The pictures told a story. I really did have to start thinking like a toddler. I stared at the pages for hours, and nothing, no ideas flowered. For the life of me, really, for Rafe's life, I could not distinguish one pictorial story from another. Each fanciful depiction seemed to echo off the other, just nymphs frolicking crazily.

All of the figures were nude, and true to their name, were engaged in many a carnal act.

"Didn't you attend some big fancy school in Boston?"

The question, posed by Jose, caused me to glance up sharply. His face boasted crease lines along the side, telling me he had spent the last few hours taking a long nap.

"I didn't exactly major in pictorial studies," I replied.

"All I meant was," he slid the book close, squinting at one of the pages, me resisting the urge to slap his hand, "The answer seems to be right there, if you're willing to see it."

I huffed, and grabbed the book back. "Who are you, Yoda?" Despite the derision, I tried to do as instructed, and "see" the answer willingly.

Only, I didn't see anything. Really, the only discernible parts included nymph relations. Suddenly, the limbs that had been in fixed positions, began undulating. I blinked, several times over, wondering when I had slipped into a Harry Potter movie. Yet, for all the moving photos in Harry Potter, these particular depictions would've made Ron and Hermione blush for sure.

I'd felt dirty appraising the pictures before, but now, watching the figures...move...together, I felt downright icky. Not to mention, my father still stared over my shoulder. Gross.

The room warmed up, and sweat prickled under my arms. Something very much like a hand caressed my face, lazily traveling over my collarbone, and cupping my breast.

What the hell?

I jumped away from the book like it was on fire.

"What's the matter?" Jose asked.

"Go away," I growled, hoping he didn't notice the flush to my cheeks.

He laughed, but complied, sauntering from the room.

Considering what I assumed what was to happen next, I dashed into the nearby guest bathroom, and locked the door. Plopped on the toilet, I hugged the sex-book to my chest, panting. The scene was comical from the outside looking in, most likely. In the thick of it, my thoughts were racing, fixed on figuring out the nude mystery from my tiny, sex-fiend friends. When I was sure I was alone, I re-opened the book in my lap, peering down with renewed interest. The pictures were still moving. I tried to guess which one of the little nymphs had touched me.

The busty blonde? Ugh, so cliche. The sultry brunette with creamy caramel skin? Each figure stared straight at me, their movements uninterrupted despite their straying gaze.

I worried I was losing my grip on reality, then reminded myself that life was already strange. I could read minds, my father was...special...and my husband was a kidnapped centaur. Compared to everything else, nymph-porn was kinda normal.

A warmth brushed over my face, and I never wanted it to stop. In fact, I'm ashamed (not really though) to admit, I begged the feeling to move lower. Lower, it did. The warmth flooded into places untouched by anyone but Rafe, and I welcomed the touch. It's not that I wanted to cheat on my husband, but, c'mon, what could I do? The spell, book, or whatever, had taken over, and I had no choice but to go along on the ride.

And boy, what a ride.

When I tipped over the edge, my eyes squeezed shut, head and body exploding with pleasure. I had never experienced such an all-consuming feeling. It had seemed like a hundred hands had roamed over every inch of my body, leaving no stone or breast unpinched.

Slowly, I became aware that I was still in the bathroom, and that people might be wondering where I am and what I was doing.

My eyes fluttered open, and I noticed immediately that I was wrong.

I wasn't in the bathroom at all.

Lush vines seemed to spill from the very sky, with flowers of all colors blooming on their curled ends. Soft, meadow grass kissed my feet, and briefly, I reflected on how smart that was. Grass like this would be comfortable to, ahem, move on.

"And move we do," a woman informed me, naked as you please, and not in the least bit shy about it.

I ran my hands over my form, even as I knew I would be naked. Yup. Not a stitch on. Yet, it didn't feel strange. I reveled in the sun gently warming my body, the breeze picking up a bit and lifting my hair.

"Paradise, isn't it?" another woman asked from behind me, plaiting and unplaiting my hair. Her full breasts brushed against my back, and I shamelessly moved closer to her.

I'd never been partial to women, but the contact felt entirely natural in this place.

The first woman, approached me with a wide grin. Something inside of my whispered her name: Sharee.

"We have answers for you," Sharee said, taking my hands in hers. "But only after."

I almost asked, after what, and then the second woman, Thalia, licked my ear.

Oh, that after.

"If that's what it takes," I began, not a smidge of regret coloring my tone, "then I'm in."

~*~