Our hero has got away with his tattoo at work. There is some laughter at this macho man, who calls himself a tiger, some incredulity that a reasonable person could take such a tattoo. His girlfriend, however, is not taken in by his feeble explanations of how he received the wounds on his back ("A fight." - "A fight? The marks look to me like fingernails made them. Those of a man? Since when do you have fights anyway?") and the tattoo ("Fun with the boys" - "That is not like you! On your hand? Not what a career man like you would do?" He is not quite himself anyway, seriously preoccupied with his recent experience. She suggests that it was another woman's doing, he comes clean, she instantly ends the relationship.

"Tiger? You had the word Tiger tattooed on your hand? Tiger? You? Ha! Lamb is more like it, seduced by a shepherdess. I would never have thought. Why did you do this to me?"

"Suzy, dear Suzy. I wish I could tell you. Hell, she seduced me all right. When I looked into her green eyes, I was tempted. From the moment I saw her naked body inside the car, I was lost. My cock showed me the way, not my mind. I was not in love. Lust carried me away. Can't you see that this takes nothing away from my love for you?"

"Your love for me. Do you really love me? Not strong enough to keep you in check, for God's sake. Why would you not do it again? You could get addicted to her services. And she to the use of you. Look at you! She tears, carves you apart."

"I cannot deny what has happened. There was sex. I wish there hadn't been. Believe me. I do not know who she is or where she lives. She, for her part, left me for dead. She cannot be too interested in me. She is a bloody mystery to me, not a real person. I am intrigued..., yes, but not in love."

"Words. Words. Love, lust, mystery, intrigued, not in love. What is the difference? Was she better in bed than me? That is what counts for you!"

"Oh, Suzy... What do you want me to say? I love you, not her."

I looked her in the eye, searching. She looked at me, defiant. Yet she stood, not walked. Then I grabbed her, she did not resist and I tore the clothes from her body. We made love, violent like never before, like there was no tomorrow. When we were done, she as satisfied as I, she got up slowly and dressed, not losing sight of me for a minute. Then she walked towards the door and opened it. Standing in the door opening, she turned and said that she might return, whenever, if she would at all...

Alone, I do not believe she will return. The case for my defence is weak. Basically, I am guilty and pardon is my only hope. And what hope is that?

Time goes by. What does a man do in times of crisis? Act as if nothing has happened. Only such that people in their environment may just wonder ever so often: He has changed? ... Yes, now that you mention it? ... He does act differently... eh... I cannot put my finger upon what it is...

He goes to work, comes home, watches TV, goes to bed, mindlessly. In bed, just ever so often he allows himself to think of Suzy. He does not know where she is. Neither her work, nor her mom give out a word. He can't force any information out of them. Masturbation and sleep save him for a few hours.

Three weeks go by. His thoughts of Suzy are not as frequent as those of the tiger woman. Thoughts? Call it obsession. He has every chance to wallow in his obsession. If Suzy had accepted the error of his ways, would this obsession have prevailed? We will never now. All we know is that he goes out to find the tigress.

He manages to speak to one of her staff, a man who does not deny or acknowledge that fact. He manages to leave his card with him and the wish that his mistress should be in touch with him. Another two months go by, during which he just about manages to go through the motions at work but is entirely consumed by his obsession with her.

What the hand dare seize the fire??

Oh, my life has turned into a mean dream, an opium haze. Meeting her, this tigress, has changed my life. Should I say ruined my life? Often I'd say: yes. What was important in the past is no longer important now: my girlfriend, my work, my hobbies, my friends.... Her fire has scorched me. The power... Yes, my reason tells me that her fire will burn and consume me. I should stay away. After she left me I feel cold, so cold. During our fuck I almost died when I came. I feel I have ejected my entire life's energy. She has drained me and I must follow her mindlessly, as if she harbours my life and could give it back to me on my ship adrift. Oh, release me.

Why do I hang out in this god forsaken town? For weeks I have been coming here. I begin to feel at home, but like an adopted child in the house of its carers. I have my favourite haunts and drink there, alone or with other losers, until I go home disillusioned, only to return one of the next few days. I cannot hope to see her anywhere here? Or be invited over by one of her associates? I am waiting for a sign, I guess, against better judgement.

A note! I have found a note under my windscreen wipers. Spotting it there, first thinking that it was an advertisement - a normal reaction -, then knowing it was a message - a normal reaction? Incredibly, a message from her:

MAN,

HUNGRY! BE THERE AGAIN, SATURDAY

TIGER

Where? I know. I am going to be there, Saturday. I'll be damned. I will. What she wants of me? No good, I am sure. Am I going to tell her that she has ruined my live? It would not be true. I am just not man enough to stand up to her. This naked fallen angel, this predator. It is the memory of my lust for her and the best fuck I have ever had. The hope that it can be repeated.

So I find myself waiting by the side of the road, where I serviced first her incapacitated car, then went on to service her at the expense of myself. I arrived here at the crack of dawn, hoping that I would not be late. The afternoon is passing and there is no sign of her yet. Should I have been at her gate instead? The gate is several miles away. Maybe. But fate will take care of me. Fate, my friend, who has taken good care of me.

I fall asleep.

It is dark when my sleep is shredded by the sound of a horn. I move. I am cold, my body is stiff and aches. My mind is numb and drowsy. I gain my bearings at snail's pace. Again, a car horn blasts through the night. I look out of the window. I only fully realise where I am and what my mission is when I see her white car besides mine, lights on, with running engine. She does not show herself, but I know she's there. No choice: I get out of my car and walk towards hers.

I open the passenger's door. Not a sound, welcoming or otherwise. Bending to get in I see her legs - those beautiful legs of this dangerous creature, the tigress, with its pattern of black brush strokes. Sitting down beside her I see her nakedness, her abdomen - now shaven, her breasts, her red hair. Her slant, green and piercing eyes. The black brush strokes of the tiger ... have now been extended upward. Whereas before they reached her crotch, they currently reach underneath her breasts. Wild! A wild woman. Strange attraction. Lust! Fear and lust, dangerous twins, overpower me.

The car roars away along a familiar road, past a familiar gate, towards the tigress' den. The house interior is ablaze with lights. She, the tigress, flings the door open and swiftly exists the car. I see her silhouette disappear before I get out and follow her.

When I enter, she has disappeared already. I ascend the stairs with trepidation. Is she playing the same game? I am ready for her, whatever happens, as I have nothing to lose. My goal is the Fuck, the Olympian high I experienced before. I open the heavy wooden door of the winter garden. The air is cool and smells of earth, plants and flowers. In the centre, on the bed: the tigress, who entices me with her slant green eyes, leans backward on her arms, her proud breasts inviting, her tiger legs are open, her pink cunt lips clearly visible now that her red growth has been removed. Not a word. My member tells me to drop my trousers. I walk towards her, cock erect. I am within touching distance. Her body is screaming to be conquered. Her eyes, cool, watching me, her prey. Then a cloth is thrust over my face from behind, strong arms grab mine and hold me, for the instant remaining before I lose consciousness.