© Copyright 1999 by silli_artie@hotmail.com
This work may not be reposted or redistributed without the prior
express written permission of the author.
A work of fiction, meant for adults. Read something else if you are
not an adult, or are offended by stories with sexual content. Then
again, if all you’re looking for is in-out, in-out, in-out, you
should probably read something else. I welcome constructive comments.
Enjoy.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is the last section of Liz over Time. Don't read it if you don't want to find out how things end -- and remember, it is a work in progress!
I got used to Liz going away to coven gatherings at the full moon, other times of the year. I went to "open" parties with her. Occasionally she’d ask me if I was ready to learn. Shelly and Dave occasionally asked me the same thing, telling me I’d know when it was time. One afternoon Liz looked in my eyes and said, "James, when you are ready, all you have to do is ask me to teach you for a year and a day." I kissed her forehead and held her close. I told her I wasn’t ready yet; I would tell her when I was.
Then came the day I knew might come. She had interviewed a couple of months before; her skills were in demand. I could tell something had happened at school that day by the way she moved, the way she looked around our little place when we got home. How long had it been? Over two years? After a silent dinner I took her into the library, lit the candles, and sat down with her in the middle of the floor.
"Tell me," I said.
She looked at me. We held hands. Finally she said, "Oh James... I got the job. I want to accept it."
I sighed. "You’re already gone; I can tell. It’s best for you."
"But you..."
"I can’t go, I know. I have to stay here. We knew this could happen. Remember, I’m Kleenex?"
"It’s not for two months," she said, and then she started crying and so did I. We held each other for a very long time.
That was over twenty years ago. Liz moved away to run a research library. Shelly and Dave helped me get over the initial pain; I spent time with other single women in the coven. I learned that Dave’s fears and cautions were real; his preparation protected me, and afterwards the wrath of Shelly and the other members of the coven expelling one of their own was an experience I will never forget and will never tell. I drifted into more normal circles, finished my degrees, went to grad school, fell in love, got married, and went on with life and family.
I lost track of Liz about four years after she moved. I never lost the things she’d shown me. I did quit competing in Judo, switching to Aikido. Self-hypnosis, meditation, yoga were all important parts of my life. I met Claire in yoga and we were married within six months.
I was back in Boulder meeting with a consulting client for a few days. The hotel I frequent had very good facilities, including a fitness center. My morning meeting had been cancelled; I celebrated by sleeping in and then having a longer workout followed by a very long shower in the gym. I was in my sweats walking back to the elevators, passing one of the conference areas when I heard a voice that stopped me in my tracks.
"Liz!" I said out loud, quite surprised.
The woman standing at the registration table turned around to face me. It was Liz. As she smiled and stepped toward me, I looked her over. Time had been very good to Anne Elizabeth. There was some gray in her hair, which was still long. Her eyes were still soft, not much age showing in her face. She moved gracefully, showing she still took care of her body. She was heavier than I’d last seen her, but it was in the right places.
"Jim!" she said in that wonderful voice, "it’s actually you!"
I could either drop to my knees, or... I swept her into my arms and closed my eyes as we hugged each other. I couldn’t believe it; in my exuberance I picked her off her feet and twirled her around. She held on and laughed. What a wonderful sound that was!
I put her down and we stepped back a bit, holding each others’ hands. She looked me over, as I looked at her.
"It’s so wonderful to see you again! How long are you in Boulder?" she asked.
"Three more days at least," I replied. I had a warm feeling that had been missing for a number of years.
She let go of one of my hands and turned momentarily to ladies at the registration table. "You’re on your own for a while!" she said, and led me down the hall to a bench. We sat down.
"You look wonderful! It’s so good to see you again!" she said.
"You look more beautiful than the last time I saw you," I told her.
"What brings you to Boulder?"
"I’m here for some consulting. I’m so happy this morning’s meeting got cancelled. What brings you here? Research librarian still?"
She smiled at me. "I’m still a research librarian, but this is a Wiccan gathering."
I had to laugh. "My, times have changed." I fingered the "Hello, my name is" badge she was wearing. "You look wonderful. How are you doing these days?"
She chuckled along with me. "Yes, things are a little more open. I’m doing great. I live and work here in Boulder. But, how are you? How’s your family? Son and a daughter, right?"
We had lost track of so much in each others’ lives. So much time, so much life had passed.
"Yes, one of each. They’re both at Stanford; John is a Junior, and Lizzy is a Freshman. They ..."
She got a surprised look on her face and she interrupted me. "What is your daughter’s name?"
I held both her hands and looked into her eyes. "My son is John Wesley Wilson. My daughter is Elizabeth Anne Wilson. Everyone calls her Lizzy."
She sighed. I smiled and nodded my head up and down; yes, I had named my only daughter after her.
She tried moving off that topic. "And your wife? Claire?"
I sighed as I squeezed her hands a little. The memories didn’t hurt as much now; Dave, and the passage of time, had helped. "She died almost four years ago," I told Liz in a soft voice.
"Oh, Jim -- I’m sorry."
"That’s okay -- she died in a traffic accident. It was quick and painless, and the settlement left us very well off." Well off financially, but still hurt and empty inside, I told myself, and I’m sure my expression told her the same.
We both sighed and looked in each others’ eyes.
"You should have called," she said, softly.
I had called her, in the middle of the night, many times. Tears filled my eyes as I remembered those times. I spoke softly. "I almost did, a number of times. Dave and Shelly helped."
More silence, but with wonderful eye contact, and we were still holding hands.
"Liz, if you’re not occupied, do you have dinner plans for tonight or tomorrow night?" or the rest of your life, I thought to myself as I spoke.
She sighed and then smiled. "I’m busy for dinner tonight, but there is something you could do, I know it’s short notice..."
I raised one of her hands and kissed it gently. "Anything. You know that."
She smiled some more. "I hoped so. It’s spur of the moment, and not totally planned, but I’d like you to come to suite 302 at eight thirty tonight. Wear just what you’re wearing now. And, eat a light dinner -- no alcohol. Will you do that for me?"
I gave her a quizzical look. "I won’t ask because you probably won’t tell me, but of course I’ll be there; room 302 at half past eight. I was planning a light supper tonight, and I’ll try and rest a bit."
Now she had a mischievous smile, and her eyes were twinkling. "Good. And don’t make plans for the rest of the evenings you’re in town."
"I was hoping you’d say that." Could that distance in time collapse? Could we have again what we once had? I knew that she only needed to say the word...
I was about to say something when she hugged me close. I closed my eyes and hugged her. I could feel more tears welling up in my eyes, feel that familiar buzzing feeling in my head and temples. I wanted so much to let go to her again...
When we pulled apart I reached up to wipe my eyes, and saw her do the same. We laughed, sniffled, and held hands once again.
"I’ve got to go back to work. It’s so wonderful having you back in my life." Her smile gave me a warm feeling I’d missed for a long time.
I gave her hands a little squeeze. "And I’ve got to go to another meeting. I hope to see you tonight at half past eight."
We stood up together, and she gave me one more hug. "Oh, you will." The tone of her voice told me it would be an interesting evening. I wondered if I would be able to remember it though.
"It’s wonderful to see you again, dear Elizabeth." I kissed her hand again.
She kissed my hand and said, "See you this evening, James. Get some rest." She growled the last part and her eyes smoldered as she walked away.
