It was a set-up, risky and potentially dangerous. They both knew it. But at least it was progressing smoothly and according to plan. A small sigh of relief escaped Jade's lips as the receptionist bristling with efficiency completed the final admission documents. She handed them their keys.
"Mr. and Mrs. Chambers, we trust you will have a very enjoyable stay with us at The Retreat." She flashed them a dazzling white smile. "Here is your appointment schedule and itinerary."
"Thank God, that's over with," Jade said apprehensively, as they stepped inside their well appointed suite.
Warren laughed, "Jadie, it's only starting." He drew back the curtains and looked at the breath-taking view of the manicured gardens from the window.
Jade glanced at him. He was tall and lean with thick dark brown hair. Not strikingly handsome but with a steady intense gaze that caused her heart to flutter whenever he fixed his blue green eyes on her. She marveled at how good his ass looked in his chinos. Warren always dressed exceptionally well. Of course, his profession as a top lawyer demanded it, but he was not flashy or obnoxious. He carried himself with a quiet sense of personal power and style. She liked that. In fact, Jade admitted to herself, she liked him a lot. Aside from his successful handling of several matters for the publication she worked for, they had developed a strong friendship and an understanding of each other. She knew that beneath that very sharp legal mind of his, lurked a private and often complex man. He was an enigma with a dry sense of humor and a taste for fast sports cars. She sensed he had an intensely sexual libido. They had exchanged sexual banter and innuendo. Their flirting occasionally reaching dangerous levels but they had never acted on it. Warren was married, and he had a very determined resolve. He was also the only person who had ever called her "Jadie" something she thought she might find annoying, but surprisingly didn't. Hearing it from his lips made it somehow quite intimate, something they shared privately.
"Yes," she replied trying to shake off the familiar warmth she felt when she allowed herself to acknowledge the sexual attraction she felt for him. "But this assignment is so different from all the others I have been on. It's kind of sinister."
"Well, that's why you have me with you." Warren dropped onto the bed, and bounced up and down on it. "And the bed feels great; maybe the time here won't be so bad after all."
"Yeah, yeah Counselor and its just as well there are two rooms with two beds in this suite." Jade gave a wry smile. Dammit, she thought, she had to stop entertaining decadent thoughts about him. Anyway mixing pleasure with business was never a good thing and she knew Warren, he would definitely stick to the job at hand. She turned her attention to the appointment schedule.
"Hmm looks like a busy time while we are here," she remarked. "Seems they believe in value for their money. No one can complain about that."
Warren watched her facial expressions closely as she read. Jade was an aspirant investigative reporter, intelligent and committed to her work. 'Passionate,' he thought, now there was the word to describe her. Passionate not only in her writing and her insatiable curiosity about life, but he suspected that she burned with raw sexual passion as well. God, he could only imagine what it was like to see that body of hers naked and writhing with passion. She tossed back her dark lustrous hair and fixed her deep green eyes on him.
"Damn, we have to go for the dreaded annual tests. A pap smear for me, a prostate examination for you. Isn't that just thrilling?" she moaned, a look of displeasure crossed her face.
"Well its part of the program, Jadie and if we hope to discover anything irregular, we have to go with the flow. On the face of it we have to behave like any other married couple here and that way we see exactly what's going on."
"Yes, you're right of course," she sighed, agreeing with his sensibility and logic. This was an important assignment. How her editor had managed to swing it, she didn't know, but he had pulled plenty of strings and called in favors to get them into the Retreat. It was expensive and exclusive. Very exclusive, with admission being strictly by referral from couples who had benefited from the stay at the Retreat.
Curiously the reason they were here undercover, was because one such couple had recently been found dead. It was a double suicide and they had left a cryptic note, "It's not been the same since our visit to that Retreat. It's a sin; they shouldn't be allowed to do this to us…" Added to this was the mysterious anonymous letter sent to Jade's editor from someone alleging to work at the Retreat, but proclaiming that "unheard of practices were happening, that needed to be set right." A small shiver of excitement shot through her. This had the potential to be a major story if they cracked it, resulting in a number of highly publicized lawsuits. It was going to be an interesting few days!
The Retreat was secluded. It was miles from the nearest town, set far back behind imposing gates and surrounded by lush sprawling gardens and a private golf course. After a guided tour of the facilities and a cursory check –up by a general medical practitioner, they stepped into Dr. Kevin Mann's office.
Warren, Jade good to meet you, come on in."
He extended his hand and Jade was immediately struck by the size of it. It was large and smooth to the touch, his strength evident from the firmness of his handshake. Her eyes swept over him as he spoke. He was in his late forties, in good physical shape with sharp features and blue eyes. His dark hair was graying giving him a distinguished look and he emitted a warm friendliness.
I'm Kevin Mann, Founder and Director of the Retreat."
Warren's keen eye took in the gallery of qualifications and certificates displayed on the wall; Gynecology, Urology, Sexology and Psychology. Fuck, he thought, taking an instant dislike to him. The good doctor was into every hole that opened and closed. He was surprised that he hadn't added Oral hygiene and Dentistry to his portfolio. People who had to flaunt their education so flagrantly rarely impressed Warren. Aside from that, the way his eyes were appraising Jade, moving slowly over her body was far from professional.
"Well Doctor," Jade said, automatically slipping into reporter questioning-mode, "What do you have planned for us?"
"No need for formalities here Jade, please call me Kevin," he smiled. "I like guests to feel totally relaxed during their stay. It enhances their wellness and their pleasure, the main objectives of the Retreat." Jade nodded slowly as he continued. "We find that each couple is unique, and we tailor the program around your specific needs, although basically most seek out the same things."
"And those are…?" Warren inquired, clearing his throat and speaking for the first time since entering the room.
