Leather Bound

Chapter 1

“Darling I love you but honestly, you’ve gotta get laid."

Joanna Alexander winced at Viella's excessively clear voice in the little New Orleans bistro where they sat, packing their lunch. Tragically for her, Viella's voice had an exquisite octave that could be heard clearly through a tropical storm.

What's more, it was trailed by an abrupt quiet in the packed room.

Looking at the close by tables, Joanna noticed the men had hushed up, and start to gaze at them with significantly more curiosity than she was comfortable with.

Oh s**t! Will Viella at any point figure out how to restrain her voice?

Worse, what will she do then? Strip and dance wildly on the floor?

Once more?

For the umpteenth time since they met, Joanna wished Viella could get humiliated though in her mind she knew she was kidding herself since her buddy didn't have any clue about the significance of the word.

Joanna covered her face with her hands and gave a valiant effort to overlook the inquisitive spectators. A desire to lurk underneath the table, trailed by a much more noteworthy inclination to kick her pal, devoured her.

"How about you try shouting louder, Viella?" she murmured. "I don't think the bears in the South Pole heard you."

"Probably," the beautiful brown-haired server said as he halted by their table "but I'd bet they are laughing their assess off right now"

Heat crept up Joanna's cheeks as he gave her a coy smile. "Are you in need of anything else ladies? " he asked, then checked out Joanna. "Or more specifically, is there anything I can get done for you, ma'am?"

What about a stick to beat Viella with?

"I think we have it," Joanna said, her cheeks singing. She was most certainly going to kill Viella for this. "We simply need our bill."

"Good, then, at that point," he said, pulling their ticket off and writing across the highest point of the paper. He put it down before Joanna. "Simply call me assuming I can be of any further assistance."

Only when he left did Joanna notice the guy's name and number at the back of the bill. Viella on seeing it, roared with laughter.

"Oh Viella I swear," Joanna said, stifling a grin as she added up to her piece of the food on her Iphone. "I will get you back for this."

Viella just assumed the threat as she perused her beaded handbag for her cash. "Definitely, no doubt. We're I you, I'd save that number. He seems young."

"I know that he may be around eighteen," Joanna added. "But last thing I want is to be jailed for being with a minor."

Viella slid her look over to where he was inclined with one hip against the bar. "I don't know, he may probably be worth the effort. I keep thinking about whether he's got an older brother?"

"I’d really like to know how much Jill would pay to realize his significant other spent her whole lunch break fantasizing about a child?"

Viella grunted as she set her cash on the table. "I'm not staring at him for myself. I'm staring at him for you. It was, all things considered, your s*x life we were talking about."

"All things considered, my s*x life is simply perfect, and of no concern to anybody in this café." Placing her cash on the table, Joanna made a face at Viella & headed for the exit.

"Did you really just do that?" Viella asked, following her out into the bustling horde of travelers and regulars crowding.

A solo guitarist played over the whirlwind of voices, vehicles and random noise as she felt the heat of the day attack her.

Making an honest effort to disregard air so dense it could scarcely be breathed, Joanna weaved her path through the crowds, and merchants' corners that were set before the created iron fence area.

"You know it's valid," Viella said as she made up for lost time to her. "Damn, Joanna, when did you last shag? A year? Two perhaps ?"

"Four," she said regretfully.

"Four years with no s*x?" Viella rehashed uproariously in dismay.

“What the heck Viella?” asked a tomato faced Joanna.

A few people stopped to look inquisitively from Viella to Joanna.

Unmindful of the crowd of onlookers, Viella proceeded without stopping. "How in mother nature's green earth do you fail to consider that this is the Age of Electronics? Honestly though, do any of your patients have any idea about how long you've done without s*x?'

Joanna gave Viella a terrible glare she wondered how she's still friends with such a loudmouth. Did Viella mean to yell it out for each living creature across the continent to hear?

"Look, Viella, I know it's hard for you but please try lowering your voice," she said, before adding dryly, "I don't believe it's the matter of my patients whether or not I'm a freaking virgin. About the Age of Electronics, I truly don't have any desire to get close to something that comes with batteries."

Viella grunted. "Okay then, all things considered, I'm surprised how you can still walk gracefully with all the dust and cobwebs you've been collecting for four whole years.”

Joanna chuckled. "Ok, I see, Dr. s*x," Viella said dramatically, "you simply stay there and pay attention to them rant about every one of their most private s****l experiences while you live like a monk.”

Dropping her intonation, Viella added, "I find it hard to believe that from all the stuff you've heard in your meetings, none of it has at any point gotten you fired up."