I spent the rest of the day in a cloud. My meetings went well. I had a light meal about six, picked up some flowers, then went back to the hotel and cleaned up. I set the alarm for eight and lay down on the bed, just wearing my briefs. I closed my eyes and started breathing deep and slow. I imagined her voice saying as she had so many times years before, "Relax James... Let go and relax..."
That worked all too well. I woke up with the alarm at eight. I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth and shaved, then went back to stretch on the floor. I was still quite limber, but I need to work daily to stay that way. I looked at the clock: 8:10. I did some more yoga and then out of pure ego I did thirty push ups, just to pump up my muscles. I looked at myself in the mirror when I stood up. Not too bad for 43 years old. But, that’s what my daughter had said just a few weeks ago. Both kids were prodding me to socialize. I put on my sweats and sandals, made sure my room key was pinned to my sweat pants, grabbed the flowers, and headed off to I didn’t know what.
I knocked on the door a bit early.
A beautiful young woman, probably in her late twenties, opened the door. She looked at me and smiled. She quickly turned back to the room and said, "He’s got flowers." I could hear female laughter from inside. She opened the door wider and said, "Please come in."
I stepped into the room, actually a large suite, and she closed the door behind me. The room was lit entirely by candles; not surprising. The scent of incense hit me and my head spun a bit. I closed my eyes briefly and took a deep breath, letting the rush pass through me, regaining some control. I laughed to myself as I thought that; if this went as I expected, as I hoped, I’d not be in conscious control very long.
As I looked into the room, I saw about six women, including Liz, sitting the floor. Liz seemed to be the oldest; most of the others looked to be in their mid twenties to mid thirties.
My greeter took the flowers. As I let go of them, I noticed my hand was shaking -- not that surprising. I slipped off my sandals as she led me to the circle of women. From the looks of it, Liz was in charge. There were a couple of cushions on the floor in the center of the circle; I was the main event.
Liz looked up at me and said, "Thank you for joining us, James. Please sit down." She indicated the cushions in the center.
I bowed my head briefly. I took off my sweatshirt and dropped it behind me. I closed my eyes momentarily as I stood outside the circle and took a breath. I opened my eyes and stepped into the circle facing Liz, and backed to the cushions, always facing her. I sat down formally, as my instructors had taught me, and as I teach others. I bowed to Liz, taking my head to the floor. I sat up and placed my hands in my lap, looking at Liz, that wry smile on her face, and waited.
Liz acknowledged me with a slight bow of her head, and said, "Before we begin, are there any questions for James?"
A voice behind me quickly asked, "Do you know what’s going to happen tonight?"
I shook my head, still looking at Liz. "No." I smiled.
The same voice asked again, "Aren’t you apprehensive? Scared?"
I smiled and held up my hands; they were both trembling. I took a slow, deep breath, exhaled and stilled them, then let them rest in my lap again.
Liz started to move; I shook my head slightly; no. She stayed seated. I focused on my breath. It was strange; I knew all I had to do was close my eyes and think of her voice, or have her touch me, but I knew that would come later, when she wanted it. Just being in the room with her, the candles and the incense, I was halfway there already, filled with that dizzy tingling feeling.
The same voice asked, "Aren’t you afraid of giving up control?"
I looked at Liz and said, "No. I did that when I walked in the door." She smiled.
Another voice, from the other side of the circle asked, "Did she hypnotize you earlier today?"
Liz didn’t seem pleased with that question. I answered, "I don’t think so."
Another question followed immediately, "What does that mean?"
I smiled at Liz. "It means I don’t think so. I could have been hypnotized and not remembered it, but I don’t think it happened. And I trust her."
Liz gave me a broader smile.
"When was the last time she hypnotized you -- that you can remember?"
"Over twenty years ago." I almost whispered that; my eyes were starting to tear, the emotion was so strong.
The same questioner asked, "After all that time, how difficult will it be for her to hypnotize you again?"
What a silly question! Both Liz and I smiled. Liz started to move; I didn’t do anything except take a deep breath. She moved close to me. As I saw her raise a hand to my head, I felt the muscles in my shoulders relax and I started to exhale; I wanted this so much. She touched my forehead and my eyes closed; the world slipped away. After a while I could hear her speaking to me; it was glorious. I felt a hand on my head, so wonderful as she told me I could be relaxed and comfortable. Then after a while she said, "Wake up please James."
I opened my eyes; I was lying on the floor. She moved back and sat down. A couple of the other women helped me sit up. I thanked them. I felt relaxed and as if a large weight had been lifted from me. I took another deep breath and looked again at Liz. "Thank you my Lady."
I turned to where my last questioner was seated and told her, "See, that wasn’t difficult at all." That brought gentle laughter from everyone, including Liz. I turned back to her; she now had a wonderful smile and looked deep into me. I was losing it again, falling into her gaze, but she broke off.
She turned to the young woman to her left, my greeter from the door, leaned over touching her shoulder and spoke something in her ear. The woman’s eyes dropped closed and her head drooped forward. I thought to myself -- I think I’ve seen this demonstration before; I think I’ve been part of this demonstration before.
"James, have you met Donna?" Liz asked.
I looked at Donna, obviously in a deep trance. She looked to be late twenties, long dark hair pulled back.
"No, I haven’t." I looked back at Liz.
"James, would you wake Donna please?"
I smiled. Yes, I’d been part of this demonstration before; Liz had done it to me a few times, demonstrating to others the power of hypnosis. I bowed to Liz before moving.
I turned to Donna, and moved a bit closer. I put my hands on the sides of her head and lifted it gently. I said, "Donna, wake up, please."
Donna’s eyes opened and she went into what was probably the most intense orgasm she’d ever had in her life. Her hands grasped my arms and her eyes were locked on mine as she moaned and twitched. I moved closer and held her gently; she grabbed me and dug her nails into my back. I told her gently, softly, "Enjoy it, Donna, let go and enjoy." After a bit she let settled down; I pulled back a bit. She was looking dazed and a little confused. I held her again and said, "It’s all right, Donna, you can relax. It’s all right. You’re fully awake and alert now, feeling relaxed and comfortable."
Donna straightened up a bit; I took my hands away. She smiled and then looked around, remembering where she was, and blushed. I moved over to her again and whispered, "It’s okay -- Liz did this to me many times. You must be very special to her." I sat back and she squeezed one of my hands.
I looked at Liz, remembering the first time she’d done this to me, many years ago. A couple of her girl friends had dropped by. The next thing I knew, one of her friends was holding my head, I was looking into her eyes, and having an incredible orgasm. A few minutes later when I was in the bathroom cleaning myself up and changing my underwear, Liz came in. I gave her a dirty look and she gave me a quick kiss and a hug. "Thank you, I’ll make it up to you, I promise." She did make it up to me. I remember that too.
"James, are you ready?" Liz asked me.
"I am yours." I said, as I bowed my head to her. I could feel my heart beat in anticipation.
Liz picked up a little cloth bag by her side, and reached in with one hand. What now? The crystal pendant? The ring? Magic dust? The feather? The feather had been incredible. What was she going to pull out that bag?
She removed what looked like a paper disc about the size of a quarter. She read it, looked up smiling, and said, "Cheryl?"
Murmuring spread through the group. I could relax for a second, at least. I watched with some interest as a woman moved from my right side up to Liz. This must be Cheryl. She leaned over and had a whispered conversation with Liz, ending with Liz nodding affirmatively.
