Chapter 3 Temptation

It took me a second to recognize that I was stranded on this dark road; all I saw was dark woods, and all that could be heard were crickets. I stood there repeating. "This is not happening to me. He will turn around and come back for me; Mark will never leave me out here like this."

But after several minutes went by, I realized he wasn't returning. Instead, he had driven away and was gone leaving me all alone. So I began walking, frightened and fighting tears.

"I knew I shouldn't have trusted or given him another chance. So why couldn't I tell his mother no and move on? I know there's got to be one nice guy in this world who will treat me, right?"

I still couldn't believe he had left me out there all alone. I was now stuck out somewhere far from home. I didn't see any other cars or a taxi in sight. The road was desolated! I went from being devastatingly hurt to boiling angry! Then to being petrified, and then very sad. What was supposed to have been one of the most incredible nights in my Life has turned out to be one of the most frightening and unbelievable! But things got even worse when I reached for my purse on my shoulder to get my cell phone and realized I had left it in his car!

"Oh, God! Oh God! What am I going to do?"

Panicking, I eyed my surroundings. Thinking I'll keep going hoping I find the resort; it can't be too far. Once I get there, I can ask to use the phone to get a taxi or call someone to come and pick me up. So, I kept walking along the da k road. The foliage was thick due to the late spring growth. As I kept walking, I noticed the road led to a bridge surrounded by tall trees. I stepped onto this wood-planked movable bridge. I felt inclined even though I couldn't see it being shielded from any curious eyes that might be around. Even though I focused as hard as possible, I didn't see a soul out there. And yet, strangely enough, I felt watched. I took the platform itself, being careful to be sure-footed. With each step, it slowly started ascending, startling me, but I could see it was a well-used path. But by whom? So, I kept walking, inhaling deeply as my poor feet ached from my high heel shoes and the distance I had walked. The smell of the trees and woods served as a distraction. The leaves smelled sweet, as if they were fragranced with flowers or maybe spritzed with perfume, but the scent wafted into my

nostrils.

Then as I kept forging ahead, there was another musky and spicy scent with a hint of citrus. It smelled like a man's cologne. I paused and backed toward one of the trees when I saw a staircase in the distance. I wondered if it led to the resort or this place, Nightclub After Dark. Curiosity compelled me forward as I kept walking. Now I could feel the unseen eyes upon me even more; being watched made me stop again and back away. I reached my hand out in front of me, but I couldn't see or feel anyone. So I concentrated on climbing the stairs, trying not to think of the height I had climbed or the eyes I felt were watching me. I realized the plank wood bridge ended at the staircase. It was so dark, the only light I had was from the moon and stars, but I did reach the staircase, and the minute I stepped on the stairs, they began descending back to the ground. I held on tight to these flimsy-looking rails. When I neared the bottom, I wondered if the club was inside the giant tree trunk. Each step I took led me inside the massive tree. Then the descending of the staircase stopped in midair as I locked eyes with a man standing a couple of steps down from me. Where did he come from? I asked myself as my heart began racing! I turned to climb back up the stairs, but to no avail; the stairs only moved in one direction, his!

I held on tight to the flimsy rail staring at the man. He was tall, shirt partially open with muscles galore! My breath caught to see the powerful swells beneath his pale skin. My gaze skittered down to where the burly guy's shirt was tucked into pants that revealed legs as strong as his upper body. His waist-length platinum silky hair drifted loose in the breeze, waving in the brisk night air. His large blue cat-like eyes narrowed as he looked at me as if he could drill into my soul with his gaze. The man had sensual lips in defiance of the carved masculinity of his face. They curled in a knowing smile.

"Welcome, we were expecting you. I see you came alone as planned." He said in a deep tenor.

I stepped back though my feet ached something terrible I had to put distance between me, that ruthless leer of his eyes, and the deep tenor of his voice.

"What?" I responded. "My boyfriend made reservations for two tonight, not just me. So, you expected me to come alone?" The man looked around and behind me and stated.

"Yes. I don't see anyone else. We were told only to be expecting you." The man replied, smiling with a hint of mischievousness.

My legs trembled with sudden weakness, not this time from m aching feet. What was he saying? Mark made reservations for two, didn't he? My gut squeezed tight as I eyed the man, who seemed to be the type that would take what they wanted. I was already drained and scarred to death from the long walk, but something seemed to drain the rest of the little strength I had in my body. Then I found myself staring at the two men with unblinking stares. In response to my retreat, the muscular one advanced another step. He had to be at least six feet and five inches tall, maybe six. The closer he got the guy was towering over me in my high heels. I lifted my foot as if to take a step forward, only to place it behind me, taking a huge step backward. I saw movement behind him, alerting me to the second man on the stairs. I took another step back, realizing I had no room to retreat. I was going to run, but the stairs steadily descended as if I had stepped on an escalator.

The first man's companion came up the stairs and stood beside him. This one was slender but no less impressive. His tan face was narrow but chiseled with smooth skin. The features were sharp and pointy, with warmth in his eyes but with lust curling his lips. His hair was long past his shoulders and wavy and midnight blue. It was thick and soft looking, the kind of hair you would want to get lost in forever. He had brushed to one side of his shoulder. It was an exciting midnight blue and black color. He wore a snug crew-cut clean white shirt with his slender but muscular arms and fitted black slacks.

I gasped, stepping back, but all at once, they surrounded me. The scent I smelled earlier was very potent. I couldn't think how to form words as a calloused hand closed over my arms, holding me prisoner while simultaneously supporting me. Then I felt one of the men pull at my dress, his eyes staring intently into mines as he touched me.

Then the other sniffed down her neck and between where my breast met-taking my breath away as I barely managed to defend myself. I managed not to squirm at the solicitous touch though it made my skin quiver. My breast responded to the warmth of his nose and lips in between them.

"What are you doing? Get away from me!"

The man backed away as his eyes darted at the muscular one nodding his head as he noticed the body's response. I looked down at my chest and saw the perkiness of my breasts. The slender man licks his lips as he looks at me intently.

"We are not going to harm you in any way. Welcome to Pleasure Paradise. From what we have an exam so far, you have been very abandoned and deprived. You are very emotionally and physically dehydrated." The first man said in a low deep voice, his nose flaring as he inhaled my skin again, making me shiver.

"Come." They said as they both took me by the arms down the stairs. In my mind, I was resisting, putting up a fight. But physically, I cooperated with the two men. I knew something was wrong, and I surrendered myself to them. Already the sense of a warm euphoria crept over me, a sweet intoxication that overwhelmed any instinct for self-preservation. My weakened knees shook even harder. It took all I had not to collapse on the stairs.

The slender guy's eager smile grew wider still. They entered the base of the tree trunk, and we ascended, and then we entered this circular room. They lowered me to one of the cushions.

"What is this place?" I gazed at my captors, my vision hazy with intoxication though I hadn't been drinking or given anything to take.

"You have entered Pleasure Paradise. You will be our private guest." I couldn't take my eyes away from the one with the large cat-like eyes peering at me. I batted my lashes sitting there utterly afraid of what would happen to me next.