Page 93 of Lucky Night

Honey, no, that’s not—

Yes it is! she cries. It is true! Don’t tell me it’s not true! I’ve never lost. Never lost anything. It’s time for me to lose.

How the hell is he supposed to respond to that? What does she mean?

Is she going to bolt for the door?

He takes her hands. How can I help you?

Kill me, she says. No. Fuckme.

How about another drink? That might steady both ofus—

Is that why you wanted me to pray? she says. So I’d kneel, and you could take me from behind? Fuck me in the ass, like you’ve always wantedto?

Absolutely not, he says.

Why not? Whyabsolutelynot, Nick? Let’s do it. Let’s screw. You wanted to before the building blew up. You always want to. I always want to, even tonight, even if I can’t admit it. I want you. It could have been anyone but you. But no. I had to pick you.

She pushes the duvet away, rising up onto her knees on the bed, unbuttoning her blouse.

Jenny, there’s no way we’re goingto—

Yes there is! she cries. We’re fucking, Nick! Right now. It’s why we’re here. It’s all we’re good for, right? So let’s doit.

He watches, helpless, as she tears her blouse off, shoves her skirt down and wiggles out of it, naked quickly because she didn’t bother with her underwear the last time they dressed, neither of them did, when they left and fled down the stairwell.

They should have kept going. Held their breath and rushed down the stairs as fast as they could, past the firefighter with his bullhorn, past the fire, down down down.

Take off your clothes, she says.

Jenny, I don’t think I can—

You will! she shouts. You will do this, or I will run out that goddamned door, and I will rip your dick off if you try to stopme!

Oh hell.

Fucking hell.

That’s what this is. Literally.

It’s fucking hell.

He stands. He unbuttons his pants.

Shirt too, she says. I want it all off.

He removes his pants. His shirt. The look in her eye as she watches him. Unhinged is such an overused word. Jill is always telling him to calm down, he’s acting unhinged. But the way Jenny is staring at him right now? It’s truly unhinged.

How do you want me? she says. Should I turn? On my knees, and you can stand and—

No, Jenny. Let’s…let’s lie down, okay?

She stretches out on her back, legs spread, clearly expecting him to leap on top of her and start pumping away. Instead, he lies down beside her. This is awful. There’s no way he can…the flesh is decidedly not willing. Maybe if he touches her gently, she’ll calm down. He places a hand on her stomach. Kisses her shoulder.

She grabs his cock and begins to yank onit.

Jenny, that’s—ow!

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