I tried to size her up as she had her conversation. She looked to be a bit taller than Liz, so probably just a bit shorter than me. She was wearing a loose blouse with mid length sleeves and a skirt. Her hair was dark, it was hard to tell the actual color in the candlelight; it was mid length and done nicely. As she whispered to Liz, I noticed she had a well defined waist and a very well defined bosom. My weakness; is this good news or bad news?
She sat on the floor in front of me and started unbuttoning her blouse. I saw Liz lean over and whisper to Donna as Cheryl spoke to me. "James, I’m Cheryl. I want you to be comfortable and listen to my voice. You are going to enjoy this very much. Both of us are going to enjoy this."
She had a wonderful smile. I watched her hands carefully, trying to judge how nervous she was. I knew how nervous I was. She had a little hesitation and shake unbuttoning the top buttons, but by the time she got to the bottom buttons, I wasn’t watching her hands anymore. My attention was focused on her bra and her breasts. I could feel my muscles relaxing and my breath slowing, just letting my eyes rest on her beautiful bosom.
She slipped off her blouse, then reached around to her back to undo her bra. It was very hard for me to bring my eyes up to hers, but I did so as she slipped off her bra. Cheryl looked into me as she got up on her knees and moved toward me. I tried to keep looking up into her eyes, but she pulled my head gently to her breast. My eyes closed as her nipple went into my mouth. My arms went around her waist and I sucked gently. She moved my head around slightly, cradling me. "Good James, that feels so good. Now just listen to my voice. I want you to let go and relax. Let go and relax."
I faded out again. The rest of the evening was a jumble of sensations. I remember making love without coming. I remember soft lips, and soft breasts. I remember the tastes and the scents of a number of women, and the feeling of warm thighs squeezing my head. I remember someone’s voice and a candle, and a crashing noise. I remember bodies, hands, mouths, breasts all over me, and I couldn’t come. The last thing I remember was looking deep into Elizabeth’s eyes, feeling someone’s mouth on me, having an incredible orgasm for Elizabeth, and everything fading out again.
I woke up the next morning to an alarm clock going off. I got out of bed and went to the bathroom. Sitting on the can, I tried to remember what had transpired. I let my body tell me what it could; my stomach muscles were sore; that was probably a good sign -- I had fun but didn’t remember it, at least not yet.
I went back to the bedroom and crawled back into bed, with Liz. I didn’t make the connection until it was too late. She reached over and pulled me to her, holding my head between her breasts. She started saying, "You can’t get away from me." I tried weakly to get away, getting dizzier and weaker by the moment, and hotter and hornier. How could I have forgotten this? When I could hardly move, she pulled me to her left breast. When the nipple touched my mouth, the rest of my strength left the rest of my body, moving into my cock. She held me to her, saying, "I’ve got you now." I was so hard, I wanted her so much, and the only thing I could do was suck on her wonderful nipple.
My bliss was interrupted as she pushed me on to my back and mounted me. "Open your eyes," she commanded. I opened my eyes to look into hers, smoldering above me. My eyes locked in hers, she started me into her, and then slid down all at once. I moaned. I wanted to squeeze her, hold her, kiss her, push into her, but I couldn’t move. She moved up and down on me, slowly at first. I couldn’t believe the sensations. She brushed her hair over my face, then sat up on me. She was rocking faster now, eyes closed, starting to moan.
I felt the bed move and saw Donna come up behind Liz. Donna started kissing Liz’s neck and shoulder, one hand feeling her breasts, and the other hand going down to Liz’s clit. Liz arched her back and ground into me, moaning and shuddering as she came. What a glorious sound that was after all these years! I wanted to come so badly, but I couldn’t. Liz opened her eyes again and squeezed one of Donna’s hands. Liz started rocking on me deeper, slower. I was so dizzy, moaning, so close yet so far. Liz said something and Donna started to move.
Then I saw Donna leaning down over me, her eyes glazed, lowering one of her breasts toward my mouth. She started moaning and panting as well, one hand between her legs. She lowered down until I had her nipple in my mouth, and then farther, pushing it into my face. I sucked on her as she moaned and Liz rode me. Finally Liz said The Word. Both Donna and I came, filling Liz as she rode me, Donna clutching my head and quivering in ecstasy.
We collapsed into a heap and floated back to earth. We untangled slowly, kissing and caressing; I was still in a daze.
The suite had two bathrooms; Liz banished me to the one on the other side of the suite to shower. Donna was disappointed at that; so was I. Liz said, "Less temptation -- you’ll need your energy later -- both of you." We brightened up a bit at that.
As I walked into the bathroom, I noticed all my stuff sitting on the counter. Hmmm... I didn’t remember moving down from my sixth-floor room. I wonder if the rest got moved? Oh well, time will tell. I took a long shower, and broke out laughing when I thought of what had transpired since the shower I took yesterday morning.
When I was dry, clean shaven, teeth brushed, I stuck my head out the bathroom door. "Did my clothes move last night as well?"
Donna’s voice answered, "Yes, they’re over here."
I started out the bathroom door into the large room of the suite and backed in again when I saw a couple of hotel people setting up dishes on the table; guess I had ordered breakfast as well. I wrapped a towel around my waist, gave my hair a better combing, and tried again. Good timing; the door closed behind them just as I left the bathroom.
I joined Liz and Donna at the table, assisting them with their chairs before I sat down. I poured coffee for Liz and Donna; a cold can of my favorite soda was sitting at my place.
"So, how did I do last night?" I asked, looking at my breakfast -- just what I usually ordered.
Donna said, "You did great. It was quite an evening."
Liz shook her head. "I didn’t think he was that good."
Donna looked shocked. Liz smiled and reached over to squeeze my hand. "You weren’t very good at demonstrating inductions. They all spent the afternoon planning these lengthy seductive inductions, and you went under in the first few seconds."
I laughed. I wasn’t surprised. Liz said, "You were great. It was a memorable evening for all."
"Gee, maybe someone could tell me about it?" I asked.
Donna looked puzzled; Liz laughed. She put a hand on Donna and explained. "He’s such a good subject; it’s common in really deep states. We’ll fix that later. Besides, his body remembers more than he thinks." Liz looked at me. "What do you remember?"
I answered as I tucked slices of bacon in between some toast for a bacon sandwich. "I remember bits and pieces, but not a great deal."
"Do you remember me touching you the first time?" Liz asked.
I nodded, exhaling loudly and feeling my body relax at the thought. "Yes, I was practically under before your hand touched me." I sighed. "My God, I needed that."
Liz gave me a wonderful caring smile. "I know. It was a highly effective demonstration; I barely touched you and you fell over. What do you remember next?"
"I remember you waking me, and then the demonstration with Donna." I turned to Donna. "Do you remember that? Has she done that with you before?"
Donna shuddered a bit as she held my hand and gave me a squeeze. "She’s never done that before, and I remember it very well; I always will. I’m very glad it was with you."
I looked back to Liz. "You picked up that bag, and I freaked out."
Liz looked puzzled. "Yes, I saw you react strongly. Why?"
I shook my head. "I didn’t know what was in it. I was afraid you might pull out a feather."
Now it was Donna’s turn to look puzzled.
Liz got a wicked grin. "Ooh... I haven’t done the feather in a long time. We’ll have to try that tonight, and I think I know... Do you remember Beth from last night?"
I shrugged my shoulders. No, I didn’t remember Beth. "Not the name anyway."
Donna was incredulous. "You don’t remember Beth? I can’t believe that."
