Chapter 1
My worried eyes moved from the flier in my hand to the upscale “wellness centre” in front of me.
It had arrived two days later, along with a voice note from Cathy telling me in no uncertain terms that if I didn’t attend some classes – apparently to quell my perverted and degenerate behaviour – then we were completely over.
‘Everyone in our lives will know what a dirty little man you are,’ she said as her voice reached me through my tears and her own. ‘Don’t do this to me. To us. Just… just go and see.’
There had been no “I love you”, even if I had hoped there might be.
‘The Blooming Lotus Centre.’ I said to no one in particular, feeling droplets of water beginning to hit my head as the heavens opened. ‘A centre for holistic hormone balancing, Ayurvedic treatments, and sensory immersion therapies.’
Absolute horseshit, I thought, my gaze shifting further down to more cursive text.
‘A place for “reconnecting with your softer side,” stress relief, and vitality through plant-based therapies.’
My eyes rolled as I let out a heavy sigh, moving my suddenly leaden feet toward the slate-gray building, built in brutalist square architecture, stopping only once to allow another person out through the double doors leading into the foyer.
Although I caught only the briefest glimpse of her beneath a hood and raincoat, there had been a flash of lip gloss on full lips, an amused twinkle in those dark-rimmed green eyes as she nodded to me in thanks, and a sway to her broad hips.
Jeez, I thought, maybe I do need this after all.
The reception area was like many found in gyms and other centres across the world – a large desk behind which sat those meant to welcome you, a couple of black leather sofas, and doorways leading to corridors and other parts of the building.
True, the minimalist Zen design, complete with lotus motifs, and the soft pink-gold lighting did raise a small alarm in the back of my mind, but I put it down to nerves and stepped up to the desk behind which two women sat, both motionless until I placed my hands on the desk and gave my best smile.
‘Hi!’ said the closest, dark curls framing her beaming face, her name tag reading “Emma”. ‘Welcome to the Blooming Lotus Centre, where your true self blossoms. How may I help?’
Even as she arranged some papers in front of her, as graceful as a ballerina, I noted the warm glow of her skin and the way her generous tits formed a smooth, plunging cleavage under her professional blazer.
It was hard to pull my eyes away.
‘I – uh – I believe I have an appointment. Adrian Batts.’
‘Oh yes, Mr Batts,’ she said, chewing the top of her pen in a way that made me feel… things… her eyes widening as she read something on her computer screen. ‘It looks like you’ve been signed up for our exclusive membership. Congratulations!’
I felt my jaw tighten as I managed to wince at this, thinking of my bride-to-be and her laughing face at the thought of me being here.
‘Thank you, Emma,’ I said through gritted teeth. Her blonde companion sat next to her, thinking I didn’t notice her mouth lifting at the corner in a subtle smirk. My paranoia was kicking in – how much did this place know?
The tapping of buttons went on and eventually Emma handed me a small slip of paper. ‘Please wait a moment, Mr Batts. Your personal attendant will be here shortly.’
Personal attendant? I liked the sound of that, and felt my chest puff out slightly, although who I was trying to impress in this rather empty foyer I wasn’t sure.
My mind was somewhere else, possibly contemplating one of the lotus outlines on the far wall, when a voice spoke to me in a hushed tone. It was barely above the hum of the city outside, but something about it made me stand straighter and feel suddenly self-conscious.
‘Mr Batts, how do you do.’
The first thing I noticed was her dress, a dark shimmering silk that clung to her athletic figure – one she clearly worked hard to maintain – and gave me tantalising glimpses of what may be beneath, yet still remained demure enough that I would have to stare for far longer if I wished to uncover anything specific.
When her eyes fixed on me I felt my mouth go dry: two blue orbs that held me with quiet intensity. She knew things about pleasure, although how I knew I do not know, but I smiled as I gave a small nod, wiping my clammy hands against my jeans.
‘I do well, thank you…’
‘Thaleia.’
‘Thaleia, yes.’
‘Please follow me,’ she commanded before turning away and moving off with deliberate, measured steps. ‘We shall begin with the First Bloom Ritual, our introductory session.’