When Landon arrived at the shop five minutes before seven on Monday evening, Mara apparently sensed his despondent state, for her greeting was more subdued than usual. She didn't even attempt any good-natured teasing; instead, she quickly stood and invited him to follow her.

"I actually have an appointment this time," he said as Mara led him to Selene.

"I'm aware." Glancing over her shoulder, she offered a warm smile. "I've been looking forward to seeing you all day."

In spite of his low mood, he couldn't help but return her smile. "Flatterer."

"Me? Never!"

When they reached Selene's open door, Mara rested a hand on Landon's back. Having again left his suit coat in the car, he could easily feel the warmth of her palm through his shirt.

"Selene, Landon's here to see you," Mara said. 

Selene gestured for him to sit at the table, directly across from her. As he did so, she gathered up that strange deck of cards he'd been presented with during their first meeting. Glancing over at Mara, Landon watched her step out of the room. When their eyes met, she gave him a wink, then closed the door, leaving him and Selene alone.

"How have you been?" Selene now asked quietly. 

Turning back to her, Landon found that the young woman's gaze was softer, and her lips were set in a gentle line. Her hair was pulled back in a loose bun, with dark tendrils framing her face. Tonight, she wore a prim blouse with pearl buttons and a lacy collar. 

"You're the mind reader," he said, lifting an eyebrow. "You tell me."

His smart-ass remark chased all sympathy from her expression. Leaning back in the chair, she folded her arms over her chest. "You've been absolutely miserable these past several days. Barely able to eat or sleep, you've nursed a deep bitterness for me, along with your sense of betrayal due to Alice abandoning you. You know the man who convinced her to leave, and your thoughts turn dark, violent, when you imagine him with the woman you love." Tilting her head, she regarded him for a long moment. "That propensity for violence is why I won't tell you where they are."

"I'm not going to hurt anyone!" Landon snapped. "For God's sake, I've paid you a small fortune. The least you could do is tell me what I need to know!"

Selene abruptly stood and circled around the table, again standing before him. He was vividly reminded of their last meeting, when she'd positioned herself exactly like that. And then she'd ordered him to eat her pussy. Of course, he needed no persuading. 

Recalling the act sent a surge of arousal directly to his groin. Lifting his head, he met Selene's stare. He had the crazy urge to climb to his feet and kiss her. Would she let him? Or was that something only Roger was permitted to do?

"Why are you so desperate to know their whereabouts?" Selene asked. "And don't lie to me."

Extending a hand, Landon let his fingertips glide over the front of her skirt. "I simply want to know if she's happy with him."

"You shouldn't give a shit!" Selene retorted. "She left you; she destroyed your entire world." When he didn't answer, she grabbed his wrist. "You deserve better, Landon."

He closed his eyes, trying to hide from her words. "I just need a location."

"You know who this man is! I've provided you with enough information for you to find them on your own." 

Finally, Landon rose. They stood just inches apart, and he dared to caress one of those dark tendrils. "I didn't work with Van for all that long," he revealed. "He hired on at the office last summer, and while he seemed dedicated to the job, I got the sense he was aiming for something more. He's younger than me, in his mid-thirties. He and I worked together well; you might even say I considered him a friend." Landon felt his mouth twist into something like a snarl. "He wasn't married, and since he was new to the area, I invited him over to my place. Alice told me she wasn't crazy about him; she said he was arrogant. I guess she changed her mind at some point."

Selene pressed her hand against Landon's cheek. He allowed himself to nestle into that touch for a few seconds before finding the strength to continue. 

"Van abruptly quit at the beginning of the year. Didn't even give notice. I was disappointed in his behavior, but the higher-ups were livid. I tried to contact him and ask why he'd been so stupid, burning a bridge like that." Breathing in, Landon caught the scent of Selene's perfume, something citrusy. The fragrance soothed him in an unexpected way. "But he'd already cleared out of his apartment. No one had any clue where he went. After he was gone, I realized just how little I knew about him. He'd always kept me at arm's length. When I told Alice what he'd done, she didn't seem all that surprised. Now I understand why." Rage and grief coiled within him like two venomous serpents. "They'd been planning his disappearance and hers. I've spent the last few days searching nonstop, trying to follow every possible avenue. I'm wondering if they're using different names, or if they've left the country, because there's no fucking sign of them in this one."