Liz said, "Your body does... James, close your eyes." I did so and waited. "Now," she continued, "inhale slowly through your nose... Think of jasmine..."
When she said, "jasmine," I inhaled sharply as sensations flooded into me, sending a shiver from my nose down my spine and into my cock. My mind may not have remembered, but my body certainly did. That scent, that taste, had been incredible. "Mmmm... She was delicious..." I remembered a bit more, my head being squeezed between a pair of legs, holding on as I tried to devour that taste. "And energetic..." I opened my eyes.
"And loud!" added Donna. We laughed at that.
"I remember a candle and a crashing noise. What was that?" Liz smiled again, and Donna dropped her head a bit.
Liz said, "That was Janet. She was doing a candle induction and managed to catch some of the others." She glanced at Donna, then continued. "The crash you heard was someone falling over. Do you remember much after the noise?"
"Not of that, I remember her voice, which was good, and the candle -- I was under but enjoying her voice and her eyes, then the crash, then not much for a while."
Liz nodded. "She adapted very well. She reached over and touched you and your lights went out."
"I’m good at that."
Donna asked, "What do you remember of Cheryl, the first time?"
I smiled. "Liz knows my weaknesses. I was pretty far gone when Cheryl put her hand on my head, under when her nipple touched my lips, and don’t remember anything after she told me to relax."
Donna sighed and looked at Liz. "Liz told me that’s what would happen. It took Cheryl a while to realize you were out in her arms."
Donna looked back at me. "We did some pretty intense things later; what about that?"
I reached over and squeezed her hand. "I remember feelings and sensations. I remember making love without coming. I remember soft lips, soft breasts and tastes and scents. I remember one intense period with bodies, hands, mouths, breasts all over me, and I couldn’t come." I looked over at Liz as I held Donna’s hand. "The last thing I remember was looking deep into Elizabeth’s eyes, feeling someone’s mouth on me, having an incredible orgasm, and everything fading out again."
Donna sighed and gave me a look of wonder; she glanced at Liz. "Liz challenged us. She told us we couldn’t get you to come, no matter what we did, anything except talk to you, and we did a lot. Then she asked for a volunteer to suck on you and Beth pushed people out of the way to get to you again. Then Liz asked you to come for her. It was incredible."
I reached my other hand over the table to Liz; she reached out and took it. "Thank you, thank you both."
I looked at the clock; I still had about an hour before my meeting, which was only a few minutes away from the hotel.
"So, did I move in last night?"
Donna spoke up. "We moved you after putting you to bed. It only took us a few minutes."
Then Liz said, "I hope you don’t mind. While you’re here, I want you with me."
It was too much for me. I got up from the table and went over to Liz. As I approached, she pushed her chair away from the table. I went down on my knees and put my head in her lap, my arms around her waist. I was going to say something, but I started to cry. I started out slowly, but after a few moments she put one hand on my head and the other on my back and the floodgates opened. I don’t know how long I went on. At some time Donna came over and held me as well.
Eventually I stopped, and sat back on the floor. Donna hugged me, and Liz quickly moved to the floor and joined in. It felt so good to be held again.
"Thank you," I told them. "That was years of tears."
Liz held my head in her hands; we looked in each other’s eyes. Donna put her hands on my shoulders. Liz asked, "Are you okay now, or do you need more help?"
I closed my eyes, drinking in the simple sensation of touch. "I’m better; I need to be held. I need to hold you."
The three of us hugged again and I heard Liz say, "Relax, James, let go and relax..."
Then I was sitting up on the couch with them on either side of me. About the only thing you can do in such a situation is sigh.
"What’s the schedule for today?" I asked.
"When will you be back?" Liz responded.
"I’m through around four. I need to spend some time thinking and organizing things, at least an hour and a half. Will I be able to do that here?"
Liz laughed. "Yes, I’ll let you get your work done. We don’t end today until six. I think you should have dinner with us and stay for the evening."
"That sounds wonderful. Who’s ‘us’ for the evening?"
Liz said, "The same group as last night. Things will be a bit different tonight, and you’ll remember more. Is there anything special you want to do?"
I held her hands again. "Anything you ask. Be with you. Sleep with you. Wake up next to you. Hold you. Make love with you."
I turned to Donna, who was looking a bit glum. "And I want to get to know you a lot better too."
That brightened her up; I saw her nipples crinkle up underneath her blouse. "Save that thought," I told her with a growl.
I looked back at Liz. "Did I check out of my room already? Do I have a key for here?"
Liz gave me her mock-offended look. "You’re checked out of the other room and I’ll give you a key for this one."
With that we finished dressing. Liz and Donna had a head start on me and got out the door first. I picked up the key from the table, put it in my coat pocket, grabbed my briefcase, and headed downstairs.
Walking across the lobby I saw a gaggle of women talking. As I walked by them, my eyes went to one, a stunning oriental a little taller than me. I knew it was Beth. She saw me and stopped talking. The other ladies in the group stopped and looked at me. I stepped to Beth; I started to say, "Merry meet." as she put her arms around me and gave me a wonderful hug. I responded, and whispered in her ear, "Thank you for last night. You are delicious." That got me quite a kiss as she felt the muscles along my back. It also got raucous approval from the crowd.
I stepped back and said, "Have a wonderful day, ladies." I left to more laughter, someone saying, "Well blessed be!" As I walked out the door I hoped my pants were zipped up.
That day’s meetings went well. I picked up more information, confirming a number of suspicions, and started to ask very pointed questions. We worked through lunch, and after lunch I met with another team. I figured out what they were trying to hide from me; they meant well. I got out at four; I’d had all I could assimilate for one day.
When I got back to the hotel room, I changed back into my sweats and spent half an hour doing yoga, then read through documents a highlighting pen in one hand. I finished that and got my laptop and headed for the table. There on the table was a folded note in Liz’s writing. The top said, "Wait until you’ve finished your work." I can take hints like that. I worked up more of my report and built my list of questions for the next day, Thursday. I had meetings starting at 10 and running through to five. Friday was the finish up day; it should be short and brutal.
A little after five thirty I closed up the laptop and put it and the papers back in my case. I stretched some more, then got a couple of the cushions from the pile behind the couch. I put them in the middle of the floor, one for me to sit on, and some around me should I decide to fall over. One cushion in particular smelled of sex and jasmine. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath of that one.
I decided rather than sitting, I’d just advance the process and lay down on my back. I did, took a couple deep breaths, and then opened the note. It had one word written on it: "Remember."
I closed my eyes and let my arms drop, visualizing that word and hearing Liz’s voice in my mind. Sensations and memories came flooding back, from the last day, and from beyond. Some were pleasant, some were not; some of the pleasant memories hurt the most. I hugged a pillow to me as I cried again, reliving memories of Claire and our life together. I tried to acknowledge each memory, then let it go.
The good news was that I remembered with much greater clarity what had transpired the previous evening. I associated names, faces, and scents. I let go of the pillow, put my arms back by my sides, and went back to focusing on the breath. That’s where meditation starts, with the breath. I let my mind clear, letting things flow by.
After a while I heard the door open. I acknowledged the sound and remained as I was, mentally and physically. I heard the sound of someone approaching and felt someone near. Legs and arms straddled me; I chose to let my eyes remain closed. A warm soft body lay on top of me, lips on mine; Donna. I put my arms around her, holding her, feeling her. She wiggled into me as I felt her back, her breasts, her bottom, and returned to her head. She sat up on me and I opened my eyes.
