A week later...

Henry and Anna stepped into the luxury restaurant, their senses immediately awakened by the lavish surroundings. He was wearing a three-piece anthracite suit and she rocked a gorgeous mid-length backless leather dress one of her sponsors had graciously given her. The walls of the restaurant were adorned with exquisite artwork from the 19th and 20th centuries, and the music playing in the background was both calming and uplifting. The tables were set with fine white linen and the wait staff wore black satin-like uniforms that were a sight to behold. Anna felt a thrill of anticipation as they took their seats at one of the best tables.

The waiter arrived and handed them the menu, which was filled with exquisite culinary delights. There were so many things to choose from some of which they had never heard of. After a few minutes, they placed their orders. Anna chose the salmon tartare, followed by the pan-seared duck breast, and for dessert, a warm chocolate lava cake. Henry opted for the foie gras, followed by the steak and fries, and finished with an exotic fruit platter.

The conversation between the two of them was as tantalizing as the food. He wanted to know everything about her trip and she had plenty of stories to tell.

“How was your family?” He asked.

“Great, thank you. I love going back whenever I have the chance.”

“Back?”

“Yes. I’m not sure if I’ve told you this or not, but I’m half-Portuguese on my mother’s side.”

“Really? I don’t think I have anything other than American blood in me. I’ve never been to Portugal either.”

“Oh, you must! It’s a gorgeous country and most people are incredibly friendly.”

“Where did you go?”

“I was in Lisbon and in Sintra, which is probably my favorite place in the world. The buildings are so colorful and the hills are dotted with beautiful old castles and palaces. It’s just incredibly mesmerizing. Here, let me show you.”

Anna pulled out her smartphone and perused through the picture gallery, which included a variety of eclectic landscapes, locations, and smiling people in the background.

“What’s this?” He pointed at a stunning multicolored castle with a mix of architectural styles that was impossible not to look at. 

“It’s called Pena Palace - Palácio da Pena in Portuguese. It’s one of the seven wonders of the country. It’s breathtaking, don’t you agree?”

“Yes, it certainly is. And looking at the rest of the pictures, it seems like you had a lot of fun over there.”

“I always do. There was something missing, though.”

“What was it?”

“I found myself missing our conversations more than I thought.”

“Well, so did I. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like you, Anna.”

“I hope that’s a good thing.”

“Of course it is.”

“Good, because I have a surprise planned for the rest of the evening.”

“Oh? Tell me more.”

“Not just yet. Let’s enjoy the moment first and then I’m going to blow your mind wide open.”

“More than you already did?”

“If you’re up for it, yes.”

“Now, I’m intrigued.”

“As you should be.”

The friendly banter continued throughout the evening and time flew by as it usually does when we’re having fun. Henry didn’t miss a single flirting opportunity and neither did she. When the meal was done, he paid the bill and was getting ready to drive her home when she said,

“Don’t think for a minute the night is over yet. We still have your surprise coming up.”

“Are you ready to tell me what it is now?” He asked.

“I’ll tell you when we arrive at my place.”

“So you’re inviting me in?”

She gently placed one of her hands over his right thing and cooed,

“What do you think?”

Henry drove off, a mischievous smile on his lips for he knew then that he was about to get lucky.

* * *

Anna beamed with delight when she opened the door to her downtown apartment. Henry stepped in, admiring the cozy setting, the warm colors, and the gorgeous view of the city below. But what really caught his eye was the peculiar collection of spiral-shaped items decorating the walls and shelves of the living space. He recognized some as seashells and sculptures of twirling figures but there were plenty of other shapes that were unlike anything he had ever seen.

“What are these?” he asked as he pointed to the many spirals that seemed to be everywhere.

“Ah... in a way, they’re part of your surprise...” She waltzed behind him and rubbed her fingers over his ass cheeks. “Do you like them?”

“I’m not sure because I don’t know what I’m looking at.”

“I collect spirals. I started doing so a few years ago. I find them in secondhand stores, antique shops, and everywhere I go on my travels.”

