Page 34 of Lucky Night

He’s sitting down.

He’s close to her, he’s even…is he…

Yes. He’s stretching out beside her.

Is that a good sign, or is he better positioning himself to strangle her? Getting the right angle to…oh.No.

He’s stroking her head.

She feels his fingers combing through her hair. One traces the curve of an ear.

The last remnants of tension leave her. She opens her eyes.

He’s propped on one elbow, gazing down at her.

She gazes up at him.

A long moment passes.

I told you there was nothing to worry about, she says.

You did, he says. You assured me it was a false alarm. I wonder why I didn’t listen.

Probably because you’re a dingbat. You should have told me how freaked out you were.

Maybe, he says. But then, honesty isn’t really our thing, isit?

That makes her wince. I’m sorry, Nick.

It’s okay.

It’s not. I shouldn’t have lashed out at you when—

Jenny, it’s fine. Let’s forget about it, okay?

Really?

Well, no, he says. I’m going to store this up to throw back in your face years from now, when you’re pissed at me about something.

Years from now. Years!

They’re fine. They have years.

God isn’t teaching her a lesson, and there’s no fire.

But as far as tonight goes, he adds, we’re good.

We’re great! she cries. Let’s have sex!

She tears open her robe and they have at each other. He bites her breast and she pulls his hair. He’s on top of her now, forcing her legs open, sucking and biting her, that’s going to leave a mark but who cares! She needs him inside her, she’s clutching at him, won’t he please—

He lifts his head.

What’s wrong? she says.

Nothing. But I think I’ll call down.

She blinks, dazed. Why?

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