"A graduate student's summer job leads her into a new world."
Back to the GrindMelissa scooted inside the door, putting her hand out behind her to ease the screen door shut, rather than letting it bang loudly against the door frame. She was drenched from the short walk across the entry...
"A graduate student's summer job leads her into a new world."
InterludeErik released the catch on the back of the mirror’s ornate frame. The glass swung away into the darkness beyond. He stepped through from his closet into the dungeon play room. Turning to the right, he pulled up a hidden...
"A graduate student's summer job leads her into a new world."
Comparing NotesAfter a mutual shower, they both ended up in fluffy terrycloth robes, sprawled in overstuffed leather chairs in the living area that overlooked the valley below. Melissa hadn’t been able to resist the temptation to let her robe ‘slip’...
"A graduate student's summer job leads her into a new world."
On DisplayMelissa shifted her weight, trying to get comfortable. She squinted at the setting sun, wondering how long she had been tied up. Looking over at the post that her left arm was tied to, she flexed that arm slightly,...
"A graduate student's summer job leads her into a new world."
LunchMelissa looked in a mirror that was hanging in the salon’s vestibule as she walked out to the sidewalk with Erik. They were holding hands. The cut and style that Henri had given her were bolder and more sophisticated than...
"A graduate student's summer job leads her into a new world."
AfternoonAfter lunch, they walked for a few minutes around the village, looking in shop windows. Erik checked the time and said, “We’ve got a little while longer before we’re supposed to meet Cathy. Let’s walk a bit more.”Melissa laughed, “Assuming...
"A graduate student's summer job leads her into a new world."
Dangerous WomanThe screen door banged shut behind her as she came back into the house, loaded down with bags. The shopping trip with Cathy had seemed like a weirdly exhilarating reality-show segment, where a dumpy housewife gets to spend far...
"A graduate student's summer job leads her into a new world."
Pony RideMelissa walked out of the exercise studio with a towel around her neck, her martial arts jacket bundled up under her arm. Mike had told her it was called a judo-gi and had shown her how to tie it...
"A graduate student's summer job leads her into a new world."
Melissa was shocked, both to hear Joseph suddenly talking and also at the transformation of the mood. It took her a moment to parse what he had said and realize that he truly liked what had just happened. She was...
"A graduate student's summer job leads her into a new world."
BedtimeAfter untying Melissa, Erik picked her up and carried her into his bedroom. She complained that she could walk, although she wasn’t sure that was true. Serena hurried ahead of them and pulled down the sheets. Erik laid Melissa in...