The Butterfly House

by Meckley, Lori

  The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of a copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by fines and federal imprisonment.

  The Butterfly House

  Text copyright © 2013 Loretta L. Meckley

  This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or business establishments, events or locales is coincidental.

  All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Written permission must be given by the author for internet sharing.

  This book contains adult content

  For future plot circumstances there are certain legal aspects of the story that will remain a mystery or unanswered.

  They will become clear in the next story, please remember this is a fiction read.

  This first book is Nolan & Ava's story

  This story is for those who believe in falling when they love

  Welcome to the Butterfly House

  Nolan ~ One

  Becoming Lotus

  Nolan ~ Two

  Ava

  Nolan ~ Three

  Ava

  Angela

  Nolan ~ Four

  Becoming Lotus

  Nolan ~ Five

  Meeting Lotus

  Nolan ~ Six

  Ava

  Angela

  Nolan ~ Seven

  Ava

  Nolan ~ Eight

  Becoming Lotus

  Nolan ~Nine

  Ava

  Nolan ~ Ten

  Ava

  Angela

  Nolan ~Eleven

  Ava

  Nolan ~ Twelve

  Ava

  Nolan ~ Thirteen

  Ava

  Nolan ~ Fourteen

  Ava

  Nolan ~ Fifteen

  Ava

  Becoming Lotus

  Nolan ~ Sixteen

  Ava

  Nolan ~ Seventeen

  Ava

  Angela

  Nolan ~ Eighteen

  Becoming Lotus

  Nolan ~ Nineteen

  Ava

  Nolan ~ Twenty

  Ava

  Nolan ~ Twenty-One

  Ava

  Angela

  Epilogue

  Return to the Butterfly House

  Watch for Sam Rayburn and Angela Mercy's story

  Play List

  Acknowledgments

  Author Page

  Nolan ~ One

  I could not stop my hands from sweating, I had never been around so many beautiful women, but she wasn't just beautiful, she was drop dead stunning and at some point in time those words drop dead stunning would haunt me, forever.

  But... wait! I am getting ahead of myself, let me start from the beginning.

  I was not big on stepping out after work with my clients beyond dinner and a few drinks; however the curiosity had gotten the better of me the night I first heard about her, I gave in and got in the limousine with my favorite client and friend Sam Rayburn. He talked nonstop about this amazing club called The Butterfly House. I will admit, it had me intrigued after hearing him talk about a dancer they called Lotus. When he described her – the words long, deep auburn hair was all I heard. A true redhead just made my heart race like thunder and did even more dangerous things to my body.

  I had not heard of The Butterfly House, as I just did not frequent many night clubs, I preferred to knock back a few drinks at a pub or a local bar within walking distance to my condo. I liked to be on top of my game each day at work. New York might be The City That Never Sleeps, but I had a business to run; being clear-headed meant getting sleep.

  I spent almost every waking hour – working. After a bitter and broken relationship what else was there honestly? I could feel myself sinking into that bitterness I felt each time I remembered Monica Lansing. I had learned the hard way, never give all of yourself, when you do, there is nothing left. It's next to impossible to pull yourself back from it. The pain, anger and hurt were just not worth the risk – again. I was just surviving now when it came to that part of my life, I tried hard not to go there and I was going to stop thinking about it right now.

  As the doors of the limo opened and Sam stepped out first, I followed. My mind went into a bit of shell shock as I took in the huge double doors that led into The Butterfly House. There were no words to describe how beautifully the iron doors were engraved with every type of butterfly imaginable. Each one was designed with such detail, down to their tiny bodies. The butterflies were hand-blown glass in so many amazing colors and they simply winked almost twinkling. It was as if they were alive and fluttering in flight. They were the lure that pulled you in. I could almost hear them daring me to step inside.

  Once we were inside those doors, it was like stepping into another world. Huge paintings of flowers, ranging from simple tulips to the exotic were placed on each wall. The murals were painted with an obvious erotic intent. The dance floor was huge, with a full bar placed on either side. There were small leather sofas in place of tables and chairs. There was no seating close the dance floor either, small coffee tables were placed there instead. The place screamed comfort and pleasure.

  We followed our hostess – who introduced herself as Penelope – across the room. The sofa was so soft, it was like taking that first taste of movie popcorn when the butter hits your tongue and you sigh out loud. You don't care who hears you, it's just that sinfully good. I knew by the look on Sam's face I had sighed out loud as the hostesses voice broke my thoughts asking for our drink order. We both ordered whiskeys neat.

  “Did I not tell you this place was something special?” Sam laughed, smacking me on the back as he sat down then slid over a bit, putting a bit of space between us on the sofa.

  “You knew I'd be hooked by those front doors didn't you?” I laughed.

  I was suddenly very glad I had given in and come along. My business was glass. I prided myself on being able to make anything out of glass. To date my biggest project was making a huge beach cottage out of glass for a client in California.

