Tiger Lady

By James E. Aarons DVM

With his unique and upfront writing style, Dr. Jim artfully mixes the softness of romance against the harsh canvas of science. Penning experiences from a long life working at zoos, horse farms, cattle round-ups, and companion animal medicine cases Doc mixes animal medicine with human nature.
Selena, a beautiful bulimic Playmate sexually abused from childhood, moves into veterinarian Rory Evan’s practice area, asking for his help to oversee the medical care for the exotic tigers she plans to keep on her ranch.

Seeing her income dwindle a few years after her Playboy centerfold pictures debuted, Selena leaves the Playboy Mansion, rebuilding herself as the Tiger Lady. She leaves Los Angeles to open a big cat sanctuary on an old ranch outside of Paso Robles. Using her silky-smooth sexy style, she goes far finagling favors from wanna-be helpers, likely half the population of friendly people in this small town.

Relying on free work offers and money donations for income, Selena continues to struggle until she meets Chuck, a charismatic tatted biker dude big on heart and short on common sense.

Chuck is a Godsend for Selena. He helps her overcome her bulimic compulsions... but his overconfidence regarding these magnificent man-eaters is infectious, causing Selena to make a fatal mistake.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James E. Aarons DVM
• Release date: Sep 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215536902

James E. Aarons DVM

Dr. Jim Aarons has a unique view of the world, having spent a lifetime doctoring animals. Since graduating from the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine in 1982, he has been responsible for the physical and mental soundness of a variety of critters and their human friends.With his unique writing style, Dr. Jim artfully mixes the softness of romance against the harsh canvas of science and history. He shares his experiences from years of working in zoos and ostrich hatcheries, horse stud farms, cattle round-ups, cow dairies, and companion animal medicine cases. He has created the Katie Reynolds Series, which is the saga of a young veterinarian and her attempts to find a real reason for us to be here.

Book preview

Spider Monkey in Holmby Park, Beverley Hills, California

The motorcycle chugged leisurely around the curved streets of the Bel Air-Beverly Hills region of Los Angeles. Brian was on a lazy, let’s-see-how-the-other-half-lives expedition to the exclusive enclave of the rich and famous.

He turned right off Comstock Avenue onto the main entrance to Holmby Park, a green oasis in the middle of Beverly Hills. Approaching a small gathering at the park’s access, he was surprised to see people crowded around a sable-colored monkey. Brian stopped and dismounted.

Pushing down his kickstand, he grabbed a water bottle and headed to the furry attraction. The female monkey sat on its haunches, and Brian could see her silvery-white underbelly. Her long legs bent at the knees were as tall as her shoulders.

The monkey looked like a homeless beggar comfortably waiting for more handouts, an unusual occurrence in this neighborhood of fences and closed gates. Empty orange peels lay around the little beggar from an earlier tribute. Nodding and chattering, the monkey was soliciting more tasty treasures. When someone in the small crowd offered her a chocolate-covered donut, the monkey shot her long arm out, grabbed it, and swallowed it in three bites.

Holding the water bottle, Brian worked himself inside the circle, unscrewed the top, and offered the plastic container to the monkey. The animal grabbed it, took three swallows, then threw it on the ground, shaking her head, no. Brian took his backpack off, zipped it open, and offered the monkey a banana. The furry creature snatched it from him as soon as she saw it, peeling the outer rind away with a practiced hand.

This is the third time this week she has been here! a woman said.

Where does she belong? Brian asked.

She’s from the Playboy Mansion, a mile up the road. Look, they’ve put a pink collar on the little runaway. Let’s see what it says. The woman bent down to read the letters embroidered on the collar. The monkey’s name is Chiquita, and there’s a number to call.

Brian handed Chiquita a second banana, but she reached out and latched onto Brian’s wrist instead. Then she grabbed Brian’s other arm and jumped onto him, enveloping him in a bear hug.

I think she’s ready to go back, the woman chuckled.

I don’t know what to do, Brian replied, disconcerted and puzzled as to why this creature chose him.

I’ll call the number on the collar, the helpful woman replied as she pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. You can drive her back to the mansion. It’s only a mile up that road, she explained, pointing behind her.

Brian smiled, warming to the idea. Do you think she’ll ride on my bike? He wondered aloud.

Sure, you can try that. I’ll call ahead and tell them you’re bringing Chiquita home, she said, smiling.

Where’s the mansion? Brian asked.

Follow this walkway across the park. It leads to South Mapleton. Take Mapleton to Charing Crossroad. It goes straight nearly a half-mile and then makes a sharp left. The mansion is on the right. Look for the big rock boulder near the turnoff. I’ll tell them to look for you.