Joanna gave Viella a funny look. "Well you better believe it. I am a s*x therapist . It wouldn't benefit my patients for me to get horny while they are busy heaving their concerns. I mean truly, Viella, I'd literally lose my license permanently."

"Hmm, well i'm not sure how you can offer advice to them when you can't even go anywhere next to a guy."

Scowling, Joanna drove the way back to the opposite side of the square, opposite the TouristInformationCenter where Viella's tarot card and palm reading stand was set up.

At the point when Joanna arrived at the little card table hung with a dull purple piece of cloth, she sighed. "You know, I would date assuming I might at any point track down a man worth shaving my legs for. But, most are such an exercise in futility that I'd prefer sit at home and watch English dubs of La Casa de Papel."

Viella gave her an aggravated smile. "What was Tommy’s fault?"

"Awful breath."

"Mark?"

"His affection for mining nose gold. Particularly during supper."

"Job?"

Joanna just looked at her.

Viella surrendered. "Alright, so perhaps he had a little betting issue. However at that point, everybody needs a leisure activity."

Joanna scowled at her.

"Hello, Madam Viella, you back from lunch?" Sunshine asked from the following stand over where she sold her pottery and ceramics.

A couple of years more youthful than them, Sunshine had long, dark hair and consistently wore garments that always made Joanna to think of a pixie princess.

Her ensemble today was a thin white skirt that would have been revolting if not for the pretty dull red leotard underneath it and a lovely worker shirt.

"No doubt, I'm back," Viella said as she bowed to open the entryways on her metallic wheeled cart that she tied down each day to the fashioned iron door with a bike chain. "Did I get any interest while I was not around?"

"A few people took your business card and said they'd be back later they had a meal."

"Much obliged." Viella set her satchel inside the truck, then, at that point, took out the dull blue stogie box she used to hold her cash, her tarot cards that she kept enveloped by a dark silk scarf, and a dainty, yet humongous, earthy colored leather book Joanna had never seen.

Viella put her huge overflowed straw cap on her head, then, at that point, turned and stood.

"Did you get every one of your pieces checked?" she asked Sunshine.

"Indeed," Sunshine said as she got her satchel. "I actually say it's misfortune. In any case, should someone want to know the cost for anything while I'm gone, it'll be there."

An unpleasant turning biker pulled upward to the control. "Yo, Sunshine," he yelled, "get your ass here. We've gotta eat."

Sunshine waved her hand pompously. "Wait up, and lay off or you'll be eating alone," she said as she strolled gradually toward him. She then moved up on the rear of his cruiser bike

Joanna shook her head at both of them. Sunshine required dating help significantly more than her. “Viella, why are you suddenly super curious about my s*x life? Or more critically, its deficiency?"

Viella gave her the aged book. "Since I may or may not have an idea. Please don't be mad."

That was something that freaked her to her bones, even in this pathetic hotness. Joanna usually didn't fear things easily. Indeed, unless it included Viella and one of her crazy ass thoughts. "Not another position?"

"Nope, it's even better."

Internally, Joanna winced and thought about the thing she'd do well now assuming she'd had a typical roomie her first year in college rather than the capricious Gypsy wanna-be Viella. One thing was certain, she wouldn't be examining her s*x life in a packed road.

Right then and there, she became very aware about their contrasting natures. She remained in the moist hotness wearing a flimsy, sleeveless white silk dress, with her dark hair pulled into a complex chignon while Viella wore a long streaming dark broomstick skirt with a tight purple tank top that scarcely covered her adequate chest.

Viella's medium length crimped brown hair was pulled up with a dark silk scarf and she had gigantic silver moon studs hanging to her shoulders. Also the silver mine she had tied to each of her wrists in the way of probably fifty silver bangles that jingled each time she moved.

People had consistently commented on their actual contrasts, yet Joanna always knew Viella concealed her keen brain and uncertainty behind her "extraordinary" clothing. Inside, both of them were undeniably more indistinguishable than anybody could at any point figure.

With the exception of Viella's unusual faith in the mysterious.

What's more Viella's unquenchable hunger for s*x.

Moving to remain adjacent to her, Viella constrained the book into Joanna's hesitant hands and browsed it. Joanna did her best not to drop it.

Or then again feign exacerbation.

"I tracked down this recently in that old book shop 2 blocks from the museum. It was covered by a pile of dust, and I was attempting to find this book about psychometry when I ran over it, and presto!" Viella pointed victoriously at the page.

Joanna peered down at the image, then, before her jaw dropped.

Never had she seen something like this.

The man in the drawing was not only shocking, but also highly detailed. Notwithstanding the profound impression marks on the page where it had been drawn, she would have sworn it was a real photo of some antiquated Greek sculpture.