"Hi there," she said.
"Thank you for waking me."
"My pleasure," she said, grinding her pelvis into me.
"Liz wanted me to check on you," she continued, " The caterers should be up in a few minutes to start setting out dinner."
"So how much time does that give us?" I asked, returning her wiggle.
She laughed. "Liz told me specifically I had to save you for later."
I stuck out my lower lip in a pout.
She laughed again. "She also told me we’d get some time together, and to do this..."
I smiled as she sat back a bit and pulled off her top, then her bra. She leaned back down on me, giving me her left nipple. "Now hold me," she said.
I put my arms around her waist and accepted her gift: so warm, so soft. I let myself go as she said, "Now relax, James. Let go and relax."
I woke up on the bed with Beth leaning over me. I smiled as I looked into her eyes.
"What a wonderful way to wake up," I told her.
She leaned down and kissed me. I held her and inhaled her wonderful scent, letting my hands roam.
We heard, "Hello? Awake yet?" from the other room, followed by laughter. She pulled away from me a bit; I held her. "I’d love to spend an evening lost in your eyes and your embrace."
She got up and helped me stand. I took the opportunity to run my hands lightly over her and give her a hug. I buried my head in her hair, enjoying her perfume. She squeezed me and growled, "I want you."
We walked out of the bedroom into the main room of the suite. A light buffet supper was set out. The ladies were all holding wine glasses. Everyone was wearing loose clothing. Donna walked over to the table and picked up a glass and brought it to me. As she handed it to me, she ran her other hand up my shoulder and up the back of my neck. I damn near lost it right there; I got so dizzy and my knees buckled. Beth grabbed me from behind. I let my head drop back against her and laughed. Some warrior I was -- helpless amongst these witches.
After they straightened me up again, I drained my glass and set it down.
I went to each of the women in turn, addressed them by name, gave them a hug, and thanked them. I saved Beth, Donna, and Liz for last.
When I went to Beth, she pulled me to her, pulling my head into the long hair she had brushed forward over her shoulder. It was intoxicating.
I went next to Donna. I went down on one knee, took her hand and kissed it. She held me to her body. I closed my eyes and hugged her.
All eyes were on me as I went finally to Liz. She had a small smile. I walked up to her, extending a hand. She held out hers for me. I took it gently, and then moved quickly through using almost a hip throw as I pulled her forward, putting my other hand behind her head. I snapped her around, bending her over, and kissed her, holding her up. After her initial surprise, she grabbed me and kissed back. We got applause and cheers from the crowd.
I straightened up, and went down on both knees in front of her, still holding one hand. "Thank you, Elizabeth, my Lady." It came out with far more emotion than I had expected.
She gave me a look of pure lust; I could see her heart was beating rapidly. She grinned and pulled me up.
We had our buffet supper, then moved the furniture around to make a large open space in the room. Liz announced, "We start in fifteen minutes. Potty break!"
Being the lone boy in the crowd, I waited until last. I took the opportunity to brush my teeth as well.
When I came out of the bathroom, Liz had the ladies seated in a semicircle. The lights were out and the candles lit, some incense burning as well. She motioned me over to her at the center, then said, "Cheryl, please."
I sat down next to Liz as Cheryl stood up. She went over to a small case on one of the couches, opened it, and took out a small implement. I sat up straight and let my eyes close. I breathed regularly and deeply as she moved around us, chanting, ending in a clear commanding voice with, "About us flame the Pentagrams and in the column shines the Six Rayed Star."
I opened my eyes again and looked at Liz. She smiled and squeezed my hand.
"Among his other talents, Doctor Wilson has studied and taught yoga and meditation for many years. We’re going to start this evening with him leading us in yoga, and then in meditation."
This was a little bit of a surprise; I hadn’t remembered telling Liz what I’d been doing in that detail.
She turned to me and said quietly, "About half an hour of light yoga, then meditation and breathing leading up to this."
I looked down at her hand. She was holding a very fluffy white feather. I gave her a questioning look.
"You can do it, and you can do it very well. Do it for me." She pressed the feather in my hand; I put it in the pocket of my sweats. I bowed to her. Then surprisingly, she went and sat in the semicircle with the others.
I sat down in front of seven lovely, sensuous women. As I looked at them, I could remember sensations, touches, scents, tastes of each. Now to be the teacher again.
"Sit comfortably and allow your eyes to close. Focus first on the breath. Life begins with the breath..."
I went on to do a basic half hour yoga class. I watched my students carefully. A couple of them were somewhat stiff, some were surprisingly limber. Beth and Donna obviously did yoga on a regular basis; I soon moved them a bit forward to serve as demonstrators to the others. I moved among them, touching, guiding.
We finished sitting, focusing again on the breath. In all my studies, I had never formally studied hypnosis. But, I had been hypnotized by experts and used self-hypnosis. I was relaxed and let it flow. I took our breathing exercise and used it to start the induction, extending the imagery to a feeling of relaxation, calm, peace, and floating. I built on that for a few minutes, then opened my eyes as I spoke and looked at my students. Beth and Cheryl looked like they were gone. Donna looked very relaxed, probably under; I couldn’t tell with Liz. "...And with each breath you become more relaxed, floating along, so comfortable, so relaxed, just floating."
Looking at them I understood why my beginning meditation classes were so popular. I’d never thought of it before; whatever I called it, it worked pretty well as hypnosis.
"In a moment I’m going to ask you to open your eyes. When I do, allow your eyes to open slowly and look at me, still floating, so comfortable and relaxed. Now, please open your eyes."
Seven for seven -- they all opened their eyes, although some slower than others. Liz was very slow in opening her eyes.
I held the feather between two fingers and raised it slowly in front of me. I wasn’t going to do what Liz had done to me with the feather.
"Focus on the feather. There is nothing else in your world but the feather and my voice. Concentrate on the feather. You are just like the feather, floating so gently, so comfortably, so relaxed." I moved the feather gently from side to side, they all swayed following it. So far so good.
"Follow the feather as it floats. In a moment I’m going to let it float softly to the floor. As it floats to the floor, you float with it, going deeper and deeper into hypnosis, more and more relaxed. When it reaches the floor, your eyes will close and you will go into deep hypnosis for me, deeper than you have ever been before, so comfortable and relaxed. You will follow the feather and float down deeper and deeper into hypnosis, until it reaches the floor, and your eyes close and you go into deep, deep hypnosis for me. Floating now, floating, so comfortable."
I was holding the feather up as high as I could above my head. All eyes were still fixed on the feather. I let go.
"Floating down now, floating deeper, deeper, so wonderful going deeper and deeper." They followed it down, eyelids drooping.
"Floating deeper and deeper, so relaxed, Deep hypnosis... Now."
The feather came to rest on the carpeted floor. Eyes closed, I heard a few sighs. Beth slumped down, followed by Jill, then Donna. The rest sat there, heads down, including Liz. It was hard for me to believe; she let me do this.
I went to her side and spoke in her ear. "Can you hear me Liz?"
She answered quietly, "Um humm."
"Liz, listen to me carefully. I’m falling in love with you again. You need to think about this and decide if you want it to happen. Now when I count to three, you will be awake, feeling rested, relaxed, and fully alert. One, two, three."
