A Journey of Intrigue...

They have been interacting for months with emails and phone calls, exploring all kinds of intimate details. The relationship dynamic is already established, along with a certain level of trust. Today Lyra will finally meet Ethan in person; he has flown to England especially to see her.

As usual, Lyra is pushing it to the last minute, rushing around frantically whilst buzzing with nervous anticipation. However, walking through the busy plaza towards the restaurant it really hits her how intensely vulnerable she feels. She is not meeting a stranger; Ethan already knows how to push all of her psychological buttons.

Her eyes dart around the faces, Ethan is nowhere to be seen. She feels disheartened, wondering if she has been stood up, her mind racing with agitated thoughts and questions. Lyra’s phone rings, sounding much louder than usual, jolting her into the present moment. The name ‘Ethan’ is flashing on the screen.

A deep, resonant voice speaks into her ear, “It looks like someone is getting impatient.” Ethan answers her question before she can even ask it, “I have been watching you.”

Lyra’s heart is pounding fast. She quickly turns around, scanning the area to locate him, feeling extremely exposed. Ethan instructs her to look over the nearby railing at the walkway below and hangs up.

She senses a presence behind her; hands stealthily hold her hips before she can move. Her instant reaction is to resist. Ethan widens his arms to allow her to turn but Lyra only finds herself pinned in between the railing and his body, their eyes meeting for the very first time. In that moment, she feels like he can see right into the depths of her soul. The noise around them fades out; a moment seemingly suspended in time, with an unbelievable magnetism that feels not of this world.

Not really knowing how to handle such a profound connection, Lyra starts to feel like she could lose herself and is anxiously compelled to try to retain some composure. She lowers her head to break the eye contact, pushing against his arm to slide out to the side of him. Ethan allows her to do so, with a knowing smile.

Lyra has enough just trying to focus on breathing at this point; it is a relief when Ethan guides her into the restaurant and arranges everything. Without actually realising it, she is already trusting him to take control and keep her safe. The enclosed curved seating booth feels welcoming and Ethan positions himself at a distance, giving Lyra some space. This provides her with a means to attempt to ground herself, fixing her attention on viewing the environment.

Ethan gives her a moment before commenting on how she paints her nails immaculately. She knows he is inspecting every part of her and feels flustered. Risking a quick glance, she notices his body is turned towards her, his confidence radiating strongly as he watches her every move. Ethan's entire focus is on Lyra. It is extremely penetrating and the building intensity inside of her is totally inescapable.

The waiter approaches with the menus. Usually, selecting a meal for a vegan is really simple, with just one or two options. However, this time Lyra discovers she has a full page, in the smallest and most decorative writing. She tries to read it, but she can’t concentrate. It might as well be written in Arabic, for she stares at the inscriptions but nothing will translate to words in her mind. Lyra is starting to feel under pressure and somewhat panicked, even more so because she doesn’t understand why this simple task is so difficult.

Without a word being spoken Ethan reaches over in a way which feels powerfully protective and points to an option, telling her he thinks she would enjoy the chilli. Not only has he rescued her from her torment but he has somehow selected one of her favourite meals. She sighs, with both relief and amazement, as the waiter makes his way back to their table.

Whilst waiting for the food, Ethan reaches into his pocket and pulls out a white envelope which he places on the table, his fingers holding it there mesmerizingly as he speaks, “You can decide whether you want to open this or not, but if you do, you must follow the instructions inside.”

Lyra feels curiously intrigued but is still foolishly trying to resist him, playfully expressing how she will not miss something she doesn’t know about. It gives her some semblance of clutching to regain her own sense of will.

“Maybe not,” he responds, “but is an important decision, make sure you choose wisely. If you open the envelope I will know you will submit to me.”

The gravity of that statement had a massive impact on Lyra. This is not really about the envelope; it is a demonstration of her consent. All of a sudden, everything now feels overbearingly real.

Lyra toys around with thoughts as if needing to weigh things up, yet in her heart she already knows what she is going to do. She delays, as if trying to put off the inevitable; this only serves to keep her electrified throughout the entire meal. The envelope in front of her is a constant reminder and Ethan is quietly amused as he observes her glancing at it frequently. He is patient enough to let her play the game at her own pace. He is already certain of the outcome.

After the waiter clears their plates Ethan slides the envelope towards her in a casual manner, to give her a gentle push. Lyra stares at it for a while, before sighing and picking it up, her hands trembling with trepidation.

Inside the envelope is a piece of paper which unfolds to reveal the words ‘Open the box. Do not disappoint me.’ Lyra’s entire body is pulsating as the waiter brings a tray; upon it, there is a black box, tied with red ribbon. He places it on the table for her.

