After Mei-Lien left, I was once again in doubt about her ever returning. Although she expressed no anger and even seemed to sincerely appreciate the sexual gratification which I had helped her achieve, I was well aware that we had trampled on some of her deeply ingrained notions of propriety and that she would have to determine on her own whether it was those notions or our relationship which she would abandon. Therefore, I was not surprised that it was a couple of weeks before she decided to get in touch with me and that, when she did, she chose to telephone me rather than come over.
After exchanging a few somewhat strained pleasantries, Mei-Lien broached the subject which was foremost in both our minds, "As you can well imagine, I have spent a lot of time trying to untangle my feelings about what we did during my last visit to you. In fact, I have spent little time thinking about anything else. I am still conflicted, but I am beginning think that the ideas with which I was instilled as a child in China do not apply to the world in which I am now living. In particular, I am starting to realize that there is noting inherently wrong with two adults indulging each others sexual appetites even though they are not man and wife. On the other hand, perhaps because I am a woman, I cannot think of sex as just another bodily function which is devoid of emotional content. Thus, before I again allow you the sort of freedom with my body which I gave on my last visit, at the very least I need to know that I am more to you than just a toy with which you enjoy playing."
When Mei-Lien had finished, there was a long silence while I tried to formulate my reply. On the one hand, I was impressed by what she had said, especially by her need to know that I did not think of her as a mere sexual plaything. On the other hand, I was a little peeved that she seemed to have forgotten who it was that had not only introduced sex into our relationship but had also been an enthusiastic collaborator. Trying to convey both these feelings, I said, "Mei-Lien, there is no reason for you to doubt that my interest in you extends beyond the sexual pleasure which I have derive from working with your body. In fact, until you insisted on involving me in your program to improve your figure, our relationship was entirely Platonic, and so it would have remained if you had not chosen to alter it. Surely you must have known that when you invited me to participate in a program to enhance your sexual appeal, you were inviting me to become interested in you sexually. That does not mean that your only interest to me now is as a sex object. Indeed, if I had not already been intrigued by you for non-sexual reasons, I would not have accepted your invitation. Finally, you should know that I very much hope that you will want to resume your visits, which I have always enjoyed. However, it would be foolish for us to pretend that our relationship can return to the Platonic one which it was before. Thus, you should decide to come back only if you want to continue at the point where we left off."
Having spelled out my position in such an uncompromising manner, I was not surprised at the long silence which followed. But when she at last broke the silence, Mei-Lien replied with the decisiveness which I had learned to expect and come to love. All she said is "I will be there tomorrow." She then hung up. It had been more than two weeks since her last visit, and I was not at all sure what to expect when I ushered her into my apartment the following afternoon. Mei-Lien, on the other hand, seemed to have no doubts about the meaning and purpose of her return. She quickly divested herself of her coat and, after placing her hands on her hips, turned to face me. Wearing the same halter and shorts as she had on her last two visits and with her hair once again gathered in a tight knot at the back of her head, it was clear that she was presenting herself for inspection. A little stunned by her abruptness, I remained silent but made no attempt to disguise my appreciation of the visible changes which she had wrought in her figure. It was obvious that she had kept her promise to continue her training program. Not only was the rope girdling her waist at least an inch shorter, the contours of her entire stomach were more distinct, having become delineated by a faint hint of well toned abdominal muscles. Stepping forward, I confirmed with my hands the observations which I had made with my eyes.
Marveling at the texture and firmness of her flesh, I said, "Michelangelo would have been proud to sculpt such a torso. I cannot take credit for the work of art which you have become, but I feel some pride in the small role I have played in its creation. The question now is what further role you would like me to play." Taking my hands in her own, and raising them to her breasts, Mei-Lien answered, "I am here to have my sculptor put the finishing touches on his sculpture and for his sculpture to bask in the pleasure of his approval." Pressing my hands against her breasts, she continued, "The last time that I was here, you had an idea about involving my nipples in my training program. I have been wondering what you had in mind and if it would turn out to be as exciting as I have been imagining it might be. Perhaps you would let me found out."
After removing my hands from her breasts, she reached under halter, drew it over her head, dropped it on the floor between us, and, clasping her hands behind her neck, defiantly trusting her naked breasts forward. Then, bending her head to look down at them, she said, "You can see for yourself that my nipples are already erect and fully at attention. They can still remember the calisthenics through which you put them last time and are anxious to learn what is in store for them this time."