She raised her head, opened her eyes, and took a deep breath. Had I said, "again?" I hadn’t planned to. Then she smiled at me, reached out and took my head in her hands, and we kissed. Then we held each other, rocking gently. It felt so good to have her in my arms again. Then she gave me a squeeze, and whispered something in my ear.
I blinked and opened my eyes. We were all sitting in a circle. I glanced around; some of the others looked a bit dazed. Liz had that wry smile on her face; we’d undoubtedly been set up for something. Liz had moved the one clock out of the room, so I had no idea how much time had elapsed.
"Is everyone ready?" Liz asked cheerfully.
"For what?" I heard Donna whisper next to me. I chuckled.
Liz picked up her cloth bag again and drew out a piece of paper. "Janet. You first, in the center please."
Janet, a redhead, moved to the middle to sit facing Liz. She waited, as did we all, for Liz to tell us what was next. Instead, Liz said, "You know what to do, start with Beth."
Janet looked a bit confused, then smiled and turned to Beth. She reached over and touched Beth on the forehead, saying, "Sleep, Beth." Beth sighed and her head dropped. Then Janet turned to Liz, who was sitting next to Beth. She paused momentarily, then reached out and touched Liz on the forehead and said, "Sleep, Liz." We watched as Liz dropped. Then it was Cheryl. Then she turned to me. When she looked me in the eye I could remember her tangy scent and taste and small warm breasts with hot hard nipples. She gave me a look of lust and reached out to me. She touched my forehead and that’s the last thing I remember.
Then I awoke to Beth helping me sit up. I had enough time to look around the circle and see that all the others were under, some of them on the floor, some sitting up. Then Beth touched my forehead and said, "Sleep, James." and I dropped again.
That’s how it went for a while, Liz woke me, then dropped me by pulling one of my ears; she hadn’t done that for decades, but it still worked. Then Cheryl picked me up off the floor. She lifted her top and pulled me to a breast. As I took her nipple in my mouth my eyes closed. She said, "Wide awake, James. Wide awake," and cradled my head gently, blissfully to her as I sucked on her and moaned. Then she said, "Sleep, James," and I floated off.
She woke me and I knew it was my turn. I knew what I was to do; I turned to her and said, "Thank you." Then I reached up and touched her forehead, saying, "Sleep, Cheryl." She gave me a contented sigh and her head dropped down.
I moved to Donna sitting next to me. I lifted her head with both hands and said softly and slowly, "Donna, one, two, three, four, five, now."
I didn’t know I was supposed to start counting, but once I did, I knew what was going to happen. As I counted she became more and more aroused, and opened her eyes to a strong orgasm. She looked surprised, then smiled as she shook. I held her to me and when she’d settled down I said, "Sleep, Donna," and felt her go limp in my arms.
I moved to Kim on the floor next to her. I knew I had to follow the program, but I still had some flexibility. I said, "Kim, sit up please." and helped her sit up. I sat cross-legged in front of her and slid her sitting on my legs facing me, her legs and arms around me. Then I spoke her name and started counting. As she woke into orgasm she clutched me and screamed, "Oh my God!" in my ear. When I said, "Sleep Kim," she went limp in my arms and I put her back down on the floor.
I held Janet a little differently, holding her head at my shoulder. She moaned softly as she came, and sighed as she went under again.
Beth was sitting up. I moved her easily on to my lap. She was tall enough that her breasts were tantalizingly close, and she wasn’t wearing a bra under her top. I lifted it and sucked gently on a nipple. I pulled away a little and slowly said the magic words. "Beth, one, two, three, four, five, now." I went back to her nipple immediately. She moaned and squeezed me to her, her strong legs pulling me tight. I was about to put her under again when she grabbed my head and kissed me passionately. I held on, waiting for a break. She shifted her weight suddenly, pushing me on my back. She looked at me with fire in her eyes as she ground her hips on to me. She felt so good, it was almost a shame but I did it anyway. "Sleep, Beth." She looked a little disappointed as she collapsed on top of me.
That brought me to dear Elizabeth, sitting in a trance, breathing slowly. I leaned her back on the floor, putting a pillow under her head and one under her bottom. Then I pulled off her sweat pants; as I’d hoped and suspected, no undies. I pulled my sweat pants and underwear off, spread her legs gently, and slid into her. I hoped she had conditioned me not to come until she let me; I decided she did. As I slid in, her breathing deepened. I took her hands in mine and held them over her head; I didn’t want her to grab me. I said the magic words, counting very slowly, letting it build in her before I finally said, "Now, lover." As I spoke I slipped almost all the way out of her; when her eyes snapped open I plunged back into her and she moaned, eyes rolling back in her head and head and back arching back, legs squeezing me, arms fighting against me. I moved on top of her, watching in awe as she thrashed around underneath me.
I watched her closely, and as soon as her eyes started shifting back to normal I said, "Sleep, Liz," with one more thrust. Her eyes fluttered closed and her arms and legs went loose. I leaned down on her and whispered in her ear, "I love you. Be gentle with me darling." I knew she’d get me for this.
I pulled out of her and put her sweats back on, and got dressed myself.
I moved back to Cheryl. How I wanted to be in her arms, held to her warm pillowy breasts again. I could feel myself going under at the thought. I started moving to lift her top, then stopped and lifted her head instead. I counted and held her as she came silently, holding me to her. Then we kissed. She gave me an incredible smile. I said, "I want to go to sleep in your arms. Sleep, Cheryl." She had such a contended smile on her face as her eyes closed and her head drooped forward again.
I moved back to Donna and simply said, "Wake up, Donna." She inhaled sharply and opened her eyes, smiling. I took my place on the circle again as she moved in front of me. "Did you get Liz?" she asked.
"Yes," I said, "and I’m sure she’ll pay me back for it." We both laughed. She moved out of the circle and back again, showing me a vibrator. "I’m going to wake her with this."
"When you put her under again, tell her to be gentle with us," I suggested.
Donna nodded her head knowingly. "Lay back please, James," she told me.
I went down to the floor. She pulled her top up and lay down on top of me. She’d put on perfume; she may have said something after I started sucking on her nipple, but I don’t remember it.
Then I woke up to Kim on top of me, kissing me and rolling on top of me. Then she spoke and I drifted off.
I awoke to Donna helping me sit up. Liz gave the two of us a sharp grin and then said in a cheery voice, "Wasn’t that a fun exercise?" Everyone laughed. "Did you notice something interesting as it went on?" she asked the group.
There were some murmurs but no replies. I knew what she was fishing for, so I spoke up. "Every time it was easier for me to go under, and I went under faster, and went deeper -- fractionation."
Murmurs of "Yes," and nodding heads as Liz smiled at me. "Very good, what else?" she asked.
Cheryl spoke up, "And I felt more and more confident, more relaxed as I went from person to person. Before today I couldn’t imagine taking you into a trance, but by the time I got to you, it was easy. Thank you."
Liz smiled to murmurs of thanks. "You’re welcome. This is a very important practice, and you now know why. It develops the ability not only to go into a trance, but also confidence in working with others. The ability to go easily into a deep trance is so rewarding, the ability to be awake and alert one instant, and then drop so easily into a deep, deep, relaxing trance…."
I caught her shifting her voice and slowing down as she spoke but was helpless to do anything as she clapped her hands together once and I faded out again.
Now Donna and I were sitting up in the middle of the room naked, with Donna on top of me, my cock deep inside her and very close to an orgasm. I looked at Donna; she was panting and glassy-eyed. I kissed her as I held her and we moved together.