Slowly, Selene withdrew her hand. "Your pain is still too raw," she said. "It's clouding your judgment."

Landon merely laughed. The sound was full of bitterness. "Is that a nice way of saying you won't tell me anything more about Alice and Van?"

"I won't feed this obsession of yours. I hoped if you knew the reason Alice left, you'd decide to move on." She released a heavy sigh. "That was a mistake on my part."

"So that's it?" His voice rose even as he tried to subdue his frustration. "You made a mistake, and now you're done with me?"

"I didn't say that!" Selene rested a hand on his arm. "I want to help you heal from this, Landon, but you have to trust me."

"And what do you propose?" His smile was mocking. "Are you going to read my palm?"

She strode to the door and opened it. "If you're going to be disrespectful, you can leave right now."

Landon felt like a fool standing there while she chastised him. He had no leverage in this arrangement; from the very beginning, Selene had been in control. They were both aware of how much he needed her, for she'd been the only one to shed light on Alice's motivation for leaving. And if he tried to challenge her, or even questioned her methods, she wouldn't hesitate to send him on his way.

"I'm sorry," he finally said. "And I do trust you, Selene."

The hint of a smile played on her lips. "Then I want you to come with me."

"Where are we going?" Already, he was moving closer, eager to follow her.

"Mara's waiting for us down the hall." As Selene spoke, her gaze grew bright with anticipation, which led Landon to wonder what she and Mara had planned. He didn't have to wonder long, for Selene added, "She's going to rebalance your chakras."

He stopped short, fearing the skepticism was apparent on his face. "And how much does Mara charge for this?"

Selene rolled her eyes. "All that money you threw at me last week is more than enough to cover her fee. Now, I want you to at least try to keep an open mind, okay?"

"For you? Anything." 

As they left the room and started down the hall, Landon noticed the front lights had been dimmed, signaling the shop was closed. It wasn't yet nine, but Mara had apparently decided to lock up early.

Toward the end of the hall, Mara stopped at a door on the right. It was open, and when Landon looked inside the room, his eyes widened at the sight of a neatly made bed. Several candles provided the room's only illumination. 

"Come on in," Mara said, stepping into view.

Landon stared at the blonde, who now wore a silky pink robe. Though its sash was tied, the garment showed plenty of cleavage. Helplessly, he glanced at Selene, as if asking for permission.

"Go on," she urged with a knowing grin.

When Landon tentatively entered the room, he was relieved that Selene followed him inside. She closed the door behind her, then turned to Mara expectantly. "He's ready for you to help him with that blocked sacral chakra."

Landon gasped at her words. "I didn't say that!" Looking back to Mara, he hurriedly added, "I mean, I appreciate you wanting to help, but I don't think I have any kind of blockage."

She sidled up to him, her smile never wavering. "Oh, you certainly do. Now, why don't you get undressed? You can keep your underwear on if you want, but it's best if you're completely naked."

An involuntary moan escaped him. The thought of being naked in front of these women was both exciting and unnerving. While Mara pulled back the bedspread and top sheet on the bed, Selene stepped forward and began unbuttoning his shirt. He made no effort to stop her even as his breathing quickened. 

"Just relax," she whispered. "Mara and I will take good care of you."

He had a feeling that Mara and Selene didn't give this kind of treatment to any of their other clients. Before he could stop himself, he asked, "What would Roger think about this?"

Selene's gaze met his. He thought she looked especially beautiful in the flickering candlelight. "Roger would want us to do everything we can to help such a valuable client," she said. "Isn't that right, Mara?"

"Absolutely."

Landon pulled off his undershirt as Selene lowered his pants. "But I'm sure you have many valuable clients." 

"Not so many," Mara said. "The ones we do have tend to be loyal, and quite generous in their support."

Finally, he wore nothing but his boxer briefs. Both Selene and Mara regarded him, their expressions deceptively innocent. "You really want me to take everything off?" he asked. 

"Only if you're comfortable doing so," Selene replied breezily. "After all, you've seen all of me."

