It all started quite simply, really. Dr. Joshua Pine was just leaving his publisher's office when the woman seated in the waiting area dropped a book and some papers. Being a properly raised gentleman by his mama, Josh stepped over to help her retrieve her belongings. While she scrambled to grab the things spilling from her purse, he picked up her papers and book. He stood, waiting to hand her the papers, when he noticed the title on the book. It was a very old book, bound in leather, and the title, though faded, was quite clear: L'âme Erotique. He smiled as he translated the title to himself, then looked down and saw the woman was looking at him. She blushed brightly when she saw that he had been looking at her book.

Just then, his publisher's secretary opened the door and called out, "Miss Lang."

The flustered woman grabbed her book and papers from him, clutching them and her purse; she stood and rushed over to the open door. Josh turned away as the door closed behind her. He walked slowly out of the building, his slight limp hampering him a bit more than usual today. He stopped for coffee at a small café nearby, and then drove home in his plush, new sports car.

Over the next few days, he worked on his latest book, an in-depth study of the criminal mind. As a psychiatrist, he had had a successful practice. And then one day, the government had approached him, regarding some top-secret work. He had worked for the government, on the side for the next 10 years, until he was injured in a botched attempt to catch a serial killer. After that, he had tried his hand at writing, over his protracted recovery. He had discovered he had quite a talent for writing. He had published over 15 best-selling crime novels, 3 of which had been made into hit movies. He no longer had his private practice, spending most of his time alone, writing. He had friends who came and visited his estate from time to time, but mostly he was alone in the large house, with just his housekeeper, cook, butler and 4 dogs.

He kept trying to get the woman's face out of his head. But he couldn't. He kept recalling the look on her face once she realized he had read the title of the book. The bright flush that had stained her cheeks had been confusing. Her green eyes had stared at him for the longest second, broken only when her name was called. Her face had not been of the fashion model beauty but rather was quiet, looked reserved, intelligent. Her lips had been full, and her eyes had held hidden fire, he had been sure. He had watched her walk across the floor, and noticed that she didn't purposely swing her hips, but instead her body had moved sensually, methodically. He had felt a sharp sting of desire in those moments, something he had not felt in quite sometime.

Josh had 'lady' friends, with whom he enjoyed a detached, occasionally sexual, relationship. But this was different. This had the kind of desire that comes hard, hot and fast. And yet, it wasn't just of the flesh. There was something deeper to this, something he didn't really want to acknowledge. Therefore, it was a full two weeks later before he went back to see his publisher.

Ryan Bridges was surprised when his secretary buzzed him to say Dr. Pine. Ryan stood to greet Josh at the door. Due to Josh's writing skills, his publishing business had grown immensely, and he could pick and choose from successful authors now.

"What a surprise, Josh. What brings you back to town so soon?" Ryan asked after Josh was seated. He offered him a drink, which Josh refused.

"I would like some information, if it wouldn't be a breach of your confidentiality."

Ryan sat back down at his desk. He was pretty sure he would do just about anything for Joshua Pine. "Sure, ask away."

"This may seem a bit odd, but, well? When I was here a few weeks ago, there was a woman in the waiting area. Her name was Lang."

Ryan nodded. "Kelly Lang. She is someone I am considering publishing. She is working on some rough drafts. She had published quite a few articles in magazines, and she has a web site which has featured her stories, along with others, for a couple of years. It was June who brought her to my attention, actually."

June was his wife, and partner in the publishing firm. "She found the web site on the Internet, and started reading her stories. At first, she didn't say anything to me, but something seemed a bit different I thought. Finally, " Ryan flushed. "After a particularly surprising evening in bed, I asked her what was going on. I was afraid she having an affair." He folded his hands on the desk. "Needless to say, she hit me. And then she showed me some of the stories she had printed. She was being turned on by these stories, and I was getting the benefit of all that sexual energy."

Josh smiled. "You mean romance stories?"

Ryan shook his head. "More than that. More like erotica, but not the usual run of the mill stuff you usually find on the net."

"Are you going to publish her stories?" Josh asked his friend and publisher.

"No. She is trying her hand at a novel. But she is having a few problems finding time to write, and work."

"What does she do?" Josh folded his arms across his broad chest, not wanting to seem 'too eager' for information about the woman.

"She quit her regular job to concentrate on writing. She is selling an article now and then." Ryan opened his appointment book. "She is due back in this week for me to check on her progress. June and I are helping her as much as we can, but she doesn't want an advance until she comes up with something really definite for us."

Josh nodded. "Perhaps she might be interested in doing some writing for me. I would pay her of course, and that might help to tide her over."

Ryan paused and looked at his friend. If it were anyone else, he might suspect them of ulterior motives. But Joshua Pine was too refined, too restrained for anything unsavory. Ryan nodded. "I can ask her. Would you like to meet with her?"

Joshua shook his head. "No. If she is agreeable, call me. Then I will contact her by email, and instruct her from there."

Ryan agreed. "Okay, sounds good. Uhm, how much should I tell her?"?

Josh smiled. "Tell her I will pay her $10 per page, to start. More if her work is good."

Josh stood and offered his hand to Ryan, signifying the end of their meeting. Ryan sat back down, stunned and surprised at the unexpected actions of his friend.