The Export                               by: Jacki Pett

Part 3

 

TUESDAY - DAY 32

John awoke on his own. It was almost eight and no one had come in to wake him. That was a first.

He wasn't sure what he should do after he showered. He knew he should fix his hair. Regardless of what they had in store for him he'd need to do that. He wouldn't admit, even to himself, that he was anxious to make himself look as pretty as possible.

By nine thirty his hair was done to his satisfaction, he had his makeup on and he was dressed. He was pleased with what he accomplished without anyone's help.

He stopped to admire himself one last time in before knocking on the bedroom door for someone to come and let him out.

"Well, good morning." Tina was the one that heard his knock. "Don't you look nice this morning." He had gotten himself ready and he looked lovely. John wore his new brown stirrup pants and his bulky beige sweater, he was a picture. It didn't escape Tina that he'd done his hair and makeup skillfully.

"Thank you. This is alright?" Tina's approval was reassuring.

Tina only sat with him and had tea while he ate breakfast.

Tina wasn't worried about leaving Ben alone for a while. Margaret was assisting him and while she wanted to be there, the two could manage quite nicely without her.

They had discussed at length yesterday, when Ben came over in the morning, what they would do with him. Margaret would assist him in the operating room and she would be here if they needed him. Everything was going beautifully with both their 'girls'.

They were delighted to find out Scott was such a shy and sensitive young man. Even better, was to see that his blond hair was not as short as his picture showed.

Upon seeing him for the first time last night, Connie had remarked, "He'll look absolutely adorable with a cropped cut. He won't need a wig."

They were all happy with their choice of Scott. His baby face was perfect for the transition. Cindy was the name they decided on for him.

John was almost afraid to ask, as he picked up his dishes and started toward the kitchen, "What are we doing today?"

"I thought you might enjoy just relaxing today. The past few days have been pretty eventful." Tina wasn't being completely honest. They had plans for him.

Connie suggested that you ought to work out this morning. Why don't you change into your workout clothes and play one of the Fonda tapes we have? You can work out right here in the living room.

John was actually hoping for an opportunity to get out. He no longer feared exposing himself and he was sure now that his only chance for escape would come when he was away from the loft.

If he had to spend the day inside, he might as well exercise. At least that way he could build himself up. It seemed a shame though, he had spent so much time in making himself look attractive. Now he would have to do it all over again afterwards.

John was about a half an hour into the tape when he was interrupted. He hadn't expected to see Jack walk in.

"Hi Laura." Jack said with a smile. This was the first time he saw the man in anything so sexy as a t back and leotards. Even with the sweat soaking through the outfit he looked hot.

John just stood there, embarrassed that the guy caught him in the middle of his workout. "Hello Jack."

Jack didn't make a big deal of it. He knew better. That wouldn't have fit in with their plan. He walked up to John and gave his arm a squeeze and smiled. "You don't have to stop on my account." He headed for the kitchen to get a cup of coffee.

John wasn't sure what to do. He really wasn't comfortable exercising with John there. Tina solved that problem for him when she appeared in the kitchen door. "Why'd you stop the tape?" She asked. "You're not done already, are you?"

He'd planned on doing the whole tape. He'd felt pretty good. Now, he didn't know. "I was just taking a break." He explained.

Jack could tell it bothered him. He took his coffee and disappeared into the back. He was curious about Scott anyway.

With Jack gone, John rewound the tape and started up where he'd left off. John watched to see if he'd come back as he went through the rest of his workout.

Once, he appeared in the kitchen to refill his coffee cup. He left again after commenting to John about being impressed about how hard John seemed to be working at it.

That comment didn't bother John. He actually felt good that he impressed the guy. For him to say that, given the shape he was in, it was a complement he could live with.

He finished up his workout without interruption. Tina appeared when he was done. She let him into his bedroom and he showered and changed. He put on the outfit he'd worn earlier. His hair and makeup didn't take him as long as it had that morning. He knew what he was doing this time.

"Hungry?" Jack asked.

"Sure." John replied, standing in the kitchen door.

"It's such a beautiful day. Let's go out for lunch." Jack suggested.

"Out!?" This was not what John expected.

"Sure. We'll get some fresh air." Jack anticipated the man would object.

Getting out was exactly what John had wanted to do, but not with Jack. "I don't know...."

"What are you two up to?" Tina asked with a smile as she entered the kitchen from the living room.

"We were just talking about going out for lunch." Jack told her.

"That's a wonderful idea." She turned to John and said, "That's just what you need Laura. It's good for you to get out around people." That was their plan.

But not with Jack, he said to himself.

It was settled.

The restaurant was crowded as the two walked in. John was not the least bit comfortable with Jack's arm around his waist. It was as bad as have to hold hands with him from the car to the elevator. John initially tried to pull away but Jack, in a joking sort of way, insisted.

Jack made small talk over lunch. John, not too uncomfortable in the busy place, tried to appear congenial. He knew he had to catch the man off guard if he was going to slip away. He tried to put him at ease by appearing friendly. It had been a mistake to object to Jack's attention earlier. He wouldn't make that mistake again.

John couldn't believe his luck when Jack paid the bill with cash. He left the waiter a generous tip and as they stood up to leave, John snatched the cash from the edge of the table as they left. He hid it in his tightly clenched fist. It was only ten dollars, but it was something.

"I need to use the bathroom." John whispered to Jack as they started to leave the restaurant.

This was to be expected. "I'll wait for you here." Jack told him. He had a clear view of the ladies room door.

John's hopes were dashed when he discovered there was no window in the ladies room. If there had been, busy or not, he would have climbed out.

Jack needed to go too but he didn't dare. He fingered the small black remote in his pocket.

John took care of business and put on fresh lipstick. He hoped, as he opened the ladies room door, that his escort might be looking elsewhere but no such luck.

"Let's go for a ride. I'll show you the sights." Jack suggested as they stepped out into the afternoon sunshine, holding hands.

John pretended he liked the idea, "That sounds good." He didn't want to go back to the loft.

Jack drove him around for about an hour and a half. Peoria had a few points of interest to tourists.

John pretended to be excited about the tour. Jack took him down Jefferson Street, to see Peoria Lake. He drove him through the Bradley University campus. Their tour ended at the Glen Oak Zoo.

When he wasn't holding his hand, Jack's arm was on his shoulder. At the elephant exhibit Jack came up behind him and wrapped his arms around his waist and snuggled up against him. John had to pretend that he didn't mind being held that way.

When he kissed him on the nape of the neck, nuzzling against him, John had to say something. He just had to be careful how he said it. "Oh, stop that Jack. Not sounding annoyed as he said it was really hard.

John was afraid he'd loose his chance to escape as the afternoon wore on. He was afraid that any minute Jack would say it was time to head home. John pretended to really enjoy himself and was friendly toward Jack, in hopes of keeping them out longer.

They had just passed a pretzel vendor as they casually strolled down one of the lanes. Ahead, John could see restrooms. He had to try. "Jack, do you think I could have an pretzel?" He asked as sweetly as he could.

Jack thought he was adorable, the way he asked. "Sure, come on. I'll buy you one."

Jack turned to head back when John said, "I really need to go to the ladies room first. Could you get it while I go?" He tried so hard to sound convincing.

Jack wasn't stupid. "I'll wait for you." He told John with a grin.

John didn't expect what he did next. He pulled him close and kissed him. HE KISSED HIM! Right there in public. John didn't know what to do. He was about to yell at the man but he caught himself. Don't act as if it was anything to get excited about, he told himself. Stay calm.

"Don't be too long." Jack said with a smile, as if it was the most natural thing in the world for him to have done.

John forced a smile, "I won't."

John didn't look back until he reached the restroom. He watched Jack from the partially open door. Several woman had to step around him to get in and out of the ladies room. He got a few looks from them.

Jack meandered toward the restrooms. He rolled the remote over in his pocket.

John realized he wasn't going to get the opportunity he was hoping for, not now.

More than ever, he had to get away.

Jack bought him his pretzel. He was feeling pretty good about how the day was going but it was time to get on their way home.

John tried to appear cheerful as they walked back to the car together, hand in hand. He laughed at Jack's jokes and worked at keeping conversation open.

His mood dimmed as they drew closer to the loft.

John didn't tell anyone about the way Jack treated him. He was too ashamed to even mention it to Connie as he helped fix dinner.

Jack remained attentive, before, during and after they ate. The little things he did, like sneaking up behind him as he cooked and grabbing him around the waist, nuzzling his neck like he'd done earlier. It drove John crazy.

When Connie disappeared after dinner, John worried. Tina left them as soon as she finished eating. It was just Jack and Margaret there with him.

He was going to go to his room but they wanted him to settle in with them and watch TV. John took his same spot on the couch, assuming that Jack would sit at the far end, away from him. He should have known better. Jack dropped down on the couch right next to him. Where he stayed for the next hour and a half. Sometimes he had his arm around him, once he put his hand on John's leg and stroked it absentmindedly as he watched TV. It made John's flesh crawl.

Finally, Connie came back and that seemed to put an end to Jack's familiarity with him. He sat up and left him alone. That was John's que to slip away.

"Don't stay up too late reading. You and Tina have an appointment tomorrow morning." Connie told him.

"We do? Where?" This was a surprise. Every day it was something new.

"She wants to take you to the spa with her. She has a nice surprise for you."

The spa? "What's the surprise?" Now what, John wondered? Why would she want to take him to one of those places? Did she just want to embarrass him?

"I'm not going to ruin it but trust me, you'll enjoy yourself. I wish I could go too but I just have to go to work tomorrow, before they decide to fire me." There really was no danger of that. Connie had lots of vacation left and she never took more than a few days off at a time.

Tomorrow, she would be very busy making their latest prospect disappear.

What had Tina cooked up now? Slipping away from Tina was going to be a lot harder than Connie. Would she even give him a chance?

He read until one. The story bored him at first but the plot finally started to develop. He read until he couldn't keep his eyes open any longer and had to put it down.

 

WEDNESDAY - DAY 33

Margaret was missing at breakfast but Jack was there. John would not have come out for breakfast in his nightgown and robe if he had known. He was a little surprised. Jack had never been there so early before.

"Where's Aunt Margaret this morning?" John asked.

"She ate earlier. She has some things she has to do." John would probably figure out that there was a guest in the nursery soon enough. There was no reason to volunteer the information.

"Connie said we were going to a spa today?" He commented to Tina as they sat down to cereal, toast and juice with them.

"That was supposed to be a surprise." Tina said, trying to sound disappointed. Their going to the spa served two purposes.

Ben was due around ten to finish up with Scott. They had thought it best if John wasn't wandering around the apartment when he was here.

With the party tonight, Tina wanted John to visit the spa's beauty parlor with her today. He should look his best tonight.

"All she said was not to stay up too late because we were going out this morning. She wouldn't say any more than that." John didn't want to get Connie in trouble.

"It's ok Laura." Tina assured him. It was nice to hear him stick up for his friend. "We don't have much time. You better go get ready Laura."

John showered and dressed quickly, nervous about going to a spa. Tina had said not to wash his hair this morning. It took a curl well enough with just the curling iron. It had looked better though.

He had his makeup on in record time. He was getting accustomed to the pretty underwear finally and it felt very natural to put on his lacy bra and string bikini panties. It made him feel pretty and for the first time, he admitted to himself, sexy.

There were so many things that made him feel that same way. Little things like the way his hair and earrings brushed his neck. The feeling as his legs brushed together when he was wearing panty hose. There were so many alien but pleasant new sensations to get used to.

Tina had said she was going to wear a dress so he would have some idea of what to wear. He knew he shouldn't overdo it so he picked the peach knit. It was loose fitting with long sleeves, padded shoulders, high collar and matching belt that accented his narrow waist.

The two inch gold hoops looked nice in his ears. He wore the delicate gold serpentine necklace. He slipped on his rings. He slung his purse over his shoulder.

He stood looking at himself in the mirror, his hand smoothed the soft knit material at his thigh. He was beginning to feel so comfortable dressing this way, he liked the way he looked. If only he knew what their plans for him were? Be careful, he told himself, you're getting in deep.

Tina was waiting when he knocked on the door. "It's cold outside. Better grab your heavy coat."

Tina was right and, down in the cold garage, he climbed into the car quickly. The sky was partly overcast and the sun only periodically snuck out from behind the clouds.

"They say it might snow tonight." Tina commented as they drove down the busy street.

John was only half paying attention. He was watching the people. He had a new interest in the women who scurried past. It was the young women who interested him in particular. He wasn't looking with the eye of a man searching for a new conquest. He was looking at their clothes and the figures underneath. He looked as good as most, better than a lot of them. He asked himself, could he really live in their world?

"Are you alright?" Tina touched his shoulder.

He snapped out of his daydream. "What?"

"Penny for your thoughts?" Tina said smiling.

He couldn't tell her his thoughts. He couldn't tell he was nearly resigned to living his life as a girl and the idea was beginning to terrify him less and less.

Something was happening to him. During the past few days he was accepted by Connie's friends, the women they met in church and strangers on the street.

He felt something nice when Connie's friends consoled him and tried to make him feel better. Their warmth and compassion for what they thought was another girl, a stranger, made him realize he had been missing something all his life. He felt close to them and he didn't want to lose that feeling. He wanted to nurture the relationship with them, with Connie.

"I was just daydreaming. It's so nice to be outside, among people." He couldn't tell her the truth.

"You seem so much more relaxed and happy lately, it's nice." Tina said softly.

Her uncharacteristic kindness caught him off guard. He turned and studied her face as she drove.

Tina was aware of his stare but didn't react. She decided she should tell him about tonight. "We're going to have a little dinner party tonight."

She had his undivided attention. "A dinner party?"

"Yes. It's going to be formal. That's one of the reasons for going to the spa today. I want to have our hair done in the salon and I thought you might enjoy finding out what it feels like to be really pampered."

He didn't know if he was ready for this. "Are there going to be men there?" He asked nervously.

"Where, at the spa or at the dinner party?"

"Both." It occurred to him.

"Well, rest assured, there'll be no men at the spa." Tina smiled at him. She put her eyes back on the road. "There will be a few gentlemen at the party. My old boss and a...."

John cut her off. "Do any of them know about me?" he asked nervously. That he couldn't handle.

"Only Connie, Jack and I. I'll simply introduce you to the others as a friend of ours. Don't worry Laura." Tina had already told Brevard that because he was so nervous, that it would be best to pretend that he thought Laura was really a girl. He had agreed.

Brevard had asked if it was alright if he brought a friend and his wife along. He was a business associate and might possibly be interested in one of Tina's girls. This was not, however, the one that had contracted for their Laura.

"As I started to say, it's only going to be my old boss and his wife, a few business associates and their wives and few others. So there's nothing to worry about."

They were bringing wives and girlfriends? He decided maybe that wouldn't be so bad. At least there wouldn't be anyone there trying to hit on him, not with their wives there. Connie would be there so he'd be alright. "I guess that doesn't sound so bad."

"It'll be fun. You'll have an opportunity to wear that new white dress you just got." She added. She knew that he liked seeing himself in that the other day.

That might be exciting. He could wear some of the beautiful jewelry they bought too. The idea started to excite him.

They only drove a little longer before Tina pulled into the parking lot in front of a large two story brick building. Tall white columns stood on either side of the big oak doors. High brick walls faced off the front of the property on either side of the building.

"This is it?" John asked as they stepped out of Tina's car. He had expected something different. The spas that he was familiar with were all low modern building with huge signs out front advertising specials that changed every week. This looked like a small mansion.

"This is it." Tina came around the car and stood beside him. "It's very exclusive and worth every penny. Now there's no reason to be nervous. Just relax and enjoy yourself. If they try to wipe your ass for you just let them."

John shot Tina a startled look but saw her wide grin. "You scared me, I thought you were serious for a second." He couldn't help but smile. Tina was alright at times.

"Let's go get pampered." She said and took his arm, leading him up to the front door.

John followed, keeping pace with her. Tina checked them in at the desk and he followed her to the dressing room.

Although it was mid week, the spa did not want for patrons. There were a few young women in the dressing room but they were far outnumbered by the middle aged and older women who's affluent husbands could afford for their wives to visit the spa regularly.

Tina found them lockers, side by side, in an isle occupied by only a few women. "Is it always this busy?" John asked nervously.

"It's much worse on weekends. We were lucky to get two appointments at the same time today." He was just standing there. They had given them robes at the front desk. "Laura, we need to get a move on. We're scheduled for massages in five minutes." Tina tried to hurry him up.

John hung up the coat that he carried over his arm. He unbuttoned the belt and pulled his dress over his head. His slip dropped to the floor and he quickly scooped it up. He whispered to Tina. "How far do I go?"

Tina smiled at him and whispered back, "Everything. There's a pair of cotton panties in with the robe. Just slip those on and put on the robe." He was a frightened little girl and Tina thought it was cute. She had never brought any of the girls here, Connie always did, but since she had to take care of business today, Tina took over and it was fun.

He unhooked the bra and tucked it in the locker, quickly donning the short white robe. Then, slipping out of his underwear, he pulled on their's. He liked his better. He looked over at Tina.

The body he had lusted after, when he first saw the beautiful blond in her red LeBaron drive up in front of his hotel, stood before him now. He felt little of what he had felt that day. She was even more beautiful than he had imagined but he no longer had the feelings in his groin that he was once slave to.

"We better get going." Tina reached out her hand and clasped his.

"Ok" It seemed strange to hold her hand that way.

Across the lush carpeted hall from the locker room was the massage therapy room. On either side of the long room were cubicles with heavy leather covered tables. John only got a quick look before he and Tina were split up and ushered into separate cubicles.

"You are Miss Laura Cabbot?" The heavy set woman asked.

"Yes." It felt odd saying to a stranger that he was Miss Laura Cabbot. The woman checked off something in a ledger on a narrow table against the back wall.

The big woman turned to him again and with business out of the way, smiled. "If you'll slip out of your robe Miss Cabbot and lay on your stomach on the table." She instructed him as she spread a clean sheet on the table.

It made him uneasy to remove the robe in front of her. This woman must see twenty or thirty women a day. He climbed up on the table and she gave him a small pillow for his head.

When he was comfortable, she covered his behind and upper body with a towel. "My name is Mary. Is this your first time with us Miss Cabbot?"

It would be less awkward if he was partially honest. "This is my first time anywhere." He clarified before she got the wrong idea. "Yes, it's my first massage."

"I promise to take good care of you. Now just relax Miss." The woman started on his legs; stretching, stroking and kneading his muscles with warm oils.

His feet were next and it felt wonderful. The woman shifted the towel and started on his waist and lower back, slowly working her way up his body and arms to his neck. She had him roll over and worked on his upper body some more. He lost track of time as his muscles melted at her strong touch.

Even his face received a treatment. Every muscle in his body felt limp when she finally had him get up from the bench.

He saw Tina standing in the hall waiting and she looked as if there wasn't an ounce of tension in her body either.

"Like it?" She asked.

"I've never felt this relaxed before. I loved it." He turned back to Mary as he took his robe from the chair and put it on. "Mary, that was wonderful." He told the woman sincerely.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it Miss Cabbot. Come back again." The woman said with a warm smile. "Goodbye."

"I'll try." If they'd let him, he would.

John and Tina left the room. John followed Tina as she turned right and started down the hall. "What's next?" He asked, actually excited.

"Steam. Now we get to sweat out all the oils." Tina said.

The smoked glass doors had the words STEAM and WHIRLPOOL stenciled across them. Inside the door, on the right was a row of leather covered benches with hooks overhead. To their left was the steam room.

Tina and John hung their robes on the hooks and took the towels the attendant handed them.

"What about our hair? The steam's going to ruin it." John asked in a whisper as they walked into the hot mist.

Tina rested a hand on his shoulder. Smiling, reassuringly she said, "We're going to have our hair done, remember." Tina guided him to the end of the room and the wooden bench.

There were about twenty women already there so talking openly was out of the question. The sweat began to pour off him in steady streams. He looked around the room at the women, young and old, mostly older, who looked like they were on the verge of passing out any moment.

John understood why after about twenty minutes. This room was a lot different than the one at the club. It was much hotter.

John was relieved when they stepped out of the heat. The clock on the wall, outside the steam room, said it was a half hour since they entered. He followed Tina to the shower stalls around the corner from the steam chamber.

Another attendant stood behind a counter. "What size Miss?" She asked Tina.

"Five short please." Tina told her. She quickly turned to John and whispered. "You're a seven regular." She turned back again as the woman handed her a white bathing suit.

"And you Miss?" She asked John.