Brian nodded and set Chiquita on the back of his seat. When her long arms snaked around him, he started the bike and drove through Holmby Park on an asphalt walkway. Once on the other side, he crossed Club View Drive to South Mapleton.

Chiquita held onto Brian’s jacket with a tight grip as they turned up South Mapleton. When he increased his speed, the grip tightened, and Chiquita began chattering loudly and fidgeting. Brian slowed to five miles per hour to stop the fuss. Finding the Playboy Mansion right after turning onto Charing, he stopped his bike just as the gate swung open for a red Corvette convertible with the top down. A beautiful, dark-haired woman sat in the driver’s seat. Chiquita jumped off of Brian’s bike and into the Corvette.

Hi, I’m Crystal, the lovely brunette told Brian. Thanks for bringing Chiquita home.

No problem, Brian replied, hoping an invitation inside the grounds would come.

It didn’t. Crystal smiled and drove back inside the gate as it closed.

Back to top

Chapter 2

Tiger Transport

Peering into the large cage, Selena held her hand above her eyes to see better, This isn’t going right, she mumbled, watching the tiger pacing back and forth. Shaking her head with anxiety, she hurried into the house, grabbed a quart container of vanilla ice cream from the freezer, and gulped several large spoons of it. Eating always made her better. But it was only temporary. When her fear returned, her guilt overwhelmed her for eating the ice cream. With her mind screaming at her, Selena reeled out of control and hurried to the bathroom.

As she locked the door, she caught her image in the mirror. Grabbing her long blonde hair into a ponytail, she frowned as she rummaged in a drawer for a scrunchy to keep the hair out of her face. Why can’t I look the way I want? She thought as she glared at the image in front of her. She stepped to the toilet with her hair knotted, lifted the cover, and dropped to her knees.

Moving closer to the commode, Selena rested her arms on the toilet seat. Taking three deep breaths, she readied herself to repeat a well-worn habit, giving her immediate.

Staring at the fingers on her right hand while she extended her index and middle finger, a thought flashed through Selena’s mind at the image her fingers created. This is a bastardized version of the Scout sign; she told herself as she pushed her hand into her mouth. Moving the two fingers along the top of the tongue, she searched for her uvula, that thing hanging downward at the back of her pharynx.

Focusing on the target, she advanced her fingers, moving them down and backward to elicit a gag reflex. But the gag didn’t come. Unsatisfied, Selena pushed harder and longer.

Finally!

There it was; the familiar cramping sensation. Selena’s stomach convulsed, knotting itself into regurgitation. Chewed-up pieces of her lunch were coated white with ice cream as they floated in the basin amidst the yellow/green foam of stomach acid. The purging over, Selena felt tired and worn out. But the event brought her the satisfaction she was seeking. Selena smiled as her worries disappeared. She no longer felt the overwhelming panic.

Washing her hands and face at the sink, Selena unwound her hair, grabbed a towel, and patted her face, looking for any noticeable changes. She told anyone who expressed concern that the grey bags under her eyes were because she studied hard and worked out daily. And the dry, flaky skin was from too much sun, Selena explained.

Grabbing a toothbrush, Selena squirted a ribbon of white toothpaste on the bristles. Her teeth needed lots of TLC. They’d become brittle and chipped. She stopped eating hard candies a while ago and only ate pitted olives and cherries. Selena brought the brush to her mouth, but it was painful. She leaned into the mirror and pulled her lower lip, revealing a new sore. Avoiding the new ulcer, she brushed carefully. There was fresh blood in her spittle.

Selena turned sideways, checking her image, nodding in the satisfaction that her boobs were still noticeable through her skimpy bright red crop-top despite her strenuous workouts. To allure and tease men, she spent hours sculpting her body and dressed it in form-fitting clothes.

Turning back to the mirror, Selena pulled lipstick from the cabinet and painted her lips a bright cherry red, chuckling when she remembered her friends called it skank red. It fit right in with her short shorts and tight red top.

She heard a pickup truck coming up the drive of the two-acre Westlake estate she shared with Jay. Dr. Dunker is here! she exclaimed, exhaling in relief as she hurried from the house to the cat compound.

The Chevy pickup slowed and parked near the tiger cages. A young man jumped out, waving. Hey, Selena, sorry I’m late, he said.

Hi, Doc. I’m glad you’re here. Tamyra does not want to go into her shipping box. I think we will have to sedate her.

The veterinarian followed Selena to the problem cat.

I have tried and tried to coax Tamyra into the box, Selena complained. But she won’t go inside, even though that’s where her food is. Can you tranquilize her so we can pull her inside?

