STILL LIFE: ELLIE

- - -

Life's lessons often hurt.  You're told it's good for you, and you doubt it.
Then the day finally arrives when you're ready to use all the things you've
so painfully learned along the way.

When I saw her standing there on the beach that early morning, the
outrageousness of her figure immediately gave her away.  Her breasts weren't
unrealistically large.  They were impossibly huge, easily doubling the girth
of her otherwise sturdy frame.  They caught my eye exactly as they were
intended to do.  She was leaning back against a large piece of driftwood,
possibly to help her keep her balance.

It was a while before I noticed the rest of her, tanned, naked - and female.
The last thing I noticed was her blonde hair and uncertain, but welcoming,
smile, which is easily her best feature - boobs included.

Her only adornments were solid gold earrings, necklace, and waist chain -
all no doubt part of the spell that had brought her to life, perhaps only
moments ago.


I shouldn't have been surprised, and in reality wasn't all that much.
Things like this, and other small magiks, have been going on nearly ten
years now since the basic principle was discovered.  But it still hasn't
permeated everyday life.  Most people do things the way they've always done
them, leaving magik for people with special needs - like photographers.

Realizing there had to be more going on outside my tunnel vision of the
woman, I looked around to see what was happening.  A few feet down the beach
I saw a white nylon tent flapping in the breeze.  A photographer and a
couple assistants were preparing their equipment and reflectors to make best
use of the morning sun on the west-facing beach of this Caribbean island.  I
caught a brief glimpse of a tall, slim, dark-haired woman with a stunning
face just as she stepped into the tent.  She looked like one of the
up-and-coming supermodels I've seen on magazine covers lately, but I
couldn't remember her name.  She seemed the very opposite of the woman in
front of me.

No one seemed to be paying attention to the new girl.  Being willing to take
her smile as a minor invitation, I interrupted my morning walk to walk over
and say, "Hi."

"Hi, yourself," she replied back, in a sweet voice devoid of any artifice.

A quick glance over my shoulder showed me that no one else seemed to be
paying any attention to us.  With the wind whipping our words away out to
sea, no one could probably hear us anyway.  So I looked back to her and
bantered some more with, "You look all ready to go.  And all they're doing
is making you wait."

"Yes," she replied, unfazed by my sub-textual reference to her nudity.
"They seemed so intent on catching the morning light before the beach
becomes crowded, and now they're just fussing with their equipment."

This beach would become crowded soon enough, I knew.  We were only a couple
hundred paces away from the first class hotel I'm staying in for a week of
long anticipated vacation.  It was the last week before high season arrived
here and prices doubled.

Still, no one was paying attention to us, so I looked back at this striking
woman once again.  She had clearly been sculpted to have the most extreme
figure feasible that still fell within the bounds of "possible".  Anything
more would have been a parody of the human form.  And I knew only days
earlier she had lain on some Pygmalion's table as a special order for some
client - either this photographer, or more likely the customer who'd hired
him.  This was nothing new.  The legends of it went back thousands of years,
even if they are only realized recently.

By now she was looking at me intently.  Gazing at me as if to remember every
feature.  Perhaps it was just because I'm the only person around paying any
attention to her right now, but that kind of deep attention from such a
striking woman is always flattering to the male ego.  I decided at that
moment I would stay with her as long as I could get away with it.

"What's your name?" I asked her, hoping she wouldn't respond with,
"Galatea".  Somehow that would be just a little too Greek for me.  Then I
mentally kicked myself.  She might not even have a name, and this question
would embarrass or discomfort her.  How should I have known?  I'd never
conversed with one of the awakened before.

"Ellie," she replied.  "At least that's what one of them called me."

"Ellie it is," I said thankfully.  "A pretty name for a beautiful woman."

Now she was embarrassed.

"Do you really think I'm beautiful," she asked quietly, looking down in
confusion.

"Absolutely!" I replied in an epiphany of truth.  "Gorgeous, lovely,
knockout."

I didn't get to add "sexy" and several more synonyms before she looked back
up with her bright smile back in place again.  I decided not to overdo it in
the first two minutes, and kept "sexy" in reserve for another time.

"Thank you," she said softly.  "You're very kind."

"And honest?" I prompted.

She hesitated a only a moment before confirming, "And honest."

"Thank you, ma'am," I said, sketching a gallant bow towards her.  Then, to
emphasize the true feeling behind my words with action I added, "I'd love to
have your company tonight for dinner, if you're available."

There, I did it.  Foot in mouth.  Of course Ellie wouldn't be available for
dinner tonight.  She belonged to the men who had awoken her for their needs.
Even if she wanted to come, it wouldn't be her decision.  Whether or not she
knew it, I knew these animations seldom lasted long.  There was a price
involved, as well as moral implications.  When you create something, you
become responsible for it.  Most people are lucky to manage running their
own lives.  Taking on full responsibility for others as well bears you down
beyond what you can manage.  I'd made the grand gesture, to show her that my
compliments hadn't just been casual small talk.  Now the wind that blew our
conversation out over the waves was also blowing in the sounds that the
photographer was getting ready to start.  My time with Ellie was at an end.

But it had been worth it!  The gratitude on her face showed me she had
gotten that I'd really meant it.  She knew she wasn't a real woman.  Today
might be the only day of her life.  But even one day is so infinitely much
better than nothing at all.

She opened her mouth to thank me for my final compliment and say goodbye as
I heard the assistant calling for her to come over now.

"I'd love to," she said softly.  "I'll see what I can arrange.  From what I
heard earlier, we should be wrapping up here around two this afternoon."

"Come on!" came the command from off to my right.

Ellie turned as she left to ask, "And what's your name?"

"Jake," I replied to her retreating back.

- - -

Well, my day had just taken a gigantic wrench in an unplanned new direction.
I had no idea what was going to happen now.  I mean really, nothing was
probably going to happen.  Nothing at all.  But I couldn't get Ellie's last
words out of my mind.  Not the part about my name, but rather how she'd love
to have dinner with me, and would see about arranging it.  I must have
played them back about a million times while I slow-walked a circuitous
route designed to consume as much time as possible back to my hotel.

I wasn't that I'd never met or dated a pretty girl in my life.  All the
women I've dated have been beautiful, in my eyes at least.  I wouldn't ask
them out otherwise.  But none of them have stuck.  There have been a couple
I would have happily married, and some others ready to marry me.  But never
both of us feeling that same way at the same time.  But I was young then,
and everybody seems to feel that way at the time.

Near the end of my twenties now, I've learned a lot more since those early
dating times.  In truth, even if I had gotten married in my college days,
I'm pretty sure nothing good would have come of it.  We all felt we were
adults back then and ready for the big games in life, but of the marriages
that did happen, maybe only one or two are still together now.  I am more
prepared myself these days, but don't know where to find the ones who wanted
me then.  So I'm still single.

What made Ellie so special over just a couple minutes of conversation is
hard to explain.  I think it was mostly just her innocence.  At that moment,
she seemed ready to embrace anything the world offered her, and that's a
beauty I just don't see every day - or year.  She'd certainly be stared at -
sometime hatefully - anywhere she'll ever go with a figure like that.  But
it hadn't happened to her yet, even once.  A undamaged mind in a grownup
virgin body is a rare flower indeed.  That made Ellie one-of-a-kind.

I always take a morning walk before breakfast.  Now I was taking advantage
of one of the finest features of this top-shelf hotel: breakfast on a
terrace that extended out over the ocean.

Down here, even late winter is often sunny and balmy.  Breakfast today was a
large plate of fresh fruit.  I enjoyed it sitting along the railing at the
outermost edge, smelling the salt tang and listening to the sea birds.

Unbidden, my eyes finally lifted to look down the beach.  Of course I was
facing the proper direction.  In the distance I could see the white tent
they'd erected, and tiny figures nearby.  I could just pick out Ellie and
another model, along with the three men.  She looked dressed now in
something bright as they shot against the outstanding white beach and ocean
backdrop.

After a while they moved further down the beach and the tent blocked my
view.

I considered my options.

Option 1: I didn't have anything planned for dinner beyond eating alone
anyway, so I didn't have much to worry about changing there.

Option 2: I could hang around the hotel, stay close, and try to fritter my
time away.  I've learned enough about myself to know a crazy-maker when I
see one.

Option 3: I could go down towards the photo-shoot, try to unobtrusively hang
around, attempt to befriend someone who might help me, and generally keep
close to the action.  Really Bad Idea!  More likely to get me thrown out
than anything else.

Option 4: I really like swimming in both pools and the ocean, even though I
tend to do it later in the afternoons of most days.  Option 4 sounds too
much like option 2.

I took option 5, and headed off on an exploration the other way around the
island.

- - -

This island is not that big.  You can rent a motor scooter, the main mode of
affordable transportation, and circle it in a couple hours.

I started off on foot, however, both saving money and burning off any
remaining nervous energy.  Along the road I got various offers of lifts,
several of which I took for short distances.  I love meeting people when I
travel, and everyone today was happy for a bit of conversation.  In return,
I got recommendations of where to shop and where to eat.  Curiously, none of
the locals ever mentioned my hotel as recommended in either of those
categories.  Probably because none of them can afford it.

By noon the skies had clouded up and a squall was blowing through.  I was
eating lunch under the corrugated tin roof of a little restaurant in town
I'd never have found by myself, watching the rivers of rain run off.  Three
people had recommended it to me, and it was an excellent value.

I prefer to eat my big meal of the day at noon, and the fresh island seafood
stew they were serving with rice matched any bouillabaisse or paella I can
recall.

After the squall passed, and they go through quickly this time of year, I
caught the local bus back to my hotel.  Unlike busses back in the States,
there seems no established bus stops here.  He just stopped any time someone
waved from beside the road, or wanted to get off.  It was a slow ride, full
of native color, and I enjoyed every moment.

Back at the hotel, I tidied up in my room before strolling down the beach.
It was near two o'clock, and even though I was doing my best to keep my
expectations in check, my heart and breathing were racing more than I'd like
to admit.

I arrived just as they were pulling down the tent.  The squall must have
exited out of here just a few minutes ago, though the skies remained
overcast and the sea gray with foam.