"I'd like a seven regular please." John didn't have to ask Tina why the bathing suit. He could see the large tile hot tub from where he stood. When the woman handed him the suit he followed Tina back to the showers.

As the cool water ran over him he stripped off the soaked cotton panties and stepped into the suit. It was a little difficult to pull up since he was wet but he managed quickly as he faced the wall.

Tina looked over at him. "You ok?"

"I'm fine." He was almost fine. The suit was a little different than wearing the leotard yesterday but at least it wasn't a T back. John wished there was a mirror nearby but he made do with the smoked glass door to the steam room as he went out of his way to pass it on the way to the hot tub.

The suit was a standard tank style, meant for functional purposes, not fashion shows. That was fine with John. Still, he got sort of a thrill out of his shapely reflection.

"Twenty minutes, no more." Tina told him as they gingerly stepped into the hot water. Tina picked a seat far away from the other women. Here, they could talk.

"I'm glad you brought me here today Tina, thanks." He really was enjoying it.

Maybe Connie was right about him. He certainly seemed to be coming around. He was even pleasant. "The best is yet to come."

He cocked his head, questioning.

"Next we get a manicure and pedicure. Oh, that reminds me, don't let them cut your nails, just shape them. Ok?"

"I won't. They're just starting to get long. I want nails like Connie's eventually." John's were only just beyond the tips of his fingers. "It's frustrating, they grow so slowly."

"We can fix that easily enough, we'll have them add tips." Tina was glad to hear he wanted longer nails. They could easily accommodate him here.

"Can they do that here? That's great." John had just been playing up to her and it backfired. Now he was going to have long nails. Connie's were a good quarter to three eights of an inch long. Damn!

"Have you thought about how you want your hair done for tonight?" Tina asked. She was sure he hadn't but she wanted to get him thinking about it.

He hadn't given it a thought. He didn't know he was expected to do it any different then usual. "I don't know what to do with it." At the moment it was laying flat against his head. It was soaking wet. "Will you help me?"

"Of course I'll help you. I just want you to be sure you like what the hairdresser or I suggest before you let her do it. It's important that you be happy with the way it looks."

"Ok, thanks." Tina wasn't so bad. She did seem to care about him in her own twisted way. He made no mistake though, Tina was not as easy to fool as Connie had been. He would have to be careful.

John decided that this was the time to ask the question that was nagging at him. The worst she could do is to not answer him. "Tina, I don't want you to get angry but there's a question I have to ask you."

Tina had expected this. They all asked eventually. Several had taken the opportunity while they'd been here with Connie.

"What is it Laura?" Tina asked calmly.

He had to find a delicate way to ask. He wished he'd rehearsed. "Why am I here?"

"Silly girl, to get ready for the party, of course." She wasn't going to make it easy.

"No, that's not what I mean." He paused. He had to get this right. "Why did you pick me?" That wasn't what he meant to ask.

"It was nothing personal Laura. You were just the best candidate we found." It was just that simple.

Now what? This was getting him nowhere. Just drop it for now he told himself.

He did want to try to butter her up a little. "I want to thank you. I've changed so much in the past few weeks. I think I'm going to enjoy being a woman."

Whether he cared to be honest with himself or not, he was coming around.

She wasn't fooled by his line of bullshit. Did he really think she was that stupid. Just the same, Tina had been watching him lately, from the window in the hall. She had seen what he does when he thinks he's alone. He really likes the role they've forced him to play, more than he's willing to admit.

"I've seen the difference in you and it's amazing. I'm glad you're happy." She could play the same game.

John leaned back and let the whirling water beat on him.

He felt limp when the got out and showered again. They dried off and left the room in their robes, wearing a fresh pair of cotton panties. Their hair wrapped again in white turbans.

They entered another room, similar to the room where they had gotten their massages. It was smaller with fewer cubicles and again they were escorted to separate chambers where they disrobed and laid out on leather tables.

Instead of a massage, they were rubbed down with lotions and creams from their neck to their toes. John's skin felt unbelievably smooth and silky when he and Tina left to get their facials.

Tina had been right about being pampered. No man had ever experienced what he felt today. His face was gently massaged with skin cleansers, dried and treated with creams.

The woman explained as she applied them. One was to fight wrinkles, another was a moisturizer to tighten up his pores. Finally they applied a facial mask.

They sat in a little waiting room with about ten other women. They all had on facial masks and waited patiently for them to work their magic. "I could get used to this. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be treated like this every day." John wasn't just making noises for Tina's sake. He was really enjoying the experience.

Several women who heard him looked over and acknowledged him, they agreed.

"Nothings impossible Laura." If he treated his man well, it wouldn't be too much to ask.

What did she mean by that he wondered. He didn't get an opportunity to ask. They were ready to have the masks removed.

His face felt as smooth and silky as the rest of him.

"We go upstairs next." Tina said holding the door for him. There were elevators but they chose to climb the wide winding staircase at the rear of the building. A wall of glass next to the stairs opened onto gardens on the right and a huge olympic sized pool on the left.

"It's beautiful in Summer." Tina commented as they climbed the plushly carpeted stairs.

John didn't doubt it. He looked up at the gathering clouds in the gray sky. "I think you were right about snow."

"It certainly looks that way. I hope it waits until we get home." Tina didn't like driving in a snow.

The second floor was about half the size of the downstairs. Again, a long hallway divided the upstairs. They went through the first glass door on the left, the sign said NAILS.

Tina and John explained what they each wanted done and then went to pick their colors. They hadn't waited long when Laura Cabbot's name was called. Tina followed to make sure the girl gave him just what he had said he wanted.

John worried when the acrylic material the girl applied to his nails seemed so long. They had been very explicit about the length they wanted. He decided not to say anything that might make him appear naive. John had to assume she knew what she was doing.

It seemed to take forever for the stuff to dry and for her to shape them. When she asked whether he wanted them square or round he didn't know what to say at first. "Square." He decided. Connie had squared off nails and they were attractive.

It took almost an hour for the girl to finish shaping them and then apply four coats of polish. The sealer coat, she called the first. Then two coats of the dark pink polish and finally, a clear top coat.

While his fingernails dried she had him change seats and she did his toes. These hadn't been cut in a month either but the girl didn't file them very much before she repeated the four coats of polish.

John held out his hands to look at what the woman had done. Judging by her smile, she was very proud of her handy work. John only returned her smile. How could he thank the woman for making his hands look so feminine.

Tina had been waiting for quite a while when he came and showed her what the girl had done.

"They're beautiful. You're hands look so much better with your nails that length Laura."

She was right. They made his fingers look even more slender. He took a good look at his hands. His skin used to be rough and abrasive, now it looked and felt soft and smooth.

The hair salon was next and they were both grateful for the little sandwiches and wine they were served as they waited for their turn.

John's new, longer nails made even picking up the food seem like a new experience. They would take some getting used to.

There were several books on the table so Tina and John started to look for a style that would look appropriate for tonight.

His hair was either to long or to short for most of the styles. He was nervous about what they might do to him. The way he'd been wearing it suited him just fine, if he had to perpetuate this farce. He tried to no avail to convince Tina.

"No Laura. This affair is formal and you should wear your hair up. We'll find a style that will work for you, I promise." Tina was determined

"Hi Tina."

They both looked up from the book as the woman approached them. She was of average height with very long curly brown hair. She was not unattractive but certainly no beauty.

"Hi Amanda." Replied Tina.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long.?"

"No, Laura and I have only been here about ten minutes." She turned to John. "Laura, this is Amanda. Amanda his is my friend Laura."

"It's nice to meet you Laura." Amanda said with a gracious smile.

"It's nice to meet you too." John said smiling back. He had perfected the smile but his heart wasn't in it just now.

"All ready Tina?" Amanda asked.

"I'd like Laura to go first Amanda. We're having a formal dinner party tonight and we were trying to find a new style for her. There just doesn't seem to be anything here we like." Tina pointed to the books on the table.

"Well come on in back." Amanda reached out her hand to Tina's friend. "We'll see what we can do."

John took her hand and let himself be led by the woman into the salon. Tina followed them.

Amanda sat the girl in her chair and removed the turban. Her hair was still damp and Amanda brushed it out. "You have beautiful thick hair Laura. I wish mine were that thick and healthy."

"Thanks." What was he supposed to say?

Tina stood in the background and watched in silence. She would jump in when needed.

"Do you have any idea what you'd like done?" Amanda asked as she looked at Laura in the mirror.

He was aware that a girl his age would have had her hair styled a number of times for formal occasions; for proms, wedding and the like. He couldn't tell Amanda that he'd never had his hair done before. He responded with the only thing he could think of.

"My hair has always been long. I had it cut only last month. It hasn't been this short since I was.." He paused to think. "Since I was about twelve. I'm not sure what to do with it."

"Ok. Let's start by giving you a shampoo. Then we can try a few things and you can decide which you like best.

It wasn't much different than having Margaret wash his hair for him. Back in the chair, Amanda brushed it out again. "You don't want it any shorter?" She asked.

John hesitated. He hated his hair short and when this was finally over he was going to probably go back to wearing it the way he used to. He was about to speak up when Tina spoke for him.

"Laura, didn't you say you were going to let it grow out again.?" Tina asked from behind him.

John got the hint. "No, Tina's right. I miss my long hair." "Alright, let's see what we can do." Amanda got started. "You've only got a few split ends. I'll get rid of them first."

John sat quietly while Amanda worked. She and Tina got into a discussion about some local scandal in the news. John hadn't heard a news report or read a paper in a month. Besides, it was a local affair. He had nothing to add to their discussion.

Amanda finished and put down her scissors. "Alright Laura, let's see what we can do." She pulled his hair into a upsweep on the sides and back using a small bobby pins to hold it loosely. "It would look lovely if we simply gave the top soft curls and let a few soft strands dangle from the sides and back." She looked at Laura in the mirror. "What do you think?"

John looked to Tina, in the mirror, and saw her nod ever so slightly. "That sounds nice." He couldn't picture it himself.

"Ok. This shouldn't take too long." Amanda brought over a chair for Tina. She sat down behind him, out of Amanda's way. Amanda took great care to completely hide the bobby pins. Since Laura was obviously content to sit there quietly while she worked, Amanda resumed her conversation with Tina. The girl wasn't very talkative, unlike most of Amanda's clients.

Amanda worked on Tina's hair while he sat under the big dryer, surrounded by other women drying their hair. He flipped through one of the magazines that lay on the little table next to him.

"Laura's very shy."

"I could tell." Remarked Amanda as she trimmed Tina's split ends.

"It takes her a while to open up to people. This party tonight is for her benefit. Her father has asked Connie and I to try to help her come out of her shell. She doesn't see herself as a very attractive woman."

"But she's lovely?"

"I know that and you know that. The problem is that she doesn't." Tina was simply trying to explain why John had been so quiet.

"I'll do my best to make her glow for your guests tonight." Amanda understood. She felt sorry for the young woman.

"She needs all the encouragement she can get." Tina was enjoying this. She knew how Amanda would fuss over him now, more than normal, to make him look especially glamorous.

One by one she removed the little curlers. John just sat and watched as the style took shape.

Amanda placed each curl very deliberately and spritzed them with holding mist. When she was satisfied, she carefully pulled out several strands of hair on the sides and back. She wound them tightly and spritzed each individual curl. She wasn't satisfied to stop there. At his forehead she feathered his hair just slightly to soften his look even more.

John had watched closely as his set took shape. Now he stared in amazement. John had slowly come to the realization that he made an attractive looking woman. But now he was more than that. With his hair done this way he was...beautiful. How odd to think of himself that way?

Amanda stood back and admired her work. She was more than satisfied and she could see by the look on Laura's face that she was too. It was gratifying to see that look on a woman. It didn't happen often but when it did it made her feel really good about what she did for a living.

"What do you think Laura?" Amanda asked grinning.

He didn't hesitate. "I never thought I could look this beautiful." He turned and looked at the sides. There was something about a woman's neck when her hair was pulled up that John found sexy and alluring. He felt sexy and alluring.

Tina returned from the dryer when the buzzer sounded that the time was up. She was anxious to see how John was doing. She paused in mid stride when she got a good look at him rising from Amanda's chair.

Amanda turned in Tina's direction when she saw her in the mirror. The look on Tina's face was almost as satisfying as Laura's.

Tina hurried up to him. "Laura, you look fantastic."

He turned to show Tina the back.

"I don't know what to say Amanda. I love it." John did glow.

"I'm happy you're pleased Laura. You look terrific. You'll have every man's eye at the party tonight."

"She had the most beautiful, off the shoulder dress to wear tonight. It's a designer original." Tina told Amanda, excited.

"Please take pictures. I'd love to see you in it." Amanda begged.

"We will," He looked to Tina, her nod of assurance was obvious. "I promise."

It was Tina's turn to take the chair. John sat down, out of the way, and watched as Amanda did her magic on Tina.

Funny, he thought to himself. As resentful as he'd been toward Tina, he thought of her as a friend now. He'd seen a side of her he hadn't let himself see before. Yes, she had punished him when he was difficult but all she wanted him to do was accept his role. The role that he was more and more willing to accept and even enjoyed playing now. He was grateful to her for so many things; the clothes, the jewelry and now this. She had given him beauty and a growing feeling of confidence.

Were the looks he was getting from the women around him in the waiting room envy? He liked to think that was what they meant.

All heads turned to Tina as she come out of the back of the salon with Amanda. She too had her hair piled high on her head but without the delicate wisps of hair dangling down. She looked gorgeous, even in her robe.

"You look fantastic." John told Tina.

"That means a lot coming from you Laura. Thanks." She hadn't really been trying to win his friendship but apparently she was starting to and she was sure it wasn't an act.

"You two are going to knock them dead tonight. Have fun." "Thanks Amanda." They said, almost in unison as they left the salon, waving goodbye.

"Is that it? Are we going home now?" John asked. He was dying to show Margaret and anyone else who was there, even Jack, how beautiful he looked.

"One more stop." Tina answered as they walked across the hall and through another glass door.

They stood in a small waiting room. There were only three women seated in the soft leather chairs looking at magazines. John could see nothing of what lay behind the closed door. There had been no sign on the glass door they had passed through, unlike the other doors they had entered. In the company of these women he didn't want to sound foolish by asking Tina what they were here for.

They waited for almost twenty minutes as one by one the waiting women disappeared through the inner door, escorted by women in white smocks. No sooner were the seats vacated than other women came in to occupy them. The weren't left alone so that John might question Tina. They read magazines and waited.

Finally it was their turn. They were taken through the door together. Now John didn't have to ask, he could see for himself. This was the cosmetology salon.

In the center of the large square room was a large display case filled with every imaginable form of makeup. Around the walls were shallow cubicles lined with glass shelves covered with makeup. There were four cubicles on each wall. In the right rear corner of the room was a glass door.

What's the occasion Laura?" Asked the woman who introduced herself as Susan. John was being led toward an empty booth on the right side of the room while Tina was being seated in one of the booths on the back wall. All the other booths were occupied by women having their makeup done.

"We're giving a formal dinner party." He replied. Susan seemed like a pleasant enough person. She looked like she was in her mid thirties at first glance but now that they sat down in the booth, only inches apart across the narrow table, John could see that she was actually older.

Her makeup did a marvelous job of hiding the tiny lines and wrinkles around her eyes.

"Delightful. Your hair is lovely and now you want a makeover, a new look?"

"Yes." He supposed. It wasn't his idea to come in here. He thought he was quite capable of doing his own makeup. There was no point in fighting it though.

"And what is the color the dress you'll be wearing tonight?"

"White." He answered. Why did she need to know that?

He had his questioned answered. "We don't want your makeup too dark then."

She carefully examined his face. "We're going to have to wax those eyebrows of yours. You haven't been tweezing them as often as you should." She put the protective apron on him and wheeled over the little table with her wax pot and tools.

Wax? He didn't like the sound of that.

With his eyes closed she thoroughly cleaned the area with alcohol. Then, after testing the wax. she spread it carefully under the line of his brows and gently pushed the paper into the wax.

He stayed very still. He was dying to ask questions but was afraid of showing his ignorance.

"Now don't move." As soon as the words were out of her mouth she ripped the paper from his face. She immediately applied the pressure with her palm that would alleviate most of the pain.

It felt like someone pressed heave duty tape on his arm and tore the hair off with it. Which was approximately what the woman had done. It didn't hurt as much as he thought it was going to.

Susan repeated the procedure on his other eyebrow. "There, that wasn't too bad, was it?"

"Not at all." He lied.

"Now I'll just tweeze these last couple." She said, tongue in cheek, as she started plucking.

She pulled out more than a couple as he sat there for ten minutes while she worked. He was quite relieved when she announced that she was finally finished.

Susan started to pull down bottles and small plastic compacts off the shelves.

Susan had never ceased to be amazed at the ignorance of some women. Especially young girls who knew almost nothing about cosmetics. She had taken to explaining everything she did, for their enlightenment. She didn't assume that they knew anything about proper shades for their coloring or technique. The other facet of her job was to try to sell the women the expensive cosmetics they used. She was usually successful in selling most women at least something.

Satisfied that she had everything she needed, Susan went to work on her. This is concealer," She explained as she dabbed it under John's eyes. "It will cover the tiny lines and faint circles, to help accent your eyes."

John just sat there and let her do her thing. She certainly knew what she was doing. Everyone else in this place seemed to. He had never even heard of concealer before. Who would have imagined he'd ever want to.

Next, Susan tested three shades of matt foundation on his cheek. She made a note on the pad on the table. "This one is best for you Laura." And she proceeded to use her cosmetic sponge to deftly apply it.

She asked him what colors he normally wore on his eyes and John told her. "That just won't do." She said. "You have beautiful brown eyes and you need to accent them and make them look bigger with the right colors."

Again, John watched as she jotted down more notes on her pad. Then she began to apply the eyeshadow. She pushed the little stand up mirror over closer to him. "Now pay close attention as I do this."

He was more than a little curious and he watched closely. When she was finished he had no doubt that she was an expert at what she did. "That's amazing. My eyes look so much different." They looked larger and the makeup less harsh than the way he had been applying it. He hoped he could do it as well himself.

Susan was glad that the young woman appreciated her talent. "I've reshaped your eyebrows just a little," She said as she defined them with her pencil. "But we don't want to make them so prominent that they draw attention from your eyes."

He had been making them too pronounced, he realized. The eyebrow pencil was added to her list.

John had found it a little awkward to find just the right areas to apply the blush and when he told the woman that she spent a few minutes showing him the easiest way to do it correctly.

When he applied his blush he could easily see that he had colored his cheeks. The techniques she used and the colors picked for him, made it appear that he had natural shading.

The woman applied the pale red lipliner and lipstick the same way he had been taught.

"Your lips are perfectly shaped. You only need to follow the natural contour." She remarked.

Natural? He laughed to himself.

Susan put on the finishing touches with the powder, to soften his look. The shiny areas around his chin, nose and forehead disappeared.

The powder was something Connie had never given him or taught him to use.

"And there you are." Susan said proudly as she pushed her chair back from the table and waited to hear what the young woman thought of the makeover she'd done.

The left wall of the booth was lined with mirrors. John turned away from the little mirror on the table and studied the reflection of girl that looked back at him. His serious expression melted into an astonished, contented smile as he turned this way and that with delight seeing how terrific he looked.

The look on her face was enough to please Susan, even if she said nothing.

He looked at the woman in the mirror. "I didn't know I could be this pretty. Thank you."

Susan was a gracious lady. "You were already pretty. The makeup and the techniques I showed you just bring out the woman inside."

He didn't care that what she said was so ironic. At the moment, the only thing he cared about was that she'd made him look so beautiful.

"You can easily do the same thing at home. All you need is the right makeup." Susan stood up and picked up her pad. "Follow me." She led him to the display cases in the center of the room. John watched as she brought out each of the cosmetics she had shown him how to apply.

"Wow. Laura, you look fantastic." Tina had just finished. Unlike John, she knew what she wanted done. She would have made herself up at home if it weren't for her desire for him to experience this and learn from it.

It was a little unnerving to see him standing there looking the way he did. His hair, his makeup. He looked more naturally feminine than she had imagined he ever would. Brevard will be delighted, of that she was sure. She only hoped his friends would be equally impressed.

"Thanks Tina. I still can't believe it's me." John wasn't worried that the woman would misconstrue his words.

"You are an absolute knockout Laura." Tina said smiling.

John had been doing mental calculations as the woman put things on the counter. The total would be over one hundred and fifty dollars. It was a lot of money but he wouldn't be able to repeat what Susan had done without them.

