"Distance makes no difference to hearts on fire..."
Magic happens in the moments between dreams and dawn. I awaken when you sing your siren song. Over oceans and countries your call is so clear. No matter if I’m sleeping it’s like you're right here. “Time to awaken my...
"A graduate student's summer job leads her into a new world."
Lazy AfternoonMelissa walked back into the house, the screen door banging shut behind her. As her eyes adjusted to the dimness of the house, she wandered over to Erik’s study on the top level, to see if he was there....
"A graduate student's summer job leads her into a new world."
Dinner DateMelissa stared at the door, feeling very uneasy about her motivations. She had endlessly dithered about how to dress for her dinner “get-together” with Deborah in the city.When Melissa had called Deborah the previous day to ask about getting...
"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...