Part 3 (2/2)

Whats that?

Watch. Marcia pointed to where a guy had a ma.s.sage table set up in a corner near the bathrooms.

Tall and willowy, he had brown eyes and long, black hair streaked with grey that hed pulled back into a low ponytail with a piece of leather cord. He almost reminded her of a wizard, not from his manner of dress”jeans and a black, long-sleeved b.u.t.ton-up s.h.i.+rt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows”but from his manner.

Several people had gathered around. On the table, a naked woman lay facedown. As Mel watched, Crawford used a lighter to light something inside small, rounded gla.s.s jars and stick them to her back.

Its actually an old Chinese medicine technique, Marcia told her. Theres also cupping with suction cups, but the fire cupping adds heat to the mix and makes it feel even better.

Whats it do?

If you ever get really bad shoulder knots? Its amazing. Im such a fire cupping s.l.u.t. There is a lot of stuff it supposedly helps. He also does acupuncture. Hes one of the few demonstrators who can legitimately say, Im a professional, when he does stuff like this.

Can I go watch?

Sure. Thats why hes here. h.e.l.l even do it to you, if you want.

Heat filled Mels face. I dont know if I could get naked in front of people.

Youre wearing a bra, right?

Well, yeah.

Thats like a bikini. Unless you dont have underwear on. Marcia smiled.

The heat in her face deepened. Im not going commando.

Its okay, Marcia said. You dont have to try it if you dont want to. And if you did, and want me or Derrick to stand right there, we can. You can wrap a towel around you, if you want. Youd be facedown on the table.

Actually, she did want to try it. My neck and shoulders are really tight, she said. Stress. And being hunched over computers all week.

Then its perfect. Want me to introduce you?

But isnt that like interrupting his scene?

Normally, yes. But hes doing a demo, and I know him, and I know that he doesnt mind talking to people and answering questions. If I didnt know all of that already, Id say wed wait to talk to him until after.

That being said, Marcia grabbed Mels hand and led her over and around the group, until they were standing at the head of the ma.s.sage table and a couple of feet away.

Crawford glanced their way. Are you bringing me a fresh victim, Marcia?

In fact, the guy reminded Mel a little of Professor Snape, except with a playful smile and without the heavy British accent.

Shes a friend whos really new to the lifestyle. A close personal friend. And shes on a computer all week. I thought, what better way to dip her toe into the kinky pool than to toss her at you?

His serene smile looked calm, relaxed, as he lit whatever it was inside another of those gla.s.s globes and quickly stuck it onto the womans back. There were now eight of them there, and Mel could see purple discolorations forming under some of them.

Ah, I get to pop a newbies fire cupping cherry. You know I cant resist that. Why do you tempt me so?

Because youre evil in all the good ways, dude. Marcia grabbed Mel by the shoulders and made her trade places with her. You stay here. Ill go grab you a couple of towels.

Mel nervously swallowed, but nodded.

So, Crawford said. What is your name, my dear?

Amelia. Mel, she quickly corrected. At work, she was Mel. She wanted to be Mel here, too.

Crawford. His focus didnt s.h.i.+ft from the woman in front of him even as he kept talking to Mel. Did Marcia tell you what Im doing?

Sort of.

He started to explain again. She suspected the people gathered around had already heard some of this. But as he prepared another cup with what turned out to be alcohol and lit it, quickly adhering it to the womans oiled back, he gave her a detailed step-by-step of what he was doing, and why.

Sotheres no s.e.x?

A few people laughed, but it wasnt the bad kind of laughter. Crawfords smile widened. There can be, but not usually. Too much risk of dislodging the cups and having them hit the floor and shatter. And s.e.x isnt allowed here anyway.

Oh. So its justthis is what you do?

One of the things. This is something therapeutic I do with my clients in my office. Where things can really get kinky here is with acupuncture and a violet wand.

I dont even know what that is. Shed heard a couple of people talking about them.

I can demonstrate that later tonight, he said. They can be interesting.

Does this hurt? What youre doing to her?

The woman on the table turned her head to face Mel. If I could tie him up and take him home with me, I would. It feels amazing.

Sorry, Celia, Crawford said. You know I dont swing that way, love. Im strictly a Top. More laughter from the spectators.

Marcia returned with a couple of towels. Can she be next?

Sure. I hadnt yet selected my next victim.

Marcia gently b.u.mped hips with her. Dont let him fool you. Hes the sweetest d.a.m.n s.a.d.i.s.t youll ever hope to meet.

Marcia, darling. Quit ruining my reputation. I will have zero street cred with the international s.a.d.i.s.ts union if you keep that up.

Theres a s.a.d.i.s.ts union? Mel asked.

That made everyone laugh, including the woman on the table, who was desperately trying not to laugh. Crawford reached over to place his hand on top of one precariously jiggling jar toward her far side.

No, Marcia finally managed through her giggling. That was a joke.

Oh. Her face heated again. Sorry.

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