He turned and looked at Tina, hopefully. Did he dare ask.

Tina interpreted his pleading look and smiled. She turned to the woman who waited. One did not come to an exclusive place like this if you couldn't afford it and you did not ask the price of things. That would be totally gauche. "Add it to our bill." She told the woman. "Tina Foshe."

He was very careful not to ruin his hair or make up when he pulled the dress over his head. Tina helped him.

John looked up at the clock as stepped into his heels. "God Tina, look at the time. Don't we have to hurry?" It was almost four o:clock. There had to be a lot to do to get ready for the dinner party.

Tina smiled. "There's nothing to worry about. All we have to do get ourselves ready. The caterers will take care of almost everything." She found it delightful that he was concerned.

John was surprised. When Tina said it was a formal party he hadn't realized it would be a catered affair.

Tina and Connie had done all the cooking and the other preparations for their parties the first year they started entertaining their clients but had learned quickly that everything went much smoother this way.

She watched him as he put on his coat and slung his purse over his shoulder. She was getting out her coat as he walked over to the mirror and looked at himself again.

Maybe she was wrong about him. He was obviously happy with the way he looked as he looked at his hands, extending his fingers to look at his new fingernails. He smiled as he looked at the makeover they'd given him. He absolutely glowed. He couldn't fake that. He had overcome his fears the other day, shopping. But today, from the moment he walked in, he had been a woman and enjoyed every moment of it.

There was one more hurdle to over come and the way he felt about how he looked would have little to do with his reaction to accepting the affections of men. They would have to move along more quickly now. Jack had already started to overcome the mistake he had made. Connie had told her about how it went on the couch last night while she was occupied with Scott. Jack would have to become more aggressive now.

Tina was ready. "Let's go Laura." She said as she walked to the door. In the lobby, Tina paid their bill. John's cosmetics were there waiting for them. It hadn't been cheap but it was worth it, considering the strides John made today.

They walked out side by side and John felt more confident than he had at any point up to this. As they walked along, past the front of the building, toward the parking lot, several men approached on the sidewalk. As they passed and stared he knew that it wasn't only Tina they were staring at.

"Don't look back." Tina whispered after they passed.

John looked at her with a question on his face.

Tina smiled, "They're probably still looking."

John couldn't resist and when he turned his head, Tina was right. John turned back quickly.

"Told you." Tina said smugly.

"That's neat." He said with a smile. He almost wished they could stop somewhere for a drink so he could enjoy the reactions of other men. Even as the thought popped into his mind it made him nervous. No, that probably wasn't a good idea. Yesterday had been nerve wracking enough.

The gray mantle of clouds hung overhead. It was only four but it looked like dusk. It looked like it could start snowing any minute.

When they rounded the corner of the building the cold wind hit and they hurried to the car. Running in heels was not easy for John. The heat in the car didn't come up as quickly as they would have liked.

They were just in time for rush hour traffic. It had taken them almost a half hour to drive to the spa that morning. It took them nearly an hour to drive back across town.

As men in their cars pulled up along side them and stared, John looked away but not as quickly as he had in the past. He was curious. He paused for a second to smile. Most smiled back and John thought that was great, definitely laughable.

"You're flirting Laura." Tina said in a laughing tone. She had been watching.

"No I'm not." He insisted.

"Yes you are." She answered in a lilting voice.

He smiled back at her. "Well, maybe just a little. It's fun." He liked the idea that his disguise was so perfect that it made men's heads turn.

Tina got serious with him. "Just be careful. It's ok when your in a car but in public, it can get you in trouble."

"How?" The answer to his question dawned on him as soon as he asked it. It would be hard to imagine someone trying that with him.

"Women that flirt too much usually find they get more attention than they anticipate. Sometimes it's the wrong kind of attention." It was all part of learning to be a woman. Some girls learned the hard way.

"I understand." John had known a number of those girls. They were the ones that got hit on all the time because guys believed they were an easy lay. He'd met his share.

He didn't get the full meaning of Tina's words.

They were both thankful for underground parking. The wind had increased and their hair would have been ruined if they had to park on the street.

Margaret looked up from her book as the door opened and Tina and John walked in. "Oh my!"

Jack looked out from the kitchen. He had to look twice. Tina, as always, looked terrific but it was John that caused him to do a double take. He looked fantastic.

John walked over to Margaret as she rose from the couch. "What do you think?" He asked her.

Margaret searched for the words. "Laura, you look...beautiful. Turn around for your Aunt Margaret."

Tina was content to stand back and enjoy the exchange.

Jack left the caterers in the kitchen and joined them.

"I love your hair sweetheart." Margaret couldn't get over how lovely he looked.

John put down his bag and held out his hands to show Margaret his fingernails. "Nice?"

Margaret took his hands in hers. "Lovely, just lovely." She said looking from his hands back to his face. She beamed, admiring the young woman before her. She felt so proud.

"You look gorgeous Laura." Jack just stood and stared.

The transformation was almost too complete. If Jack hadn't known John was a man...

"Thanks Jack." It seemed funny but he appreciated the complement, even from Jack.

John turned to Tina who was smiling at the three of them. "What?"

Tina shrugged her shoulders. "I'm just delighted to see you so happy."

"I want to go try on my dress." He told her, more than a little anxious to see how he'd look.

"Slow down Laura. Our guests won't be arriving for hours. You don't want to be standing around in your dress that long. Why don't you put your things away and relax. You could read for a while. You'll have plenty of time to get ready." She was thrilled that he seemed so excited.

Tina was right of course but he was just so eager to see how he looked in the dress and his new jewelry. "I don't think I could possibly relax."

Tina laughed. "Give it a try." She looked at Margaret. "Would you open Laura's door for her?"

Need she ask? "Come on Laura."

John, for the first time, noticed the man and woman in the kitchen, cooking. Both looked up and smiled as he and Margaret passed through. John returned the smile, "Hello." The older woman's smile was warm and her look, admiring. The man, he looked to be about twenty five, had a different way of looking at him. John found his interest amusing.

Margaret held his hand for just a second as she stood in the bedroom door. "You look so beautiful child. Wait until Connie sees you. She's going to be thrilled."

John couldn't help feeling strange when Margaret reached out to kiss his cheek. It was an contact between women that he still had to get used to but he did appreciate her affection. "You've been so good to me Aunt Margaret."

When he was alone finally, he shed the jacket and took the bag of cosmetics they'd bought over to his dressing table and proceeded to lay everything out.

As soon as he was gone Tina turned to Jack. "How did Ben do?" She asked anxiously.

"Wonderful. He finished about an hour ago."

"How does he look?" Tina was excited.

"It a little hard to tell. His face is pretty well covered with bandages."

That was a silly question. "Did Ben do everything we discussed?"

"Yes" Jack had stood in the background and watched as Ben and Margaret worked on the man. Scott was a little more frail and feminine looking than Jack preferred. He anticipated that after today, Scott's looks would be everything that Tina had anticipated.

"Ben didn't castrate him like he did Laura?" Funny, Tina thought to herself. In the past she had never stopped thinking of the girls as guys, calling them by their given names. John was different somehow.

"No. He wanted to but Margaret reminded him of what you said."

"Good. I'm still a little worried about Brevard's reaction to Laura."

"Why are you worried? John looks wonderful. He looks as much like a girl as any I've ever known." Jack didn't understand.

Poor Jack. So brilliant about some things, so naive about others. "That's the problem. He may be too feminine. Aside from the little that's left of his penis, he doesn't even resemble a guy any more. The hormones have changed him so much already."

In the past, their problem had be to make them look and act feminine enough for their demanding clients. Tina was right, John, or more appropriately Laura, had exceeded all their expectations.

"Ben's still here?" Tina asked.

"He's waiting for you in the nursery."

"Thanks Jack." Tina looked around the room. "Everything on schedule?"

"According to Maria, yes. Thomas has already set up the bar. Constance finished her cleaning about two."

"Great. Thanks for all your help today Jack." Tina stroked his cheek affectionately then headed off toward the nursery.

It took him forever to get his dress off. He had to be so careful pulling it over his head. He'd know better than to wear that kind of a dress next time he went there. Strange thought, there wouldn't be a next time.

He took his white dress from the closet and carefully laid it on the bed. He went through his underwear drawers and found a pair of white lace panties. He laid out a new pair of pantyhose and his white half slip next to them. The long line strapless bra, he put on. It was different than any of the bras he had worn and it was more comfortable than it looked. The half cups pushed his breasts up just slightly, making him look bigger, more full chested, than he actually was.

He set his new white heels at the foot of the bed. He debated for a moment then decided to follow Tina's advice.

With his book in his hand he sat down in the chair. His hair was done and so was his makeup. All he had to do was get dressed. Then he thought a moment. John jumped up and went over to the dresser. His jewelry was spread out neatly on the top and he picked up the earrings he had picked out with such delight. He took out the gold knot earrings he had worn today and pushed the studs of the new drop earrings through his lower hole. It took him a few seconds to get the retainer on the back. He felt clumsy with his long nails. John looked at himself in the mirror and moved his head slowly from side to side. The sparkling diamonds glittered in the light. Very pretty, he thought to himself and smiled.

The necklace was next and the stones lay just over his breasts. He wanted more than ever to put on the rest of his clothes.

He could at least put on his perfume. Behind his ears, on his wrists and, as he smiled, between his breasts. John had seen girls do that. He had also seen them put it behind their knees.

The fragrance had such an effect on him. He enjoyed the wave of emotion that swept over him. Now he settled down in the chair to read and the love scene that he was just on the verge of reading as his eyes closed last night. This was where he picked up the story.

The heroine was a young woman, Marsha, who was sure she was in love with her father's young business partner, Adam. She had called the office one afternoon, when she knew her father wasn't in. She told Adam that she was in trouble and needed his help. She wouldn't explain the problem over the phone, he had to come out to the house.

Marsha told him to come upstairs when he arrived. Now she waited impatiently, dressed only in her seductive nightgown. She had bathed in scented oils and perfumed herself. Her long brown hair softly framed her pretty face.

She knew he had an interest. She had seen the way he looked at her with his deep hazel eyes, longing for her but keeping his distance, because of her father. Martha would no longer be denied his touch.

She heard the door open and Adam call out her name. "Up here Adam." She put a touch of fear in her voice, to draw him to her quickly, for she was tingling with anticipation.

He stood in the doorway, gazing at the lithe young woman standing in front of the open window. The half open curtains caught the breeze that carried the scent of the gardens below. Sunlight made the sheer curtains almost transparent and her delicate pink nightgown hid nothing from his gaze.

Adam felt flush as his eyes took in every soft curve of her young healthy body. He could not deny the way he felt about her any longer.

"I'm sorry I tricked you." Marsha said softly as she slowly drifted across the room to him, her eyes never leaving his. "I need you Adam, I want you."

He was spellbound. "I want you to. I've wanted to hold you, to touch you..." He gently laid his hand on her cheek as she put hers over his lips.

"No more words." She whispered as she reached up to him with warm moist lips.

He was helpless as the passion swept over him. Marsha pushed his jacket off his shoulders and it dropped to the floor. He stood there looking at her with desire as she slowly unbuttoned his crisp white shirt. It landed with his tie at their feet. Again their lips met.

His touch was like electricity lighting up every nerve in her body. She longed for his soft caresses.

John turned the page quickly.

Without their lips parting. Adam bent down and effortlessly took Marsha in his arms and carried her to the bed. After what seemed like an eternity to both of them, he lay down beside her. His body was cool, hers hot with anticipation. Neither spoke, except with their eyes.

Again, their lips touched as Adam stroked her arm from her shoulder to her wrist.

She welcomed his naked body as it pressed her down. She shivered with anticipation as his hand touched her breast and her shiver was one of excitement as he lightly touched her nipple with his finger tip.

John was not completely unaware of the stirrings inside him but putting his hand to his own breast was almost an unconscious move on his part. As he felt Marsha's passion in the words he read, his own skin began to tingle.

She could feel his eyes on her as she lay there with the electricity coursing through her. "Ahhh." A gentle moan escaped her lips. It seemed to encourage Adam. He shifted his weight on Marsha. Her hands on his hips guided him.

Now he gently molded her other breast as his warm hot lips covered her other nipple. He gently pulled on it with his lips, caressing it with his tongue. Her heart raced and her desire built until she thought she would scream.

John leaned his head back and lay the book in his lap. Now his other hand was on the other breast, stroking his sensitive nipples. He felt something building inside him like small explosions going off and they spread warmth all through him.

He pulled his robe open and, with one hand, lightly ran his fingers down to his panties. He moved slowly and with only one finger he rubbed, through his silky panties, what was left of his manhood. His excitement grew and grew but no matter what he did he couldn't make himself reach the level he sought. He came to the brink but something stopped him.

It was different from anything he'd ever experienced. In the past the feelings had been pleasurable enough and he had always felt satisfied as the rush came quickly and then passed.

When he stroked his nipples his sensations weren't confined to one part of him. He felt the excitement throughout his body and it grew and grew until it was almost overwhelming. Then, when he stroked himself below, on the skin that was still so sensitive, he experienced a different sensation that, when combined with the warmth running through him, was enough to almost drive him to distraction.

Frustrated he dropped the book on the nightstand. He sat there and let the warmth drain from his body. He felt limp. A few moments later there was a knock at his door.

"He's doing very well." Tina said to Ben as they walked down the hall to his bedroom. "He's learning to accept everything nicely."

"I just want you to give him a quick check. Just to be sure everything's alright." Tina explained.

"No problem. Frankly, I'm anxious to see how he's doing myself."

"We're at a very delicate stage with him Ben. You'll need to be gentle and not over do. He's accepting being feminized but we're only on the verge of introducing him to Jack's advances."

"I'll use my best bedside manner Tina, I promise."

Tina swung the picture aside on his hinges to expose the one way mirror. John was sitting in his chair in his robe open with his head back.

"Will you just look at him. I can hardly believe it. He looks adorable." Now Ben regretted not having castrated Scott. "I can't believe the difference in just a month of hormone therapy."

"Just remember, don't over do it." Tina said as she knocked on his door.

John stood up and pulled his robe closed. "Come in."

Tina led the doctor in.

John's recollection of his encounter with the man was still crystal clear in his mind. He looked to Tina with fear in his eyes.

"It's alright Laura," Tina hurried over to him. "The doctor just needs to give you a check up. I promise he won't do anything to hurt you." She reassuringly stroked his arm.

Could he trust her. He wanted to. "What kind of checkup." He asked, looking from Tina to the doctor.

Ben behaved as promised. "It's nothing Laura, really. I need to give you a simple breast exam and give a quick look to your face."

John had become so accustomed to the face in the mirror that he'd almost forgotten. The idea of a breast exam scared him. What would he do?

"I'll stay right here with you." Tina said with a warm smile.

"Please take off your bra Laura and sit down over here on the bed." Ben asked as pleasantly as he could.

Tina moved his clothes to the chair while he unhooked the back of the bra. Not once did he take his eyes from the doctor. It was one thing to be seen this way by a roomful of women, but to have a man see him with his breasts exposed was something else altogether. That was foolish, he new. This was the man who gave him these breasts.

Tina stayed by his side as he sat down, his robe pulled tightly closed over him while the doctor sat on the edge of the bed, probing his face gently with his fingers. "I can hardly see the incisions Laura." He said, satisfied that he'd done his job well. "You healed beautifully."

John didn't respond. He just looked at the man.

"Now I promise not to hurt you." Ben opened his robe.

John flinched as he put his hand on his chest. He sat there, so nervous as the doctor gently moved his breasts from side to side and up and down. Then, when he thought the doctor was finished, he squeezed them.

"I'm sorry Laura. I just had to check that no seepage had taken place." Ben sat back. "Just one more thing Laura."

What now, John thought to himself. Then it dawned on him.

"Please pull your panties down for just a moment." Ben was driven more by curiosity then a medical need.

John looked to Tina. "Just a real quick look and he'll be done Laura." She was sympathetic but this was what she wanted to see too.

He closed his eyes and reached down for his underwear.

Ben only touched him lightly as he discovered to his delight that the man's penis was no bigger then the end of a pencil. It lay, tucked under one of the soft folds of loose skin.

"All done Laura. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable." His apology was genuine. He stood and walked halfway to the door and turned. "You've become a beautiful young woman Laura. I wish you happiness in your new life." Ben turned and left.

John quickly pulled up his panties and covered himself with his robe. He was relieved that he was gone. Being touched like that by the old man had made him feel creepy.

"That wasn't so bad Laura, was it?" Tina had seen how uncomfortable he had looked when Ben touched him and now she tried to play it down. "Most women get a breast exam every year and it's not nearly as gentle as the doctor did with you."

"Doctors really push and squeeze you like that?" He asked getting up.

"Worse usually. I've occasionally been sore for days afterward." It was the truth.

"I hated having him touch me down there." John only looked down at his crotch.

Tina felt sorry for him. It certainly wasn't a medical necessity. "It's all over now." She assured him.

John looked up at her. "Is Connie home yet?"

"Not yet. She had to stop on the way home and get her hair done. She should be here by six thirty or seven." It would have been fun if she could have gone with them today but that was impossible. There was too much for her to do on her computer today.

John glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It was almost six. "I guess I'll read for a while." He had to kill time somehow and it would help him to forget what had just happened.

"That sounds like a good idea. Shall I tell Connie to come in when she gets in?" Tina offered.

"No." He answered quickly. "I want to be all ready when she sees me. I want to surprise her." He looked forward to seeing her reaction.

"Ok I'll knock on your door three times when she comes in." Tina turned to go. "Can I get you something to nibble on or something to drink? It's going to be a few hours till dinner."

"I'd like that, thanks Tina." His whole outlook towards her had been shaken today. She had been as kind and sweet as she could be. Part of him fought it but he was starting to really like Tina.

He picked up where he had left off and while said to himself he wasn't going to let the story excite him, he knew as soon as he started reading again that he was kidding himself.

Marsha wanted him on top of her. She put his hands on his face and drew his lips to hers. His kisses touched her eyes, her cheeks, her neck and finally found her lips again. He pressed them hard against hers and she could feel his excitement growing. His hand caressed her side and slid down to her narrow waist. She became moist with anticipation as his hand rested on her hip.

Adam was as gentle and sensitive as she hoped he'd be. His finger tips touched her tenderly and she could no longer think of anything but him. She wanted him to take her. To bring them both to ecstasy together.

John was there with her, feeling what she felt and he too felt on the verge of ecstasy but, unlike Marsha, he wasn't able to step over the brink to find it. The feelings took longer to drain from him this time and he felt frustrated.

The three knocks on his door came about a quarter to seven. He had read past Marsha's encounter and was reading on with anticipation of their next. But now he dropped the book on the nightstand.

He didn't stop to look in the mirror as he quickly dressed. He was afraid that Connie might come in too soon. It only took him a few minutes before he was ready. He checked his hair and makeup.

A noise from the nursery had called Margaret away but the others; Tina, Connie and Jack watched him dress.

"I never imagined he'd take to everything so readily." Connie was amazed. "He looks fantastic."

"Remember what his secretary had said about him being an overachiever? He feels he has to excel at anything he does. He's compulsive."

"I hope he applies the same gusto with me." Jack said smiling.

Tina and Connie both turned to Jack but it was Connie that spoke. "Slow and easy Jack." She was still annoyed buy his obvious interest in John.

"Yes, but not too slow. We don't have that much time left." They had intended that John be on his way before Scott graduated from the nursery. They had a few weeks but that wasn't a lot of time to turn a heterosexual into a submissive sex object.

He was nervous and he stood before the mirror, straightening his dress with shaking hands. Now that the moment was almost at hand he didn't feel the same confidence he had earlier. He looked at himself with a critical eye.

He had been thrilled earlier with how convincing he looked but now he wondered. Was he just kidding himself? Were the stares of the men on the sidewalk and in their cars really desire, as he first imagined, or were they something else? Had they seen through his facade?

Then he thought about Greg. He had seemed completely fooled the other day. He wouldn't have asked him out otherwise. He considered Connie and Tina. Their assurances had meant a lot to him but were they only stroking him? No, not Connie. She was his friend. Tina? Was she just trying to build up his confidence? The look he had seen on her face several times today had said more than her words. He had believed her then.

So what was he so afraid of? The people he was about to meet as Laura? He had no idea what he was going to do or say to them. Would they even talk to him? What was their reaction going to be toward him? Would he be convincing enough to fool them?