Just as I was wondering what I was really doing here at all, Ellie came
around the corner wearing a robe, saw me, and ran over for a hug.  It was
the nicest hug I could remember.

"You came," she gushed, putting her head against my chest.

"I came," I confirmed.

"Come," she said, grabbing my hand and pulling me in the direction of the
tent.  "I want you to meet someone."

Bemused, I let her lead me around the rapidly falling tent to the tall woman
I'd briefly seen this morning.  Leading me right up to her, Ellie announced,
"Darae, this is my friend, Jake, that I told you about."

I had been right.  Darae is that rising star in the supermodel constellation
I thought I'd glimpsed earlier.  Tall, skinny, almost no breasts -
especially compared to Ellie's abundance.  And a face to stop your heart,
complete with full lips born to pout, which she does in most of her photos.
I'd also been right about how she seems the very opposite of Ellie in every
way.  Including her lineage, which is long and well known.

"Hello," I said extending my hand, completely unprepared for this.  "I've
seen a lot of pictures of you lately."

While not unfriendly, her attitude was definitely cool as she took my hand
for a brief shake in return.

That was okay.  Darae is well paid, much in demand, and probably has to deal
with way more people like me than she wants to.  I did her the courtesy of
turning back to Ellie, which allowed her to make a graceful exit, though she
didn't take it to step away.

"How'd the shoot go?" I asked Ellie.

"Not to well," Ellie replied.  The clouds and rain ruined the last part.
Because of that, I think I'll be able to go to dinner with you."

I was trying to regain my mental equilibrium to her sudden change of topic
when the older man, obviously the photographer, came over and stuck out his
hand asking, "Are you Jake?"

"Yes," I replied, not knowing at all what was happening.

"I'm Russ," he said, giving my hand a firm shake before stepping back to
appraise me for a moment.

Not knowing what to say, I wisely kept silent.  That's one of life's best
lessons I've yet learned.

After a moment he continued, "Ellie says she'd like to go have dinner with
you."

"I did make her that offer, sir," I confirmed back respectfully.

He appraised me for another long moment.  For whatever reason, he seemed to
like what he saw.

"Where are you staying?"

I nodded back toward the hotel.

"You do understand about Ellie, don't you?" he finally said.

"Uh huh."

"This was scheduled to be a one day shoot.  We hadn't planned on losing our
light so early, so we didn't make any arrangements for extra
accommodations."

"I'm here for the week," I said, hoping I was answering the right question.
"Alone," I added, in case it was important.

He took another long look at me, and then glanced at Ellie, who was also
gazing steadily at me.  Darae had wandered off somewhere on her own.

Sometimes silence is your best friend.  When someone else is trying to reach
the right decision, the best thing you can do is to leave them alone to make
it.  I stood there, trying to look as much like an open book as possible.

He must have liked what he saw, or heard.  He grunted.  "Can you have her
back here by seven-fifteen tomorrow morning?"

"Absolutely," I assured him, in my most convincing voice.  "And I can give
you my room number, so that you can reach us if things change."

"Not necessary," he said gruffly.  "Seven-fifteen is fine."

With that he turned to supervise the packing up of the rest of the gear,
leaving Ellie in my care.

- - -

"Do you need to get anything?" I asked her, realizing she was standing there
dressed in only a hotel robe that barely held her in, and slippers.

"No," she replied.  "This is all I have."  And that was the problem.  Even
the robe and slippers weren't hers.  Hell, she didn't even own her own skin.

Lawmakers have wrestled for years on the status of awakened beings.  The
current compromise is that they gain legal rights as independent persons
after they've been awake for a year and a day.  Although that sounds simple,
if long, few seem to make it.  For those not involuntarily returned to their
previous state at the end of their service, many choose it for themselves -
some after months awakened.  As a human, I can't understand that at all.
However knowing something of this area, the one thing I know for certain is
that I shouldn't think of Ellie as just another woman, despite her
appearance to the contrary.

I noticed that her earrings and necklace were gone now.  The belly chain
probably as well.  Even if the magik in them was now expended from animating
Ellie, they remained quite valuable.  Without them, Ellie would stay as she
is now.  A mage could renew the charm, for a fee.  Or they could be
recharged for another use by returning Ellie to her previous, non-animate
state.  I didn't want to think about that happening.

"Okay, I said, taking her hand.  "Let's go."

Ellie followed easily as I led her across the sand to the path, and back
towards the hotel.

- - -

I took Ellie straight to my room.  Dressed as she was, there was no place
else for us to go.  The hotel tolerated her robe and slippers in the public
area as long as we didn't linger.  They were willing to assume we were
returning from the pool.

I was trying to decide what to do next the entire walk back.  Even through I
intentionally walked slowly, I hadn't figured out a thing by the time I
closed the room door behind us.  Ellie didn't seem to have any concerns.

The moment the door was closed, she pulled off the robe and grabbed me for a
big kiss.  I was so caught off guard that I just went with it.

When Ellie kisses, she kisses like she hugs - long, deep, and hard.

I had to catch my breath by the time she finally broke it off to dash around
the room looking at things.  "Wow," and "That's beautiful," were her
comments as each new thing caught her attention.  Did I mention that this is
a nice hotel?

She interrupted her explorations several times to rush back for another long
kiss, pushing her chest up against me each time in the most delightful ways,
until she'd seen everything of interest in the room, and lingered with me
after the last one.

I finally had my breath back enough to comment.  Only because I'd already
seen her naked this morning was I not affected more by her now.  Oh, I was
affected by Ellie a lot, but at least I was still in control of myself.

"Do you greet every man this way?" I asked her.

"Well," she replied, not embarrassed at all, "I only know four men.  And
you're the only one who has been especially nice to me, so you're the only
one so far."

"I could stand to keep it that way," I said with a smile I was able to
dredge up from somewhere.  I was pleased I could manage a straight
conversation with her at this point.

"So what would you like to do?" I asked, since it was still only
mid-afternoon, far too early for dinner.  "Or are you hungry now?" I added,
wondering if she'd eaten at all today.

Her answer surprised me completely.  It would be the first of many surprises
I'd get out of Ellie.

"Sex," she said in a clear-cut, unambiguous tone of voice.  "I'd like to try
that while I have the chance."

- - -

No, we did not immediately jump in bed together.  I think I was so stunned
by her forthrightness on the subject that I'm not sure I could have
performed at that moment to save my own life.  Not that Ellie isn't
enticing.

Instead I assured her that we had the whole rest of the day and evening
together, and that we would most certainly do that, along with a few other
things as well.

I feared she'd take that rejection badly, but she didn't in the least.
Instead, she pulled me in for another hug and kiss saying, "I like hugging
and kissing."  I told her I did too.

I wanted a little time to get comfortable with Ellie.  She seemed sexual
enough to go at it this minute, and then what?  Be done with me the next?
I'd rather make a bit of investment into a better experience overall for
both of us.  Make sex the best thing, instead of the first thing.

As I looked at her carefully - and believe me looking at Ellie carefully is
one of the joys in life - I realized that despite her energy she'd just
spent a hard day working.  Some people may think that modeling is not real
work at all, except for the cashing of the checks.  They don't know what
they're talking about.

"I've got an idea..." I said to Ellie.  She looked at me with all the trust
in the world as I took her hand and led her into the bathroom.

Now this hotel has a bathroom that suits the price you pay to use it.  You
could hold a small party in here alone.  The shower is more than big enough
for both of us, and I soon had it hot and steamy.  It's the nice kind that
only multi-millionaires can afford, with jets on all sides.

Ellie was already oohing and ahhing before I was even out of my clothes to
join her.  And I got out of my clothes as quickly as I could, since my pants
had gotten very tight by now.

The hotel provides an amazing array of soaps, body-washes, shampoos, rinses,
sponges, and large, soft washcloths.  I think we tried out every one of
them.

Ellie shivered whenever I touched her as I worked the lather over her body.
The only thing I stayed away from were her breasts, and between her legs.  I
let her handle those for the moment while I did everything else.  Even her
hair she left in my hands.

Afterwards she insisted on doing my back and other parts as well.  I
couldn't refuse.  We might still be in there since the hotel would never run
out of hot water, except that I really did intend this as only the
beginning.

I gave her a brief kiss as I escorted her out of the shower before toweling
her dry.  I only touched her with the towel, but like any other woman who
will admit it, Ellie likes being touched everywhere.

After she was dry, I told her to go out and lay face down on the large bed.

I quickly toweled myself off before looking through the lotions and oils.  I
selected one scented with local flowers and walked out to Ellie.

I thought she might be uncomfortable lying on those breasts.  If so, she
didn't say anything.  It is a very soft bed.  She seemed willing to accept
whatever I had in mind next.

Realizing I had forgotten an important minor detail, I went back into the
bathroom and ran the basin full of hot water.  Pouring some oil on my hand
to warm, I put the bottle in the basin.

Ellie hadn't moved.  I started by applying the oil to her shoulders, working
down her back afterwards.  From the sounds and the way she squirmed, one
would think I was already handling her most sensitive areas.  I was reminded
of another woman I'd once dated who told me her back was at least as
sensitive as her boobs.  And it had been, too.

I worked slowly.  Only when my hands were dry did I go back to get more of
the now heated oil.

Ellie's round tight ass is marvelous to hold, and sliding my slippery hands
down her long, smooth legs almost gave both of us orgasms.

I spent a lot of time on her feet, giving each toe individual attention,
which drove her half crazy.  Then I slid my hands back to take care of her
arms, hands, and fingers.

When the next step became unavoidable, I found myself having to take a deep
breath before telling her, "Now turn over."

For a moment I wondered if I'd made her too relaxed, or that she'd really
turn out to be body shy.  But she turned over with her eyes closed, and a
smile on her face.

I started gently with her face, working the oil in carefully and completely.
I kissed her gently on the lips as I finished.

Her neck and ears elicited more response than most areas, and got
proportionately more attention because of it.

I got the front of her shoulders and arms again down to the fingers, before
going after what I'd obviously been avoiding.

