Jessica Merrill lost all faith in people by the time she turned 18. She lived in the land of books after walking out of high school at 16, tired of the harassment of her peers. She understood all too well that she was a disappointment to her parents as well. She walked through life as an angry zombie who just wanted to be treated with kindness. Then she met Sean Moran.

Sean believes in art and love in all its expressions. When he lost his wife six years before from cancer, he lost his faith as well. He rediscovers it when he finds his soul mate, Jessica. Margie and he were students of esoteric knowledge, so he recognizes her on sight. He feels the subtle shift of energy in her presence and sees the unmistakable light in her eyes, not to mention the physical sensations he must keep in check.

He’s too old to offer her more than friendship. Besides runs Shangri-La, the import chain she works for. He also needs to keep a low profile to protect his shadow life, the work he does for the Goddess, but never discusses. Still, he needs her in his life, so he starts painting again and asks her to act as model and muse.

She comes out of her shell when she discusses books, so that’s what he talks to her about. He sees that her self image is poor, so he boosts her confidence, both concerning her work at the store as well as her personal appearance which he finds charming to say the least. He recognizes that she’s a natural mystic when she whirls into a spontaneous trance while he sketches her that first afternoon.

Eventually, Jessica blurts out her attraction to Sean. Sean confesses that his heart’s deeply involved, but only agrees after Jessica confesses how painful her previous sexual encounters were. He tells her that whether they become lovers is her choice but warns that their liaison must be brief because of her age and his responsibilities. He confides that she’s his Goddess ideal in human form. He fears losing her friendship through sex.

Undeterred by his warnings and desirous of a positive intimate experience, Jessica reads how-to-books on sex while Sean travels on a buying trip throughout Africa on behalf of Shangri-La. She also experiences seemingly realistic dreams where she watches Sean as he traverses the continent. Each ends with the sensation that she has fallen back into her body.

Upon his return, Jessica assertively performs her favorite sexual technique from her research. This sparks a marathon session of voluptuous bliss. Belatedly, Sean stipulates that her family and his must accept them as a couple, or their encounter would remain a once in a lifetime experience. Although Sean easily charms her parents into accepting them as a romantic couple, Jessica remains in dread of telling Johnny and his older brother. Her parents’ acceptance however allows them to continue as lovers until then.

During this interlude, Sean divulges that his art derives from the union of his Goddess, whom he credits for all he receives in life, and Axial ideals of education, stoicism and respect for Creation. While understanding all is one, he listens within for Divine Wisdom. Jessica acts the intellectual sponge to his explorations of spirituality and his thoughts on humanity’s attitudes toward sex.  

Margie had studied sacred sexual techniques from around the world and taught them to Sean who then in turn introduces them to Jessica. He credits Margie with prioritizing his life. While lost in a metaphysical tirade, Sean admits that Margie invested his capital to create a fund which Sean uses for what he calls, “Goddess work,” upon which he refuses to elaborate.

Days after Sean leaves on another buying trip, Charles, friend to both Sean and Jessica, coughs up blood, a sign to those who knew that his lung cancer has reasserted itself. Roger, his lover and manager of the Shangri-La where Jessica works, rushes him to the hospital and remains by his side. Unable to contact Sean for advice, Jessica takes over running their Shangri-La as well as she can. Barb, Shangri-La’s corporate bookkeeper, and Vicky, recently hired Christmas help, assist Jessica.

When he returns, Sean recognizes her exhaustion and sends for his sons who had planned to return the following week for Thanksgiving. Although Jessica had dreaded this confrontation, Johnny accepts her relationship with Sean as logical since he knows the character of each well.

Phil, his older brother, remains concerned about the ethics involved in their relationship until Sean explains that Jessica is his soul mate. He goes on to explain about Jessica’s innate mystical abilities, most of which she was unaware.  Phil’s acceptance continues to be tempered by legalities, but he understands their relationship cannot be judged by societal norms.