The knock at the door brought his thoughts back to the moment. He took one last look in the mirror. It had to be Connie. Hair, makeup, dress, shoes and jewelry, all perfect. Turning from the mirror to the door he said, "Come in."

Pretending she had not been watching, Connie stepped into the room and came to an abrupt halt. She stood and stared at him for and instant before her face broke into a wide grin.

He was uncertain at first. What was wrong? When her mouth turned up at the corners and her dimples blossomed he knew there was nothing wrong. He returned her smile.

"What do you think?" He asked. His hands on his hips and his white heels together, in proper fashion.

Connie didn't hold back the urge. She rushed up to him and put her arms around him. "Laura, you look so beautiful. No, more than that, you look elegant."

It felt strange to hug Connie in return, their breasts pressed together. He didn't let go until she did. She held his hands at arms length as she looked him over.

"Are you sure I look alright?" He needed to hear it again. He needed the encouragement.

"I've never seen a prettier dress on a more beautiful woman." Connie answered his question with a twinkle in her eye.

It was John's turn to draw her close. "You're my best friend." He said sincerely as they held each other again.

He realized how selfish he was being. John released her and mimicked her reaction of a moment ago. Holding her hands, he admired her hairdo. "You look fantastic." Connie's long brown hair was piled high on her head in soft curls with short bangs. One small curl hung down in front of each ear. She looked like she belonged on the cover of a fashion magazine.

"I have to hurry and get dressed. Our guests will be here any minute." Connie explained as she backed toward the door.

"Connie, I'm terrified about tonight. Will I fool them?"

"You have nothing to worry about Laura. Just be yourself." Connie decided she better take a few minutes and have a talk with him before he met Brevard and their other guests but it would have to wait until she was ready. "I'll be back in a few minutes and we'll talk about how you should act tonight."

He wasn't sure he understood. He had done alright with her and the girls on Monday and on his other excursions. What was different about tonight?

He was too nervous to sit and read so he paced around the room, waiting for Connie to return.

Tina had taken care of the last of the details. The hord'oeuvres were ready and Maria had dinner under control. She and Thomas had changed into their uniforms. Thomas was making his last minute preparations at the bar.

Tina, satisfied, hurried off to the bedroom to change.

It had been Lewis' idea to pick up Justin Brevard, his associate and their wives in the company limo. They sat in strained silence as they drove to the party. Justin Brevard's

associate, Paulo Constanza, and his wife, Celeste, had been arguing.

Lewis sat behind the driver in the big car, next to his wife, Anne. Brevard and his wife, Alexa, sat in the rear with Celeste. Paulo was sitting on the other side of Anne, sipping his wine.

Justin didn't often bring his wife on business trips but this trip was to include pleasure as well. Alexa had been a dutiful wife and deserved an occasional vacation.

She knew nothing of his private dealings with Tina Foshe. She was totally unaware, as it should be in a man's dealings, that he trafficked in human lives.

Alexa had objected when Justin first brought Petra home to live with them. It had been necessary to remind her only once of her place and eventually she and the charming boy became friends. They spent a great deal of time together in the social circles Alexa knew so well. She had taught dear Petra so much. He knew she was upset when he left their bed to lie with Petra in his but she held her tongue.

Alexa had met Anna two years ago when she came to the States with Justin. She had been uncomfortable at first but Mr Write's wife had proven to be a very gracious hostess. They had enjoyed several pleasant afternoons together while their men conducted their business. It was unsettling to Alexa that, like most anglo women, Anna intruded into her husband's affairs. The idea that she objected to his working the whole time they were there and had no time to spend with their wives was totally wrong. A proper wife would never dream of doing such a thing. Despite it all, Alexa liked the woman and enjoyed her company.

For now, she sat silently at her husband's side. She exchanged smiles with Anna but would not speak unless spoken to.

Paulo was very excited to meet this woman, Tina, that Justin had told him about. He was even more anxious to meet the boy the woman was so anxious to show off to his friend. Paulo had met Petra and had been amazed to learn that she was actually a man.

Paulo had many young boys. There were so many willing to do anything for a few pesos. In Brazil, the rich were very rich and the poor were very poor.

It wasn't until he learned the truth about Petra that Paulo knew that he wanted a pretty boy of his own, to live in his home. Available to him when ever he wanted him.

Justin treated Petra well, as well as he treated his wife. What boy wouldn't give anything to enjoy the luxury of the life their wives enjoyed.

Celeste could accept if it was simply a mistress he brought home but she would certainly be upset when she learned the truth. He didn't care. She would accept and adjust or she would simply disappear, as he would never divorce her. No, she would adjust. He would share himself between them. The life she would have to face as a estranged wife in Brazil would not be an acceptable alternative for her.

Celeste was furious. They had arrived in America this afternoon. It was her first trip to this country and her husband informs her that they are going to an intimate dinner party with his boss. She had anticipated going out to experience some of the nightlife she had only heard about. It was bad enough that he didn't take her to someplace exciting like New York or Miami. Instead he brings her to, of all places, Peoria, Illinois?.

She kept her silence when she had learned that they'd be traveling with Brevard and his old, stuffy wife. Now she had to contend with this other woman. So smug with her charities and societies that they had to endure hearing all about over cocktails that afternoon. She bit her tongue. She maintained her silence.

What really was upsetting Celeste was that she envied Anne and women like her that weren't bound by the customs of her country. Here, women had a voice. They could speak their mind. Make their own decisions. Choose their husbands. Celeste deeply resented the charming, outgoing woman.

Lewis had not seen Tina in almost six months. It had been over four years since she left the firm. She had been a very capable executive and while he understood her reasons for leaving, it had been a pity to lose her. She was apparently very successful in her export business and although he knew almost nothing about it, he was happy for her. The fact that she did a great deal of business with one of his clients didn't bother him at all since she wasn't in competition with his advertising interests. He thought to himself, sitting there next to Anna, how nice it would be to see Tina again.

Alexa hadn't changed in the two years since they'd met. She had a few more gray hairs but so did Anne. She was still the meek, obedient wife she had always been and it made Anna sad to think that the sweet woman had to endure the kind of life she did. As Anna thought about it, that was the only life she had ever known. Woman were respected as wives and the object of men's passion, nothing more. It wasn't right but Anne kept her opinions to herself. She spoke to Lewis about it, of course, but she would never presume to say anything in front of Alexa. It wasn't her place.

This Celeste was another story. It didn't take a psychologist to see that she was a very angry woman and she and Paulo, Mr Constanza, as Lewis reminded her, had a strained relationship. As Anne understood it, these types of men didn't divorce their wives, they just cast them aside, ignoring them while they lavished their affections on their mistresses. Lewis had even told her that Justin, Mr Brevard, had his mistress living with him and Alexa. Anne just couldn't imagine.

Thomas opened the door for the two gentlemen and took their coats as he asked them to make themselves comfortable.

Ed looked over the extraordinarily large room with it's expensive furnishing. "This is quite a place Paul. What does your girlfriend do for a living?"

Ed was thirty four, very fit and one of the most successful account reps that Write and Associates had at the moment. He stood at 5'10" with sandy brown hair. He put the same energy into staying fit as he did into his work. He jogged five miles every morning for the past three years. He starting jogging seriously after he and Karen split up.

Ed thought he'd finally found the right girl but he learned, to his disappointment that Karen was fooling around behind his back. Since then he had thrown himself into his work but he still dated occasionally, but he rarely saw any woman more than once or twice. He was just afraid of being hurt again.

Ed was here tonight as Paul's guest. Something about needing to round out the number of men and women at the party. It wasn't a blind date. Ed didn't do blind dates.

"I told you Ed, Tina's not exactly a girlfriend. We just see each other every now and them. We enjoy each others company." He often wished it was more than that but he had finally resigned himself that she was more devoted to advancing her business than an intimate, long term commitment.

Paul had worked with Tina at Write and Associates for several years before she left. It wasn't until a few months before she left that they started seeing each other. Unfortunately, he was as ambitious as she had been and he believed at the time that life as a devout bachelor was much preferred to being tied down. He was on his way up the corporate ladder and he was just a few steps away from the top spot. He had his priorities then. He still did.

Paul did not want for female companionship, even now, at thirty five. He stood five foot eleven, with blond hair and classic greek features, he rarely had to do more than look at a girl to peak her interest. It was burden he carried with pleasure.

But it was Tina he wanted. The others he could have at the drop of a pin but not Tina. She was the most beautiful, intelligent and intriguing creature he had ever met and she wasn't interested in marriage and kids. It drove Paul crazy.

When she had called to invite him tonight he was surprised. He hadn't heard from her in weeks. He was equally surprised when she asked him to bring a friend.

Tina told him, "Just make sure he's at least half as handsome and charming as you. I have a friend."

Paul had immediately thought of Ed.

Thomas returned from hanging up their coats and brought them drinks. "The ladies will be out in a few minutes." Thomas replied to Paul's inquire.

Maria smiled at the two young men in their immaculate suits as she set out the hord'oeuvres on the table by the windows.

"Two of our guests are from South America. They're very important business men and they had some strange ideas of the way a woman should behave." Connie explained.

She had been gone for about a half hour when she returned in her gown. Connie wasn't quite as slim as John. She had a more curvaceous figure than either John or Tina. She filled out her pale pink gown gloriously.

John had read about the way women were treated in South America. It was only a little better than they were treated in the middle east. Slaves to their husbands. "Are they really as culture bound as I've heard?"

"Yes. And that means we don't speak unless we're asked a question and we don't inject our opinions into their business discussions."

"Are you serious?" It sounded like something out of the middle ages.

"Very. Tina and I do business with some of these men and to insult them could ruin that business."

John shook his head in disbelief. It didn't occur to him then that he was an integral element in that business.

"This is very important Laura. You have to remember. We'll leave the men when they want to talk. It's alright to talk openly with their wives, away from the men."

"What a terrible way for them to live." John said of the poor women.

"They're quite content with their way of life, it's the only way they've ever known." Connie paused, looking at him. "You will remember?" He would have to eventually, to survive in his new life.

"I'll remember." How strange, John thought to himself.

Paul spotted Tina first and rose from the couch. Ed rose an instant later. "Wow" The word escaped Ed's lips in a whisper.

It had been a long time since Paul had his arms around her and it felt good. So did her moist red lips. He whispered in her ear, "You look more beautiful every time I see you."

Tina didn't respond immediately. She looked deep into his blue, blue eyes for a second and saw the love there. "You are so sweet."

Paul realized he was being rude. "Tina, this is Ed Hoster. Ed, I present the lovely Tina Foshe."

"You're such a flatter." Tina said blushing. "Hello Ed."

"It's so very nice to finally meet you. I've heard so many nice things about you but Paul never told me that his friend was a goddess."

Tina turned to Paul and, speaking to both of them said, "I thought I said to pick someone only half as charming as you. You messed up Paul."

"I tried. Are we early?"

"No, not at all. Lewis should be here any minute. He's bringing Mr Brevard and a associate of his. And their wives of course."

"Write's coming here?" Ed asked in surprise. "With a client?"

"Did I forget to mention that?" Paul said smiling. He had been afraid that Ed would have begged off if he knew. Both Wright and Brevard were rather overpowering men. "Smoozing with the boss is a good thing."

"A little warning would be nice next time." Ed could handle it. "May I get you a drink?" Ed offered to Tina.

"Yes, thank you. Just a glass of white wine would be nice."

After Ed stepped over to the bar, Paul whispered. "Where's Connie?"

"She and Laura are still getting ready." Tina was going to let Connie know when the others arrived. Tina wanted Laura to make an entrance.

"Who's Laura?" Paul asked. He hadn't heard of her before.

"Laura's a friend. She's the reason I asked you to bring along someone tonight." Tina explained.

"I thought Ed was for Connie." He had just assumed.

"No, she and Jack are still together. Jack's in getting ready too."

Paul was about to ask about Laura when Ed returned with Tina's drink. At the same moment, Jack appeared in the kitchen door, all decked out in his new three piece suit. "Paul, how you doin?"

Tina and Ed turned at the sound of his voice. Jack joined them.

"Good Jack. You?" Paul replied. Jack was alright. A little rough around the edges but he was basically a decent sort. "Jack, this is Ed. Ed, Jack."

"How you doin Ed." Jack reached out his hand to him.

"Nice to meet you Jack." replied Ed shaking his hand. He wasn't quite sure what to make of the guy. He didn't seem to fit in here.

Tina felt awkward too and she would have asked Jack not to stay tonight if she didn't need him to balance things out. Besides, he would have been hurt. She would have to speak to him though, about his manners. This was going to be awkward and she didn't have much time.

Celeste wasn't happy when she heard the man, Write, tell the chauffeur he didn't need to be back until midnight. Now her whole night was going to be ruined.

Thomas had heard the elevator doors open and he was at the front door and ready. Paul and Ed rose in anticipation. Tina returned just in time. She was coming out of the kitchen, from the bedroom, as they the rest of her guests came through the door.

The exchange of pleasantries and introductions began.

The latin courtesy of kissing the ladies hand was not unfamiliar to Tina. She caught just a flash of something from the eyes of the tall woman, Senora Constanza. It wasn't a look of pleasure.

Lewis kissed her on the cheek and so did Anne. Brevard's wife at least smiled when she nodded hello.

Lewis, surprised to see Ed there, took care of introducing him and Paul to Senora Brevard and the Constanzas. They had both already met their client, Senior Brevard.

Jack had returned as introductions began and Tina did the honors. Paul and Ed were both a little surprised to hear his refined replies.

"Please come in and sit down." Tina suggested. This was a little more awkward than Tina had anticipated. Having a woman act as the host was not customary. The women sat, the men stood. Everyone looked uncomfortable.

Write came to her aid. He whispered in her ear, "Would you like some assistance tonight?"

"Would you Lewis. You're a dear." Saved, thought Tina.

Lewis was quite comfortable, taking over as host for the evening. He had entertained South Americans many times in the past and was familiar with the customs.

Tina realized her second mistake almost immediately. She had assembled the wrong mix of people for a social gathering. The men gravitated toward the hord'oeuvres and began talking business. Even Jack joined them, leaving Tina alone with the three women. As soon as the men were occupied the women opened up.

"You have a lovely home here Miss Foshe." Commented Alexa.

"Please, call me Tina, Senora Brevard. Thank you." Tina felt bad, the way things were going.

"Then you must call me Alexa." She said graciously.

"That's very kind of you Alexa."

"You've done something different with the place." Anne commented.

"Yes, we had that awful carpeting removed and the floors redone."

"It makes the room appear so much warmer." Anne always like Tina.

Celeste had been silent long enough. This person was no more than a girl and she had everything. If she disliked Anne Writer, she detested this person. "Do you have maids to take care of it for you?" Celeste asked bluntly. She had three.

"Not usually. We only have someone come in for special occasions. Like tonight." What was the matter with this woman, Tina wondered. Why was she so testy

Alexa was embarrassed for the girl. She knew what kind of a witch Celeste could be.

Anne didn't know her but she had disliked Celeste from the moment they met.

Tina looked toward the kitchen. Maria was busy with the dinner. She turned toward the bar and Thomas was not. He had already distributed drinks to the men and Anne. Alexa and Celeste had declined alcohol.

"Thomas, would you be so kind as to bring the ladies some of the hord'oeuvres?" He didn't waste a second and brought over a tray and plates for everyone.

Tina was just wondering how she could slip away to tell Connie to come out with John when she saw them enter the kitchen.

He looked stunning as he entered the room. Write noticed them first and his distraction brought all the men's eyes around. Conversation in the room ended abruptly.

Justin knew Connie and when he looked quickly to Tina, she was looking at him with a sparkle in her eye. She nodded almost imperceptibly and he knew this was the person he had come to see.

He was infinitely more lovely than Justin had expected.

Paulo was having difficulty. He whispered to Justin. "He can't be one of them."

Justin smiled in the direction of the girls who just entered but spoke in a whisper to his friend. "He's the one in white."

"No." Said Paulo in disbelief, staring. She couldn't be.

John had not expected this kind of attention. All eyes were on him and Connie and it was embarrassing. The men, who were all gathered around the food, returned to the women now as they approached Tina.

Now what should she do? Repeat the error she had made earlier? No. "Mr Write, you already know Connie Night. This is our friend, Laura Cabbot. Would you do the honors please?"

Lewis kissed Connie on the cheek but only shook the other girl's hand.

Alexa was next and she returned John's, "Hello" with her simple charming smile and nod.

Celeste stayed in character and simply nodded in response.

Anne shook the girl's hand warmly. "It's very nice to meet you Laura. I just adore your dress, it's lovely."

Justin kissed the soft hand of the boy with great pleasure. Taking his time as his eyes looked him over from head to toe.

He made John's skin crawl, the way he looked at him.

"It is a pleasure to meet so enchanting and beautiful a young woman." Justin said affectionately.

"You're very kind Senior Brevard." John forced a smile. When the other one, Senior Constanza took his hand and put his fingers to his lips, he felt the same way. What was it about Latins that made him feel this way?

"I too find it a pleasure Senorita. You are very beautiful." Paulo wanted this one. He was everything he had dreamed of since his first conversation with Justin.

"Thank you Senior Constanza." John summoned the same forced smile.

Celeste was furious. Paulo was shaming her in front of everyone and she told him so, in her cold hard stare that no one noticed, including Paulo.

John noticed Paul and Ed as soon as he walked in the room. Their turns were next.

"Laura, I'm not sure. Do you already know Paul Mann?" Lewis wasn't sure. If she was a friend of Tina's they may already have met.

"No, I've never had the pleasure." John said with a smile not so forced. It was a relief to be past the other two. He took Paul's hand when he extended it to him.

"I'm a friend of Tina's. It's a pleasure to meet you Laura." Pretty girl, he thought to himself.

"And finally, Laura, this is Edward Hoster." Justin had completed his chore.

"It's nice to meet you Laura." Ed was not usually at a loss for words. He tried to think of a way to tell her how attractive he thought she was. He couldn't come up with a smooth line at the moment.

"It's nice to meet you too." John figured it out. So, he was set up. Now everyone was paired up. They had invited Ed for him. At least the guy didn't come on to him like Greg had the other day in the restaurant.

John still felt awkward. Not only were the two Latin men still watching him closely but so was the man's wife, Celeste.

She continued to steam. Her husband paid too much attention to the young girl.

Tina resumed her seat and John and Connie sat together on a nearby love seat. John crossed his legs and adjusted his dress.

Ed, still close by, asked, "May I get you something to drink?"

John saw that Tina held a glass of wine in her hand. Jack was over getting Connie something. The wives of the two Latins, Alexa and Celeste weren't drinking but Anne was. "I'd like a glass of wine please." He said, turning to Ed. John had to struggle to keep his voice even and calm.

"Certainly." Ed replied with a smile and walked over to the bar.

"What is it that you do Tina that you can afford this lovely home?" Celeste asked. Resentment was still the undertone in her voice.

"I have a small exporting business." Tina replied. Cold woman, she thought to herself.

Celeste turned to Connie. "And you Senorita?"

Connie got the same cold chill from the woman. "I work in an insurance office."

"A secretary?" Celeste asked with her contempt showing through.

Connie wished she could snub the woman but she knew better, under the circumstances. "No, I work in computer records."

A clerk. How mundane. Celeste was regaining her feeling of superiority again.

Anne didn't want this to go any further. She didn't like the tone of Celeste's voice. There was no reason for her to insult their hostesses. "You girls all look so lovely tonight. I'm so envious of you three with your nice figures." Anne had been as slim and shapely once, but that was several years and several dress sizes ago.

Ed returned with John's wine. "Thank you." He said looking up at him with an appropriate smile. Fooling him was easy.

Laura was nice. A little shy and reserved but stunning. Ed normally picked the more outgoing type to date though. He saw that the men had drifted back toward the other side of the room. The women were involved in their girl talk. "Excuse me Laura." He wanted to rejoin the men, where he'd feel more at ease.

John would have just as soon joined him. He felt as out of place here as Ed obviously did.

"Laura?" Alexa repeated.

John was drawn back to their conversation. Alexa had asked him something. "I'm sorry?"

The young man had captured her attention. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be so young again and have handsome young men seek your favor. "That's alright dear. I was just asking, do you work too?"

He fumbled for a second. "Yes, I've just moved here to Peoria. I've just started as an executive assistant at Sportsworld Inc." Why make up a new lie?

Tina was startled to hear his explanation come out so naturally.

The women's attention was turned from John. He was relieved not to be the center of it any longer. The woman, Celeste, still seemed to be watching him though. Each time he glanced in her direction she looked away but he felt her eyes on him the rest of the time.