I guess somewhere inside my I still have a dark corner of rejection when it
comes to women's breasts.  Women who say they love attention to all parts of
their bodies, then go all crazy when you approach their breasts.  Or telling
you that you only like them because of their chests.  Not true, but how do
you argue that you happen to like that part of them too.

With Ellie's breasts being so prominent, I didn't want her to get the wrong
impression about what I liked about her.  It was EVERYTHING - including her
amazing front - that intrigued me.  If I'd known her better, I would have
realized such a thought would never occur to her.  Just another way that
Ellie is not your normal, everyday woman.

I made the smart decision to do my very best to not treat that part of her
any different from the rest.   After getting a large handful of oil, I
started on her first one.

"You have the most beautiful smile," I told her as I slid both hands down
over her boob.

Ellie did react as I touched her there.  But only, as she explained
afterwards, because I'd avoided them up to now and they wanted attention
badly.

For breasts so large, they were somehow both firm and soft at the same time.
The one I was cradling moved easily under my hand as I gave it individual
attention.

Now some people say more than a handful is too much.  Those people have
never met Ellie.  Handling Ellie like this is a turn-on beyond belief.
Twice I went back for more oil, just for this first one.  By the time I was
done, I knew every pore on it.

The only curious thing to my mind was how her nipples stayed flat on her
large areolas.  I decided this must be the curse of some large breasted
women who lose sensitivity there.  If that was the case, Ellie more than
made up for it with her responses elsewhere.

It seemed ages before I finally moved over her other one and gave it full
measure of the attention it deserved.  At one point Ellie did suddenly reach
up and grab my arm firmly for a moment, before relaxing again.  I think it
was her way of saying she was at her peak of sensation.  I lightened up only
a little, and continued.  Ellie loved every moment.

Finally I worked down to her soft stomach, giving her navel a quick kiss and
lick that left her laughing out loud, before applying the oil.

I love the feeling of her firm, warm legs as she let me handle them as much
as I wanted.  With the oil, they felt even better!

Her feet again got attention, briefer now though, because I was coming to
the point where I couldn't hold back any longer.

A last handful of oil I worked in gently, starting at the top of her sparse
pubic hair.  By now she knew I was getting to the center of exactly where
she wanted me to reach.

Her legs opened without my bidding, giving me full access to her female
regions.

I worked gently back and forth across her outer lips, teasing them with my
slippery fingers.  She squirmed towards my hands each time she felt them.  I
wondered how much more either of us could take when she suddenly, strongly,
thrust her hips upwards, straining as hard as she could.

I pressed down hard on her mons to give her something to strain against.
When she finally relaxed again, I was going to work her over gently some
more when she said, "Please don't make me wait any longer."

A gentleman should not refuse a lady any such request.

Moving between her legs I eased down to insert myself into her.  I supported
most of my weight on my arms, because I didn't want to crush her chest.  It
took a couple of attempts for me to get lined up properly.  Ellie's breasts
hold their shape even as she's lying down, and that had me keeping myself
well above her.  Ellie waited for me to get it right.  Suddenly I was at her
entrance, and a moment later, just inside.

I paused, not knowing what I expected to find inside her.  She felt hot,
very wet, and tight.  I started working my way in slowly, when she suddenly
thrust her pelvis at me and took half of me at once, right up to an elastic
resistance.  Ellie was a virgin, and her hymen was stretched against the
very sensitive head of my penis.

I didn't know what to do.  I started to pull back to give her some short
strokes outside it, when Ellie showed she knew exactly what she wanted.
Giving another thrust even harder than the previous one, she pushed her
hymen past me, breaking it in the process, and giving me a jolt through my
system like I've never felt.  Her only response was a distinctive, "Oh!"
before returning to soft sighs.

Well, I was in now, and I started working her over the best I could.  I was
so charged that I wanted to ensure she got everything she was entitled to
before I lost myself completely.  That meant I'd better work quickly.

She was moaning now, and squirming underneath me, trying to magnify my
thrusts even more, while repeating, "More...more."

"I'll give you more," I told her through clenched teeth, finding a reserve
of strength I never knew I had.  If this was going to be her one time, she
was going to get all of me.  With a burst of manic energy and strength, I
pushed myself so far into her I thought my balls were inside her to.

With equal strength and determination she pushed back.  Ellie seemed to have
muscles on top of muscles down there, and she was using them all.

Just as I was about to peak, she suddenly gave a last massive thrust
upwards, clenched on me like she was holding on for dear life.  We both
froze, and tried to keep from yelling out so loudly that the whole hotel
would know.

I hadn't quite climaxed when she finally relaxed enough for me to get in the
last three strokes it took for me.  But even as I felt myself uncontrollably
pumping my semen into her, she thrust up yet again with a second orgasm as
intense as the first.

Afterwards I fell to the side of her, still inside, pulling her over to face
me.  I'm not a man who does his business and pulls out immediately
afterwards.  Most women appreciate that.  Ellie sure did.

I felt little aftershocks from her vagina as I reached over to gently stroke
her sexy back.  She still had her eyes tightly screwed shut, but put her
arms around me to hold me tightly against her.

By now, with all the stress and uncertainty of the day leading to this
moment, I was exhausted, and she seemed to be as well.  Without moving from
this position, we both drifted off to sleep.

The last thing I remember her saying softly was, "Thank you so very much."
Or I may have dreamed it.

- - -

The last rays of sunset over the ocean were shining in through the balcony
door when I stirred.  Although I tried my best not to disturb her, Ellie's
eyes opened the moment I moved.

The moment she saw I was awake she said, "Thank you so very much, Jake.
That was wonderful."

I guess I hadn't dreamed it after all.

Ellie and I finally separated, and we stretched languidly, still in the afte
rglow.  The sheets were a disaster of oil, sweat, sexual juices, and a touch
of her virgin's blood.  No worries.  Maid service here is excellent.

But first things first.  I kissed my lover and told her truthfully, "That
has just been the best experience of my life."

She blushed and looked away, but I took her chin gently and turned her head
back for another kiss.  She responded by suddenly throwing her arms around
me tightly and turning my demure kiss into to a heart pounding confirmation
that she felt the same.

Then my stomach reminded me of unfinished business.  I was starving, for
once in the evening.

"Hungry?" I asked.

"For everything!" she responded.

"Well then, let me introduce you to the sensual pleasures of fine dining."

Ellie had no clothes, and truthfully even if I could have found something
that fit her in the hotel shops, it would have been obscenely overpriced for
the single evening she would wear it.  This is a full-service hotel.
Besides, how can you improve on naked.

Before calling room service, I placed a call to housekeeping and asked for
an immediate change of sheets.

Then holding the phone I asked, "Shall I order for us?"

"Please," she replied, delighted at my definition of "us".

I settled on a Chateaubriand with Marchand De Vin Sauce, vegetables, salad,
Baked Alaska, and a familiar bottle of Bordeaux.  With all arrangements
made, I escorted Ellie back into the bathroom to prepare for dinner.

Although the tub looked inviting, with as many jets as the shower has, and
it's certainly large enough for two, I felt once we got in, we'd never get
out.

Instead I opted for a quick shower for both of us.

Fast as we were, housekeeping had already come and gone by the time we were
out.  They'd even left a fresh robe to replace the one Ellie had worn to the
room, along with fresh towels.

I quickly grabbed a second robe as room service knocked.  "On the balcony,"
I said, as they rolled in a complete dinner along with candles in delicate
windproof glass chimneys.

Ellie stayed in the bathroom until they were gone.  I came in to escort her
to our private balcony.

It was a great meal.  I can afford to splurge like this on occasion, and
neither the view, nor the company could be beat.  The last rays of twilight
hovered out over the horizon, while a nearly full moon was already lighting
the eastern sky.  We both sat naked on our robes, enjoying our repast.

Ellie was the perfect date.  She praised nearly every bite.  Soon we were
feeding each other bites, while sipping wine.

The Baked Alaska arrived separately, as it must, just as we finished the
last bite of beef.  I took it at the door and delivered it to our table
myself.

Afterwards we finished the wine, letting the breeze play over our bodies.  I
watched Ellie's breasts shift slightly with each breath, and couldn't get
over her unconscious grace with her nakedness.  It was the most natural
thing in the world for her.

Only when the evening chill set in did we finally move indoors.

I was prepared to sit and talk, but she insisted in giving me the same oil
treatment I'd given her earlier.  Receiving is absolutely as much fun as
giving, although much harder for most men.  Fortunately I made it over that
hump with my own grace.

By then I was ready for one more go-round sexually, and Ellie was more than
willing.  I reached down and tickled her between her legs, which she
responded to by rolling onto her back and opening her legs again.

"You don't need to be so gentle with my boobs," she said, as I tried to
carefully position myself over her again.  To emphasize her point, she
grabbed me and pulled my full weight down onto her.

Laughing as I lost both my balance, and my aim, while trying to enter her
again.  This time, however, I suddenly felt her hand grasp me there and
unerringly guide me inside her.  That's the most welcoming thing a woman can
do for a man.

This time we were more relaxed, with both of us working our bodies to make
it happen.  She again managed at least two climaxes before I came one last
time for the night.

After that we lay together as close as her chest let us be, until we fell
asleep.

Neither of us said a word on how this could be our only night together.

- - -

I awoke early to Ellie softly breathing beside me.  Much as we wanted to be
as close as possible, we had separated during the night with the inescapable
realization that we were both putting out too much heat to remain that
close.

We didn't have to get up for another hour in order to get Ellie back down to
the beach for her appointment, and I was going to let her sleep.  Looking at
her there, my mind and body quickly had other ideas, but I didn't want to
wake her, and then have to rush everything.  A couple minutes later though
she stirred and awoke on her own.

"Good morning, lover," she said sleepily to me.

"Go back to sleep," I told her gently.  "We don't have to be up yet."

"You're so good to me," she said.  "And I want to be good back to you too."

With that she reached over and started stroking my manhood.  Much as I
wanted to just let her rest, this was more than I could ignore for long.

I reached over to fondle one of her amazing breasts.  Much as she seemed to
like that, a moment later she guided my hand down between her legs again.
"It's the sex I want to remember," she said softly.

It didn't take long before she pulled me onto her one more time for a loving
session that was better than any sleep we missed.