  “I have some business I want to discuss with you later regarding those doors we just came through.” stated Sam.

  Those doors we just came through were amazingly crafted. I had no problem discussing them further.

  “Now that has my interest, is tomorrow too soon?” I asked.

  “I'm free tomorrow anytime, but tonight I want you to enjoy yourself. This place is something special.” he said smiling.

  Yes it was something special alright. I was going to enjoy this night and if a stunning redhead, in what felt like the garden of Eden was what it took to help me with that enjoyment, well then game on.

  Becoming Lotus

  Nothing pissed me off more than someone touching my things, I needed to be out there on stage in twenty minutes and my makeup table was a damn nightmare. I quickly worked with what was left salvageable. My shadows and lipsticks were smashed and all my brushes were covered in foundation. These other women and their pettiness, if they only knew I wasn't in this for anything more than the money I was making. I was running out of time each morning when the sun rose and working my ass to the bone each night praying that God and my family wouldn't fault me for this madness my life had suddenly become.

  Just when I thought I couldn't take another moment of working here I'd remember why I was here dancing naked instead of just going to college like most young girls my age were. My fight mode would fall back in place and I'd endure, even if it meant ignoring the unkindness from other women working here.

  Endure was
exactly how it felt to me. My body was on display for men and sometimes even women, not that all of these men or women were bad but let's be honest, they were here watching each and every girl bare her body and lose her soul, hoping for more than just naked glimpses, a few were predators. We were their prey. Those were the ones that made me feel dirty, worthless and deep down sorrow that my life had come to this.

  I was here by choice but my reason had nothing to do with wanting to attract men, or love like some of these women thought each night as they played at catching a man's eye. They were hoping to be swept off their feet by Prince Charming. I had yet to see a real man walk through those big fancy doors out front. A huge number of the men who came inside here were looking for the escape of being away from a spouse or girlfriend and this was where they came for a little thrill that wouldn't follow them home. Little did they know sometimes that little thrill had consequences.

  I had dreams of some day of not having to ever walk inside those doors again. Tonight however those dreams felt a million miles away.

  I brushed out my long red hair, curling the ends with my hot iron. Tonight I chose a lovely sage green corset, sheer panties, matching stockings and very tall black stilettos. Making up my eyes with the same shade of eye shadow, I got heavy-handed with the mascara too. I ran a light mist of citrus vanilla scented body spray over my arms, neck and wrists. I used my fingers to fluff my curls out. Taking a deep breath, I took one last look in the mirror at my dressing table and then walked out the door, it was showtime.

  Nolan ~ Two

  The atmosphere at The Butterfly House felt intense, almost electrifying. Sam and I watched as girl after girl come out onto the stage and perform their routine. They actually dressed with care and put on a very seductive show before taking off their clothes. Lotus was the main event of the night. When the lights dimmed and the music started I felt my heart beating heavily like a drum all over, even in my ears. The music was dark, slow but with a rhythm that felt almost heart-breaking and erotic at the same time. I was torn between closing my eyes to feel the music and keeping them open because I knew she was about to come out on the stage any second.

  I was glad I kept them open but I'm pretty sure my mouth dropped in shock. Lotus had legs that went on forever – long and shapely. She shared them as she walked down the stage, turning slightly to look out over the crowd. I saw a flash of what looked like a tattoo on her left ankle. Upon a second longer look, I saw a butterfly entwined with a lotus, the colors were amazing, purple, red and yellow. The tattoo and its blend of colors added to her allure. She was not just beautiful but hauntingly pretty. Her hair was a deep red, very long with highlights. She wore the color sage green like it belonged to her. She also had curves in all the right places. She took her time keeping in tune with her music as she danced. She sat in a beautiful divan sofa that sat on the side of the stage. She rolled a stocking down her leg as if it were a long-lost lover, taking her time as well with the other stocking. Then slowly she peeled her panties down her legs and dropped them onto the stage. But the way she was seated you couldn't see her fully nude, her pussy was merely a shadow hidden between her gently closed legs. She carefully flipped her long hair over the back of the sofa as she leaned back further. She caressed her own arms gently, then her cupped her very full breasts still in her corset.

  When she reached for her corset, I saw her head turn and the stage light caught what looked like tears in her eyes. I felt myself drawn in as I stared at her, she noticed me and smiled directly at me as if it never happened. But it had happened I saw it. From that moment on my heart felt like it had been pulled on.

  What happened next I was not expecting. She began to sing, in this deep soulful voice. The music we had been listening to had blended right with her voice. She sang of love and desire but it felt bittersweet. I was speechless as the song ended and the lights on the stage went out. When the main lights came back on, she was gone and so was my heart.

  Ava

  I wanted so much for this not to of have happened. I am only in my second semester at NYU and everything has gone horribly wrong. I'm terrified to ask my parents for money. It's not that they'd say no but they'd say no to what I am doing. It's my own fault I find myself in this situation but is it really wrong that I thought of another life besides my own? I don't believe so. I had to do the right thing, even if it meant my life had to change.