She was still upset by the attention Paulo had paid to the girl. Celeste wished they hadn't come here tonight.

Dinner was a solemn event. For the most part, the men talked between themselves and the women listened. Ed sat on one side of John and Jack on the other. Across the table were Paulo, Alexa and Justin. Paulo and Justin were as bad as Celeste with the way they watched him.

The meal seemed to drag on for hours. John's only salvation was Jack. At least he could talk to him.

Connie didn't mind that Jack paid so much attention to John at the table. She knew it was part of their plan to make them more comfortable together. It also made it appear to Brevard that John was friendly toward men.

Dessert was cleared from the table by Maria and brandy was poured for the men. Cigars were provided for those that wished them. The Brandy was the signal for the women to retire and leave the men to their talk.

Thomas served the women tea and coffee as they made themselves comfortable on the sofas around one of the coffee tables. John listened to Anne and Alexa with only one ear as they discussed the latest achievements of their children. When the discussion changed to the latest fashions available in Brazil he paid closer attention, actually injecting an "Ohh or Ahh" here and there with Tina and Connie.

John wasn't surprised when Celeste had tried to outdo Anne and Alexa, telling them that she bought only French and Italian originals. The woman was an absolute bitch, John decided.

Tina brought up their shopping spree and John became the center of attention as he nervously told the women about everything he bought. He felt anything but at ease as he described his new wardrobe but he was accomplishing what he had hoped he would tonight, he was fooling them.

Justin and Paulo both watched the boy almost constantly as he sat with their wives and carried on conversation. At one point they were able to break away from the others and have a private discussion.

"They've done a marvelous job of transforming him." Paulo commented.

"These girls are very good." Justin said.

"How do they go about finding willing gay boys like that?" Paulo asked looking at him with lustful eyes.

Justin had to explain, "They're not gay."

Paulo looked at him with surprise, and something else. A shiver of excitement sped through him. "Not gay? But he acts so feminine. He looks like he enjoys acting the part?" How was it possible?

"The girls condition the men they carefully select. Some are cooperative lovers like Petra. Others have to be taught." Justin had only known of a few that were ready and willing to be amenable partners to his clients, without conditioning.

The thought intrigued Paulo. Having a pretty thing like Laura and teaching him how to please him would be a challenge he'd enjoy. The boys he had in the past were just that boys. To have this one live under his roof, to be able to show him off to his friends would be delightful. He made up his mind. "I want this one." He told Justin with conviction.

"I told you my friend. He's promised to another. Money has already changed hands." Justin didn't go back on deals.

"I don't care. What was his price?" Paulo insisted.

"Eighty thousand, American."

"I'll pay one hundred." Paulo insisted.

"Wait for the next one my friend." Justin insisted in return.

"Talk to the woman. Money's no object. See if you can make a deal."

Paulo was insistent. Justin sighed. "I'll talk to her but the client is mine. The deal is mine. I will ask her how soon the next one will be available." He would not care to go back on a deal.

Paulo returned to the others men, disappointed. Justin caught Tina's attention.

Their conversation didn't interest Jack in the least. The two Latins weren't the only ones interested in John. Jack had kept an eye on him since he left the table.

The talk of business had changed to other things. Alan, Ed and Constanza were engrossed in man's favorite pastime, women. Brevard was having a private conversation with Tina. Lewis joined his wife. Jack walked over and sat between Laura and Connie.

"How are you doing?" He whispered in John's ear as he laid a hand on John's leg, squeezing it gently where it lay just above his knee.

Jack was being a little casual but John didn't feel quite as intimidated by his touch as he might a few days ago. It was nice to have the support. "I'm ok, thanks."

Connie bit her tongue. It's necessary, it's part of the plan, she told herself.

Paulo hadn't missed it either. So, he likes the touch of men. The smile on his face as he whispered to his friend confirmed that. Off and on all evening, Paulo's had felt the excitement building in him. He wanted this boy and if there was a way to have him, he'd find it.

"Why don't we join the women." Alan suggested. He had come tonight to be with Tina and so far he hadn't spent more than twenty minutes with her.

Ed sat on the arm of the couch, next to Laura. Too bad, he thought to himself as she looked up at him smiling, she's really a sweet looking girl. If only she weren't so reserved.

This was more like he had expected. John was beginning to enjoyed the opportunity to play the game, to prove he could act the role convincingly. Ed was apparently interested and that made it even better.

Brevard joined Alexa, who was in the middle of conversation with Lewis and Anne and Celeste. Constanza was sitting across from Laura, trying to inject himself in the conversation that Connie, Jack, Ed, Allen and Laura were having. Tina would just as soon joined them but her social obligation was to the others.

Her conversation with Brevard went well except for the problem Justin had with Constanza.

"You've done a marvelous job with him." Justin complemented Tina.

"He's really been a delight to work with." Tina said looking at John with affection.

"How soon will he be ready. The client is quite anxious." "I'd really like another few weeks. He's adjusted well to almost everything but I'd like to introduce him gently to sex."

"That could be awkward. The client is impatient. I would like to make delivery by early next week?"

The request took Tina by surprise. "I don't think I could possibly have him ready by then."

Justin was always careful never to use names. "The client doesn't care that he's not acclimated. He would prefer to train him himself."

That would certainly make things easier on Tina and the others. "There is one thing you should know about Laura."

"What's that?" Asked Justin.

"He's a little different than the others. He's been castrated."

That took Justin by surprise. "Why did you do that to him?" Tina didn't know if she liked his reaction. "He was very belligerent at first and it's calmed him down. It's made him accept his feminizing more easily. He certainly took to the hormones more quickly."

"But what's it done to him physically?"

Tina knew what his major concern was. "Well that brings up a question." This was a little awkward. "His penis has shrunken considerably more than the others and with his testicles gone he looks very different."

"Different?" Justin asked.

"With a little cosmetic surgery we can make him look almost like a woman. He already looks very natural in reveling clothing. With just a few stitches he would look just like a girl, even in a bathing suit."

Justin had to think about this for a moment. His client definitely wanted a feminized boy but not one without all his attributes. "That might be a problem. That's not what our client was anticipating."

That's what Tina had been afraid of. She shouldn't have let Ben do that to him. "We have a new girl in the nursery. He hasn't been castrated. We could have him ready in a few weeks." Especially if the client wanted to train him himself. But what would they do with John?

He thought he could hold off the client for another few weeks, for this new boy, but what to do about Laura? He already had the answer to their problem. "Alright, here's what we do."

John had the attention of both men. Jack was being very attentive and it seemed to be having an affect on Ed. Ed hadn't been particularly interested earlier but now he stayed right at his side. John was playing the game the best he could.

Celeste looked from the young men fawning over the girl. Young, handsome. She was only a few years older than them. She was jealous of Laura. She looked at her older husband who seemed to watch the girl constantly.

Celeste was not as naive as Paulo liked to believe she was. She knew he had his women in the past and that was upsetting to her but not nearly as upsetting as the boys he toyed with. Yes, she knew about his sick affairs but what could she do?

Justin walked up behind his chair and tapped Paulo on the shoulder. They stepped over by the windows to talk privately.

"I've given the matter some thought Paulo." Justin started to say.

Paulo read his mind. "I can have him!" This was too good to be true.

"Yes, but I'll have to give the one who was expecting him some consideration for having to wait for another." Actually his client would not be the one getting the consideration. "He will cost you one hundred and twenty thousand dollars, American."

The money wasn't important. Paulo wanted him. "Fine. How soon can I take delivery?"

"We can take him home with us on Sunday's flight." Justin didn't want to waste any time. "I must warn you. You will have to train him to please you if we take him now."

Perfect, Paulo thought to himself. "I prefer it that way."

"Cash on delivery my friend." Justin added.

A simple matter to Paulo. "I will have my bank wire the money tomorrow. You will have it on Friday."

"The girls will have him waiting for us at the airport." Justin put out his hand and they shook, sealing the deal.

What kind of business were they conducting here, at this party, Celeste wondered, watching her husband and Brevard.

The limo arrived on time and as Write and the others prepared to leave, John felt uneasy. Constanza had a lecherous grin on his face during the past hour and John didn't understand why. Now he had John's hands in his as he said goodnight. He had already said good night to Tina and Connie, kissing their hands. When he unexpectedly pulled John close and kissed him on the cheek John he didn't know how to react.

"Good bye my dear. I look forward to next time we meet." Soon, very soon, he thought to himself smiling.

John pulled away. How disgusting to be kissed by this man. John had decided earlier in the evening that Constanza had to be almost fifty and while he was not an ugly person he wasn't handsome either. His nose was a little large and the moustache he wore covered his upper lip. His eyes were almost black and that made him look evil somehow. He was surprisingly fit for his age.

John was not unhappy to see him and his wife go. She gave him the creeps. He was disappointed to find that Alan and Ed were also leaving. That meant the end of playing the game.

"It's a work day tomorrow." Alan explained to Tina as he held her close and kissed her.

"It was very nice meeting you Laura." Alan said, taking her hand.

"It was my pleasure." John said with his pat smile.

Ed had already said goodnight to the others when he stepped up to Laura. Maybe he'd been wrong about Laura. She had warmed up to him as the evening progressed. He took her hand and leaned forward and kissed her cheek. She was still shy because she pulled away after just a peck of a kiss.

He wasn't quite as surprised that time. He was curious if he could get away with it. How weird it felt to be kissed by someone who didn't know his secret. He knew he couldn't object or say anything. That would be out of character. A deep breath helped calm him.

"I'd like to see you again Laura." She was a challenge and Ed loved a challenge.

"I don't know....." John started to say, looking toward Tina and Connie.

"We were all planning to go out Saturday night." Tina suggested to Alan. "Laura's never seen the Chippendales and we thought we'd take her. Would you and Ed like to meet us afterwards, with Jack?"

John was sure he couldn't handle that. The Chippendales and a date? That settled that, he would have to make his escape in the next few days.

Ed thought that was a great idea. "Terrific. That sounds alright to me."

Alan had no objections. "It's a date. Give me a call and let us know where to meet you girls."

John had played his part too well. It had been so easy once he got into it. Now they were alone. "I don't know if I can go through with this Tina."

"Sure you can Laura. You did beautifully tonight." Tina had watched his reaction to being kissed and thought he did fantastic. "We're just going to go out and have a good time. It'll be fun."

"Fun? I don't know." He didn't want to press it too much. Come Saturday, he planned on being gone. He just had to make a token objection.

"You'll be fine." Connie assured him. "Let's just leave this mess. Maria will be back in the morning to clean up and I'm tired."

"You're right. Let's call it a night." Tina looked to Jack. "Jack, would you open Laura's door for her?"

"Sure." Jack answered eagerly. "Come on Laura." He took John by the hand.

"I know the way, Jack." John said as he was guided along by the strong man. Holding his hand the other day had been one thing. Doing it there, in the apartment, in front of the others, was another. He wasn't at all comfortable with it.

"I know you do Laura. I just like holding your hand." Jack said with a warm smile.

John had no choice.

Tina waited until they were alone to tell Connie. "Constanza's buying John for one hundred thousand." Tina was thrilled. She was aware that Brevard's piece of the deal was another twenty thousand dollars.

Connie was shocked. That was more than they had made on any of the girls yet. "Wow. He must really have the hots for him."

"He does. The tough part is that he's got to be ready to go by Sunday." Tina felt a little guilty, sending John off unprepared. "I think we better let Jack have him tonight."

Connie wasn't quite ready for that. "That's so soon. He's not ready." She insisted.

"He'll have to be." Tina said sadly. The boys were never the same after they'd been dominated by another man. They were always different in so many ways, as if their spirits were broken. Still, they were always so much easier to handle after that. John needed to know where he stood. "It's for his own good, you know that."

"I know." Connie said sadly. She always felt so sad when the change came over them. They were never the same. It took time for them to get over the hurt, the emotional shock. This time would be worse. Connie really liked John the way he was. She was going to lose her little sister.

Tina knew Connie was upset. "I'll tell Jack to be gentle with him. Why don't you go ahead to bed." Tina gave her friend a hug.

Tina unlocked the cabinet and picked up the phone. She apparently woke Ben from a sound sleep.

John hadn't worried about Jack trying anything it just felt strange to have him hold his hand and kiss him on the cheek at his door. That was the third time he'd been kissed by a man tonight and Jack knew who he was.

He took off his dress and jewelry. He felt almost good about the roll he had played so well tonight. He had felt so pretty and feminine and had been almost comfortable with it. His only worry was how he was going to adjust to being a man again. He was going to miss feeling the way he did tonight.

John removed his makeup and moisturized. The long tricot night gown he had never worn before. It was snug and showed off his breasts and waistline before opening into a soft flowing skirt.

In the bathroom, he stood in front of the mirror and brushed his hair out. One hundred strokes, not one less. He brushed his teeth then curled up under his covers.

John was obviously asleep when Jack quietly opened his bedroom door and let it close silently behind him. He was wearing only his robe as he glided noiselessly across the room to the table next to the bed. He dropped the contents of the capsule into the water glass.

With that necessary task completed he dropped his robe on the chair and gently slipped under the covers next to John. John was in deep sleep because he hardly stirred.

Jack had just jumped out of a hot shower and had only stopped long enough to dry off and put on cologne. little by little he move closer to the slender figure in the bed. When he was gently pressed against his warm smooth back, he lightly draped his arm over John. John's perfume was intoxicating as Jack nuzzled his neck with his lips.

John, in his dreams, was aware of the warm body snuggling close to him and he moved closer to the girl in his dream. It was the manly scent that she wore that brought him out of his dream slowly. He remembered where he was before he was fully conscious. He stiffened when he became aware that it wasn't a girl that was pressed against his back and was softly kissing his neck.

Jack felt him wake up. "Just lie quietly Laura." He whispered softly. He prepared himself for John's reaction.

"What are you....." Jack's arm pulled him effortlessly back to him.

"I'm not going to hurt you Laura. I just going to make love to you." He would do it Tina's way if John cooperated. If he didn't, he'd do it anyway.

"But...." Jack started to object.

"Hush Laura." Jack held him down. "I want to be gentle and loving but I will be rough if you don't cooperate."

John's attempt to move was useless. Jack's strong arms was enough to keep him there next to him.

John pleaded. "Please don't do this."

"I'm a very giving lover Laura. Let's not talk anymore."

John could only lay there, stiff with fear. Jack's hand moved up the silky material of the gown to his breasts and squeezed him gently. He kneaded his soft skin through his nightgown. Was it fear that made his sensitive nipples start to get hard?

"Please don't Jack."

"Shush" Jack whispered softly. He was beginning to get hard too. Jack's hand roamed to John's other breast and did the same thing to his other nipple.

The feeling was not totally unfamiliar. Despite his fear, John began to feel the warmth, the little surges of electricity that touched his nerve endings. Jack's hand was now stroking his sides, hips and stomach and the goosebumps rose wherever Jack touched him.

John jumped when Jack's hand reached down and pushed his legs apart. In an instant Jack was on top of him, laying between his legs with his chest on his stomach. Now both hands gently molded his breasts, Jack's fingertips gently rubbing his hard nipples.

He was pinned down. Jack pushed his arms down on the bed when he tried to push his hands away from his breasts. The second time he held them down for a second or two with such pressure that Jack made it quite clear that he expected them to stay there.

"Don't make it difficult lover." Jack said quietly but forcefully.

John wanted the electricity coursing through him to stop, but it didn't. The feelings only grew stronger. With eyes shut tight, he tried not to think about what was happening to him. He tried to think of other things. His mind played tricks as his thoughts went back to be passages in the book, to the description of what Marsha experienced with her lover.

Jack slid up on John. He held his head in his hands and looked down on his pretty face. Looking at him now he felt more like he was making love to a woman. An unwilling woman yes, but a woman. He pressed his mouth lightly on John's full soft lips. He would have like to have been kissed back but that would come. In time, he might return his affection. Jack's only regret was that they'd have so little time together.

His breath smelled of mint mouthwash. John held his lips closed tightly as Jack kissed him full on the mouth. He couldn't turn away.

Jack moved back and sat straddling John. He reached down between his legs and pulled up the material of his nightgown. "Lift your bottom Laura. We don't need this between us."

John pressed down as hard as he could. He desperately wanted the material to remain between them. A wall would have been better.

"Don't try to resist me Laura." Jack warned. He wasn't whispering sweetly now.

John continued to resist. Then Jack slapped him hard on the soft flesh of his outer thigh. It was like being hit with a board, it stung so badly.

John's spasm of pain caused him to relax enough to let Jack draw the nightgown up past his waist. Jack stretched the material over his breasts. "Arms up."

Jack had won. The nightgown came over his head and he lay under the man, naked except for his panties. He started touching him again. Jack's hands again lightly touch John's soft skin at his hips, waist and breasts. His touch was more electrifying than ever.

Jack laid back down on him again. This time his mouth covered his breasts and he played with his large swollen nipples with his lips and tongue. First one then the other. Jack could hear John's breathing change and he went limp under him. He didn't raise a hand to resist. His head pressed back against the bed.

It was like when he read the book, only more exciting. Fear played a big part in that.

Jack slid to the side, off John. While he sucked on his breast his hand stroked John's waist and hips. His hand found the silky material of John's panties and through them, caressed the soft skin in his crotch.

Jack was swimming in dark waters. He wanted Jack to stop but not the feelings. He brought his free hand down to try to move Jack's away.

Jack only stopped long enough to put John's hand on his shoulder. He pressed it there like he had done earlier when he held his arm on the bed. Jack was disappointed when he let go and John put it back on the bed, but that didn't stop him.

Jack was rubbing what was left of his manhood and the strange new feelings he was experiencing were wonderful. Jack was going to do to him what he hadn't been able to do to himself.

John's hand came up off the bed for a second then dropped back down when Jack slipped his hand under his panties. He was so close but he couldn't quite reach the brink. Then suddenly Jack stopped.

Jack knew John had to be close and he wanted them to orgasm together. John lifted his bottom when Jack told him to and his panties were gone.

It was agonizing to feel the throbbing inside him and not to be able to do anything about it. John had been too wrapped up in his feelings to think, but as Jack rolled him over onto his stomach he started to worry and he was really sacred now.

Jack had the lubricated condom ready and he slipped it on quickly. He tucked his two big hands under John's waist and raised him up onto his knees, like he was a rag doll.

"No, Jack please don't." Tears filled John's eyes. He couldn't wiggle away, as hard as he tried.

"Don't fight me Laura. You'll like it, once I'm inside you. You're my woman now. I'm going to teach you to enjoy making love." Jack pulled John's soft cheeks apart with his fingers while his other hand held John in position.

John squeezed tight, hoping to make what Jack wanted impossible. But Jack was insistent. He felt Jack enter and groaned as he thought he would split open. Deeper and deeper he felt him penetrate inside him. John was hardly aware at first that Jack's free hand was back in his crotch, stroking his tiny penis. When John thought Jack couldn't possibly penetrate him any more, he plunged deeper. Jack was enormous and John was sobbing as much from the humiliation as the pain now.

Jack backed out just a little them pushed himself back in again, deeper this time. Again and again Jack repeated the motion, slowly.

John closed his eyes but his tears seeped out from under his lids. Jack's fingers were bringing him back to the brink again, even as he thought to himself that he wanted to die.

John was opening up now. His muscles relaxing to accept John's throbbing cock. He began to thrust harder and faster as the boy moaned beneath him. Jack didn't forget himself. As his intensity increased he stroked John in unison.

Jack was excited. He came first. Pumping the hot fluid into the rubber. John could feel Jack's cock pulsing inside him. John came a few seconds later. Jack's hand caught the man's warm fluid.

It was like no orgasm he ever had. The pain from having Jack inside him had done something he had never felt before.

He lay with his head o the pillow sobbing. He felt humiliated, degraded and worst of all, he had participated.

"Come on lover, we need to wash before we mess up the bed."

Jack pulled himself out of John slowly, deliberately. So that John could feel him. The muscles inside had closed down on Jack's spent cock and it was like having a woman hold him inside her.

John couldn't look at him as Jack lifted him from the bed and carried him in his arms to the bathroom. Jack ran hot water in the sink and soaked a wash cloth in it. John was about to reach for it to wash himself when Jack took it.

"We'll wash each other." Jack said with an affectionate smile. He leaned toward John.

John was depressed and resigned. He spread his legs and let Jack clean him. When Jack returned the washcloth to the basin and rinsed it John knew what was expected of him.