And we didn't have to rush afterwards to get her a quick shower and back
into her robe and slippers.

A continental breakfast, ordered the night before, was waiting outside the
room.

Even covered as she was, Ellie got stares from nearly everyone else up that
early.  That's why they wanted her for the model shoot.  She gets attention
everywhere she goes.

I had her at the re-pitched tent five minutes early.

The photographer looked up and nodded in acknowledgement, before returning
to his setup.

I kissed Ellie briefly before leaving.

"Come back at noon," she said.

I looked over to the photographer, but he didn't say anything.

"I will," I promised her.

I passed Darae in the path back to the hotel.

"Good morning," I told her brightly, actually getting a smile in return.

- - -

Ellie rushed back out to hug me as I returned at noon.

A buffet had been delivered from the hotel, and she insisted that I have
lunch with them.  No one else seemed to object.

Ellie seemed bursting with some secret she wanted to tell me, and took my
hand to lead me down the beach while the men were setting up the next shoot
after lunch.  She still wore some brightly colored summer outfit that had to
be shot now in winter to be ready in time for the summer catalogs.

"You won't believe what happened!" she said excitedly, as soon as we were
out of earshot.

"Tell me," I said.

"Another photographer came by while we were shooting today.  He had already
arranged to shoot Darae day after tomorrow.  When he saw us together, he
asked me to be part of the shoot as well!"

Ellie was so excited, but I was worried.  "What does Darae think of this?" I
wondered.

"She's all for it," Ellie said.  When she saw doubt on my face that maybe
Ellie had overestimated Darae's enthusiasm for any competition she added,
"Darae is really nice.  We talk between all the setups.  And she has helped
me so much with my poses and everything!"

Well, first impressions can be wrong, and mine of Darae was one of the wrong
ones.  I ought to apologize to her.  But there was another concern as well.
"Will the photographer let you do this?" I asked.

"I think so," she replied.  "He asked me to have you speak to him after
we're finished today."

"That sound promising," I said.

"But what do I do now?" Ellie asked.  "They asked me how much I charge, and
I didn't know what to tell them."

"That's easy," I replied.  "Tell them you charge the same amount as Darae.
Then you'll know if they're serious.  You don't, by the way, happen to know
how much that is, do you?"

Ellie mentioned a figure that made my head spin as much as her own figure
does.  I've done some occasional high-level consulting for major computer
companies.  Two weeks of my top rate Darae would make in a day - and gets to
do it here in paradise as well.

"Is everything okay?" Ellie asked, seeing my stricken expression.

"Just fine," I got out.  "Shouldn't we be returning now?"

"I guess so," she replied, not as happy at the thought of returning as she
was about walking on the beach with me.  That, conversely, made me very
happy.

As we walked back, she asked my advice in another area.

"Should I be charging this photographer too?"

"No," I replied immediately.  "Not only has he given you everything with
this opportunity, but you should tell him you'll always work for him for
free regardless of how often he ever asks you.  It's only fair."

"That makes sense," she said thoughtfully, and then squeezed my arm.  "I
don't know what I'd do without you."

We walked the rest of the distance back in silence.

"Come back at four," she said as she ducked into the tent to change into the
next outfit.

- - -

Returning at four, it was the photographer who came out to meet me.

"Let's walk," he said, starting down the beach.

"You took good care of Ellie," he told me after we'd gotten a few yards
away.  "I've never had an awakened person as happy as she has been today."

"Thank you," I said, wondering where this was going.

"She told me how you insisted she should always work for me gratis.  I
appreciate that thought."

"It's only fair," I replied.  "And it will never be enough for what she has
gotten in return."

"Agreed.  Because of the first day's prints I sent in, the customer extended
the shoot through tomorrow, and expressed down an entire new wardrobe to
shoot.  They also said they might want even more follow-ups with Darae and
Ellie.  It's a good gig for any photographer."

I let the silence hang just long enough before asking the question.  "And
your point is?"

He stopped and turned to me.  "Would you like to take responsibility for
Ellie?  She has spoken very highly of you today."

Whew.  Exactly what I wanted, and not at all what I expected - or was
prepared for.

"It's a big decision," he warned me.

"I know," I replied, before pausing to let him think I was seriously
thinking this through.  He gave me my time.

When I felt a decent interval had passed, I looked up and simply said,
"Yes."

He held out his hand and said, "Deal."

On the way back he apologized that he couldn't give me any clothes for
Ellie.  "Contract says all hers go back."  Like this mattered to me?  All I
cared about was Ellie's reaction.

I shouldn't have worried about that at all.

- - -

That night I couldn't wait to get her to the room, and get my hands on her.
She couldn't wait for me to get her to the room and get my hands on her.

We made love.  Showered.  Made love again.  Ordered dinner.  Ate on the
balcony.  And made love again after that.

We talked, and were amazed to find out how many things we could
intelligently discuss.  Ellie had learned a lot in her first two days.

We slept comfortably in each other's arms, no longer fearing this would be
our last moment together.

And Ellie showed up bright and eager for work the next morning on the beach.

- - -

I came to get her at the end of the day, feeling it was wise to stay out of
the way of the man who had just given me the best gift of my life until
then.  While he was working on some adjustments, Ellie called out from the
tent, "You've got to see this."

With that she paraded both herself and Darae out in the most amazing
one-piece swimsuit I have ever seen.  What was amazing was that this suit
fit Ellie at all.  And it did fit, like a second skin, covering her from
neck to crotch, so tightly I could see her navel through the silky patterned
fabric.

Darae's fit her much taller, slimmer form equally well.  I could see every
curve of her high, firm A-cup breasts with perfectly perched little nipples,
and found myself starting to count her ribs.

"Would you believe," Ellie said, "That these suits started out as the same
size?"

"One size fits all?  Impossible," I said, before I even thought about it.

"Not impossible," Darae answered to me for the first time.  "Not even
magik."  And then both women pulled at different parts of their suits
showing the amazing elasticity in them.  They'd clearly been doing this all
afternoon.

"Amazing," was all I could say.

"And I get to keep it," Ellie added.  "Darae keeps all the clothes she
models, and she got them to give this to me.  Now I can go out to the pool
with you."

I felt it was time to say something important.

"Darae," I said, waiting until I had her full attention before continuing.
"I want to apologize for underestimating you.  I don't really know you, but
you've been a terrific help to Ellie, and that tells me a you're pretty
awesome person."

Darae looked shocked.  I don't think anyone has ever told her something like
this before.  To me, it was obvious.  But then again, In my experience, most
people don't speak the obvious as much as they should.

"Thank you," she finally said softly, hiding her face at the same time.

"I'm sorry," I said quickly.  "I didn't mean to embarrass you."

"It's not that," she said, looking up just long enough for me to see a tear
in her eye.  "I just don't hear nice words like that very often.  This can
be a cruel business.  Most people are your competitors, and few are as nice
as Ellie has been to me these last few days."

"And you to her," I said, before Ellie could even speak up.

"Thank you," Darae said again.

"And thank you for helping Ellie get another job tomorrow."

"I think you've made a friend," Ellie told me as we walked back to the hotel
that night.

- - -

Ellie did go to the pool the next day after the new shoot was finished for
the afternoon - and stopped traffic so badly in that suit that I decreed
we'd only swim in the ocean from now on.  Alone!

She also told me that two more photographers had stopped by and wanted her
and Darae to do shoots with them after this one finished.

"Does this always happen?" I asked wonderingly.

"Darae says not usually, and that it must be the two of us together that
they like."

"So how does she feel about that?"

"She says she'll keep doing them with me as long as people keep hiring us.
And she arranged for me to keep all my clothes from my shoots, starting with
this one."

I did wonder who else could ever wear Ellie's outfits, which were obviously
being custom designed for her now.  But I had a bigger worry as well.

These next shoots would extend beyond my hotel reservation.  I didn't have
any job waiting on my return, having just finished a rich contract before
coming down here.  But things were getting complicated.

The hotel proved willing to extend my stay, and even gave me a bit of a
break on the rates.  But I found myself having to sign Ellie's model
releases, since she wasn't official yet.  In addition, Ellie asked me, "What
do we do with the checks."  She'd copied Darae's contract that specified
payment on completion of the shoot, and had the first one in hand.

"I guess we open an account for you in my name, and you get them all a year
from now."

"That's not fair," she said.  "You're paying for everything, while I'm
making all the money."

"I can't take your money," I told her.

"Why not?" she asked sweetly.

"It's because..."  "I mean..."  "It's just..."

"I'm waiting," she told me.

"It's because," I finally managed to say, "That this is your money.  I'm
already taking advantage of you enough.  I can't steal from you too."

"And just how are you taking advantage of me?" she asked.  "I have nothing
without you - and everything with you.  I'm the one who is costing you extra
money to stay here, and you're even paying for all my meals.  Why can't I
pay my share?  I'm sure you'd let anyone else pay.  Am I not a person to you
capable of making decisions of what I want to do with my money?"

She had me there.  There was no arguing with anything she had just said.
Either I owned her and made all her decisions for her meaning the money was
mine too.  Or I treated her as an adult, and let her pay as she wished.
Either outcome looked the same, but how we got there was a world of
difference.

I threw up my hands in surrender and told her, "Okay, you can contribute in
any way you wish.  However, when you don't feel it's right, you can stop
right there."

"Thank you," she said with a grin.

Having her money available for expenses certainly removed one worry - just
in time for the next one.

- - -

Ellie handed me an armful of clothes from her second shoot, while bringing a
second load of accessories herself.  Along with the clothes came her
expressed desire to go out for the evening.

So far, except for the ill-fated foray to the hotel pool, we'd holed up in
our room the rest of the time, for obvious reasons.  We were nowhere near
growing tired of each other's bodies.  In fact, quite the opposite.  But man
does not live by Chateaubriand alone, and neither does woman.  Nor can I see
myself denying Ellie anything.

To some extent I'd been able to bring the world in to our room.  We had
started watching programs on the TV between lovemaking, which fascinated
Ellie anew.  And last night I'd purchased her an in-room spa treatment she'd
totally adored.  But now our relationship was about change dramatically.