  Dancing at The Butterfly House was not exactly where I wanted to be at this moment in my life but the money is what I desperately need right now. Why was it that money was always the one thing in life we could not survive without?

  Tiny little sighs were coming from the little incubator. Tossing my text book onto the chair, I walked over to him. Tiny little arms and legs were pumping as I saw his little face getting all geared up to cry. He was a fighter and I was so tired. I didn't care though, he was precious to me. It was two am and I had an anatomy test tomorrow but it would wait and so would sleep. I had to be here for him.

  I called him baby Miles. He was only a few days old but he was mine. He had soft blond hair and the bluest eyes. I was all he had in this world right now and I was going to take care of him, even if it meant taking off my clothes every night in a huge roomful of people.

  Miles had been born prematurely. He has what's called patent ductus arteriosus, known as PDA.

  We have a blood vessel that connects the aorta (the main artery to the body) and the pulmonary artery (the main artery to the lungs), called the ductus arteriosus. This opening usually closes shortly after birth. A PDA occurs when this opening does not close after birth.

  He was being given medication, Indomethacin through an IV to help close the opening. This medication worked to stimulate the muscles inside the PDA to constrict, causing the connection to close. I was praying this would work. The cost of his care was already breaking me and if this did not work then he might need surgery. I didn't want to ask my parents for help. I could handle this alone, I had to.

  I felt tears sting my eyes. I was so very afraid for him. I had no idea how I was going to come up with the money but I would do it. I smiled, wiping away my tears as the duty nurse came in to check on his vitals. I wasn't really supposed to be here but because of his critical situation and my schedule they allowed it. I watched as the nurse took his vitals. I held his tiny little hand the entire time.

  Nolan ~ Three

  I was officially never going to sleep again. I couldn't stop thinking about her. I wondered what her real name was. It was not Lotus, I'm sure that was what they called a stage name dancers used. I would never insult her by calling her a stripper, she might have shared views of her nude body; however she also graceful and that voice – it was like having your cock as well as your heart stroked. I meant that in a good way. A man should always desire a woman who captured his heart and made his body sing.

  I stopped myself right there. God I was not going to fall for another Monica Lansing. I loved Monica from the moment I first met her, I could deny her nothing. That was my downfall.

  Just hearing her name was like having my heart pulled on. It was getting a little less painful when I faced it, even if I was only talking it out in my own mind. Monica was the reason I moved to New York. I had had a small glass business in Mesquite, Texas but my sales were all over the United States. I had just begun to do business overseas. I had hand-crafted wedding rings for a couple in New Orleans, Jason and Morgan Delaware. Mr. Delaware had wanted a set of wedding bands that were unique. His wife Morgan loved copper, so with rose gold looking very close to copper, we made the center of the rings in rose gold and the outer sides of the rings a periwinkle purple and dark teal glass blown together to form the colors like ice cream swirls. Morgan had called me herself to let me know just how much she loved my work and the design.

  Monica had lured me out here to New York City. I will admit my business has come a long way; however what happened between us was enough to make me want go back home to Texas. I refused however to make it
that easy for her. We moved here on the pretext that she was pregnant with my child. My business was going to grow if we just stepped outside of my comfort zone. When I think back on it, I should have delved more deeply into the situation. The pregnancy was unexpected but I loved children so I never questioned her motives.

  We made the move. I spent all of my hard-earned savings on a huge condo and leased a building for my business, all in downtown Manhattan. At first it was all so overwhelming. I grew up in Texas, where we rarely saw snow and never ice storms. My first year in Manhattan I was homesick for homemade tamales and my family. Monica never wanted to leave the city to go anywhere. At first I spent long hours getting my business running, and after a few months I started to wonder why every time I asked Monica about the baby – or getting engaged at the very least, she changed the subject. Her body never seemed to grow with the pregnancy like other women, I had just assumed it was because she was always watching her figure.

  One night I left work early hoping to take her to dinner and surprise her with a ring and ask her to marry me. The surprise was on me however. She was home I saw her keys on the table inside our front door. I heard laughter as I set down my briefcase and dropped my own keys on the kitchen counter. We obviously had a visitor.

  I realized the laughter was not coming from our living room but from our bedroom. The laughter was a mixture of my wife and another woman. I recognized Monica's moan as I walked down the hallway. I could feel myself getting anxious as I approached our bedroom door. The door was ajar, I pushed it open. Monica and another woman were together on our bed. They were both nude and kissing. The other woman was fast to jump up and grab her clothes, she shot past me but Monica didn't even attempt to move. She rolled over and smiled. I felt sick to my stomach.

  “Hello lover,” she said laughing.

  “What the fuck is going on?” I shouted. I could hear a roaring in my ears. I felt this rage building, then I saw red.

  Laughing she got off the bed and began dressing. We really got into it then. I grabbed her arm, demanding again to know what the hell was going on.