Celestine walked into the session room at exactly 3:00 PM.
She wore the same calm face she always did, the kind that made clients feel both safe and unseen. Her blouse was ivory, collar stiff, her hair tied up so tightly it looked like control.
Paul stood waiting.
This time, no audience. Just the two of them.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwrPhSIms9
The windows were open, letting in filtered sunlight and the scent of lemongrass.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlej8GPQoOV
A thick rug stretched across the floor, with a single cushioned chair in the center.
He gestured for her to sit. "Comfortable?"
She nodded once. "Explain your method."
"I won't touch you," he said softly, stepping behind her. "Not physically."
Celestine resisted the urge to stiffen.
"Eyes closed," Paul said. "I want you to listen. Not to me. To yourself."
She inhaled, slow. Shallow. Complied.
And then—
His voice dropped. Lower than she'd ever heard it.
"Imagine silk across your shoulder," he murmured from behind her. "Not dragging. Not teasing. Just... floating."
She didn't move.
"Now imagine someone watching your breath. Not touching—just watching it rise, fall. Rise... fall."
Her throat flexed.
"You're wearing something sheer," he said, voice now beside her ear. She didn't hear footsteps—how had he gotten so close?
"Not for him. For yourself. Because you forgot what it felt like to feel beautiful when no one's looking."
Her fingers clenched the armrest.
"Now..."10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rBTLK4G8I
His voice moved to the other side.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nSBpurFZL
"Imagine someone wanting you so much, they don't rush. They don't demand. They worship restraint. They say, 'I'll wait. Even if it kills me.'"
Celestine's breath hitched—just for a second.
Paul circled behind her again, steps silent.
"Do you feel your pulse now?" he asked.
She didn't answer.
He crouched behind her, just far enough to not touch.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHAC4lxsdl
But she felt him—like heat on skin.
"Tell me what you feel, Celestine."
"...irritation," she said flatly. But her voice cracked.
Paul smiled softly—sadly. "You're shaking."
"I'm not."
"Your body is."
Silence fell between them.
She opened her eyes, slowly. Her pupils were dilated.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhSy98gsXY
She knew it.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KMTcHn01o
He knew it.
"You didn't even touch me," she said.
"I don't have to."
Then he stood. Backed away.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzXgSDbC3B
Like it meant nothing.
"Same time tomorrow," he said.
She left without a word.
But that night, she couldn't drink her tea.
Because her fingers were still trembling.
And she didn't know if it was from the voice...
...or the absence of touch.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSc0OT4xA4