Henry blinked, still not understanding.

“What’s so special about spirals?”

Anna smiled warmly at him. “The spiral is the ultimate symbol of love and connection. It’s a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things; of the idea that we’re all one. It’s also the shape most commonly associated with hypnosis.”

“Okay. So what you’re saying is...?”

“Besides being an influencer, or perhaps because of it, I’m also an amateur hypnotist, and I’d like to show you something special tonight.”

“Something involving hypnosis?” He asked, somewhat dismayed.

“Yes. Why? Did you have something else in mind?” She winked at him.

“Well... yes...” He slowly undid the knot of his tie. “When you invited me in, I thought that...”

“Hold that thought...” she caressed his lips with the tip of her left index. “I promise you’ll get everything you deserve but I need you to trust me on this. Do you trust me, Henry?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Good. Make yourself at home while I slip into something more suitable for the occasion. I’ll be right back.”

With that, Anna disappeared into a door to her right, leaving Henry to ponder the strange yet alluring woman before him. As he waited, he couldn’t help but notice the slight tingle on his hands and feet as he looked around the apartment. If the spirals had eyes, he was almost certain they would all be looking at him, their presence inebriating and almost suffocating.

Suddenly, Anna returned from her room wearing a tight-fitting see through that hugged her curves in all the right places. She looked stunning, but there was something different about her. Her eyes seemed to shine with an otherworldly glow, and her movements were slower, more deliberate.

“Are you ready?” she asked in a slow, hypnotic voice.

Henry gulped. “I’m not sure...”

“Don’t chicken out on me now,” she whispered. “I only do this to people I really care about, so relax and enjoy the ride.”

She led him to the couch and picked up a small rectangular remote from the coffee table next to it. Pressing the red button up top, a section of the wall behind him opened to reveal a pair of spiral speakers, inspired by the geometry of deep-sea squids. A beautifully pulsating entrancing beat rang in his ears as she slid away from him to begin the show of a lifetime.

Anna leaned against the largest window in the apartment, her hips swaying to the mesmerizing music. Her eyes were locked on Henry, who was transfixed by the sinuous way in which she moved. Her body was a canvas for her exotic, sensual dance. Her curves were perfectly framed against the seductive background of the city skyline and the hazy glow of the dimly lit room.

For the young lawyer, it was as if Time had stopped. He was enamored by the sight of Anna’s body as she twirled and moved in ways that appeared to defy both logic and gravity. Her hips shimmied and her ass swayed in an entrancing motion. Not a minute had gone by and he was already completely and utterly under her spell.

Anna slowly walked towards Henry, her eyes still focused on him. Her body undulated slowly, her hands delicately tracing spirals around her nipples. Her hips rolled and her ass moved in a way that was too seductive to resist.

“Oh, wow...” He muttered, the arousal slowly building between his legs. 

Henry was so fascinated by the way she moved that he didn’t realize that she had come to stand in front of him. She reached out her hands to him and he obliged, and soon they were dancing together. His fingers moved over her body, exploring the curves and contours that were so inviting.

“Hi,” she cooed.

“Hi.”

“I bet you weren’t expecting this.”

“It’s hard to know what to expect when I’m around you...” He leaned in to smell her hair.

“That’s exactly the way I like it.”

“A woman of mysteries then...”

“Always, Henry. Life isn’t fun without them.”

The music seemed to get louder as the two danced together, the underlying beat dripping inside his ears like molten wax. The moment was both intimate and electrifying.

“Now what?” He asked.

“Now, you follow my lead,” Anna replied.

She momentarily escaped his embrace to shake her ass in front of him, and Henry couldn’t help but feel his pulse quicken at the sight. She turned around and pulled him closer to her, pressing her body against his.

His hands roamed over her back, indulging in the soft fabric of her lingerie and the contours of her body beneath it. He leaned in to kiss her neck, and a moan escaped her lips.