We'd dumped the armloads on the bed and Ellie started picking rapidly among
them.  She grabbed panties, a blouse, skirt, heels, and the most amazing
brassiere I've ever seen.

Obviously any bra intended for Ellie would have to be industrial strength.
This one was large, and had a six-inch zipper up the back.  But it looked
light as well.  Magik?

"Help me with this," she said, pulling it on while turning her back to me.

The zipper easily slid up, and she turned and gave me a quick peck before
grabbing a makeup kit and disappearing with the rest of the items she'd
selected into the bathroom.

I expected a long wait, but it was only a few minutes later that she emerged
again - and was she a sight to behold!

Ellie's hair was brushed out nicely, and the touch of lipstick and blush
she'd applied enhanced her face far beyond what simple cosmetics could have
ever aspired to.  The nylons she now wore below the mid-length skirt made
her smooth tanned legs smoother still, and a single shade darker.  And the
two-and-a-half inch heels she'd chosen for her height were elegant, without
being blatant.  But none of that was what put the look of astonishment on my
face.  All of that came from Ellie dressed as a whole.

Although Ellie insists there isn't a bit of magik in it - just good
engineering - that brassiere somehow managed to tame her extraordinary
superstructure into something manageable.  While nothing can ever prevent an
observer from realizing that Ellie is endowed beyond reason, that is no
longer the first thing that hits you when you see her.  With a brightly
colored blouse and dark skirt that really set off her legs, Ellie could go
anywhere and be accepted now.  And that put a shot right through my heart.
The agony had to be showing on my face.

Ellie missed it as she turned her back so that I could zip up her top, then
brushed past me to the door, innocently unaware of the powerful hold she has
on me - if not the whole world.

"I told Darae we'd meet her for dinner," Ellie said at the door, before
turning back to see my face.  "What's wrong?" she immediately asked,
overriding concern in her voice.

- - -

Time seemed to slow at that moment to a crawl.  I found I was having all the
time I needed to think about how to answer Ellie correctly.  I considered
possible responses carefully, allowing for all the angles.

I came up with two possible replies.  Both were true.  But there was clearly
a lesser of two evils here.  I thought carefully about my choice for as long
as I needed to, before looking up and giving her that lesser answer.  Only a
second or two had passed.

I attempted a smile as I said, "It is really hard to see you that way after
all the time we've spent together.  I thought I was used to your body by
now.  But the moment you've covered it up - so very nicely, I might add -
the only thing I can think of is how to get you back naked again as soon as
possible.  Such is the magik of clothing."

Ellie rushed over to hug me, pushing herself tight against me, her eyes
moist.  She knew that part of me was speaking from the heart, and those kind
of words were more special to her than any others.

"I feel it too," she said.  "And I can't wait for you to undress me again.
If you'd like..." she said, turning around so I could unzip her blouse.  And
I was tempted.  I wanted her more than I ever had right at this moment.

Instead I spoke another truth.  "Darae is waiting, you said."

"Yes," she replied.  But she must have caught something in my voice, because
she turned back to me and added, "That's not all, is it?"

There is no way I could evade her while looking in her beautiful, now
anxious, eyes.

"One more thing," I said, trying to make it sound like a very small thing
barely worth even mentioning.  "When you step through that door, you will
become a creature of the world.  Until now, you couldn't do that.  You were
bound by your job commitments, and had nothing to wear that would let you
pass freely out there.  That changes this moment.  You're an extraordinary
woman, Ellie.  And many people you meet will realize this too.  A lot of
them will want you, and some will make fantastic offers to lure you to them.
And there is nothing I can do to prevent you from walking away any moment
you wish.  You already have everything you need now."

And that was what shot my heart.  How could I hope to hold on to Ellie now?
I had nothing left that she needed.  Nothing that wouldn't be offered to her
in abundance otherwise.

I had lost my focus on her face while I was busy looking inside myself to
find what I really meant.  As I found her face again, there were real tears
there.

"Why?" I asked her, pulling her tightly into my arms in the only real way to
comfort a crying person.

"I'd never leave you," she said, sobbing because she was feeling my hurt.
"You don't understand."

"Tell me," I said, knowing I could quite easily not understand.  The time
I'd known Ellie was still easily measured in hours.

I loosened my arms so that she could step back.  She looked up at me,
brushing her eyes for a moment before saying, "The things in the world I
like are, in order: Being with you.  Being alone with you.  Hugging you.
Being naked with you.  Having your hands on my body.  And having your dick
inside me.  Nothing else is as important to me as any of those things."

Although Ellie stopped speaking, I realized, like myself, she had only told
me half the story.

"I know why I'd never leave you," I told her.  "I feel it within me.  But I
can't understand why you'd feel the same."

"You really want me?  Completely?" she said as questions.  "Yet can't
believe I could want you even more in return.  Aren't women allowed to love
too?"

"Yes," I finally agreed.  It's my own insecurities, I realized, that prevent
me from believing other people can feel as strongly about me as I can feel
about them.

But then I looked at Ellie again and realized, "There's something more,
isn't there."  It wasn't a question.

Ellie looked down for a moment, before lifting her head to face me again.
"Yes," she said so softly that I could barely hear her.

"Tell me," I asked as gently as I could.

"The first memory of my awakening was of the photographer telling his
assistants, 'Now don't let her impress on you.  It just makes it harder on
everyone afterwards, if you do.'  That's why they had me waiting outside
away from everyone when you first came by."

"Are you saying...?" I asked.

"Yes," she replied, with an uncertain simile.  "I impressed on you when you
came over, said nice things to me - and showed me you really meant it!  I'm
in love with you.  And I will stay that way with you for as long as you will
have me."

And here I'd been thinking that she was with me only because she was
enjoying our time together that allowed her to do things she couldn't have
done otherwise.

There is only one thing I could tell her that would be right for this moment
after a declaration like hers.  Fortunately, it was also the complete truth.

"Ellie," I said, looking down into her eyes, "You impressed on me the moment
I saw you there leaning on that log."

We both cried from the emotion, holding each other as tightly as we possibly
could.

- - -

Darae was easy to locate in the hotel restaurant.  Not only was she the most
striking woman there.  She was also was the one all the tables around her
were pointedly trying to ignore.  Oh, everyone was looking at her - and
trying not to be caught at it at the same time.  Even the waiters seemed to
be cutting her an extra-wide swath, and I could see why.  Darae had on her
public face.  The frown/pout that told everyone within seeing distance that,
You aren't good enough for me, so don't even try to waste my time.

Then she saw us at the entrance, and broke into a genuine smile.  It changed
everything.  The whole room lightened up.  People speaking in hushed voices
suddenly got comfortable talking normally again.  Even a nearby waiter
suddenly swerved from his path away to go over and refill her water glass.
The power of beauty.

As we walked across the room to join her, many eyes looked up to see Ellie,
looked away, and then jerked back for a long, second look.  I don't blame
them, and I didn't care.  I knew where Ellie and I stood now - and so does
she.  Even in heels Ellie managed to maintain a perfect balance, and I was
one with the rest of the crowd admiring her walk across the floor.

Darae rose and greeted us warmly.  In addition to always being perfectly
coiffured and made-up, she wore a simple dress whose top was nothing more
than airy fabric around her neck coming down in a large open V to her waist,
before flaring out into a long skirt.  It was perfect island-wear, and
definitely caught my male eye.  I may love Ellie, but that didn't suddenly
make the rest of the world turn ugly.

Darae commented on Ellie's new smile.

"Yes, I'm very happy," Ellie told her.

Then over dinner, where I ate my usual light evening meal, while Ellie
ordered a hardy repast, and Darae picked at her salad greens in a way that
would have left even me starving afterwards, I got acquainted with Darae and
learned her story.

Ever since she'd been twelve, Darae has been told she was beautiful.  Her
face was classic then, and only grew better over time.  People gave her
presents, did her favors, told her she should be a model, and tried to curry
her favor in return.  Fortunately, her parents - now deceased - managed to
protect her long enough for Darae to learn to protect herself.

She grew up tall and willowy, joined the right agency, made a name for
herself worldwide, and now at age twenty-seven was still waiting to grow
into the woman everyone promised her she would be.  It was hard to believe
someone with so very much reinforcement from the rest of the world could be
so very wrong about herself.

And there's one very likable thing about Darae.  She isn't a hypocrite about
her looks.  I've known several very handsome, attractive men and women who
seem to continually complain how unfair it is that they are only being
judged by their looks, yet take advantage of same at every opportunity.
Whether to get a better table at a restaurant, or move ahead in the world,
any time the attention stops for even a moment they're looking around to
find out what happened.  Darae, at least, wasn't bemoaning the unfairness of
the world in this regard.  She just accepted that this is how things happen.

Afterwards we took a walk together to see the hotel's giant aquarium.  With
a lovely woman on each arm, I could feel the attention we garnered like a
palpable thickness in the air we passed through.  I understood what Darae
had meant about living this way her entire life.

As we watched the schools of bright fish swim by the tall windows, I
realized the simple answer to Darae's problem.  It's a man-thing to solve
other people's problems, and we do it as naturally as breathing.  I looked
at Ellie, who immediately picked up on this and squeezed my arm with a "go
ahead" gesture.  Despite the crowds that seemed to have their eyes always on
us, at this moment we found ourselves alone.

"Darae," I said, turning to her.  "Why are you still waiting to grow up?  It
can't be your body."

"Is he always like this?" Darae said to Ellie, her eyes widening at the
directness of my approach.

"Yes, always.  And worth listening to."

Darae looked back at me and dropped her head for a moment, replying to my
shoes, rather than my face.

"It is..." she trailed off with.

I touched her chin to raise her eyes back to my own.  "There's nothing wrong
with your body.  I'm a male.  I know these things.  And all those other
people who pay you thousands of dollars a day and put you on every magazine
cover in existence know it too.  How is it that you don't know it yet?  Do
you think the whole world is going to wake up tomorrow en masse and suddenly
decide you're actually ugly?  And then take this whole life away from you?"

Her jaw was trembling as she nodded.  I knew what she meant.  I've heard
other beautiful women speak of it, but never really understood it until now.