"Stop!" Liz said. We looked over to see Liz standing a few feet away from us. The other women were sitting on the floor behind her; everyone was naked. Liz had a smile with that curl in her lip; I knew we were in for it now.
"I asked you," she pointed at me, "to do something earlier this evening, and you didn’t do what I wanted, even though I’m sure you remember it well."
Uh-oh, I thought, she had wanted me to do the whole thing with the feather.
"And both of you," she said accusingly, pointing to the two of us, "were very creative in dealing with my suggestions." Then she smiled. I thought we might be off the hook. "Actually, I enjoyed your creativity very much."
Then the frown returned, but with the wry smile. "But now you’re going to do it my way." And then she stepped quickly off to the side a bit, raising her right hand very dramatically, and said, "All of you!"
I knew all eyes were locked on her right hand; mine were. Then with a simple but dramatic flourish we all saw a fluffy white feather in her hand. A shiver ran through me and I felt the heat burning in me again. She let it go, and it started drifting to the floor.
We started moving together again, Donna on top of me, squeezing me as I held her. I heard others moaning and panting; I wanted so much to kiss Donna, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the feather. I could see Cheryl and Beth on the other side of it, see their faces caught in the building ecstasy, Beth with a hand between her legs and Cheryl squeezing her breasts.
As the feather got closer and closer to the floor; we got closer and closer to the edge.
Then when it was about a foot off the floor, Liz grabbed it and held it up again. I couldn’t believe it, I was so close to the edge, and I could feel Donna around me holding me so tight.
Then Liz walked over to each of the other women and touched them one at a time with the feather, sending them collapsing into orgasm.
She came over to us and teased us, raising it above our heads and lowering it. I was dizzy and getting weak. Donna was trembling. Liz started speaking again; I couldn’t understand her, but our bodies did. My breathing got deeper and we moved slower. She moved around behind us so the others could see; they were all sitting up again. She held it above our heads and lowered it slowly between us. When it was just above our eyes she let it go. It drifted down between our faces and touched our chests.
That touch was like a lightning bolt. I kissed Donna as I came, my eyes closing. I felt a hand on the back of my neck, squeezing me and heard Liz speaking softly to us. I felt and heard Donna’s moans through our lips and felt her spasms around me.
**
Still need to do Thursday morning, the day, and the night.
**
My meetings went well Thursday. Directly and indirectly, people gave me the information I was looking for. I don’t know what it is, but I’ve got this thing about people that don’t or won’t make eye contact.
I finished up early and borrowed a small conference room to type up my notes, put together more of my presentation for the next day. There was something nagging me, but I wasn’t sure just what it was. So I headed back to the hotel, got my exercise outfit, sweats, and shower stuff and went down to the health club to spend some quality time on a treadmill.
After my workout I showered and shaved, getting back into my sweats
I got up early and alone on Friday to finish off my presentation and get to the print shop. I got out of bed carefully, leaving two beautiful ladies still asleep. It looked as if we had another fun night.
I’d run the slide show from my PowerBook, but needed printed copies as well. I was on for ten that morning with lunch set for eleven thirty. I told them I’d only take about twenty minutes, but that’s the way it was scheduled.
As the ladies slept I reviewed my work from the previous day. I didn’t feel like changing anything; I don’t pull punches.
But when I got to my "suggestions" page the idea hit me. I thought for a few minutes. It made sense. Finally I took a deep breath; Claire would approve, so would the kids. But did I? I looked behind me to the closed door and said softly, "I love you Claire; I love you Liz." I hacked at the page for half an hour until I got it into the shape I wanted. The only thing I could do was to bait the trap and set it out; they had to step in it.
I rummaged through my bag and found the cloth tape I use for protecting my toes in practice. I took a strip and went back into the bedroom. I approached Liz; I needed to move her a bit to get her arms out from under the covers. I kissed her on the forehead and she stirred a little. I kissed her again and she stirred some more. She opened her eyes as I slid my fingers along the sides of her head and whispered, "Deep trance, Liz. Deep trance." She sighed and her eyes closed. I got her left arm out from under the covers and quickly used my piece of tape to measure her ring finger. I put her arm back where it was and told her it was just a dream, to go back to sleep.
A few minutes later the room service crew brought in breakfast. I gave them a good tip and then stuck my head in the bedroom. "Good morning, ladies, breakfast is here."
I packed up my computer and notes as they rustled up. They came out wearing robes. I got hugs and kisses from both of them. Liz asked sleepily, "Did you come in earlier?"
I hugged her and said, "No, must have been a dream darling." Donna looked a bit shocked; had she been awake? Then she gave me a conspiratorial smile.
We ate breakfast and talked about the day’s plans. They ran until five; we had the room until Sunday. There would be one last evening get together of the gang. Liz looked at me and sighed as she said that. I smiled; I had plans.
I took off and hit the print shop, getting my copies made and bound. I got to my client’s place about quarter to ten and waited for a bit in the lobby.
Consulting does have its benefits; I could ask nasty questions, in fact I was expected to, and not worry about sacred cows. Sacred cows make the best steaks.
My host came down for me a little before ten, wearing a suit. This was a surprise; I was wearing a suit today, but I’d never seen him so much as wearing a tie before. He took me up to the board room. I thought I’d be presenting to the same gang I’d worked with, maybe a couple folks from the next level up. Instead my audience was the CEO, Lawrence Chu, some of his board, most of his executive team, and two of the folks I’d been working with. One of their computer nerds hooked my Mac up to the projection display. I looked around the room, got a nod from the Dr. Chu, and started in.
I didn’t pull any punches. Their project had a very good foundation, but I didn’t think they had what it would take to get it to market in time. I laid it out for them, with my baited trap at the end.
My part of the show took about half an hour. I got another fifteen minutes of questions, some heated. Then Chu said, "Doctor Wilson, I’d like you to wait outside for a bit while we discuss your excellent work."
With that one of the flunkies showed me the door. I sat on an expensive leather sofa outside the board room and tried not to listen to the noise inside. I leaned back and put myself into a light trance to clear my head and relax. After a while the room next to me quieted down, or I just tuned it out.
"Doctor Wilson?"
I snapped myself awake and looked up to see the CEO standing there. I stood up. "Yes, sir, what can I do for you?" I asked with a smile.
He had a very determined look on his face. I didn’t know if it was determined in my favor or not.
"Let’s take a walk. Please."
I followed him down the stairs and outside the building. He had his hands clasped behind his back. This was going to be interesting; I hadn’t pegged him as the "walk around the building" type, but then again I hadn’t had much exposure to him, maybe half an hour total the last two trips.
We walked side by side. "Doctor Wilson," he said, "I like your style. You do not waste my time; I will not waste yours. The board and I want you to very seriously consider taking this project to market for us."
He hadn’t stepped in my trap, he’d jumped into it, and hauled the board with him. It was cartoon time -- I had them right where they wanted me.
He stopped and turned to face me. He was smiling.
I asked, "Are you sure I’m the right person?"
"I concluded you were the right person on your last trip. Doctor Miller is in favor, also a Mister David Perkins," he replied
That was a surprise. Miller was the current head of the project. Perkins I hadn’t spoken to in a few years.
It had been the spring we’d finally gotten the financial settlement from the accident; I was in a position to never have to work again if I didn’t want to. In addition, our company had just been taken over and the project I’d been on given to a total twit. The takeover had made my stock extremely valuable; so I was extremely financially independent. Hell, I was a multimillionaire working for a twit. I produced a detailed report of what was going on, what was wrong, what needed to be changed, and what would happen if things weren’t changed. I delivered it by hand to the new general manager, David Perkins. He looked over my report and asked, "What do you expect me to do with this?"