Nope, she corrected herself—a Greek deity. Without a doubt no human man might at any point look that great.

Remaining in full exposed wonder, the man overflowed power, authority, and crude, animal like sexuality. Despite the fact that his posture was an easygoing position, he seemed as though some smooth hunter prepared to get a move on a second's notification.

His huge veins stood apart on a body made amazing with the guarantee of a hard, slender strength planned only for ladylike joy.

Her mouth dry, Joanna followed her look over his muscles, which swell in ideal extent to his tallness and weight. She followed the fit, hard muscles over the profound space that isolated his pectorals, down the washboard stomach that just asked for a lady's contact.

To his navel.

And afterward to his…

All things considered, nobody had tried to put a fig leaf there. Also for what reason would it be a good idea for them? What sane person would need to conceal so pleasant a manly bundle?

Besides, who might require anything with batteries around with that in the house!

Unconsciously licking her lips, Joanna glanced back at his face.

As she gazed at the sharp, attractive highlights that held only a smidgen of a malevolent grin, she imagined a breeze rugging at sun-kissed, brownish locks that twisted around a neck made for nursing. Of deep blue eyes puncturing in their power as he raised an iron lance over his head and yelled.

She felt an unexpected mixing in the thick, hot air around her, one that appeared to some way or another stroke her uncovered skin.

She could nearly hear the profound tone of his voice, feel solid arms wrap about her and pull her back against a stone hard chest while warm breath stimulated her ear.

Feel solid, equipped hands wandering her body, giving her joy as they searched out her most private spots.

A chill took up her spine, and her body pulsated in regions she'd never realized a body could pulsate. It was a savage, requesting throb she'd until recently never known.

Flickering, she looked up at Viella to check whether she'd been impacted the same way. Assuming she had, she provided no insight.

Joanna should be fantasizing. That was it!

"What is your take of him?" Viella asked, at long last gathering her look.

Joanna shrugged with an end goal to repress the gradual process of her body. All things considered, her eyes waited on his ideal structure. "He kinda resembles a client of mine from yesterday."

Indeed, it wasn't by and large evident—the person she'd seen had been genuinely alluring, however in no way like the man in the drawing.

She'd seen nothing like him in her life!

"Truly?" Viella's eyes obscured such that cautioned her she was going to start her long talk on kismet and chance gatherings.

"Better believe it," she said, cutting Viella off before she could begin. "He let me know he was a lesbian locked in a man's body."

Viella's face fell. Snatching the book from her and banging it shut, Viella scowled at her. "You know the most odd people."

Joanna raised her eyebrow.

"Try not to say it," Viella said as she took her typical seat behind her table. She put the book down alongside her. "I'm telling you, this"— she tapped the focal point of the book two times—"is an ideal response for you."

Joanna gazed at her companion, thinking how exactly as expected Madam Viella, self-announced Moon Mistress, looked sitting behind her cards and purple table with the little known book underneath her hand. At that point, she could nearly accept Viella was a magical Gypsy.

In the event that she had faith in such things.

"Alright," Joanna said, surrendering. "Stop slowing down and let me know what that book and picture have to do with my s*x life."

Viella's face turned out to be seriously sincere. "That person I showed you… Stratonikes… is a Greek love-slave who is totally constrained by, and gave to, whoever calls him."

Joanna laughed uncontrollably. She realized it was inconsiderate, yet she was unable to help it. How on earth could a researcher with a Ph.D. in both antiquated history and physical science, even one with Viella's characteristics, have confidence in something so over the top?

"Try not to chuckle. I'm dead serious."

"I realize you are, that is the thing that makes this so amusing." Clearing her throat, Joanna calmed. "Alright. What do I need to do? Strip and then start some witchy kind of dancing at night?" The sides of her mouth lifted even as Viella's eyes obscured in notice. "You're correct, I'd certainly get shagged, but I don't think it'd be from some exquisite Greek love-slave."

The book tumbled from the table.

Viella bounced with a yell as she saved herself from almost falling with her seat.

Joanna heaved.

"Did you really have to push the book with your elbow?" asked an uncertain Viella.

Her eyes widening, Joanna gradually shook her head no.

“Just own it”

“I'm being honest right now," Joanna said. "I think you insulted him," responded Viella with a dead serious note in her voice.

Shaking her head disapprovingly at that garbage, Joanna grabbed her shades and keys from her satchel. No doubt, this was very much like the time in school when Viella had convinced her to utilize an Ouija board and Viella had made it say that Joanna would knowingly wed someone with bloodied hands and start a family together.