"That's just the Imposter Syndrome speaking," I told her.  "Lots of
incredibly attractive, successful women have it.  And every one of them is
wrong.  What about you, specifically now, could possibly not be right?"

I saw Darae dart a quick glance over to Ellie, and knew it was Darae's
breasts that bothered her most of all.  It must be a testament to Ellie's
wonderful nature that Darae was willing to chance being such great friends
with her, considering.

I was about to say something more, when some more people came along.  They
started to stare at us, until Darae threw them one of her withering looks.
They quickly moved along instead.

"Ellie is lucky to have you," Darae said so softly I could barely hear it.
It was a wonderful complement, and the warmth of it suffused through me.  I
put an arm around Ellie and pulled her in.  She slipped her available arm
around my waist and pulled back as well.  Then I decided to tell Darae some
more truth.

"I'm not the only nice guy in the world.  I'm sure you have to have met a
few as well."

"I've met a lot of jerks," she replied, "And other guys who won't come near
me.  I'd just like a nice guy who would come in and be a man to me when I
need him to do so."

Well, I knew I wasn't going to be that guy.  I had Ellie, and that's all any
man should need.  But I could play that role for tonight.

"Your problem is that you scare away all the nice guys," I told her.  "And
that leave only the jerks afterwards."

"How?" she inquired, truly puzzled.

"Those last people who just came along.  You threw them a look that said
don't bother me so strongly that they didn't even stop to see the fish.  A
look like that can wither a man's penis at fifty paces."

"You're joking," she said, trying to laugh, and not succeeding.

"You want a man that you're interested in to come up and do this," I said,
slipping free of Ellie's grasp for the moment, stepping into Darae's
personal space, and sliding my hand under the fabric of Darae's top and up
until I cupped her very female, small, hot breast.  I waited to see what she
would do now.

- - -

Darae stood stock-still.  I didn't know if she was in shock, hadn't even
realized what I'd done yet, or was just looking for her moment to shout for
help.  Then she relaxed a bit, half closed her eyes, and I felt her small
nipple rising and hardening.  I grasped it with my thumb and forefinger,
squeezing and twisting it gently, feeling it quickly respond to my
attention.  Nothing at all wrong with this breast.

Waiting for Darae to respond somehow, we stood there for nearly a minute.
Her nipple wasn't the only thing getting bigger and harder as I held this
fantasy woman.  But I had no intentions of taking her here.  I'd save that
part of me for Ellie later.

Then I heard some footsteps and voices down around the corner getting
closer.  I stopped fondling her and got ready to remove my hand.

"Don't stop," she said, eyes still shut.

My only other choice was to move up against her to hide what was happening.
Ellie saw what was happening and moved into the perfect blocking position.
The group of people passed slowly through, without seeming to notice a
thing.

I finally stepped back again and got a look at Darae's face.  It was the
first time I'd actually seen it relaxed.  She was more beautiful than ever.
I brushed her lips lightly with mine, and reluctantly removed my hand.  She
didn't even seem to realize it was gone for another good minute.  When she'd
finished extracting every bit of feeling our little encounter had generated
she finally opened her eyes.

"That's just about the nicest woman's breast I've ever held," I said,
staring directly into her gaze.

"Thank you, kind sir," she replied with a little curtsey, her eyes moist
now.  I seem to be having this effect on women's eyes tonight.

"And don't tell me for a moment there isn't someone else you know who
wouldn't love to be down here tonight doing exactly what you and I just
finished," I told her challengingly.

She was about to answer, when he heard still more people approaching.

"This is getting too busy," I said, taking both women's arms.  "Let's go
walk on the beach."

- - -

We walked a long way down the beach together in the waning moonlight.
Together we went over all the men Darae currently knew.  She was right that
most were jerks.  But there was one promising candidate - Bob - successful
in his own right, and whom Darae had gone out with a couple times after
they'd met at a charity event before coming down here.

"And what's wrong with him?  Slept with him yet?" I asked.

"No.  He'd never do what you just did," came Darae's reply.

"Would you like it if he did."

"I'd love him to be that forward with me.  I'd love you to be that forward
with me again."

"Well give him a call.  Tell him you'd like to see him again."

"Isn't this too far to ask him to come?"

"Not if he really wants to see you.  Not if he's really interested.  Not if
you're going to make the trip worthwhile for him.  And if he's not that
interested, then we'll just keep looking for someone who is."

On the way back to our rooms Darae finally asked, "Did Ellie really tell you
that all she wanted was sex the first time?"

"Yes," I replied, feeling Ellie pull herself up against me again in
affection.

"I could never do that," Darae posited.

"And that's why you're not getting any," I told her.  "Let me tell you one
of the most important things you'll ever learn about men.  Sexual intimacy
is part of how men know they're loved.  All the words in the world, and
everything else you can imagine doing for them, will not make up for that
one lack.  It's not the only thing, but it's essential."

Darae kept a thoughtful silence the rest of the way to her door.

When we got there she pulled her key out, and then looked at Ellie.  "Do you
mind?"

Ellie shook her head.

With that assent, Darae reached over and pulled me in for a kiss that more
than made up for the teasing brush over her lips I'd given her earlier.  It
was long.  Even when I heard footsteps come down the hall and pass us she
didn't break it off.  Only when we were both swaying and in danger of losing
our balance did she finally let me get a breath.

"Thank you for tonight," she said.  "If things were different, I would be
making a much more personal thank you to you right now."

"If things were different," I told her sincerely in return, "I'd be
accepting it as the happiest man in the world."

And that is the kind of friends we'd become.  Ones who could admit their
attraction to each other without fear of cheating on their current
relationships.  Rare friends indeed.

Then Darae gave Ellie a kiss that was more like mine than sisterly, before
saying, "I think I need to make a phone call now."

- - -

Back in our room, the door hadn't finished shutting before I was pawing
Ellie's top off.  And she was doing everything she could manage to help me.
The moment I had her brassier off, I reached around to grab her chest and
pull her tightly to me.  She kicked off her heels and squirmed out of her
dress while I freed a hand to get my pants loosened.

I finally decided two hands were necessary, and I let go of her just long
enough to be out of my clothes.  She was already naked and waiting.

I picked her up and carried her across the room to dump her on the bed.  No
foreplay tonight for either of us.  She was pulling me onto her before I
could even take proper aim.

Our lovemaking was savage.  We both wanted each other so badly that someone
watching might not have been able to tell if we were making love - or having
a wild fight.  At times Ellie was on top of me - a very novel sensation -
and then I'd be back on top of her.  I came three times that I can recall.
Ellie at least matched that.  Only when exhaustion claimed us did we lie
quietly together.

Tonight, for the first time, I turned Ellie away from me.  She didn't
realize what I had in mind until I spooned up behind her and reached around
to hold her chest again, while nibbling her ear.  She realized this let me
get closer to her than ever before, and made up for the hours of denial
while she'd been dressed.  It was outstanding as much as they were
outstanding!

My last words to Ellie that night were, "I hope you weren't upset about
anything I did with Darae tonight."

"You did everything I'd hoped you'd do.  She really is such a nice person."

We would have a lot of sheets changed-out over the next couple weeks.
Housekeeping got to know us so well that after a while we didn't even have
to call.  They'd automatically come in while we were out to dinner.  I
started leaving them appropriate tips commensurate with their superb
service.

- - -

A couple nights later Ellie instituted a change in our routine.

She's working every day now.  It seems for every shoot she does, two more
photographers show up wanting her and Darae next.  Whatever is happing back
home, those shoots they've already done must be having an effect.

Whether I meet her at the end of the shoot, or she comes back to our room,
getting her out of her clothes and getting my hands on her body, are our
first priority.  And sexy as every part of Ellie is, I tend to gravitate to
her breasts first.  When she asks me why, I tell her, "Because they're the
easiest to find." But it's mostly just because I'm a man, and I like boobs.
Not that Ellie ever complains.

We tend to play with her body until it is time to dress for dinner.  I never
mind Ellie dressing any more, and our reactions to getting her back out of
them afterward are often similar to that first night.  Our dinners are also
usually with Darae, who would be eating alone otherwise.

Tonight, however, rather than just settling back and letting me have my way
with her, Ellie soon guided my hands to her large areola and flat nipples.
I played there a bit before moving on.  But the moment I did this, she
brought me back there again.  She did this several times without
explanation, until I just stayed with it until it became time to get ready,
lest we keep Darae waiting.

I could have asked Ellie what was going on, but choose not to.

She could have told me, but kept silent.

Sometimes a little mystery is the spice for any relationship.

- - -

Tonight when we met Darae in the restaurant, she wasn't alone.  A handsome
man in a business suit was sitting next to her at the table for four.  I
made a mental note to get this guy tan slacks and a white island semi-formal
coat as soon as possible.

They both rose as we approached, and I noted the man's nervousness.
Understandable, in Darae's company.  Then I caught a glance at Darae's face.
It was relaxed and beautiful, with a hint of a smile.  She must have been
practicing in front of her mirror.  She was also wearing the same outfit
she'd worn on our first dinner together.  Maybe it was lucky for her now.

"This is Bob," she said, making the introduction.  I introduced Ellie in
return.

We made small talk throughout the meal, and I noticed Bob's nervousness
increased every time he looked at Ellie.  I could tell he really was
interested in Darae.  It's just that Ellie has this effect on men.

Near the end of the meal, Bob excused himself to go to the men's room.  I
did the same and followed him in.

As we did our business up against the wall, I commented to him man-to-man,
"Glad you could come down.  Darae has spoken quite well of you."

"I was quite surprised to get her call.  I figured she'd written me off."

"Au contraire," I assured him quickly.

"Your Ellie is quite a woman too," he said.

I knew what he meant.  I would have felt exactly the same way.  There are
things you are supposed to say in situations like this, and there are things
you wish would happen just once in your life.  I opted for the latter.

"I know you like Darae.  That's not in question.  But I understand your
curiosity about Ellie as well.  Just between us, if you want to see what
Ellie has underneath, you should drop by their photo shoot some time.
They're always changing clothes.  Ellie's not shy, and I don't mind at all."