Another pause, another sigh, Lyra flicks her eyes up to Ethan noticing he is observing her but giving nothing away in his expression. Pulling the ribbon slowly, she prolongs the suspense. After removing the box lid she peels back the red paper inside to discover a black book. It is small enough to carry in her bag, but with many pages, like a journal. She leafs through them to discover they are all completely blank. Her eyes blink at Ethan questioningly.

Leaning closer to her, Ethan directs her firmly, “You are going to document every step of our journey, detailing all of your thoughts and feelings. I want to know every aspect of how you experience where I take you. It is going to be quite an adventure and I assure you that you will live your wildest dreams. Every time we meet you will bring this little black book for me. Make sure you keep it up to date.”

Ethan’s voice always seems to reach deep inside of Lyra. She feels an array of feelings in that moment, the highest respect for his intelligence and sheer fascination with his intriguing creative approach, along with a burning desire to connect deeply with him on all levels. One thing which really surprises her is that she feels a level of trust like she has never known before; she yearns to give herself to this man.

This is how their physical journey begins. Ethan takes responsibility, his decisiveness giving Lyra the freedom to experience emotional intensity. Every single meeting unfolds in ways she is unable to predict. As soon as she gets home she spends many hours savouring all those exquisite feelings, taking her time to write every detail.

Each time they meet she presents the journal for his perusal which always moves her into receptivity for she is revealing her most naked, innermost self. Of course, Ethan is fully aware of this and makes her wait as long as he considers appropriate before returning the book to her. He then takes Lyra on another sensational experience with him. It is the most erotic adventure of her life!

One day Ethan asks Lyra to meet him on a boat. She walks down the stairs to find him sitting at a small table waiting for her. With his hand he signals for her to sit opposite him and she passes him the journal like she usually does. Eventually, he closes the book but holds onto it, telling her someone is coming to join them. He stresses that she must trust him and when asked, all she needs to do is to say ‘yes’.

Instantly, Lyra feels the urge to ask questions, but Ethan pushes his legs between hers, spreading hers apart under the table, opening her up to him. He knows this will get her attention, “Do you understand?”

Lyra nods compliantly, already feeling desire cursing through her body. She hears footsteps approaching from behind but doesn’t dare to look.

A man pulls up a chair at the side of them, shaking hands with Ethan who introduces him as Adam, his friend from America. She smiles politely but is horrified as Ethan gives Adam the black book. It is full of all her most private and intimate details! Ethan notices her big eyes and gives her a stern look to encourage her to stay quiet.

Lyra is writhing with feelings of being entirely exposed, caged into a small space by these two men which makes her feel extremely vulnerable, but yet confusingly, she is undeniably aroused.

Adam commences reading, page by page. This process feels like an excruciating eternity for Lyra who is tingling all over with ever increasing heat.

Eventually, Adam closes the book and gives a subtle nod to Ethan. The men scrutinize Lyra, smiling deviously as if they know exactly what is going to happen next. They deliberately pause before Adam tells Ethan he is definitely interested. Ethan looks directly into Lyra’s eyes and asks her if she is going to accept Adams offer. She looks shocked but Ethan applies pressure against her legs, pushing them further apart, right up to the wooden supports of the table, to remind her of what she needs to do next. Both men are watching her, waiting for her response.

Thoughts are zipping through her mind frantically. What is the offer these two men are giving her on this desolate boat? How can she agree to something without knowing what it is? Ethan always reads her well but he pushes her boundaries and takes her places she never thought she could go. What would happen if she said no?

Her eyes dart from Ethan, to Adam, and back to Ethan again who is giving her a pressing look. Lyra feels on the verge of exploding with this combustive mixture of emotional energy. It is not a conscious decision; the word just falls meekly out of her mouth, “yes.”

Ethan smiles and mocks, “I think somebody has a very naughty mind.”

Feeling on fire, Lyra is consumed with embarrassment as the men smile at her knowingly. Adam passes her the book with a cheque for $20,000 laid on top. He tel ls her the money is a payment because he wants to publish her book when she finishes all of the pages. Lyra is stunned; she is completely overwhelmed and lost for what to say. Adam places a finger onto his lips to indicate words are not necessary and with that he makes his exit.

Lyra’s beautiful eyes reflect the deepest and purest adoration for Ethan, who explains, “Do you remember how before we first met you told me you wanted to be a writer?” He winks at her,” Well, now you have your first book.”

Ethan leans forwards, with a very determined focus and he whispers, “I will make sure you will have an extraordinary journey.”