Though Mara's mouth dropped open in a display of astonishment, Landon didn't know if she was truly shocked or merely pretending to be. Before she could ask any questions, he rushed to take off his underwear. 

Standing before the women, Landon felt their gazes travel over his bare skin. It was strange, being so intently studied. His body was still lean for the most part, but he felt a little self-conscious about the softening in his midsection. Since Alice had left, he'd neglected his normal workout routine. 

Mara now patted the bed. "Come lie down and make yourself comfortable."

Landon did as she said, resting his head on a pillow. While Mara stood at his side, Selene sat in a chair in the corner. 

"You don't mind if I touch you?" Mara's tone made it clear that she already knew the answer to her question. 

"Not at all," Landon replied, a little too quickly.

She began describing the seven chakras, her warm hands moving over his body as she illustrated the location of each one. He tried to concentrate on what she told him, but his gaze kept drifting to her robe. It gaped open, revealing the curves of her breasts. If she noticed him sneaking glances at her tits, she didn't let on. Instead, her fingers grazed his lower belly, making him shiver.

"Oh yes, your sacral chakra is definitely blocked," she murmured. "That makes regulating your emotions difficult, especially your feelings about intimacy."

Landon drew in a sharp breath when Mara moved her hand to his cock. Already, he was desperate for her touch.

"Is that okay?" she whispered.

He nodded, not trusting himself to speak. While gently stroking him, she worked his legs a little farther apart. A groan emerged from his throat as she began massaging his taint. 

"Mmm, you're opening up to me now, aren't you?" Mara grinned down at him. "We'll have your chakras rebalanced in no time."

Landon glanced over at Selene, who was leaning forward in the chair. Did she enjoy watching her friend touch him in such an intimate way? he wondered. 

Mara expertly coaxed Landon's dick to full hardness. In the shadows of the room, she appeared more like a playful lover than a mystical seer. He eagerly watched her loosen the sash of her robe until it fell open, exposing her gorgeous breasts. He blatantly stared at her pale pink nipples, and then at her smooth pussy lips. He loved the curve of her belly, which subtly accentuated her voluptuous figure. 

"How beautiful you are," he breathed.

Mara seemed pleased by his praise. After shrugging out of the robe, she moved to join him on the bed. "Do you want me to help you with that blockage?"  

Landon struggled to believe this was happening. This sexy young woman was offering herself to him, and he knew it wasn't solely out of concern for his sacral chakra. As she straddled him, he felt the heat of her sex against his skin. 

Turning his head, he met Selene's eyes. She wore that same knowing smile while climbing to her feet and approaching the bed. She sat on its edge, next to his pillow. Gently, she stroked his hair as Mara started sliding her wet pussy along the length of his erection. His hips bucked, betraying his abject need. Mara simply giggled, then leaned forward so her breasts swayed above his face. 

He couldn't resist taking them in his hands. Lifting his head, he drew her left nipple between his lips and greedily sucked. The sound of his eager mouth filled the room, along with her pleasured moans. 

"Do you want to be inside me, Landon?" Mara's voice was high and breathy.

He let her nipple escape his lips long enough to say, "So much!"

She sat back up, positioning herself over his cock. His chest quickly rose and fell as she guided his tip to her entrance. At that moment, he could think of nothing but his yearning for her to sink down and take him inch by inch.

Instead, Mara waited. Gracefully poised above him, she seemed in no hurry to give him what he craved.

"Please," he shamelessly begged.

It was then that Selene leaned toward him, bringing her lips close to his ear. "You're aching to feel her pussy around your cock, aren't you, Landon?"

He could only nod. His entire body trembled with barely controlled arousal.

"What if I were to give you a choice?" Selene went on in that low, hypnotic voice. "I can tell you where Alice is, or you can fuck Mara."

Landon closed his eyes, trying to slow his racing pulse. "Why are you doing this to me?" he said through clenched teeth. "How can you be so cruel?"

Ignoring his questions, she said, "This is a one-time offer, and I won't make it again. I'll tell you where she is, right now. But if I do, you lose the chance to enjoy Mara. She won't give you another chance, because she has far too much self-respect to settle for being your second choice. Isn't that right, Mara?"

"It sure is." She fondled Landon's tip, drawing another moan from his throat. 