Yeah, I can do that, Doc said. But it will be hard darting her in the middle of her pen. Can we move her into her bedroom?

I can’t move the crate over there without the crane man, Selena said, pointing to a three-hundred-pound shipping container set in the pen. And he’s left, Doc. I’ll get meat to bring Tamyra closer to us, so you’ll have an easier target, okay?

That’ll help, Dr. Dunker said as he turned to his truck for equipment. I can do that if I use the gun instead of the jab stick.

Selena went into the patio kitchen to fetch a raw beef piece, one of Tamyra’s favorites.

She hasn’t eaten for two days, Doc, Selena said as she walked up behind the vet. She stood close enough to smell his cologne. He was setting up his dart equipment and figuring the proper dose of ketamine to sedate Tamyra.

She knows something’s up, Selena, the Doc said. She looks uncomfortable. I thought you would have helpers today.

I expected Crystal to be here too; something must have happened.

Selena’s cell phone rang. It was Crystal. Hey, Crystal, where are you?

Chiquita got out again, Selena. I had to bring her back. Sorry, I didn’t call earlier, but things are stressful. I’ll be there in five minutes.

Doc’s here. He’s ready to tranquilize Tamyra.

I’m on my way, Crystal promised.

Okay, we’ll wait.

Dr. Dunker loaded a dart syringe with fluid.

What are you using, Doc? Selena asked.

Mostly Ketamine with a little Dexdomitor added, Dr. Dunker replied as he loaded the syringe into a dart gun.

They made small talk while waiting for Crystal.

Are you sure you want to make this move, Selena? Doc asked. It’s quite a split, you and Jay, now Tamyra and Simba.

I’m indebted to Jay for helping me leave the Playboy Mansion, Doc, but he’s gotten too deep into cocaine. I warned him to be careful, but he blows me off. And I can’t live with it anymore. The scales and grinders and stuff. If he gets busted, it’ll be my name in the paper, not his. So, I’m leaving him and this place, and I’m taking Tamyra with me.

Where are you moving to, Selena?

Paso Robles.

Why Paso Robles?

I’ve developed a friendship with a woman who lives there. Her name is Sandra Parker. She loves big cats as much as I do. Plus, she’s supportive of my predicament. She’s helping me find my way.

Have you found a vet that wants to work with exotics? Dr. Dunker asked.

Sandra recommends I use Dr. Rory Evans. Do you know him?

Nodding, the young vet smiled. Rory Evans! We went through school together and shared many rotations. I know he likes this stuff, Selena. He’ll take good care of you. Tell him I said hello.

Aiming carefully, Doc stepped nearer the fence. Firing a round from the CO2-powered dart gun, he hit the tiger on her right buttock. Tamyra let out a roar and bit at the dart, pulling it from her hide. But it had stayed in long enough to empty the pressurized dose of sedative into her.

What about Simba? Doc asked as he put his dart gun away and nodded toward another tiger pen a few yards away. I thought the two were inseparable.

Jay owns him, Doc. When I feel like talking with him, I’ll offer Simba a spot too.

I thought Jay was going to introduce you to some movie big shots, Selena. Dr. Dunker said. What happened with that?

It’s the coke, Doc. Jay’s losing all his professional contacts. I left the Playboy mansion to live with him when he promised he could get me modeling jobs and get me into movies. Now, no one he calls wants to hear from him anymore. He’d rather get high than rustle up work for me.

Can you return to the mansion?

I don’t want to, Doc. Hef is vindictive and controls the main gals tightly; he plays us against each other.

I’ve heard he gives his girls a thousand dollars a week. That’s good pay since you don’t have to pay rent or buy groceries.

"The stipend is only for the top seven girls. They are the ones who live in the mansion, his elite group. Hef has his main girlfriend; she’s the one who goes to bed with him every night. Plus, there are six others with whom he has sex when he wants it. The rest of the Bunnies live in a house down the road.

Plus, if you live in the mansion, you must adhere to his rules to get the allowance. Every week the seven girls line up outside Hef’s bedroom. He interrogates us. If anyone pisses him off during the week, he’ll withhold that person’s money."

What rules?

Be in by the 9 p.m. curfew. You must order all food and drink from a butler because the kitchen is off-limits. You’re not allowed to invite any friends up to see you; you’re not allowed male visitors, and you have to take part in his bedroom parties. If you break the rules, you get banned. Once you’re out, you can’t come back.

Bedroom parties? Dr. Dunker asked.

