To fully set the scene please read chapter 1.
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In summary, my young tennis partner, Maria, has been taken advantage of under hypnosis. To help understand what happened I have used hypnosis to revisit the previous events and in the course of this my young subject has let it be known that she is attracted to me, a much older man.
Saturday came round slowly, and I was full of anxiety about how things might develop. On the one hand Maria was clearly interested in me, on the other our relationship was built on trust that was based on my experience helping to coach and guide this young woman 30 years my junior. With the match scheduled to start at 2.00pm, men's and women's singles followed by men's doubles and finishing with the mixed doubles each the best of three sets, it would be a long afternoon; at 53 years of age I would need to preserve my energy.
As Maria and I were not involved in the first match we had some time to catch up with the events of our last meeting and having settled the opposition team and offered tea and coffee we finally had some time to sit with a little privacy. I gently opened the conversation;
"So how are you feeling after our evening last week Maria?" From the corner of my eye I watched for a reaction to my question and could see that a flush was spreading on Maria's neck and to her face.
"I feel much better about what happened at University and I hope the tennis problems will be solved for today," said Maria "but I am a little worried that I might have said too much about some other things, and well, I do feel a little embarrassed now that I'm not hypnotised. I did some things in front of you that I shouldn't have really done and I let out some secrets that perhaps I shouldn't have done. I hope you're not mad at me."
"Well actually Maria, I am OK about things. I was glad to help you, and hope I can help some more, and as for what happened, well I was flattered and quite excited myself with the things you told me it's not every day that I share so much with a beautiful young women. Having said that I don't want to put you in a position where you would feel compromised or uncomfortable, so you must tell me if this happens." I was watching Maria as I spoke, looking for a reaction and was pleased to see her reaction was not to stop things but rather to be sure we would continue. I went on;
"Maria, would you like to continue with our project, if nothing else we need to see if there is anything to be done about Paul, since he has clearly taken advantage of you. What do you feel about that?"
Maria considered my question for a moment and glanced at me, looking a little guilty;
"To be truthful I have considered some horrible revenge since we last talked about this. Part of me feels that what happened wasn't so bad, but part of me feels that he simply did not have the right to do what he did, and if he hadn't lost control of himself, then who knows what might have happened. Besides that I rather enjoyed being hypnotised by you, and I would not mind if we did it again, perhaps after our match we could try again and see what else we can learn, maybe we will come up with a plan?"
This was good, Maria was giving me some level of freedom to explore her inner most secrets, and I certainly had some ideas about that and with Maria as a willing collaborator, so the evening looked to hold much promise for us both! In the meantime we had a match to win.
I turned to Maria to find her studying my face, so I smiled and said;
"OK we have a date, but now let's see what we can do about winning this match, do you feel confident or would you like me to re-enforce the suggestions I made earlier in the week?"
"I think I will be OK, I can remember the suggestions you made and I will focus on the key skills when the time comes, I just hope I am not distracted thinking about the other things."
That made me think and so I decided to solve the problem;
"Anyone for tennis? " I used the trigger words set during our first hypnosis session and Maria's head immediately slumped to her chest. So as not to draw too much attention to Maria's vulnerable state I quickly followed up; "Maria, I want to be sure that you have the best match possible today, so for the rest of the afternoon I want you to forget all about Paul, our plans for this evening and any feelings or concerns that you may have about what we will do. You will concentrate your energy on the tennis match; you will enjoy the game and do the best that you can. Is that clear?"
Maria nodded her head.
"After the game is over you can start to consider those other matters. When I count to three you will wake up and feel really good and ready to play, one two, three."
Maria sat up, looked at me and smiled and without a word reached for her racket, taking hold of the grip with intent. The first game was drawing to a close, our male partner Bob, was being soundly beaten by a young athletic opponent, Jack, and at 5-0 in the second set it was time for Maria to get ready for the ladies singles. Her opposition, Barbara, was a typical British club type, well turned out mid thirties, a strong featured blonde, no doubt mother of two beautiful children and a stalwart of her village, and I had no doubt a deep streak of competitive skill and aggression!
Maria sized Barbara up, looked at me and smiled.
"No problemo" she said "Let's get one back!"
As the men's game concluded, Bob walked of the court blowing hard.
"Best of luck then Maria" he said and headed for the club house for a drink.
I do enjoy watching ladies play tennis, those short skirts and tanned legs are very appealing and I settled down to watch the game on the grass bank to the side of the courts which afforded me great view of the players as they set themselves up for each point and of the play. It also gave me a good view up the short skirts of the women players I could not help notice that Barbara was wearing uncommonly skimpy knickers, and I was sure I could see curls of pubic hair peeping out of the gusset when she served, I had to try not to stare, but I was certain that Barbara knew just what she was showing and revelled in the attention of the male spectators!
Barbara proved to be quite tough, striking the ball hard and cleanly, serving with control and direction and making solid volleys. Maria however matched her point for point, the game going with serve until Maria served for the ninth game. Out of pattern Maria lost the first point to a hard return, the second to a deep return and volley and the third, her first double fault.
"Love, forty" called Barbara smugly. This was the pattern I had hoped to avoid, but Maria looked calm. I crossed my fingers and made a silent prayer to the god's of tennis.