Free Show & Tell by Rhonda Nelson

envy.
    Between his condescending co-workers and equally condescending parents, Knox was doubly determined to succeed.
    For reasons that escaped him, Savannah’s opinion, in particular, annoyed the hell out of him. But what did he expect? That after spending one day with him, she’d see him any differently than she always had? That his character would have suddenly jumped up a notch in her esteemed estimation? Not likely. And he didn’t care, dammit. He did not care. When he made it, when he proved himself, she’d be just like everyone else—eating crow.
    Curiously, the thought didn’t inspire the smug satisfaction Knox anticipated and, instead left him feeling small and petty. He shrugged the sensation aside and focused instead on the Sheas as they finally moved onto the dais.
    â€œWelcome to your first class,” Edgar began. “The title of this lesson is Beginning Tantra/Energetic Healing. We have much ground to cover over the course of this weekend and everything we teach you will be built upon these basic tantric principles, so please have your pad and pencil poised and be ready to learn.”
    â€œBefore we begin,” Rupali said to the class at large, “there are a few things we must cover.” She steepled her fingers beneath her chin, the picture of glowing serenity. “I’m sure you are all wondering why you’ve been asked to wear the kurta and remove your shoes. Let me address the kurta first. The kurta denotes purity, helps promote chakra healing and enables us all to remove psychological boundaries. At times, our clothes can be our armor against our sensual selves.” Her keen gaze landed pointedly on a few people. Savannah, too, Knox noticed with mild surprise. “We’ll have no armor here. Only truth and healing.” She paused. “As for not wearing shoes, we need to be grounded to Mother Earth, to let her energy flow up through our feet and connect us once more with the force of all that’s natural, that’s pure. Curl your toes in the grass—let it massage your feet,” she instructed. “Isn’t it nice? Can you feelMother Earth’s power?” she asked, smiling. “If not, you will by the end of this clinic, I promise you. All of you will leave here with a new sense of energy, of purpose, of happiness.”
    â€œThat’s a mighty big promise,” Savannah whispered from the side of her mouth.
    Knox nodded. “Yeah, but it’s what she didn’t promise that’s wise. She didn’t promise impotent men erections, and she didn’t promise you frigid-unable-to-climax types an orgasm.”
    â€œYou’re right,” she quietly agreed. “It’s inferred, but not stated. Smart move. Very crafty.”
    â€œAre there any questions so far?” Rupali wanted to know. “If not, then we’ll move on to the next item on the agenda before we officially begin class. In order to insure that you fully understand and appreciate what sort of sexual gratification tantra can add to your sex lives, you need to understand what was lacking in the first place, and you need to be able to instantly discern the vast difference between the lovers you officially are today and the new lovers you will become. What I’m about to ask of you will be exceedingly difficult, but it’s simply crucial to the success of your experience—you must abstain from physical intercourse until the end of the workshop.”
    A chorus of shocked gasps and giggles echoed under the pavilion.
    â€œIt’s crucial,” she repeated firmly. “Men, through tantra we’re going to teach you the most effective way to bring your lover pleasure. We’re going toteach you to worship your goddess. The techniques you will learn will enable you to prolong your own inner release as well as hers.”
    â€œLikewise ladies,” she continued, “we will teach you the most effective way to