On Wednesdays and Fridays, Hugh has the girls go out clubbing with him. We can dance but only in front of his table, and we cannot talk to anyone else. When we get back to the mansion, Hef has sex with his main girlfriend first, then rotates through the other girls. He also has us eat each other out while waiting our turn with him.

Does he still do this? He’s old, Doc chuckled. He must be quite a stud!

It’s the Viagra, Doc, Selena said. His lovemaking is all chemical; there’s no emotion. He’s not interested in intimacy or foreplay. There’s no kissing, nothing. The sex is so brief I don’t recall what it felt like beyond having his heavy body on top of mine. The Viagra is making him deaf, too. I need to lean down and talk into his good ear for him to understand. But he still eats them like Skittles; he’d rather have sex than hear what anyone has to say.

Conversation stopped as they saw a red Corvette come up the drive.

Crystal told me she’s happy at the mansion, Selena, Doc said.

It’s still new for her, Doc.

Crystal parked next to Dr. Dunker’s truck.

Hi, Dr. Dunker, Crystal said as she crawled out of the low sports car.

Hey, Crystal. You’re just in time. What happened to Chiquita? he asked. Dr. Dunker was the primary vet for the Playboy Zoo and was familiar with the monkeys.

She’s working a hole in the cage top above the door. I’ve tried to plug it with rope and even wire, but she keeps breaking my repairs. I’ve been asking Hugh to get it fixed, but he’s lost interest in the animals.

Oh, look. Tamyra’s down, Doc said, as the tiger slumped on her side and appeared to be sleeping. You guys ready?

The girls nodded, and Doc opened the cage door, walked to the tiger, and prodded her with the stick end of a broom. Seeing no response, he wrapped a thick rope around each hind leg, then called on Selena and Crystal. I want to pull her back into the shipping container, he explained. You two take her legs; I’ll take the top.

Once the tiger was in the shipping box, Selena padlocked it and called the mover. I need to get going, she said as she paid Doc for his house call and said goodbye to Crystal. Right after they left, Selena returned to the bathroom. Saying goodbye to her friends and home was more difficult than she expected, and she didn’t want to be stressing while driving.

Pushing her fingers to the back of her throat, she regurgitated what little was left in her stomach. She flushed the commode, nodding with relief. Sitting on the floor as she recovered, Selena pulled her knees up to support her arms. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and dropped her head to her arms, counting slowly to steady her ragged breathing. Recalling happier, calmer days, her mind returned to her college days when she first met Crystal, and they became close.

Back to top

Chapter 3

Track Meet

Selena smiled as she remembered the exhilarating track meet ten years ago. She was at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Two TV newscasters waited for the last race in the NCAA Women’s national championship in track and field. Gary, the announcer, opened the commentary.

There’s only one event remaining, he said as the screen showed a staggered line of eight women settling into their places on a red rubbery asphalt track.

Four athletes on each team complete one 400-meter lap, Leslie, the female co-newscaster, explained. The first and second laps run in designated lanes; after that, runners battle to hold the inside line. Each runner must carry a baton during her lap and hand it to the next runner inside the changeover zone.

Remember, Georgia and Stanford do not have teams in this relay, Gary said. So, they can’t score any more points. USC does. They have to win this 4 x 400 relay to win the title. But they’re up against Kentucky, which has the best time in the country.

Wow, you can feel the tension! Leslie exclaimed.

Wearing a black tracksuit with the USC emblem emblazoned on the front, Selena walked to the fifth lane from the inside holding a metallic blue baton, settled into a crouch, and placed her foot on the starting block. Each lane was four feet wide and outlined with white striping. Four girls were competing for USC; Selena, Ann, Deanna, and Crystal. Selena was first.

So here it is, folks, Gary said as the referee lifted his gun. The eight starters froze in a crouched pose along the staggered start line, ready to explode.

Bang!

The runners blasted off their starting blocks as the shot echoed through the stadium.

The announcer continued his narrative. From the inside Ohio State, Florida, Kentucky. Then Oregon, USC, Purdue. And on the outside lanes Baylor and LSU.

The 4 x 400 relay is one of the most amazing races, Leslie said. I love that it’s last because it doesn’t matter if you have five people in the stands or five thousand. Each team member lines the track, and the crowd goes bananas.

Coming off a strong start, Selena was in front of four of her competitors as she rounded the last bend. Fifty-one seconds later, she entered the homestretch in fourth place and prepared to hand the baton to Ann.

Watch the hand-offs, Gary said. Brianna Discorsio is putting in a great leg for Oregon, and for Purdue, Chloe Abott is running well for them. Oregon passes first, then Purdue, then LSU. Oh! That’s a terrible pass, a tough break for Kentucky; that will set them back. Coming in fourth for USC, Selena Martin performs a flawless hand-off to Ann Evans.