Right up 'til today, Viella would not concede that she'd been pulling her leg. Furthermore, it was too blistering under the August sun to start an argument. "Okay, since I've got a client at two p.m, I'm going to head back to the office right now to avoid getting stuck in traffic." She pulled her sunglasses on. "Should I still be expecting you this evening?"

"Couldn't possibly pass up on it. I'll bring the wine."

"Fine then, at that point, I'll see you at eight." Joanna then after a long pause said, "Tell Jill I said hi and a debt of gratitude is in order for allowing you to come over for my birthday."

Viella watched her stroll off and grinned. "Simply delay until you see your birthday present," she murmured, getting the book from where it had fallen. She followed her hand over the delicate tooled calfskin, brushing away a couple of grains of soil.

Opening it back up, Viella gazed at the stunning picture, and at eyes that were attracted dark but some way or another gave the impression of a profound, cobalt blue.

For the first time ever, her spell would work. She made certain of it.

"You'll like her, Stratonikes," Viella murmured to him as she followed her finger over his god-like physique. "Yet, I ought to caution you, she'd attempt the tolerance of a holy person. Also getting inside her protections will be pretty much as hard as breaking the dividers of Troy. All things considered, I think assuming that anybody can assist her with tracking down herself, it's you

Under her hand, she felt the book become warm and naturally she realized it was his method of concurring with her.

Joanna thought her insane for her convictions, however as the seventh little girl of a seventh little girl and with the blood of Gypsies streaming thick through her veins, Viella realized that there were sure things in life that opposed clarification. Certain obscure energies that ebbed and streamed unchecked, simply trusting that somebody will channel them.

Also this evening was a full moon.

Putting the book once more into the security of her truck where she secured it tight, she was sure that kismet had put the book in her grasp. She had felt it calling to her when she'd moved toward the book shop rack where it lay.

Since she had been cheerfully hitched throughout the previous two years, she realized the book wasn't intended for her. It was just utilizing her to get where it expected to go.

To Joanna.

Her grin became more extensive. Envision having such an unbelievably attractive Greek love-slave at your beck and order for a whole month…

That's right, this was certainly a birthday Joanna would recollect for the remainder of her life.

"I didn't do it," she said, her face destructive genuine. "I think you annoyed him."

Shaking her head at that babble, Joanna fished her shades and keys out of her satchel. Definitely, right, this was very much like the time in school when Viella had convinced her to utilize an Ouija load up and Viella had made it say that Joanna would wed a Greek god when she was thirty and have six children by him.

Right up 'til the present time, Viella wouldn't concede that she'd been pushing the planchette.

Also right now it was too warm under the August sun to contend. "See, I really want to return to the workplace. I have a two o'clock and I would rather not get found out in rush hour gridlock." She pulled her Ray-Bans on. "Is it true that you are as yet coming over this evening?"

"Couldn't possibly pass up on it. I'll bring the wine."

"Okay then, at that point, I'll see you at eight." Joanna adequately stopped to say, "Tell Bill I said greetings and a debt of gratitude is in order for allowing you to come over for my birthday."

Viella looked at her strolling off and grinned. "Just you wait till you see your birthday present," she murmured, getting the book from where it had fallen. She followed her hand over the delicate tooled leather, brushing away a couple of grains of soil.

Opening it once more, Viella gazed at the lovely picture, and at eyes that were attractingly dark but some way or another gave the impression of a profound, diamond blue.

For the first time ever, her spell would work. She made certain of it.

"Once you meet her, you'll like her, Stratonikes," Viella murmured to him as she followed her finger over his ideal physique. "But, I ought to caution you, she'd try your patience so bad. Also getting inside her walls will be just about as hard as entering Troy. All things considered, I think on the off chance that anybody can assist her with her current situation, it's you.”

Beneath her hand, she could feel the book warm up and intuitively she realized it was his method of concurring with her.

Joanna thought her insane for her convictions, yet she as the seventh female child of a seventh female child and with the blood of Gypsies streaming thick through her veins, Viella knew that in life there were some things that were beyond expanation. Energies that ebbed and streamed unchecked, simply trusting that somebody will channel them.

Furthermore this evening was a full moon.

Setting the book once again into her cart where she secured it tight, she was sure that fate had set the book in her grasp. She recalled feeling it reach out to her when she'd moved toward the book shop rack where it lay.

Knowing that for the last two years she'd been happily married, she had no doubt the book wasn't hers to enjoy. It was just utilizing her as a message to an end. To Joanna.

Her grin became more extensive. She couldn't help but imagine having such an unbelievably attractive Greek love-slave at your beck and order for a whole month…

That's right, this was certainly a birthday Joanna would recollect eternally.