“Do you know what some of my followers tell me when I promote something I like? They say they like being under the influence and I think you do, too,” she purred.

“What do you mean?”

“I see it in the way you look at me. That quiet fascination that can easily turn into despair is something that I find incredibly attractive in a man, and that’s why I wanted to share this with you.”

“You want me to despair over you, Anna?”

“Perhaps in time, but for now I want you to look at me and listen to the sound of my voice. Spiral with me in this endless dance.”

As she spoke, her body moved in perfect sync with the background music and her eyes drew him in. She circled him, her hands weaving through his hair, then wrapping around his waist as she pulled his head to her sweaty breasts. She kept the rhythm going with surprising ease, his breath hitching as he watched her.

Anna’s hips swayed back and forth like a hypnotic pendulum, captivating him further each time they brushed against one another. He tried to keep up with her but she kept moving faster and faster, one spiral after the other as his eyes grew heavier and heavier.

“Do you want to be under my influence?” She placed a gentle kiss on his left cheek.

Henry agreed, unable to resist the pull of her presence.

“Yes,” he murmured in reply, his voice barely above a whisper.

Anna grinned, moving her face closer to his. She whispered a sultry invitation into his ear, her hot breath sending shivers down his spine.

“Then let me show you what it means to truly lose yourself.”

She pressed her lips to his in a fierce embrace, their bodies melting together as they continued to move in perfect rhythm. Henry felt his mind start to blur around the edges, the music and Anna’s touch combining to make him feel like he was falling into a dark, velvet pit, and it was good. It was so fucking good!

Desire clutched at his stomach. He gripped the lingerie that was draped over Anna’s curvy body and pulled it down, letting the black fabric slide off her chest and revealing her ample bosom. He could practically hear his heart thumping in his ears as he cradled her breasts with his hands, squeezing them together until her pink nipples were in full view for him to kiss and suck. Soft mewls of ecstasy escaped Anna’s lips each time his mouth enveloped one of her perky boobs. She ran a hand through his hair again and yanked his head upward. His eyes searched hers, still unable to believe that he had gotten in so deep so fast.

As if he had been caught in a feverish dream, Henry lost track of his surroundings, except for her voice and the sound of her moans. Anna continued kissing him harder and harder, prolonging the moment to an almost unbearable intensity. He knew he couldn’t hold on much longer, his strength fading as she dragged him closer and closer to the precipice. A total mindfuck awaited him at the bottom and he couldn’t wait to dive right in. All he needed was one final push, and Anna inched closer to the edge alongside him.

“Give in, Henry. Sink for me and be mine,” she commanded.

Henry nodded and followed her voice into blissful oblivion. He descended deeper and deeper, losing himself in the never-ending cycle of pleasure they created until their sweaty bodies collapsed on the sofa and sweet darkness enveloped them both.

* * *

A couple of hours later, Henry woke up to find Anna still lying on top of him, her hands entwined around his neck. He felt a little light-headed and disoriented but strangely calm nonetheless. She looked at him with peaceful eyes that held a silent understanding between the two of them. Smiling from ear to ear she asked, “Did you like it?”

Henry nodded in response and enveloped Anna into an intimate embrace as they kissed each other passionately one last time before he finally spoke out loud: “Yes! I enjoyed being under your influence.”

“I knew you would,” she replied, her voice entering his head like water flowing into a dam.

“Is it always like this with you?” 

“Only with people I find special and yes, Henry, you’re one of them.”

“How special exactly?” 

Anna placed her right hand on his chest and smiled devilishly. “Do you really want to know, Mr. Richards?”

Henry nodded again.

She placed a kiss on his cheek, the scent of her sweet perfume engulfing him. “You’ll find out soon enough when the time is right.”

With a wink, Anna got up from the couch and headed to the bathroom to take a shower. A rush of excitement ran through Henry’s veins as he lay there, the sound of Anna’s seductive voice still ringing in his ears. He couldn’t wait to be under her influence again and find out just how magical she really was. It was bound to be amazing.

The End