Selena finished her lap with a very respectable fifty-two seconds. Ann pumped hard, trying to overtake the three in front of her. The runner from Oregon, in the left lane, wore a bright green tracksuit. Purdue, dressed in red, was on her right. The runner in the outside lane wore a yellow top and blue pants, the colors of LSU. These were the front runners, the ones Ann had to beat. Oregon and Purdue were running head-to-head in front of all the others.

In fourth through the finish stretch, Ann handed the baton to Deanna a second sooner than Selena had done.

USC is still trying to move into third, Leslie said. Remember, they’ve got to win this race to win the team title.

It’s still Purdue and Oregon battling for first, Gary reported, Vanessa Dartino of Oregon making a move, trying to overtake Purdue’s, Simone Black. And look at USC’s Deanna Hill closing on Florida.

Battling for third place, Deanna was neck and neck with Florida as she entered the twenty-meter transfer zone to pass the USC baton to Crystal. A momentary pause when the two fumbled the baton transfer caused Crystal to take a few tentative steps before regaining herself.

Oh, and USC baubles the baton at the pass! Gary said.

Despite the misstep, Crystal was now neck and neck with Kentucky battling for third place. The woman running for Kentucky pulled ahead of Crystal and squeezed her nearer the inside track edge.

And that puts USC in fourth place, Leslie said.

Kentucky slowed around the first curve giving Crystal a break she needed; she surged forward.

USC passing on the inside puts Crystal Ellis in third place, Gary said. I’m not sure if there was incidental contact, but it doubtless won’t matter. Purdue is winning this race so far, with Oregon a close second.

Turning the last curve, Crystal realized the Oregon runner was eight strides ahead, and Purdue was another eight strides in front of Oregon. Focusing on the green suit ahead of her, Crystal exploded at the end of the last turn, lengthened her stride, and increased her speed, passing Oregon at the end of the turn. The finish line was eighty yards ahead of her.

Wait! Gary! Here comes USC! Leslie exclaimed.

The crowd roiled in cheers of encouragement.

Oh, my God! Gary exclaimed.

Crystal was now in second place, but Purdue remained in the lead.

She just might catch up! Leslie yelled over the ever-increasing crowd noise.

Gary was skeptical. USC can’t catch Purdue… I don’t think… Oh, my goodness, oh my goodness…

Focusing on the front runner, Crystal forced herself into super-drive, closing the distance between her and Purdue. It would be close, but she knew she could do it if she could keep her stamina and speed. She focused on the fast-approaching finish line... she had to get there before Purdue.

Oh… Leslie exclaimed in disbelief. Crystal Ellis did it! She beat Purdue to the finish line with a split-second difference!

Look at that! Gary said. USC has won the women’s title in the last meter of the four by four… an unbelievable upset by Crystal Ellis in the last leg!

Crossing the finish line inches in front of Purdue, Crystal slowed to a walk, fighting for breath as the crowd went wild.

Fifty point one seconds on the split! I almost had a heart attack, Leslie exclaimed.

Still fighting for breath, Crystal dropped her baton into the basket offered by a referee, fell to both knees, and collapsed forward onto her elbows.

It doesn’t get better than that! Gary exclaimed. Georgia has to be in shock at that outcome!

Teammates flooded the track. Selena reached Crystal first. You were perfect! she exclaimed as she knelt next to her friend and hugged her.

Crystal Ellis just won the NCAA team title for the USC Trojans! Leslie exclaimed as the roar of the crowd and her teammates’ excited screams filled Crystal’s ears.

Back to top

Chapter 4

Dr. Rory Evans

While settling into her new home outside of Paso Robles, Selena phoned Dr. Evans’ office to establish him as her veterinarian.

 Oak Country Veterinary Services, a cheerful voice said. This is Honey. How may I help you?

This is Selena Martin. I have brought a tiger from Westlake Village to Paso Robles. Sandra Parker suggested I call Dr. Evans. Is he there?

One moment, let me see if he can talk, Honey replied. Setting the call on hold, she walked next door to her boss’s office. Doc, a woman from Westlake Village, is calling. She has moved a tiger here. Sandra Parker referred her to us.

A friend of Sandra Parker? Rory grimaced.

Honey nodded and waited for Rory to take the call.

Dr. Evans here, the young doctor said. Dr. Rory Evans was a handsome, sturdily built man a few inches shy of six feet tall with sand-colored hair and a mustache he hoped made him look older and more experienced.