off a few announcements, and reminded everyone to apprise themselves of the rules of the retreat.
âAnd now, it is my great pleasure to introduce the founder and guiding spirit of Goddess International, Dr. Fiona Bliss.â
At last, Andy thought and removed her glasses to get a better look.
All eyes turned expectantly to the closed door. After a few seconds, the door opened, and Dr. Bliss entered, followed closely by two serious-looking young women in white robes crossed by gold and purple sashes.
The room, as one, sprang to its feet, and deafening applause reverberated through the air. Dr. Bliss walked to the podium, and Katherine Dane stepped into the background. The supreme goddess lifted her hands, palms upward, and though to Andy it looked like a gesture to continue their accolades, the hall immediately became quiet and everyone returned to their seats.
Except for her two acolytes. They stood at chairs on either side of the doctor. There was a brief standoff as the two women eyed each other, and not at all worshipfully. A slight gesture by Dr. Bliss and they sat simultaneously.
Dr. Bliss was close to six feet tall, strikingly poised with classical features and silver hair that was swept back in an elaborate coiffure. She wore a sleek, floor-length caftan decorated in gold braid. She looked magnificent with the row of slaves creating an exotic tableau behind her.
Silence fell over the room, and Dr. Bliss thanked her âdear Katherineâ for the lovely introduction. Andyâs gaze drifted back to Dillon. He was staring down at the floor, completely motionless.
She turned her attention back to Dr. Bliss, who began talking about finding your inner goddess and how the classes at the retreat would help your self-fulfillment. How women could empower themselves and find satisfaction by discovering their essential woman-ness. The audience hung on her every word.
âOur detractors dismiss the precepts of the goddess program as mere sex therapy.â She smiled across the rows of listeners. âBut it isnât just about sexâ¦Itâs about power.â
Andy could swear she heard eighty slave gonads shrivel up and play dead.
Dr. Bliss began to introduce the staff, starting with the priestesses at the far end of the table. Each stood and smiled and nodded to the audience when her name was called, then sat down as the next one was named.
The pajama-wearing hulk was Hans somebody, the retreatâs masseur, and more, if the sighs around Andy meant anything more than wishful thinking.
Then the doctor turned and smiled down at the smaller man. âAnd this is my husband and help mate, Bernard Bliss, who will be conducting the Eternal Orgasm sessions.â
Bernard Bliss stood up and with a deprecating smile, nodded to his high priestess wife. She began the applause that was quickly taken up enthusiastically throughout the room.
Andy stared. There was the sex guru, surrounded by forty half-naked studs, and the nerd with the sweaty forehead was giving her eternal orgasms. Hell. Life was sometimes stranger than the movies.
When the applause finally died down and Mr. Bliss had taken his seat, Dr. Bliss smiled between the two remaining women. âAnd these are my assistants, Jane Parsons and Carmen Gutierrez.â
The two women stood. Jane was a tall, svelte blonde; Carmen was dark and compact. They smiled at their mentor and glared at each other. Dr. Bliss sang their praises, carefully alternating their names as she spoke, meticulously showing no favoritism. Still, the icy looks they reserved for each other boded no good. No doubt about it, thought Andy. There was trouble in Goddess Land.
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The dining hall was set with round tables covered in white linen tableclothes. Andy sighed with relief that she wouldnât have to eat while lounging on pillows, though sheâd been looking forward to peeking up Dillon Crossâs kilt when he leaned over to pour her wine. He definitely had the