Jack lay on his back, breathing easily. John lay at his side, his head was resting on Jack"s shoulder with Jack's arm wrapped around him. Jack had insisted that John drape his bare leg up over his and he fell asleep that way. John fell asleep shortly after. He had drained the glass of water on the nightstand before getting back into bed with Jack.

Everything else that had happened to him was nothing, compared with tonight. The last of his manhood had been stripped away and he was powerless to resist.

The sedative in the water had the expected results. John did not awaken when Tina came quietly into the bedroom. Nor did he stir when she deftly slipped the needle into his arm. Jack awoke only after Tina shook his shoulder gently. They waited a few moments in silence for the medication to work then Jack effortlessly carried John in his arms to the waiting doctor's table.

 

THURSDAY - DAY 34

John awoke in the darkness of his room and he was not alone. Jack's slow steady breathing said that he was still sleeping. What had been a game for John lately, as he passed the time waiting for his opportunity to escape was now a nightmare. Through it all he had felt he was in control of himself but no longer. He had been forced to be Jack's object of affection, his lover. He could have struggled more. He could have resisted harder, couldn't he?

Jack's naked body was pressed against his back and his arm was draped over him. John attempted to lift it so that he could slip out of bed. When he did, Jack stirred and snuggled tighter against him. Jack's arm tightened around him and he cupped one of his breasts in his big hand and squeezed.

"Good morning." Jack said sleepily as he nuzzled and kissed the back of John's neck, through his hair. Jack felt great. He had waited a long time for this and he didn't want the morning to end it. "Did you sleep alright Laura." He asked in a whisper.

What should he say? "Yes." John answered dejectedly.

Jack pulled him over onto his back. "You were wonderful last night." He kissed John on the cheek.

He lay there, unmoving, as Jack caressed his breasts and stroked his upper body. He was frozen with fear. Fear that he would have to endure a repeat of last night. Jack's hand was on his hip.

He reached around and gave John's soft round ass a gentle squeeze. It felt so good to stroke his soft smooth skin. Jack lifted his head to look at John's pretty face. Aside from eyes that were still red from crying, he was beautiful. He smiled at the pretty, scared creature. He wanted to assure John that he was alright.

Jack put a hand on his cheek. "You are so pretty Laura." He pecked lightly, his lips on John's. His light kisses covered John's face before he returned to those full soft lips. John still didn't return his affection. "We're going to stay right here Laura until you kiss me back." He told John, still smiling.

This was how it started last night and he didn't want a repeat of that. He could pretend he was kissing someone else, a beautiful girl, any girl.

The next time Jack's lips met his John closed his eyes tight and unfroze his lips to meet Jack's. In his mind's eye he was kissing Linda. Linda was a gorgeous brunette he had dated once.

Jack was thrilled and it took only seconds for him to get hard. Jack would be satisfied. He would release the pressure building inside him again.

John struggled to retain the picture of Linda in his mind but he was losing it. Jack unexpectedly began probing with his tongue and that shattered the illusion completely. What John felt pressed against his leg scared him.

Jack broke off the kiss. "Sit on me Laura." He said, breathing hard.

Oh God, not again. "Jack, please...."

"Sit on me." He said again. This time he told him.

And if he didn't? John knew he would simply mount his from behind again. When John got up on his knees Jack gripped his waist and lifted him up and set him down across his hips. Oh please God, not again.

Jack reached for another of the lubricated condoms from the nightstand. They were beyond his reach. Jack didn't want to let go of John. He was so hard, so ready. Jack held his erection straight up. "Do it Laura! Sit on it!" Jack commanded.

He was still holding him by the waist and his grip was not gentle. John's tears were already running freely as he felt the warm hard head of Jack's cock touch his ass. It's fullness entered him with difficulty as Jack pulled him down on it. He moaned as it filled him.

"Up and down Laura. Slowly." Jack told him. He helped.

Again and again, Jack directed him with his hands. John was sure his insides were being torn.

"Faster Laura." Jack said, breathing hard. He was close, so close. He pressed John down on him as hard as he could now. He was fully extended and ready to explode.

John thought he would die. Jack was pressing so hard against his insides. Suddenly he felt Jack's hot fluid pumping out inside him. Jack continued to make John ride his cock until Jack was spent and content..

John had not shared John's orgasm this time. He had felt some excitement when he came down on him each time. When his tiny penis touched Jack but it was nothing like last night. He was just a tool to satisfy the man.

Jack held him down tight on his hips until he was relaxed again. John's insides contracted, holding his limp cock tightly inside him. It was wonderful. He put his hands around John and pulled him down on his chest. John's nipples were hard and he was very warm. Jack drew John's face to his and kissed him long and hard.

John wanted Jack out of him but he couldn't move from his grip. He was filled with Jack's semen and just the thought of it made him feel ill, he wanted it out. His lips were locked on Jack's and, resigned to the inevitable, he kissed him back. He hoped that it would appease Jack and he'd let him go.

He laid there for what seemed like forever, his head resting on Jack's chest.

"You were wonderful Laura." Jack said stroking his hair. It was a shame that John was leaving so soon. Jack would just as soon keep him for himself but he knew that was impossible. At least they'd have a few days together and he'd make the most of them.

The tears continued to run down his cheeks as he lay on Jack's hairy chest. He was a toy. A helpless little feminine boy toy. Was this the life he had to look forward to? He'd just as soon die.

John wanted desperately to get away from Jack. "I need a shower." He finally whispered, meekly.

"Sure sweetheart." Jack said smiling. "Me too." He pulled John's face to his and kissed him deeply once more. "We'll wash each other."

John just stood there with the water running on his back while Jack, with deliberate detail, washed every square inch of him. The fact that he had to do the same to him sickened him. Jack didn't want the washcloth used on his spent member and he encouraged John to be through. John washed his own hair while Jack watched, smiling.

Having Jack wash him, John wasn't aware of what they had done to him the night before. His penis was so small now that it wasn't unusual for it to be lost in the folds of his skin.

John was not surprised that Jack had his own soap. John's soap, the perfumed soap he used, would have smelled strange on Jack.

"One more thing to clean." Jack said. He stepped out of the shower for a moment and returned with the rubber bag and hose with the douche attachment on the end of it.

John's stomach turned as Jack took great pleasure in douching him thoroughly.

"There, now you're all clean. Feel better?" Jack asked hugging John's wet body hard against his, looking down into his face.

"Yes" Was John's meek reply. He was relieved when Jack slipped on his robe after drying off.

"I'll make us breakfast when you're ready. Don't be too long Laura." He left John to go to his room to get dressed. Jack was on cloud nine. John had been everything he had imagined. A little more cooperative would have been good but what could Jack expect for their first night together?

John was not in a rush to see the others. Surely they knew Jack had spent the night with him. How could he face them, their looks?

He took nearly two hours to do his hair, makeup and get dressed. His heart wasn't in it. He dragged it out as long as possible. He stared at his reflection in the mirror. What Jack had done to him changed John. Of course, all of the events that had taken place since he came to be here had changed him in so many ways. But nothing had caused him to doubt that he'd be able to go back to being the person he had been, until now. He'd been used in a way that he'd never forget. John had always felt that he was in control of his life. That was all changed now. His mind was elsewhere when he pulled on his underwear.

John curled up on the bed in the dark. He didn't want to leave the security of his room. Tears soaked his pillows as he relived the humiliation over and over again in his mind.

Tina decided not to let him wallow in his despair any longer. It wasn't healthy to let him dwell on what happened. "Good morning." She said cheerfully. She acted as if this morning was no different than any other.

John turned his head to look at her as he lay there on the bed. Surely she knew what had taken place in his bed that night.

Tina acted as if nothing at all happened, like everything was normal.

John felt so different but apparently Tina couldn't see that there was a change in him.

"Come on and have a bite to eat with me." Tina suggested cheerfully.

"I don't feel very well this morning Tina." John told her. He had no appetite at all. More importantly, he didn't want to face anyone.

"You'll feel better with something in your stomach." Tina held out a hand to him.

John followed Tina into the kitchen reluctantly. The way he felt he would have just as soon never left the bedroom again.

John noticed something on the kitchen counter that disturbed him. There where two empty baby bottles in the strainer in the sink. Were they for him? Was he going back to the nursery? It occurred to him that he'd rather be back there, in Aunt Margaret's loving care than where he was. He wanted to feel safe and protected again, the way she had made him feel.

"Would you like a glass of juice Laura?" Tina asked.

"Alright." He answered, despondently. John wanted to ask Tina about the bottles but thought better of it. "Where's Aunt Margaret?" He asked meekly.

"She's busy this morning Laura." Tina told him as she handed him the glass of juice she had poured him.

Connie was also absent. If he couldn't have Margaret's shoulder to cry on then perhaps Connie. He could at least talk to Connie.

"She had to go to work today dear." Connie was not in a very good mood this morning and Tina knew why. Knowing what Jack had done with John last night disturbed her. The fact that it was necessary to get him ready for the client didn't help. She was sad, hurt and maybe just a little jealous.

Tina was worried about John. She expected him to be depressed but he seemed more melancholy. He sat at the kitchen table with her, his head down and silent.

It was the fear of a repeat experience with the man that made John ask. "Where's Jack." He half expected him to appear any moment.

Jack had waited around as long as he could. When he told Tina that he was going to see what was keeping John she told Jack to leave him alone. He had to leave. He had work to do. There was a client who wanted his wife followed today.

"Jack had to leave, he said he'd see you later." Tina said as if it meant nothing to her. She didn't even look at John when she said it. "How about some toast?" Tina offered again to make him breakfast.

"No. Thank you." John didn't think he would be able to keep anything down. He was relieved that Jack was gone.

She had to bring him out of it. If he were allowed to just dwell on what Jack had done, he'd sink even deeper into depression.

"I still can't get over how beautiful you looked last night."

He knew he had to respond. "Thanks."

"I hope you took care and put away your new dress carefully." Tina tried to draw him out. She went on about last night's party and eventually was able to more than just one word responses to her questions.

That part of the night before he remembered with a degree of pleasure.

Tina managed to make him talk. They were chatting about the party when Margaret came in the kitchen.

John could help but notice the nearly empty baby bottle in her hand. Then it dawned on him. The bottles weren't for him. There was someone else in the apartment. A new guest in the nursery. God, they were doing to someone else what they had done to him?

"Hi Laura. You look pretty this morning." Margaret said smiling.

He was happy to see that familiar face. "Good morning." He said with the nearest thing to a smile that Tina had seen that morning.

"Did you sleep well?" Margaret asked, making pleasant conversation. She went to the sink to wash out the bottle.

Tina didn't say anything. She wished Margaret hadn't but in her case it was an innocent comment. Margaret was unaware that John spent the night with Jack. It was better to leave it that way.

Did no one know what happened to him last night? He couldn't help but wonder. Well, he wasn't about to tell them. Connie he would tell. She would see to it that it didn't happen again. He could trust Connie. He wished she were here now, so they could talk.

"You missed your workout yesterday." Tina said as she sipped her tea. "Connie picked you up a new tape and told me to tell you that you should use it today. It's on top of the TV."

He wasn't in the mood. "Could I do it a little later?" He asked. "I'd like to go lay down for a while."

Tina understood and didn't push him.

John stopped to make a quick trip to the bathroom before climbing into bed again. Out of habit alone he reached between his legs to hold his tiny penis. Shock gripped him. He leaped off the toilet and bent low to look at himself. It was gone. He probed the soft folds of flesh in panic. Nothing. HOW? WHEN? When did he completely lose his manhood? It wasn't possible. Was it?

John sat on the edge of the vanity with his feet in the sink, facing the mirror. He spread his legs to see better. His heart sank. He looked just like a girl now. He touched what looked like his clitoris and jumped at the sensation. His sensitive skin formed the lips of a vagina but there was no hole. "Thank God" He said aloud.

But what had happened to him? He didn't understand.

Tina was in the hall listening to the bathroom microphone and watching through the open bedroom door for him to come out of the bathroom. "Are you alright Laura?" She called to him.

He came out of the bathroom naked, with a shocked look on his face. "What's wrong Laura?" Tina asked. She knew. He had finally discovered what they'd done to him during the night.

John looked up at her. "I don't know. Something's happening to me. I'm becoming....I'm becoming a woman." He dropped into the chair. His head hung down.

Tina feigned ignorance. "Of course you are Laura." She was stroking his head now. "You are a lovely young woman."

He looked up with tears in his eyes. "You don't understand." He spread his legs. "I'm changing." He said through his tears as he showed her his discovery.

"What's wrong? You look perfectly natural to me." Tina said smiling.

Perfectly natural, he thought to himself? Was she insane?

Tina dropped to her knees in front of him. She cupped his face in her hands and raised his eyes to hers. "Laura, you are a woman now. Don't fight it. Accept it." Tina held him for a while, while he cried. The hormones allowed him the release of his pent up emotions.

"Why don't just lie down for a little while Laura." She suggested. "You can do your workout a little later when you feel more like it sweetheart." She reached out to help him to his feet.

Suddenly he went nuts. John lashed out his arm, hitting Tina in the chest.

Tina stumbled back, surprised more than hurt.

"Enough!" John yelled as he got to his feet. "I'm not Laura! I'm not your 'sweetheart! I'm John, I'm a man. I'm not some helpless little girl!"

He left Tina no choice. He was coming at her menacingly.

John collapsed on the floor, writhing in pain as she pushed the button on her remote. Tina had hoped that she'd never have to use it on him again but she was glad now that she still kept it handy.

The first few times she'd used it had only been for a second or two but not this time. His behavior was not acceptable, not at this stage. Not when he was so near to leaving. Rebellion like his could not be tolerated. It could ruin everything.

John had no sense of time as he lay on the floor having spasms. A minute? An hour? All he knew was when it finally ended he was grateful.

Tina went over and knelt beside him. "Don't you understand Laura? Why do you insist on fighting against the inevitable?" She stroked his hair. Tina didn't take pleasure from giving him pain. As fond as Tina had become of him, he had to learn. "You have to accept honey. You are 'Laura' now, accept it and you'll be happier. You can't go back."

She was right. She was right about everything. He no longer had the strength to resist. John had tried, so hard. He gave in.

John spent the morning and most of the afternoon in bed. Too depressed to even read. He waited for Connie to come home. She would help him accept all this.

Connie had a horrible day. She had also had a terrible night. She had laid awake for hours, thinking about what Jack was doing in the Pink bedroom. The thought that he was doing it because it needed to be done didn't help because she knew he was enjoying it.

That was only part of her conflict. Poor John would never be the same. His old name seemed so inappropriate for the lovely person he had become. He had come so far so quickly and he was so sweet and innocent. Connie prayed he wouldn't lose that quality but she knew that was highly unlikely.

Connie had made up her mind not to go back to the loft tonight. Jack would be at the loft and his task was not something she wanted to be any part of or even a witness to. She would spend the night at her own apartment. Perhaps she would spend the rest of the week there.

She felt uncomfortable about the deal that had been struck between Tina and Brevard. Constanza gave Connie the creeps and that bitch of a wife of his was going to be trouble for poor Laura. Connie didn't know if she could face Laura, knowing what was in store for him.

Tina made him have a light lunch before his workout. She was nearby, watching, as he exercised for an hour.

She didn't make him keep her company afterwards. Late in the afternoon, John came out of the bedroom. He didn't want to be in there when Jack got home. Besides, he wanted to see Connie as soon as she came in.

He helped Margaret with dinner. He was too nervous to just sit around and wait. John wanted to ask Margaret about the person he knew was in the nursery but was afraid to.

John's hopes were smashed when Jack walked through the front door.

"Hello ladies." Jack said to John and Margaret happily. He had a wonderful day. He couldn't wait to get home to Laura. He hung up his coat and hurried into the kitchen.

John was washing dishes, he tried to ignore Jack but that was impossible when he came up behind him and put his arms around his slender waist, gently squeezing him.

"Jack, please..." John started to object.

"Give me a kiss and I'll let you go." Jack said affectionately.

What was he doing? Margaret was right there. John tried to squirm out of his grip. "Not here!"

"Just one little kiss." Jack pleaded playfully.

"He's impossible when he's frisky like this Laura. You're better off to let him have his kiss." Margaret said lightheartedly as she stirred the sauce on the stove.

GOD! Even Margaret? John turned his head as far as he could and looked up to Jack.

That was more like it, Jack thought grinning. He covered John's red lips with his. He didn't have to tell John that he wanted him to kiss him back but he would have enjoyed a little tongue. "MMMM, you taste delicious." Jack patted him on the ass.

"I'm going to go change." He announced and hurried out of the kitchen.

John felt mortified. For Jack to do that in front of Margaret was humiliating. He wiped his lips on the dish rag, leaving it smeared with what was left of his lipstick. The pat on his ass was just as degrading.

Where was Connie, John wanted to know?

"Oh, Connie won't be home tonight. She said she had some things she had to do." Tina explained over dinner.

John felt sick. He hardly ate at all. After dinner Jack insisted that John curl up next to him on the couch.

Margaret had left them after cleaning up dinner with Tina. John assumed she went back to the nursery, to her new charge there.

Tina didn't say a word when she joined them to watch tv. She acted as if everything was just fine.

John sat with Jack's arm around him. Every so often he kissed him on the temple or the cheek. He didn't say anything when he did. Jack acted as if John were his girlfriend and everything was just as natural and comfortable as could be.

As it got later and later, John became more and more worried. Without Connie there, how was John going to stop Jack from taking advantage of him again.?

Jack did his best to control his anxiousness. When the ten o'clock news came on Tina turned off the tv.

Jack hugged John. "What do you say we get some sleep sweetheart?" He asked John.

The words formed a question but the tone in Jack's voice said it was a command. John would have done anything to avoid this but what was there he could do?

"Good night you two. I'll see you in the morning." Tina said as Jack took John by the hand and led him through the kitchen.

"Good night Tina." Jack responded happily.

John replied weakly, "Good night."

John tried to think fast. He could try to push the dresser in front of the door. Jack would have to make quite a fuss to get in then.

John expected Jack to let him into his room and then go to his room to change but that's not how it worked. Jack grabbed his robe from his room, making John wait in the hall. Then they both went into John's bedroom together.

John hoped he'd fall asleep if he took long enough getting ready for bed. He headed into the bathroom when Jack quickly stripped and climbed into John's bed to wait.

John took his time removing his makeup and moisturizing. He brushed his teeth twice. John's robe hung on the back of the door and he put it on, tying the waistband tight after undressing to his underwear. He opened the bathroom door quietly and peeked out. For the umpteenth time that day he got that sick feeling in his stomach. Jack was still very much awake. He was reading John's book.

Jack had been waiting patiently. He heard the bathroom door open. "Come on pokie. I got you out something to wear."

Lying next to Jack on the bed was a teddy. John had seen them in the drawer but had not even picked one up to look at.

"I'd rather one of the nightgowns." John answered as he pulled the robe even tighter around him.

"Come on Laura. If you'll put it on for me I promise we'll just go to sleep. No fooling around." He crossed his heart with his hand. "Promise."

That was a deal he could live with. He knew that Jack was not about to leave his bed but at least he wouldn't be humiliated again. "I have to brush my hair."

"Alright hon. Try not to be too long." Jack said as he went back to reading.

John picked up the delicate red lace teddy from the bed and his brush from the dressing table. He closed the bathroom door behind him.

One hundred strokes with the brush was not enough. Two hundred took longer. John reluctantly hung his robe on the back of the door. He picked up the teddy from the towel rack. A sigh passed his lips and he stepped into it, pulling it up past his hips. It had high cut leg openings. They came to just over his waist. The front was cut into a long narrow V. In back, it had the uncomfortable feel of a T back, just like his leotards. He studied himself in the mirror. The red lace garment accented his slender girlish figure. As snug as it was, what had been left of his manhood would have shown yesterday. Tonight there was nothing left to show. The thought only sickened him.

Had it not been for Jack waiting for him in his bed John might almost have enjoyed wearing it. He opened the door as quietly as he could but to no avail.

Jack rolled over and set the book down. He drew back the covers and beckoned John. "Come on. I warmed up your spot for you." Jack admired John in the sexy teddy as he walked to the bed. "You look fantastic in that."

Jack's smile wasn't lecherous, but admiring. It didn't make John feel any the more relaxed.

Jack turned off the light as John climbed into the bed. He pulled him close and wrapped his arm around his soft shoulders. "Good night sweetheart."

John felt his warm breath on his face. The kiss was inevitable and John didn't bother to struggle. Jack's lips held none of the passion of last night or this morning. It was simply a good night kiss.