I’d told him he could do with it whatever he wanted, I was quitting and spending the summer touring Europe with my kids; I’d sold stock earlier in the morning that would net me a seven digit sum after taxes, and still had quite a bit left.
We had a wonderful summer; it was the best thing we could have done. When we returned in late August the attorney who was handling things for me said Perkins was calling every few days trying to reach me. When I met him, he told me my predictions were coming all too alarmingly true; he wanted me to come back and clean up the mess. Eventually I agreed to do it on a consulting basis.
That had been the start of a very nice consulting practice.
"I haven’t spoken to David in a couple of years," I said.
"He sends his regards. He doesn’t think I can get you to do it, with your financial independence and your children on the West Coast. I am hoping I can. I think there is something more for you here."
I smiled. "Well, I’m afraid to say that Mister Perkins may have been mistaken. I think we can work out an arrangement, Doctor Chu."
He extended his hand. "Please call me Larry."
I shook his hand and said, "James."
We walked and talked some more, working out broad brush details in two laps around the building. As we saw cars leaving the parking lot, Larry said, "We should go back upstairs, especially if we want something to eat. I’m respected, but not that much."
I was hungry; I eat light before a big presentation. My most important presentation was still to come this evening though.
We went back upstairs and walked into the board room together. Larry went in with a poker face. Everyone stopped eating and looked at him. Finally he turned on a big smile. Cheers and applause erupted, and Miller came up to me and shook my hand. "I look forward to working with you," he told me.
Larry gave them the outline of what we’d discussed. I spoke for a few minutes, addressing my goals, what I saw as a transition period, and thanking them for their confidence. Part of the group dispersed. I took the opportunity to talk to Larry’s executive secretary. I told her I needed the name and address of a good local jeweler; I needed to buy a very special ring for a very special person. She gave me a warm smile and picked up the phone. We went back and worked on details until about three, when I took off. I got a name, address, and directions to a jeweler, and was told the owner was expecting me.
When I got to the shop in the old part of Boulder, I was meet at the door. I picked out a reasonable diamond, showing him my sizing band. I felt he gave me a good deal. We shook hands and I headed back to the hotel, stopping on the way to get a few bottles of good champagne.
I parked the car and sat for a few minutes. I knew I needed to get rid of the grin on my face if I was to pull this off. Then I thought of Claire and all our years together; nothing could replace them. I still loved her very much, and if she were to walk up to me right now... I turned my head and looked down the empty aisle in the car park, wanting to see her turn the corner, see her skirt swirl as she walked, see her smile once more, almost hearing the echoes of her heels on the pavement, her laughter... Could I take her hand and never think of Liz again?
I loved them both; one could not replace the other. I felt very somber. My vision lost its focus as I thought of Claire; I’m not forgetting you, darling, I never will. I will always love you. I hope you understand. We never talked about what we would do if the other died. I know I’d want you to carry on; certainly the kids are pushing me to do the same. I sighed; only one way to find out.
I entered the suite and looked around, putting the champagne in the refrigerator. It was quiet. I looked at the pile of cushions in the corner; I might want to save a couple of them, they hold some strong memories, as well as stains. That made me sigh. Now I needed to lighten up. I changed into my sweats, sewing the ring into my pocket with a single thread so I could pull it out easily but it wouldn’t appear accidentally. I sat on the floor, closed my eyes, and cleared my mind, focusing once again on the breath. It all starts with the breath. I thought of the birth of our two children, holding Claire’s hand as I watched those miracles take place; life starts with the breath -- it all starts with the breath.
I heard the door open, and voices. I opened my eyes and let myself drift up. Liz, Donna, Beth, and Cheryl came in. I stood up and walked to them, they met me and we exchanged hugs.
The group was animated until Liz looked at me and softly said, "What’s the matter? Didn’t things go well?"
I sighed. I felt the warmth inside me, the love for her, and still for Claire. "I’m not sure," I told her.
By this time the others had gone silent. Donna put a hand on my shoulder as Liz took my hands. I shook my head gently from side to side and took a slow breath. It was time. I took my right hand and put it in my pocket, pulling the ring loose.
I said softly to Liz, holding both her hands in my left hand, "You never married..."
She got a sad surprised look on her face. "I ... I never met the right man I guess."
I smiled, tears filling my eyes. The look on her face started to change as I pulled my right hand out and slipped the ring on her finger. "Yes you did..." I told her softly.
She looked down at her hand and then looked up at me with a look of shock and joy, tears filling her eyes.
"Marry me Elizabeth. Please," I said softly, tears rolling down my cheeks.
She threw her arms around me and cried. The others held us and cried as well.
We pulled apart a bit and Liz said, "But I can’t leave..."
I smiled again and brushed a tear from her face; that’s what had happened to us so many years ago. This time it would be different. "That’s okay, I’m going to be working here for a year or two at least. That will give us time, time for you to teach me, for a year and a day."
She threw her arms around me again and said, "Oh I love you... I’ve always loved you..."
After that hug I asked her, "Does that mean yes?"
Her chin wobbled and her eyes filled up again; she just nodded her head up and down.
"So what’s a Wiccan wedding like? I’ve never been to one," I asked.
With that she smiled a bit. I picked her up with my arms around her waist and twirled her around, saying, "I love you," over and over until she started laughing and begged me to put her down.
I was initiated into the coven the next full moon. The ceremony was intense; I was reborn as a witch.
Our handfasting, our wedding, was a wonderful ceremony, built on the traditions of Liz’s old and new covens and very much tailored to us. The coven graciously allowed Shelly and Dave to preside as our High Priestess and High Priest. Uncle Alex and Aunt Jane attended, as did my kids. Beth, Cheryl, Kim, and of course Donna also participated. The Lord and Lady smiled on us; we had fresh snow on the ground, but the sun was out and the skies clear for the ceremony. Unlike my initiation where I was skyclad, Liz and I wore simple robes; we felt that would go easier with some of our guests, including my kids. During the celebrations indoors afterwards we could see the sparks flying between Beth and my son John. Aunt Jane also told us afterwards that while she’d had some queasiness about the ceremony initially, she’d never attended a more personal and moving wedding.
During parts of the ceremony and our celebrations afterwards, I’d felt Claire smiling on us; Liz and the kids told me they felt her presence and blessings as well.
Liz and I were walking back to my place in Palo Alto from a leisurely dinner. We’d told the kids not to expect us until eleven or so; we were a couple of hours early, we had an early flight back to Boulder the next morning. As we walked up to the house in the light of the full moon I thought I could see flickering light like candles coming from the den. We walked softly over to that corner of the house near an open window. We could smell incense from inside. After a bit we heard Beth’s voice chanting softly. Hearing her voice and feeling Liz hold me I started drifting off into a fog. Then Beth’s voice became louder, faster; my heart beat faster and I heard my son John moaning inside the house, heard Beth’s voice falter a bit then continue softer, panting. I felt Liz put a hand to the back of my neck. I turned to her and smiled. "Blessed be," I whispered to her, and we kissed.
Rev 8/1/2000
Liz Over Time
By silli_artie@hotmail.com
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/artie/www
© Copyright 1999 by silli_artie@hotmail.com