I realize that sounds counterproductive to Darae's interests, but Darae
wants a man, and this is something a man will do.  If Ellie actually
distracts him from Darae, then Bob is not right for her.  If he'd just like
a look once in his life, I'm not going to be the one to say no.  If Darae
and Bob actually do hook up, I'd rather have him be comfortable with us.
There is a plan behind my madness.

We returned just as the women were finishing.  I suggested a walk on our
favorite beach.  When we got there, however, I saw that things weren't going
as well as I'd hoped.  While Ellie and I were clearly inseparable, Bob and
Darae looked like a couple of casual friends.

At one point I dropped back far enough for Ellie to whisper to me that Darae
had told her she was ready for it to happen tonight, but couldn't quite
bring herself to force it herself.  Well, what are friends for?

At a secluded part of our beach I said loudly, "Hey, Bob.  You look like
you're walking with your sister, instead of your date."

He looked back, but instead of being angry asked, "So what should I be doing
differently?"

"Get closer for starters," I said, pulling Ellie closer to me by example,
which was barely possible given she was already holding me about as tightly
as she could.

"If you want that woman tonight, are you ready to take her?"  Bold words,
but I could see Darae's white smile shining in the starlight.

"How?" he asked.

"It's easy," I said.  "Darae, what do you want from Bob."

I was so proud of her when she immediately replied, "Sex," in her soft
voice.

Bob looked shocked.  Interested, but shocked.

"Do something," I prodded him.

"What?" he said.  There are times when you can be just too nice.

"Look how she's dressed.  Listen to what she just told you."

When Bob still didn't quite get it, I let go of Ellie and walked up to
Darae.  Sliding both hands under her top, I found her nipples already up and
waiting for me - or somebody.

I took a moment to enjoy just how sexy her sensitive breasts are.  My reward
for trying to make the obvious happen.

"Darae, are you enjoying this?"

"Oh yes," she said dreamily.

"And would you like Bob to be treating you this way?"

"Yes, for starters."

I stopped fondling her.  Not that I wanted to.  Darae is as sexy as they
come.  But this one was for Bob.

"Bob," I said seriously, "I've done everything I can for you.  The rest is
up to you."

Give Bob credit for finally getting it and stepping in to take my place with
Darae.  When he started off too gently for her, she pulled his hands hard up
against her, and hissed at him not to stop for a moment.

Ellie and I left them together on the beach and went our own way.

Next morning they both had huge smiles on their faces that they couldn't
wipe away.

- - -

For three nights now Ellie had kept my attention focused on her nipples
without explaining why.  Tonight I suddenly felt a bump on one where there'd
been nothing before.

I focused my attention there, and coaxed up a struggling reaction for the
first time.  It wasn't much, but looking at Ellie's face it must have been
something.  Her eyes were closed and her mouth open, and she was panting
short breaths.

Wondering if it would help, I shifted around to put my mouth over it and
licked and sucked and bit it softly.  Ellie squirmed without opening her
eyes.  When I started to pull away she quickly reached out and pulled my
head back against her.

I treated it rougher, and she pulled me tighter still.  Pretty soon she gave
a soft little sigh and relaxed her grip on me.

It was still struggling to maintain its miniature erection, so I reached out
with my fingers to squeeze the salvia slick little nub.  Ellie however now
pulled my hands over to her other, still unresponsive, nipple.

"What's up?" I finally asked.

She opened her eyes to tell me, "I've noticed since I awoke that the more
you've handled any part of me, the more sensitive and enjoyable that area
becomes.  This is why sex with you gets better every time we do it.  I
wanted to get the rest of my body to be that enjoyable for me.  I hope you
don't mind."

Of course I didn't mind.  With that understanding, I started focusing
dedicated attention to each part of Ellie in turn.  Soon she had as large,
sensitive, and responsive nipples as any woman I've ever known.  Only a few
nights later I gave her her first full orgasm from her nipples alone.
Afterwards we ordered Champagne to celebrate.  I gave her another orgasm
just pouring some of the bubbly over her nipples.  Together we worked to
help Ellie enjoy every part of her body.  You can guess the rewards for me.

- - -

I realized our hotel bills were killing us.  By now, Ellie and Darae had
most of the next three months booked here.  After that, Darae said, the
shoots would move to Greece.  And then onwards from there, not to return
here again until next winter.

With that in mind, I rented us a simple two-bedroom house at a far better
rate for the next three months, and invited Darae to stay with us.  The
bedrooms are at opposite ends of the house, and Bob became a frequent
visitor.  We still liked to take our meals at the hotel however, and we were
getting a good rate there for being frequent customers.

One evening Ellie came in where I was already holding a table and said,
"I've invited a new friend tonight."

I was about to ask who when Ellie suddenly said, "There she is now."

Over by the entrance stood a tall woman, elegantly dressed in a blouse,
skirt, and four-inch pumps, scanning the room.  She looked to be in her
mid-thirties, with exquisite features.

Before she found us, she suddenly froze in a position my mind instantly
recognized.  Legs straight, torso shifted slightly, head up, looking
straight ahead.  Though she moved out of it a moment later as she saw Ellie
waving to her, that image froze in my mind.  It was classic.

As she came over I had a chance to admire her thin straight legs, upright
posture, and the way she handled the high heels as if born in them.

"This is Margo," Ellie said introducing her.  Margo extended her classy
manicured hand to take mine.  The woman was beautiful.

"And how do you know Ellie?" I asked her.

"She's doing make-up on the photo shoot," Ellie answered for her.  I did
recall that Ellie had been looking especially great when she'd returned
these last couple days.  Here was the reason why.

I held Margo's chair for her, before returning to my own.

I looked at her carefully before asking, "So, Margo, how long have you been
awakened?"  That saved us a lot of time in getting to the heart of the
matter.

- - -

Margo turned out to have quite a story of her own.

Seems that two and a half years ago she had been a mannequin standing in an
upscale New York department store window.  How long she stood there, she
doesn't know.  One day a photographer - why is it always photographers? -
"discovered" her and struck a deal with the store to take possession in
return for three fashion layouts.

"He wanted me for more than just photographs," Margo told us.  "He took me
home with him that first night and we lived together for the next year
before he tired of me."

I could easily understand anyone wanting to take Margo home with them.
She's tall and well proportioned, with large - not Ellie large, but nice
D-cup large - breasts as part of a faultless figure that extends down
through slim, sexy legs.  Even her feet are ideal for her, just large enough
to handle the four-inch heels with ease and style.  Margo's face is
beautiful, with every feature sculpted by a master.  Her hair has not a
single strand astray.  And the way she walks in those heels is worth the
price of admission.  If I'd met her in my (now previously) single days, I
would have wanted her the moment I saw her.

And another interesting thing about Margo, she doesn't mind in the least
being stared at.  And while she's definitely worth more than a second glance
from almost anybody, perhaps her time as a mannequin intended to be ogled
leaves her unconcerned about it now.  It's certainly an unexpected trait in
a beautiful woman.

It worried me, however, the sad way she spoke of that broken relationship.
Then I saw Ellie's face.  She was aghast at the breakup of Margo's
relationship.  They'd clearly not talked of this yet.

"What happened?" I asked, feeling she wouldn't have brought it up if she
wasn't willing to talk about it.  I was also realizing that Ellie may have
arranged this meeting to help both of us understand the problems regular
people have with awakened ones.  I know few of these relationships have
worked out long term, though I hadn't worried about Ellie's and mine - until
now.

"He just got tired of me," Margo repeated.  "That fact that we'd made it a
year had already beaten the odds for most couples like ours.  He was
considerate enough to wait until I was legal before he told me, which
allowed me to make the choice to continue my awakening, or not.  And then he
was nice enough to arrange for my impression to be broken.  I moved into his
guest room the next day."

Now I looked aghast.  I hadn't known that an impression could be broken.
What did that forebode for my future with Ellie?  Then I saw Ellie's
appalled face, and realized she hadn't known either.

I wanted to ask why the relationship had soured, but Ellie had had something
even more important to ask.  "What was that like?" Ellie needed to know.

"It is the worst thing you can imagine," Margo said firmly.  "One day you're
completely in love and know exactly what matters in your life.  Suddenly
nothing matters any more, and you can't understand why."

"Can't you find someone else?" I asked.

"It doesn't work that way," Margo replied.  "The first impression is
automatic.  It comes with the spell that animated me.  Breaking an
impression is difficult, and expensive.  Only a few mages will even attempt
it.  Hard as it was - and still is for me - it was a kindness he offered me
that he didn't have to.  And while a re-impression spell is possible, that's
even harder to come by.  That would involve returning me to my original
state first as well.  Not that that sounds too bad at times," she said
wistfully.

"You would actually have your awakening taken back and return to
your...mannequin existence?" I exclaimed, astonished that anyone would ever
consider a death like that.

"When I'm alone in my apartment at night, I find myself returning to my
store window stance," that must have been how I saw her standing at the
entrance for a moment, "Thinking of those days.  It sometimes feels like the
right thing to do.  It's easy to be a mannequin."

"But..." I managed to get out, and then realized I didn't really have a
proper question for her.  I didn't know a thing about what her life was
like.

Meanwhile Ellie was nodding along with her.  She knew.

There was nowhere to go after that comment.  I remembered my earlier,
unasked question.  "You seem like a wonderful woman any man - and a lot of
women - would enjoy having in their life."  Margo gave me a small smile at
this.  "Do you have any idea why it didn't work out?"

"He never said, and I didn't push him.  But I think it is my lack of a real
history."

When I looked confused, she continued, "You have an entire life of
experiences behind you.  Decades of living and learning.  You have
friendships and connections and people you haven't seen in years, yet are
still on this Earth and remain important to you -even if you haven't spoken
with them for years.  You are only a couple degrees of separation from more
people than you have time to talk to.  An entire web, with each of you in
the middle.  I had a year of experience, with my only real connection to
Frank."  Margo paused thoughtfully for a moment before adding, "I can't
describe it any better than that.  In a way I can't explain, all that really
matters."

"Are you saying Ellie and I will suffer this as well?  After all, she is
like you."

Margo took a close look at the two of us before saying, "No, I don't think
so.  For Frank and I, his work was always more important than his
relationship with me.  That is probably why he's so good at it.  I see a
difference with you two.  I suspect nothing is more important to you two
than each other."