 

FRIDAY - DAY 35

It was a strange dream. He lived with Connie in Houston, in his apartment. His bedroom had the same walls and windows but that was the only thing similar about it. It was completely feminine in decor and John liked it that way. His closet was full of beautiful clothes, both his and Connie's.

His hair was long, down past his shoulder blades and wavy.

Scenes flashed before his eyes. His thoughts were disjointed. They worked together too. But that wasn't all. They did everything together. Then it dawned on John. He and Connie were lovers.

The were lying in bed next to each other. Touching each other tenderly. Each knowing the intimate places on the other that would cause electricity to pass between and through the other. Connie was leaning over him smiling. She was stroking his breasts tenderly and his nipples were hard. John reach up to caress her beautiful breasts, hanging from her chest.

John felt something strange, out of place, hair. His eyes flashed open as lips touched his, tenderly. JACK. John couldn't help but to pull away.

Jack spoke softly, "Close your eyes sweetheart."

He closed his eyes, but to hide. Again Jack's mouth was on his. His hand continued to caress his chest. The horror of what was happening again filled him.

Ben had said one day was enough time to wait so Jack felt free to touch him where he had dared not yesterday. Through the lace and satin he rubbed gently as he kissed John. He could feel John's excitement as his back arched.

NO! No! Not again! He felt nauseous at first but as Jack continued to rub him his feelings began to change and he couldn't stop it. John was getting aroused and he couldn't stop himself. His breathing was rapid and shallow and there was a pleasant ache all through him. It was hard to think, to concentrate. What Jack was doing to him felt so good, but it shouldn't. He shouldn't be feeling this way.

Jack kissed him more deeply, harder, and John was kissing him back. He apparently had given in to his emotions and that only made Jack more excited. He deftly undid each of the little snaps at the bottom of the teddy and pulled the material away. Not too hard he reminded himself, rub softly.

John was moaning now, beneath him. Jack moved quickly, positioning himself between John's legs. His dick was swollen and ready. With one hand he slipped on the condom, the other continued to rub the sensitive areas that turned John on.

John knew what was happening but he could no more stop it than he could stop the sun from rising in the morning.

Jack lifted John's legs and rested them against his shoulders. The move only took a second and he resumed massaging John's new clitoris. He entered him slowly, giving John's insides the time to expand and accept him. Deeper and deeper he penetrated until he could go no further. His swollen balls were pressed against John's ass. John's moans were deeper now but Jack was convinced it was not pain that caused it. He continued to rub John's clitoris as he began moving slowly in and out with short gentle strokes. As Jack's fever built he moved faster and faster, pumped harder and harder.

John had never felt anything like this in his life. John thought he would split open. His entire body was pulsating. "Uhhhh... Ahhhh."

There was something else there too. As the man above him stroked his crotch and throbbed inside him, John grew excited. As degrading, as painful as it was, John wanted to orgasm now too.

Hearing John's pleasure was all Jack needed. He exploded inside him. but he continued to pump and stroke him until John gave release too. It only took seconds until they were both spent.

They just lay there for a while, Jack laying partially on top of him as their breathing returned to normal. "That was wonderful Laura." Jack said stroking John's cheek."

John had enough time to collect his thoughts. What had he done? How could he? It was sick. His eyes filled with tears as he felt the depression overwhelm him as it had so many times already that day.

Jack wiped away the tear that ran down his pretty soft cheek. "Don't cry." Jack tasted the salty tears as he kissed his cheek. "I have to go honey. I'll see you this evening." He slid out of the bed and threw on his robe. Gathering his clothes he slipped quietly out the door.

John pulled the thin material of the teddy down between his legs. He didn't bother redoing the snaps. With the covers pulled up tightly around his neck, He drew his knees to his chest and sobbed softly in the dark for a while before he fell back to sleep.

"How is he this morning?" Tina asked as Jack grabbed a quick cup of coffee on his way out.

"He's fine, but I think he'll sleep for a while." Jack answered. He would have preferred to be back in bed, snuggling with him.

Tina was still suffering from regret. John was like none of the others had been. Perhaps because none of the others had been castrated. John seemed to feel things so much more deeply. It had taken weeks longer with the others. They had fought them at every stage of their feminization. Even Margaret had commented that he was much different.

Connie's reaction to him actually disturbed Tina. Connie was as close to him as a sister. Tina understood why she wanted to stay away. It wasn't just that Jack was making love to this person that they had all come to nearly accept as a young woman. It wasn't even that she was jealous of the attention that Jack paid to John. She felt sorry for him, for the life that he was about to become a part of. But then, so did Tina.

The only difference was that Tina was able to detach herself from it. It was business, just business, she kept telling herself over and over.

For the second night in a row Connie had hardly slept. Now she sat in front of her terminal dozing. She pictured John at the party Wednesday night. He was so thrilled with the way he looked. Even that scene saddened Connie now.

How was he doing, she wondered? A part of her wanted to rush to the loft and comfort him. Another part was too overburdened with guilt to face him. Tomorrow he would be gone and they could move on to new business. Connie vowed to herself that she would never again become so involved with one of the 'girls'. She'd never let herself become attached.

It was almost noon when he climbed out of bed and showered. He stood under the hot water for a long time. He used the douche on himself only to discover that Jack had left the condom inside him. He threw it out of the shower with disgust. He washed his hair but didn't bother to set it. He didn't bother to put on makeup either.

John put on the green leggings and sweater over clean underwear. He stripped the bed and piled the dirty linens next to the door but he didn't bother to call to be let out. He wasn't hungry. He picked up the book to read but barely scanned the words.

Tina checked on him around one and saw him in the chair reading. She decided not to disturb him. When he still hadn't made a move to come out by two thirty she decided to go have a talk with him.

"But I liked it. Isn't that sick?" John protested, confused.

Tina sat next to him on the edge of the bed. He had cried for a while when he first broke down and bared his sole. "Is it Laura, why?"

"I'm a man and I made love to another man." He broke out in another torrent of tears.

Tina waited until they subsided. "Are you Laura? Are you a man?" She asked with her kind, gentle tone.

John looked up at her, a question in his eyes.

Tina smiled and touched his cheek. "When I look at you I don't see a man. I see a beautiful woman. When I see the way you look when you're all made up and happily wearing one of your favorite outfits, I don't see a man." Tina continued to smile and console him. "When I see you look at yourself in the mirror and admire the lovely woman who smiles back at you I don't see a man. Laura, the things you say and do tell me you are a woman now."

She was right in a way. He had adapted to the roll too well. He had learned to enjoy the feminine side of him that now seemed to dominated everything he said, everything he did and he supposed, everything he felt. He returned Tina's smile halfheartedly. "I suppose you're right."

"I am right. Let the old life go. Let John go Laura. There's no place for him anymore." Tina hugged him.

Could he let go. Could he start his life, Laura's life from this point on? "What's going to happen to me?" John asked looking into Tina's eyes.

That was the question she dreaded but she had to give him some kind of answer. "You're going to have a very full life as Laura. You're going to go to beautiful places and meet fascinating people. You'll have beautiful clothes and jewelry to wear and live in a lavish house." Tina almost bit her lip. She didn't like lying to him. Well, it wasn't exactly a lie. She only left out a few things.

"It sounds wonderful. But why me?" John didn't understand. They did this to him just so he would look like a girl, just to make him happy? It didn't make any sense. What was going on?

She hugged him again. "Because you're a beautiful young woman who deserves everything life has to offer." She couldn't say, 'because you're unique and there are wealthy men out there who are willing to pay exorbitant amounts of money to keep you as a sex slave.'

Tina stood up. "Alright Laura, no more tears. Get dressed, put your face on and fix your hair. I'll go make us some lunch." She said happily.

What Tina had said about letting John go nagged at him as he pulled himself together. Did Tina think he could he do that so easily? No, not now, not ever. What was it that she wasn't telling him? His resolve returned, despite his fears. More than ever, he wanted to bolt for the door and run.

When Tina left him alone to get dressed he opened his closet to look at his choices. He desperately wished there was a pair of jeans and a shirt he could wear but he knew better. There wasn't a thing in the closet or the dresser that would make him look or feel anything but feminine.

John but on a bra and panties. In his robe, he halfheartedly put on a minimum of makeup and fixed his hair. In a cream colored heavy cable knit and black tights, wearing black flats, he knocked on his door to come out.

Margaret was apparently busy in the nursery so he and Tina ate alone. That was fine with John because the topic Tina chose to discuss was one that made him almost ill. He would have been mortified if anyone else over heard them.

They talked of many things but the primary topic was men and women's thoughts and feelings about them. When the conversation turned to sex John had insight into what most pleased them. Some of Tina's suggestions made his skin crawl but he didn't tell her that.

Tina had never had this kind of conversation with any of the other girls before and it was odd. Pleasant but odd.

How could she expect him to behave the way Tina said he should? Could he do the things she said were natural for a young woman? Of course not. Of that he was sure. "I'll try." He told her, lying.

If his mind wasn't made up before, it was now. He had to get away. But even that thought terrified him now. What would he do if he did.

"What time is Connie coming home?" John asked. He missed her and longed to sit down and talk to her. John had decided he wouldn't mention his dream that morning to Connie though.

Tina knew he missed her and had told Connie so. Connie had sounded strange on the phone. "Connie isn't going to be home again tonight. She still has a few things to straighten out." Tina didn't tell him that it was because of him.

John couldn't help but wonder if it had something to do with the way Jack was acting. What else could it be? He decided it was probably best if she wasn't there. She'd only get upset with Jack and maybe even him. It's just that there was so much he wanted to talk to her about.

He retreated to his room around three. He didn't want to be around when Jack came in.

He was very quiet through dinner. Their attempts to draw him out were unsuccessful. Jack insisted on he and Laura cleaning up the kitchen.

John didn't object but he was very uncomfortable in the kitchen alone with him. Jack was being playful, touching him, kissing him as he washed dishes.

"Is it alright if I go to my room and read?" He asked Tina when they were finished. John didn't want to be around everyone. It was early and he assumed that Jack wouldn't be inclined to settle in for the night so soon. He could only hope that Jack wouldn't come to his room that night.

Tina understood what he was feeling. That was fine with her.

Jack waited till almost nine o'clock before he went to John's room, giving the man a little time alone.

John became more and more nervous as the hours passed. It was almost impossible to concentrate enough to read. He knew that at any moment Jack could walk through the door. When he heard lock mechanism click he knew who it was before the door even opened.

 

SATURDAY - DAY 36

The two of them didn't show themselves till almost noon. Jack enjoyed getting up late on the weekends. He particularly enjoyed himself this particular Saturday morning.

It seemed to Tina that John was in a little better spirits when he came out. His hair was done, he had his makeup on and he was wearing one of his new outfits, his short black skirt and the purple blouse. He looked really attractive. He even smiled when she told him how nice he looked.

Jack looked rather happy with himself as he smiled and winked at Tina.

"Connie said hello." Tina told John as he picked at the tuna salad she fixed for them.

"She called!" John asked, excited. "Is she coming today?"

"She said she'd be over this afternoon." Tina explained. It was nice to see John excited about something. It was a pleasant change from him the somber mood of the past two days.

It was a shame they had to move so quickly. Normally, they'd take weeks for this stage of his transformation. They always handled it more slowly. Doing so much so quickly was so hard on him.

Tina remembered as they cleaned up. "Oh, she said to remind you that we're going out tonight. She spoke to Winnie and some of the others and they're all going too. She said to tell you to think about what you were going to wear." She saw his eyes light up as she told him.

He'd enjoy going out again. Anything to get him away from Jack's late night urges. Last night had been the worst yet. John had done things with Jack that he'd never admit to anyone, ever.

There were moments too, when Jack did things to him that he could only describe as wonderful. But, only when Jack's insatiable appetite was finally quenched did they sleep. John had no trouble falling sleeping. He was completely exhausted. Even his trouble conscience didn't keep him awake.

Then this morning John awoke next to a completely different Jack. He didn't ravage him as he had the other mornings. He was sweet and tender, talking with him, gently caressing as they lay naked next to each other under the warm covers. But there was no lustful sex. After what John had endured, it was almost pleasant.

They showered together, Jack washed him but didn't do anything more. He even washed his hair for John.

The man watched and they talked while John dried and styled his hair and put on his make up. Jack even helped him picked the outfit he wore that morning.

Not once, the whole time, did he make any advances toward him. It bordered on being a pleasant morning.

"Is there anything special you'd like to do today?" Tina asked. The poor thing deserved a little break. Tina was free to do whatever. Margaret was watching over Cindy. He was resting peacefully, recovering from his surgery.

Her offer surprised him. He didn't know how to respond.

"There must be something you'd enjoy doing?" Tina asked when he didn't answer right away.

"Could we go shopping?" He asked. Going back to the spa so soon seemed unreasonable. That was the only other thing he could think of that he'd enjoyed. Maybe he could even get her to buy him slacks. He really wanted pants. Jeans would have been too much to hope for.

Tina was a little surprised by his suggestion. She didn't know he'd enjoyed shopping so much. "Sure, why not. Is there anything in particular you want to get?"

"I don't know." He lied. "I just thought it'd be fun."

"Great." Tina agreed. "Just give me a half hour to get ready and the three of us will go."

John was a little surprised that they'd take Jack with them but he didn't say anything. His chances of getting away with the two of them with him wasn't much worse than with only one. His resolve was slipping anyway.

Jack could have thought of better ways to spend a Saturday afternoon but why not?

The mall they took him to was crowded. It was the weekend. To John's delight, she did buy him a pair of slacks. They also found him a couple of other new things.

Jack insisted on buying him a sexy new teddy that he saw in Victoria's Secrets window. John didn't let on to him that he thought the lace and satin underwear was really pretty. He just said it was nice.

John didn't even mind so much that Jack treated him like his girlfriend, holding hands while they walked through the mall. He didn't even bother trying to distance himself from him.

John used to be one of those guys that loved to see a woman with nice legs, wearing a short skirt, now he felt he understood what those women used to feel when men stopped and stared at them. John refused to even sit and rest when they took a break. The one time he tried the skirt rode up to high for him to feel comfortable. Tina tried to tell him he had nothing to be selfconscious about but that didn't help much.

Not once did the opportunity present itself for him to slip away. With only the ten dollars hidden in his purse, how far would he get anyway?

They were home with their purchases by five.

Connie was there when they walked in. She started dinner while she waited for them to get home.

John was surprised and thrilled to see her.

"Hi." Connie said with a smile.

John dropped his bags on the sofa and hurried to her. He wrapped his arms around Connie in a warm embrace. "I've missed you." He said softly, bordering on tears. He was so relieved to see her.

"I missed you too." Connie wasn't sure how he'd react to seeing her again. She didn't expect this. Now she was glad she decide not to stay away. "I see you've been shopping again. Did you have fun?"

Tina could see he was welling up with tears. "Laura, why don't you take your things to your room and show Connie what we bought." Better they were alone. It was obvious he was about to break down and cry.

Connie could see what was about to happen. "Here, I'll help you with your bags."

"How have you been?" She asked John when they put it all on his bed.

The floodgates opened. John poured out his heart for almost an hour. Connie listened. He stopped short of telling her his intentions about escaping. He knew Connie was a friend but she had been Tina's friend long before he came along. He couldn't take the chance.

"It won't make any difference." Tina told him.

"It can't hurt either." Jack insisted.

"Just let it go Jack. He'll be on the plane tomorrow." Tina insisted. "Let him enjoy his last night." They'd broken his spirit. Let Constanza take it from here, she thought to herself.

Jack was really disappointed that he'd not get to sleep with the man one last time. Last night had been fantastic.

Tina put off finishing getting dinner ready until John and Connie finally came out. It was almost six thirty.

"Oh, I like that on you." Tina said when she saw him.

"I look alright, you're sure." John thought the knit dress was too tight on him.

"Definitely, you look great in that. Turn around, let me see the back." She asked.

Jack liked it. It showed off his curves.

"It fits you beautifully." Tina assured him.

"See, I told you, you look great." Connie said smugly.

John only smiled at her. He still wasn't so sure. It was as short as the skirt that has drove him crazy all day.

"So who all's going tonight?" John asked as they sat down to dinner. He was feeling pretty good about himself at the moment. "I think there's going to be around eight of us."

John didn't expect that many girls would be going.

"There's you, me and Tina. Winnie's coming and she said she talked to Lynn and Pat, they're going to join us." Connie told him.

"That's seven." Jack piped in.

Connie thought a moment. Who was she forgetting? "Oh, and Gina. That makes eight."

John was glad that Winnie and Gina were going. He had fun with them on Monday. He had liked Lynn and Pat too. He looked forward to tonight. He didn't even mind that Tina's boyfriend Allen and his friend Ed would be there later. John looked forward to playing the game for the man again. It was fun fooling him at the party. He had no fear that his playing with Ed would lead to anything.

With Connie going along, Jack was sure to be there later too. At least he wouldn't have to worry about Jack coming on to him with her there.

They met the others outside the club at eight thirty. Early enough to be sure to get good seats. John was getting used to the customary exchange of pleasantries when women met. He got as many complements as he gave. It was nice.

Tina and Connie agreed they wouldn't try to embarrass him tonight. That wasn't why they decided to take him out. He was just there to interact with people and become more at ease being around the men and women, acting out his part.

It was just a shame there wasn't some way get the others not to tease their new girlfriend. Winnie was bad. A couple of times she got the dancers to come dance in front of him. They could see their suggestive moves embarrassed him. At least he wasn't the only one who was the brunt of the girls' teasing. Since Gina was the only married woman there, they picked on her a bit too.

It was nice to see John laughing when one of his friends got the same treatment he did.

They held drinking to a minimum. They were afraid John might not be as able to handle his liquor the way he once could. There was no point in taking chances. It wouldn't do for him to get drunk and possibly say or do the wrong thing.

Everyone had a great time. The Chippendales finished their show around ten thirty and then the men were allowed in.

Tina took notice of Ed's look when he saw John as he stood up to greet Allen and his friend. He looked at John just the way they hoped he would. Jack had been waiting outside with the others, along with Lynn's boyfriend.

Gina left early to go home to her husband. Winnie and Pat went trawling for men. Everyone else paired up.

John was not nearly as nervous as he thought he'd be. Once Ed broke the ice, they got along pretty well. Advertising and sales aren't that different. The two found they had a lot in common.

John, once a very aggressive salesman, no longer felt the selfassurance he once did. That side of him never surfaced during their discussion.

He was well aware of the role he played and listened intently, smiling and laughing, as the man tried to impress him. The man he once was would have put him down. Laura lacked the confidence of that man.

As time passed, Ed made his move on her. She looked fantastic tonight. She wasn't the mousy person he thought she was that night at the party. She seemed to know a lot about the advertising business, much more than he expected. He found her quite interesting and charming.

Before long, Ed was sitting cheek to cheek beside her. There were eight of them at the small table.

John said nothing as Ed put his arm around him. He just smiled and acted as if he enjoyed his attention. It was all part of the game he played. The only way now, not to play it was to give himself away. He was not about to do that. At least it wasn't as bad as what he knew would happen when their evening came to an end, when he went home to share his bed with Jack. He refused to think about that now. He was happy just to be out.

There were couples out on the dance floor. The music started after the entertainment was over. John never imagined that Ed would ask him to dance. Tina and Connie were no help, as they got out there with Jack and Allen. Connie was the one that encourage him to give it a try.

Jack was too inhibited to let loose they way the women did. He shuffled his feet and swung his arms in some semblance of what they were doing. By the third time he got out there he was getting better and started to go with the music.

Finally, around midnight, with Lynn and her friend getting up to go, Tina suggested it was probably time that left too.

John waited for his chance as tips were laid on the table. He intentionally left his purse lying on the floor when they started for the door. He turned back and snatched up the tips that Ed and Allen left. He couldn't grab the other money that the others left, without being obvious. He quickly stuffed it in his purse. He'd count it at home, when he was alone. Would it be enough, he wondered?

The other girls didn't hesitate to give their men a kiss goodnight. Having Ed pressure him for one, out in the parking lot, wasn't the end of the world. He done much worse than just kiss a man. Their lips parted after only a few seconds but the man seemed satisfied.

"Would it be alright if I gave you a call?" Ed asked smiling.

"Sure, I'd like that." John told him. What better opportunity to get away than on a date with someone who didn't know he was being held prisoner. Of course he agreed.

"You seemed to have a good time tonight." Connie remarked, looking back over the seat at him.

"I did. It was definitely different, but it was fun." He fooled everyone again.