"What's your decision?" Selene asked him. 

Opening his eyes, Landon searched her face. He feared her manipulation would utterly destroy him. Yet her gaze was tender as she caressed his cheek. 

Turning his attention to Mara, he found the lovely blonde waiting for his answer. She had his cockhead right at her opening; he could feel the warmth of her flesh. "I choose you," he told her.

Her face broke into a smile just before she lowered herself onto his erection. He watched, transfixed, as his entire length disappeared inside her. How wet and tight she was! Though his mind screamed that he'd made a mistake, his body wouldn't allow him to regret his choice.

With the grace of a sensual dancer, Mara began riding him. Selene gently grasped his chin, and when he again looked at her, he found she was beaming. "You chose well," she said, then planted a kiss on his mouth. 

Landon cupped a hand against the back of her head, returning the kiss with unrestrained passion. All the while, Mara's hips moved in a serpentine rhythm, and her cries strengthened in time with her growing excitement. 

When Selene broke the kiss, Landon fixed his stare on Mara. "That's it, sweetheart. Keep riding my cock!" he urged. 

Her breasts swayed from the force of her movements. "You feel so good, Landon!"

He was already too close. In a desperate attempt to last, he tried to mentally distract himself. Selene must have sensed his helpless state, for she moved closer to Mara. The sight of her fingers slipping between Mara's thighs almost proved to be Landon's undoing. 

As Selene rubbed Mara's clit, the blonde released a wail. "I'm almost there! Oh, fuck!"

"Come on his cock." Selene's touch was relentless in driving Mara closer to orgasm. 

Landon lay on the bed, sweating and panting. His balls had drawn up, and he knew he would soon reach the point of no return. "Mara, I can't last much longer!"

He'd barely finished speaking when Mara grew rigid and then started to quake. She kept his cock buried inside her while succumbing to the powerful climax. With her muscles constricting around him during a prolonged series of spasms, he reached the precipice of his own orgasm. 

Selene issued a warning to her friend, who reluctantly eased off of Landon. A whimper escaped him as his cock slipped free of Mara's pussy. He expected her to use her hand to finish him off, or perhaps those slick folds. 

Instead, it was Selene who lowered her face to his erection. He grew wild watching her lick his throbbing cock, which was covered with Mara's juices. She took his tip in her mouth and fervently sucked, her moans reverberating all around him. Clawing at the bedsheet, he tried to keep his hips still. 

Mara placed her hand on the back of Selene's head and gently guided her downward. Selene's mouth moved lower, her cheeks hollowed from the force of her suction. 

"Selene!" Landon cried. "I'm about to... Ah, Christ!"

His body grew taut while he surrendered to the most intense orgasm he'd ever experienced. Spurt after spurt of semen erupted from his cock to fill Selene's mouth. She strove to swallow it, but some leaked from her lips and down his shaft. Mara leaned in to lick up the mess, and Landon made a guttural sound as both women swirled their tongues around his tip. They shared a kiss with his cock between them, causing him to shiver from that exquisite stimulation. 

Finally, they both sat up, wearing triumphant grins. "That sacral chakra's open now," Mara told him while playfully ruffling his hair. 

"I hope to keep it that way!" His satisfaction following that climax was almost tangible. 

She climbed from the bed, then put on her robe. At the door, she turned to give him a long, appreciative stare. "I look forward to our next session, Landon."

Once Mara slipped out of the room, he focused his attention on Selene. She gazed down at him, her eyes slightly narrowed. He wondered what she could read on his face. Was it the regret now taking up residence in the corners of his mind? He'd made a decision while under the sway of lust, and of this spellbinding woman. Would she really deny him the information he needed to find Alice? Was that door firmly closed for good?

He opened his mouth to speak, but Selene pressed a finger to his lips. "You've made your choice, Landon."

For a long moment, he remained quiet, while inside, he raged at Selene's refusal. Taking several deep breaths, he strove to control his emotions. Selene merely waited, as if she perceived the conflict roiling within him. 

Landon was gentle in grasping her wrist. He moved her palm downward, placing it against his throat. Then he lowered it to his chest, directly above his heart, as he said, "You and I still aren't finished, Selene."