I can't explain how magnificent those words made me feel.  I reached for
Ellie's hand, only to find her fumbling for my own.  We clutched each other
tightly under the table.

"And one more thing," Margo added.  "Jake, you have a lot of world
knowledge.  I can tell."

I grimaced, remembering the broken relationships and pain that knowledge had
often cost me.

"Whatever Ellie is offering you, she's getting back so much more in return
by having all that experience available to her through you."

Okay, I was ready to burst now.  Margo's words finally made me feel like I
was offering good value back for everything I'm getting from Ellie.  That's
all I needed for tonight.  Oh, I now owe Margo Big Time.

"So what did you do," Ellie asked Margo, "After you moved out?"

"I had to get a job.  I couldn't take Frank's charity for long, though I
think he would have let me have it for as long as I needed.  So I learned to
do make-up for him.  It wasn't that hard, because I'd been helping out where
I could for the last year anyway.  But it's the only skill I have."

"Along with looking stunning," I muttered.  Margo had the grace to blush.

But Ellie picked up on that ball.  "Why didn't you continue modeling?  The
money's better."

"I can't," she said sadly.  "At least, in the United States."

"Why," I had to know.

"I don't own my looks.  Part of the agreement Frank made with the store to
get me involved them keeping copyright over my work.  It's a standard
agreement.  They don't want me working for their competition.  So even
though they aren't using me in any more campaigns right now, they still
won't let me work for anyone else."

"I'm astonished," I commented.

"It's typical, I've heard," Ellie said.  She should know.  "I'm not under it
because I was custom made for my original shoot, and my original guy is
smart enough to not sign away any rights that might prevent him from working
with anyone in the future.  But if you're a mannequin like Margo, it's hard
to ever get full rights to yourself even if you are legal."

"That's probably how people like Darae can still remain in this business," I
said softly to myself.  No one else heard my remark.

"So how are you doing now?" Ellie asked.

"I have my own place, and can afford to keep it even at Manhattan rents.
Even though they can't shoot me, other photographers like my work, so I'm
making it that way.  It's just the loneliness -  even more than the loss of
the physical affection - that gets me. Every night, it's just me."

Hearing that, Ellie and I stood up as one and went over to give Margo a
sandwich hug.  She stood up to meet us, not knowing what to expect.  And
when we were done, she had tears in her eyes.  And to hell with what the
rest of the patrons in the restaurant though of us right then.

"So why don't you at least have a boyfriend?" I asked, after we sat down.

"Most men steer clear of me to start with.  My looks, I guess."

I could certainly agree with Margo there.  Beautiful women, even the
insecure ones, intimidate the hell out of too many men.  We'd been through
that with Darae already.  A lot of men lose out on something wonderful
without ever taking a swing.  Darae and Margo ought to compare notes.
Either could speak volumes.

"Some that have approached me, left when they found out how much I travel
with my job.  And I can't give that up.  It's all I have left.  Others left
when they found out I'm an awakened one.  Either they didn't want to deal
with the costs and hassle of re-impression, or just felt the same problem I
had with Frank would happen with them.  The few remaining ones were such
jerks that I'd rather be a mannequin back in my window forever than spend a
night with them."

"And then there were none," I commented.

"True," Margo replied desolately.  Ellie reached out to take her hand as
well.

"Better no choice, than a truly bad one."

Margo just nodded.

That was enough serious talk.  We moved on to lighter subjects.

Afterwards we went walking out on the beach.  Even there on the sand Margo
continued to wear her high-heels.  When I asked, she replied, "It just
doesn't feel natural to me to be without them.  I wear them absolutely
everywhere."  Given what they did for her legs and carriage, I wasn't going
to try and argue her out of it.

Ellie, as I'm finding out, is more full of surprises for someone of her
tender young age, than can be accounted for by any reasonable explanation.

Looking around to see if we were reasonably alone, she suddenly announced,
"Swim time!"   Well, I had said we'd only swim in the ocean.

Before I quite realized it, Ellie had wiggled out of her clothes - even the
brassiere - and was racing for the surf.  Margo was only a half-step behind
her, leaving me to bring up the rear - and admire theirs - as they raced
into the water.

Even this time of year, the water is surprisingly comfortable this close to
the equator.  We splashed around, laughing, and for that moment at least the
world was good for all of us.

After a long time, some of it with me trying to teach the other women how to
body surf in waves that were only about two and a half feet high, Ellie
suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me into another sandwich hug with Margo
in the middle.  I ended up with Margo facing me, pressing her not
inconsiderable front-side into my chest.  We held this position tightly for
a very long time.

At some point I had Margo turn around to be fair to Ellie.  Later we somehow
shuffled Ellie into the middle.  Much later I had the two most gorgeous
women possible pressed up on both sides of me.

Only when it finally did start to get cold in the water did we finally break
and go back to the beach to drip-dry ourselves enough to pull our clothes
back on.

Margo kept saying, "Thank you," to Ellie.  And to me whenever I was near.

We took Margo back to the house and everyone got warm showers.  After that
we put her up in the guest room that Darae wasn't using this week.  Margo
said we were like the family she'd never had.

Margo remained with us for a week, before she said she had to leave for her
next job.  Ellie never looked better than under her care. And they talked
everyday between setups, with Margo educating Ellie on how an awakened
person makes their way through the world.

Ellie's normally bubbly mood was quite somber when she returned from some of
their talks, but fortunately that never lasted.  Margo also filled in pretty
much everything Ellie needed to know about working as a fashion model that
she hadn't already learned from Darae.  And before she left, Margo promised
she would return and do Ellie's make-up whenever she could - and she proved
as good as her word.

Every night for the rest of that week we went skinny dipping in the ocean
together, finishing up with a group hug that we held until we were literally
shivering and propping people up with tired arms.  There are many ways to be
close to another person, and this became ours.

The day Margo left, she said we'd given her the strength and motivation to
go on with her life for now.  I hope so.  Sometimes it just takes one other
person to really believe in you.  This world would certainly be less without
her beauty and grace in it.

- - -

People who know my story with Ellie have wondered why I didn't take
advantage of the other opportunities - Darae, Margo, and others - when I had
them.  Ellie wouldn't have complained.  She setup and encouraged the few
things I did do with the others, and never worried about our relationship.
I could have asked her for more, and it would have been granted.

If you ask that question, you truly don't understand what means to have a
woman like Ellie in your life.  The truth is that the other women I've met
along the fashion circuit are fantastic.  Fantastic friends!  You could wish
your whole life to find a situation as great as what Ellie and I have.  And
if you're ever fortunate enough to get it, why would you want to dilute it
afterwards?

I've earned my stripes in the relationship wars.  As Margo had pointed out
to Ellie, some things take decades to learn.  I am tired with women who
split hairs over, "I love you, but I'm not in love with you."  Or "you're
too special to me to spoil it by sleeping with you."  "Isn't my love enough?
You shouldn't need sex too," is another good one I've heard more than twice.
Ellie is none of those women, and I've had time to learn the difference.

I could have had Darae, and she never would have called Bob if I had.  She
has assured me of that.

Margo told me once if I ever find myself single - call her.  It was the
nicest thing she could have said to me.  And I would, too.  I kissed her for
it.  Ellie - who was standing right next to me when she said it - kissed her
afterwards too.  We all know what it means, and it doesn't threaten any of
us.  It's a way of saying how well I really do feel about you.  Nothing
more.

And I won't go into the other offers I've received.  Ellie says I get them
because I'm nice, and it shows.  Maybe she's right, though I think it's
because I already have Ellie in my life.  Happy people are always in demand,
and unavailable people are the most attractive of all.  So if you're alone
and sad, at least fix the sad.  Then maybe you won't be alone long either.

I have Ellie, and know for a certainty that if I can't be complete with her,
I won't find it anywhere else either.  Happiness has to come from within.

So I have the most fantastic woman I know for my lover.  And some of the
most beautiful women in the world as our closest friends.  It doesn't get
better than that.

- - -

Ellie and I did explore the rest of the island on her rare off-days.  I
showed her the good eating to be found in the village.  We also swam, hiked,
and continued making love a lot.  I can't look at Ellie without getting an
immediate stirring in my loins, and she continues to say every time just
gets better and better for her.  I'm sure she never expected her life to
turn out like this that first night when she said she just wanted to
experience sex once while she could.

Eventually the work moved out, as we knew it would.  We followed it.  Ellie
had all her connections in place by now, and remained in demand -often still
pared with Darae.  The public loved the opposites of womanhood they present.
Though we never witnessed much of it firsthand, preferring to stay in
secluded locations close to the current centers of photo activity, we
certainly heard about it from everyone who came in.

Within months we had enough money to live the rest of our lives on together,
though that was no reason to stop.  Ellie says she loves her work in front
of the camera almost as much as she loves me.

As we followed the seasons around the world, Ellie also got a better
education than most people will ever receive.  I love to travel and explore
at any opportunity.  We lived in a half dozen different countries that first
year, and the only thing better than exploring, is exploring with Ellie.  No
one now will ever accuse Ellie of a lack of a full life's knowledge.

- - -

The seasons followed their eternal progression.  With that, and the world
being round, we found ourselves back to our beginning at that original beach
a year and a day after our first meeting, for the start of the next photo
season here.

On the minute after the year and a day that made Ellie fully legal, I got
down on my knee and proposed to her.  Of course she accepted, on her knees
next to me.

Ellie may have been surprised, but no one else who knew us was.  Darae and
Bob had flown down just knowing it was going to happen.  Margo was there as
well, with a model boyfriend who she said she wasn't really serious with
yet, but who sure was nice to cuddle up and sleep with each night.

On a year and the second day, we were married.  Darae and Margo made the
most beautiful matched pair of bridesmaids.  Bob was my best man.  The hotel
outdid themselves in making it special for all of us.

And a week later, a year to the day of their first night together, Darae and
Bob tied the knot with all of us in attendance.

No honeymoons yet.  It's the busy season, and the women are working every
day.

But after night falls, we all sneak off to the beach and do...well, you
know.  What great friends really do with each other.