"I think we have to work on your dancing." Tina commented with a smile. Too bad they wouldn't have the time.

As they neared home, John's mood changed. He knew that Jack was in the car behind them and soon he'd be curled up beside the man in his bed. He was resigned to that fact.

He was careful not to get caught with it. In the bathroom, before Jack got there, he counted out the money. twenty four dollars, including the ten from the lunch with Jack. Where was he going to go on so little?

It didn't matter. Somehow, it would be enough.

John undressed, expecting Jack to walk in any moment. He'd already said good night to Tina and Connie.

He'd taken off his makeup and moisturized and still no Jack. Could it be that he was going to be able to go to bed alone? No. Jack would have told him goodnight out in the living room if that were the case. John waited nervously.

What John was not aware of as he waited, was the argument that was going on in the other bedroom.

John was in his nightgown, under the covers, when Jack finally came through the door. He thought it odd that Jack was completely dressed and he had his coat on.

Jack sat on the edge of the bed, "I'm sorry Laura. I can't stay tonight. I have some things it have to do." He leaned over and kissed John's sweet lips."

John was shocked and delighted. He didn't even try to turn away. John gave him the kiss he wanted, he was happy to.

"I'll see you in the morning." Jack told him as he stroked his cheek then got up to go.

All John could think of to say was, "Good night." He breathed a sigh of relief as Jack closed the door behind him.

Now he was too worked up to sleep. The anticipation had been maddening. He was wide awake.

John noticed the book lying next to him on the nightstand. A turned back page marked the spot he left off. With his pillows propped up behind him and the radio set to the easy listening station, John made him self comfortable. He found himself so wrapped up in Marsha's passionate love affair that he completely lost track of time.

 

SUNDAY - DAY 37

"South America? Today?" John didn't know what to say. "Just you and I?"

"Sure. We'll spend a few days with friends then fly home." Tina played it down. She had waited till they finished breakfast to tell him. "I only got the invitation the other night. I thought I'd surprise you with it."

Connie kept her eyes down, out of fear they would betray her. She didn't want to lie to John anymore. She didn't want him to go.

Jack said little. He didn't want John to go either but his reasons were entirely selfish.

"It sounds wonderful." He lied. John had to make his break today. He only had the twenty odd dollars but that didn't matter. The airport would be crowded. In the confusion he would slip away. Somehow he'd get home to Houston, to the familiar surrounding of his apartment.

"We have to be at the airport at noon. Connie will give you a hand getting your things together while I get packed."

Connie seemed strangely quiet as she help him pack his suitcase. "Won't I need more clothes than this?" He asked. Connie had only laid out about four outfits on the bed. He wasn't exactly sure what he'd need once he'd escaped from Tina. A few day's worth of clothes certainly but he didn't know how long he'd have to continue the charade since he had no idea what he'd do when he got back to Houston.

"Not for just a short trip." Connie answered without turning to face him. As soon as he was gone they would pack up everything that was left and rush it to the airport. Tina had the boxes all ready in the store room. Every last thing they had bought him would go; clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, even his prescriptions, soaps and special lotions.

Everything happened so quickly. He had woken up this morning expecting today to be just like yesterday, expecting Jack to be there. When he wasn't, John got up early, showered, got dressed and hurried out to have breakfast before Jack could trap him into going back to bed.

He was surprised to find him sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee.

 John was reluctant about wearing the brightly colored fall outfit that Connie bought him for his trip.

Connie explained, "It'll be perfect for Brazil this time of year." She kept him company while John changed into the new two piece dress. He looked adorable in the flowing long rayon skirt and matching wrap blouse. Connie had also bought him a pair of open toed sandals to go with his new outfit. Wearing his gold earrings, necklace and matching bracelets, he looked just marvelous.

"Isn't it a good thing that you had your toenails done Laura?." Connie said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

Objecting would accomplish nothing, John knew that.

They took a cab to the airport. John sat in the back between Tina and Connie. Jack was back at the loft, packing up the rest of John's things.

Tina opened her purse and held some paperwork out to John. "This is your passport and visa." She told him. "Put them in your purse."

John took the documents. Opening the passport he saw the picture of himself and his new name, Laura Cabbot. 'Laura', he'd been called that so often that it didn't phase him. It looked funny in print. He couldn't wait to change that.

Everything looked so legal and proper. He wondered how they had managed to create the false documents so professionally. He was actually grateful to have them. He'd probably need them before he got home.

"And put these in your wallet." Tina told him, handing him a driver's license, and social security card.

It all looked so legal. John was amazed.

"This should do it," Tina said, handing John about thirty dollars in cash. "Tuck it away for emergencies." At this point it wouldn't do any harm for him to have a little cash. It certainly wasn't much. Enough to buy a glass of wine on the plane, perhaps something in the duty free shop.

Now he had almost fifty five dollars. John put the thirty in his wallet. He was careful not to let Tina or Connie see the other money he had hidden there this morning. Not enough to get him back to Houston but it was a start. He didn't have all the details worked out yet.

He didn't have very long to contemplate his escape. The trip to the airport was short. Connie held his hand most of the way. The way she looked at him made him feel sad that they wouldn't see each other for a few days. He held her hand tightly.

This trip made him very nervous. Playing this role in the surroundings he had become familiar with wasn't so terrible any more. Continuing the charade in a strange place, around people he didn't know, was almost too much to ask of him.

John began to check off possibilities in his mind. How could he slip away unnoticed. If only for a few seconds. Just long enough to put some distance between him and the girls. The ladies room was one idea, but would one of them go with him?

If the terminal was busy he could try to slip away, fall back in a crowd. Not very likely, he had to admit.

The last thing he wanted to do was to draw attention to himself, so creating a fuss in the terminal was out of the question. Besides, what would he do? Try to convince someone, even a cop, that he was really John Warren and that he had been kidnapped? Who'd believe him after seeing him? No, he'd have to slip away somehow.

The cab driver pulled up to the American Airlines departure area. When they stepped from the cab John looked around. Always looking for that critical stare he expected from people realizing he was really a man in drag. As he looked into more than two dozen pairs of passing eyes he realized that he was wasting his time. Something else showed in the eyes of the men and that, as always, made John nervous.

The cabby turned his and Tina's bags over to the luggage checker. Tina stayed with the bags while the man checked them in and John and Connie went into the terminal. Even the heavy coat he wore didn't hold back the chilling wind.

Inside was much warmer and Connie shed her coat, encouraging John to do the same. He did so reluctantly

Tina explained to the baggage handler, "I've changed my mind."

"And your friend?" The burly man asked.

"No, she's going on to Rio." She told him. "Hold my bag here for me. I'll be back to pick it up."

With that taken care of, Tina joined Connie and John in the terminal. "Our bags are all taken care of." Tina lied to John.

John was looking around the anything but busy airport for his opportunity. "Good" John said to Tina offhandedly. "How soon does our flight leave?" He asked trying to sound more interested now.

"In about half and hour. We have to head for the gate right away." Tina had planned it close on purpose. There was no point in dragging this out. As soon as John saw the Constanzas he would surely get nervous.

Tina had explained her plan to the Paulo Constanza. He was prepared to help her. Tina was worried about the wife, Celeste. She could make trouble. Paulo was to tell her that Laura was going home with them for a short vacation, nothing more. Constanza could deal with his wife later when he was ready to tell her the truth, that Laura was staying as his transvestite mistress. That was his problem.

There might be a little fuss on the plane when John realized that Tina wasn't going but a way to handle that had already been discussed with the man.

The three rode the tram out to the gates. The main terminal was devoid of crowds and offered John no opportunities. His time was running out and he was scared and getting desperate.

As soon as they stepped out of the tram, John saw that there were no crowds here either, to cover his escape. He was desperate now. He told Tina, "I need to go to the bathroom." He had spotted a ladies room just on the other side of the metal detectors.

Tina checked her watch. They had twenty minutes. "Alright Laura, but don't take too long."

"I'll hurry." He declared.

Connie looked to Tina and Tina gave her just the slightest acknowledgment. Connie turned to John. "I'll go with you Laura."

Damn, John thought to himself. If the ladies room had a back door or a service door, escape would have been simple if he went alone.

John quickly scanned the small room. One woman stood at the lavatory fixing her makeup. There was another using one of the toilets, judging by the feet John could see under a stall door.

The woman at the lavatory left as Connie came in. "We have to hurry Laura." Connie reminded him.

John looked back over his shoulder as he closed the stall door nearest the entrance. "I know Connie, I will."

He heard Connie go into and lock the last of the three stalls. The one furthest from the exit. Now John prayed. He had only two options open to him. Knock Connie unconscious and slip out when Tina wasn't looking or trick Connie into thinking he had already left. Timing was everything. There was no other door into the room.

John waited for what seemed like forever for the woman in the stall between them to leave. Fortunately she only washed her hands and didn't fool with her hair or makeup. John watched her shadow pass in front of him. He flushed the toilet in his stall and noisily slid the lock. If Connie came out of her stall now, his plan would be ruined and he would have to do something he really didn't want to.

How long had they been in here? Was Tina standing right outside waiting. John hurried out of the stall and grabbed the exit door before it banged into place. Tina was about twenty feet away with her back to him. Perfect.

John turned back to the stalls. "I'll wait for you outside with Tina, Connie." He said just loud enough for Connie to hear then he let the door close heavily.

John ignored her response, pretending he was already gone. "No Laura, wait for me."

He slipped his shoes of quickly and tip toed back to the stall he had only just exited. He heard Connie flush her toilet as he pulled the door closed and, ever so quietly, slid the latch across. John stood hunched over, straddling the toilet seat.

He listened as Connie washed her hands. He heard her draw two towels from the dispensers. John hardly dared draw a breath. His heart raced as Connie walked passed the front of his stall but she didn't even glance in his direction. If she had, she might have seen the bright colors of his print outfit through the wide cracks between the door and the walls.

The instant he heard the door close he leapt from the stall and opened the door just a crack. Connie was no more than five feet from Tina. Tina's back was still turned from her when Connie asked, "Where's Laura."

Tina spun at the sound of Connie's voice. "What do you mean, isn't he with you?" The tone in her voice reflected her impatience.

"No, he left the ladies room a few minutes ago. Weren't you watching?" Connie couldn't believe this was happening.

They shot desperate glances this way and that. To the right, toward the gates, only a few people mulled around. Too few to hide John. "He must have gone back toward the terminal." Tina decided.

Back behind them, the way they had come, was a large group of people. A flight must have just arrived and disembarked. He had to be hiding among them.

Connie was panicked. In her mind Laura would never run away from her. That was inconceivable. Something must be wrong. He must have gotten turned around, missed Tina coming out of the ladies room and was searching for them.

Tina didn't see it that way. She knew better. He had the look in his eyes just this morning. Tina knew what he had been thinking but never imagined he could carry it off. If only he knew, he had nowhere to go. No apartment, no job, no friends that would accept him now. But Tina didn't want to think that way. No, she and Connie had to find him. There was too much at stake.

"Let's check down this way." Tina suggested. They headed for the crowd on it's way to the tram and the main terminal.

John watched them hurry off and breathed a sigh of relief. This was his chance. Being unfamiliar with the terminal he had no idea where he could go. He certainly didn't want to follow them. They might turn back this way any second. The only option left was to head for one of the gates and get down to ground level and make his way back to the terminal. With luck, no one would stop him but that was unlikely. He'd have to make up a convincing story.

He pulled his coat back on to try to look less conspicuous. John opened the door and started walking slowly. He looked over his shoulder and could see Tina and Connie about two hundred feet away, searching for him in the crowd. John wanted to run but thought better of it. He walked slowly and deliberately, just like Connie had taught him.

Ahead was a set of four gates, two on the right and two on the left. Beyond lay another set of four and that was all. This wing of the terminal came to an end with a glass wall. John had few choices.

Between the gates he was approaching and the last set was a sign indicating another rest room around the corner. What else might be there he didn't have any idea.

John looked out the smoked glass windows. Here inside, the air was stuffy, climate controlled, but beyond the glass the air was crisp and cold. Inside he felt trapped. Out there was freedom and it was only a few feet away.

Celeste hadn't spoken more than a dozen words since he told her this morning that Laura was going home with them but she knew her husband. He was lying when he said it was just for a visit. Now she sat quietly in the plane with her dark sunglasses hiding the black and blue marks around her eye. She had objected to the girl going home with them. She had objected too loudly and paid the price. She sat quietly fuming while her husband disembarked to smoke his cigar.

The gateway was divided by structures on either side. John could see now that on the left were the men's and ladies rooms. To the right several doors opened off the narrow, short hallway. An elevator controlled by a hostess' key, a janitor's closet and lastly, a stairway. This would be his way out but when he tried the door it was locked.

As John stood there a ticket agent turned the corner and saw him. "May I be of some assistance?" The tall slender dark haired woman asked pleasantly.

John was at a loss for words. He couldn't very well tell her his dilemma. The woman look at him strangely when he didn't answer and John became even more nervous. He could feel perspiration forming on his back. He was about to ask her for help when it happened. John crumbled to the floor, writhing in pain.

"Are you alright Miss?" The woman asked, standing over him, waving the ammonia capsule under his nose.

John opened his eyes with a start. He didn't know what happened to him. "What....?"

"I've called for an ambulance." She told him. "It'll be here in a few minutes.

The voice behind her started the attendant.

The small crowd that had gathered around the woman parted. "That won't be necessary miss." Tina told her.

The attendant looked up to see two women and a man walking up to them.

"My sister has these attacks occasionally. I have her medication. We'll take care of her."

John was about to tell the woman he'd be fine but what he saw made his words catch in his throat. Tina and Connie were walking directly toward him and with them was the man from the party the other night, Constanza was the name John remembered. This was the man whose stares gave him the creeps.

"We'll take care of her now." Tina told the girl. Her tone of voice told John she was annoyed.

John looked from face to face as Tina helped him to his feet. Connie's face showed concern, Tina's, annoyance. The man's he couldn't read. It dawned on John then, what had happened to him. He should have recognized the griping pain before he passed out.

He had blown it. John felt a sickness growing in the pit of his stomach. What now.

"Let me get you a wheelchair for her." The attendant offered.

"Thank you. That would be a big help. Is there somewhere I might get a glass of water?" Tina showed the attendant the pill bottle. She decided now that John would need the valium she brought. Tina wished she'd given it to him back at the loft.

He had no strength, no resistance, left. He took the pill without a fight. They rolled him to the gate at the end of the terminal. What could he do now? He'd have to go with them and wait till they returned from South America to make his escape. Tina had said they'd only be gone a few days. He could endure this for a that short time, couldn't he?

They stopped at the gate. Tina looked into his eyes and saw his fear. "There's nothing to be worried about Laura. We'll just have a nice little vacation then come home." She knew he'd panic and make a scene here in the terminal if he knew the truth. The valium needed a few minutes to work.

John nodded, "Sure, it'll be fun." He tried to sound sure of himself but it came out differently. He sounded frail and afraid.

Connie stepped close and hugged John, kissing him on the cheek. "Now, you be a good girl and have a wonderful time. I'll be thinking about you." That was the truth. Of all the 'girls', she'd miss Laura the most. She had to turn away so that John wouldn't see her tears.

"I'll miss you too." He told her honestly. 'Why did she turn away?', he asked himself. Strange.

"It's time to board now Laura. Why don't you go with Senior Constanza. He'll take you to your seat." She handed the man Laura's ticket. "I'll be along in a moment. I have a few things to discuss with Connie." Tina was not asking, she was insisting.

John didn't want to go with the man. He didn't like Constanza. Especially with the way he looked at him.

Paulo, his arm around John's shoulder, turned John and they walked to the entrance of the gangway. "You are such a lovely creature. We're going to be very good friends." He told John. He couldn't wait to get him home.

John looked back over his shoulder. Tina and Connie were watching him as he stepped into the gangway for the long walk to the plane. What was it that he saw on their faces? Regret? Sympathy? John couldn't put his finger on it.

Neither said anything as they made their way down the long ramp. John's was a window seat and he had to step past Constanza's wife to take his seat. The glaring look she gave him unsettled John.

Paulo settled into the seat between his wife and his new mistress. Isn't life wonderful, he thought to himself as he first looked at one then the other. Celeste would have to adjust, of course. But that would come. She already new the things his new plaything would quickly learn. He was the master of his home and no one, no one challenged him. Life is wonderful, he thought again, with a grin on his face. Won't Celeste be surprised when she learns the truth. Perhaps he won't tell her right away.

Paulo had another thing coming if he believed that she would sit still for this. There was no way that another woman was going to intrude in her home. Who does this slut think she is. I run my home. I take care of my husbands needs, not some fancy American whore.

John watched for Tina. It seemed strange when they got to their seats that the row in front and behind were already full. Where was Tina's seat? He would have preferred sitting with her than next to this man. He smelled of cigar smoke. He watched impatiently for her to board.

The cabin pressure suddenly changed. John had felt that sensation many times before. They had closed the door to the plane. But Tina wasn't on board? John leaned forward in his seat to see as far forward in the plane as possible. No Tina?

He didn't want to address Constanza but he felt like he had no choice. "The plane can't leave yet, Tina's not on board." John said nervously.

Paulo look at Laura and smiled, "It's alright pet, our plans have changed slightly. Tina won't be joining us." Paulo put his hand on Laura's leg and squeezed gently. He couldn't wait to get Laura home to his bed.

Celeste couldn't miss her husband's show of affection but kept silent. She was going to make this little bitch's life miserable. She would find a way to get rid of her.

John wanted out. He hadn't put his seat belt on and he started to rise from his chair. He could run to the door and insist that they let him disembark.

Paulo grabbed his arm and forced him back into his seat. "Sit down and relax Laura. You're not going anywhere."

Constanza's tone scared John. "You don't understand." John tried to explain quietly to the man. He had trouble keeping his voice down.

"To the contrary, Laura. I understand completely. Now keep your voice down and behave yourself." Paulo told him forcefully.

"No, I'm not what you think I am." John started to tell him.

Paulo cut him off. "I know precisely what you are."

John had to tell him, so he'd let him go. "I'm really a man."

He whispered low.

Paulo smiled at his pet. "I know lover."

John looked at him, shocked and speechless.

"You are going to be my mistress. We won't tell anyone your little secret." He whispered back.

John was dumfounded. "You know?"

"Of course. Now behave and be a good girl." Paulo was enjoying this.

John found his senses and started to get out of his seat again.

Paulo quickly reached into his pocket and found the little remote that Tina had just given him. It only took an instant for him to find the button. He held his finger there till he thought it was safe to let go.

John collapsed back into his seat, his body went lip. He nearly passed out again.

The hostess rushed over to see what had happened. Paulo explained to the woman. "It's nothing. The young lady simply had a minor seizure. She's be fine."

The hostess accepted the man's explanation for the girl's outburst. "Is there anything you need?"

"She'll be fine now but we may need a wheel chair when we arrive in Rio." He told the woman. Paulo knew the valium would take effect soon. There'd be no more outbursts.

"I'll see to it." She assured him. "If she needs anything else just call me."

"You're very kind. I will" Paulo smiled as the woman walked off. He turned to his wife who had remained silent through it all. "Say nothing."

Celeste knew better. Her time would come. At least she knew now that the girl was not coming willingly. That did change things, but only slightly. She was still the wife and the girl just the mistress. She acknowledged her husband.

Paulo turned back to Laura. He whispered in his ear. "It will be wonderful, you'll see. You'll have beautiful things to wear and you'll be treated like a princess in my home. All you have to do is remember your place. Make me happy and you'll have a wonderful life. Make me unhappy and it will be a living hell."

John didn't have the strength to respond but his mind raced. So this was what it was all for. He just wanted to die.

"You are going to be asleep in a few minutes. I would have rather had your company on the flight but that's alright. When you wake up we'll be at your new home." Paulo brushed the hair from in front of Laura's pretty eyes. He gently clipped his seat belt. The last thing John remembered was Constanza reaching across his seat to kiss him on the cheek. "Sleep well my pet."

They hardly spoke on the ride back to the loft. Connie felt a deep sense of loss. Tina spent the time thinking of Cindy. Jack had little to say either

There would be little time to think of Laura in the next few days. Their new 'girl', Scott, or rather Cindy, would require all their attention. With the change in plans over the delivery of Laura to a client sooner than expected, darling, shy Cindy would have to be brought along quickly.

Given enough time and attention, Cindy might be as much of a delight as their Laura was.

So much to do, so little time.

 

 

This author welcomes all comments / criticisms.              JackiPett@netscape.net

 

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