping while reliving the
last couple of days.

"Do I have a story to write or what?" she thought and
smiled.

She continued watching the rising and falling of his
chest and wondered what would happen to them.  She did
not know if they would continue seeing each other, she
hoped so.

"However," she thought, "We still have tomorrow, Mardi
Gras.  Or, is that today!"