Page 53 of What I'm Looking For

He crawls back over the bed and snuggles in next to me. “That’s a bit trickier. You say, if I were raised under these circumstances and with this set of experiences, how would I feel in this situation? Then you take that kernel of truth and build from there.”

I’m just beginning to wonder if I can try one of these methods to create a version of me that’s more confident when he sends me a hopeful look. “Can we do it again?”

“Of course.” I hold up the book. “I am known to be a very difficult taskmaster. I will not let you rest until you have performed satisfactorily.”

“That sounds like a challenge, mistress.” He whips the book and the sheet away.

I grin, heart pounding in anticipation. “What are you going to do about it?”

He crawls over me. “‘Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.’”

“Translation: it’s time for a sex break?”

His answer is to skim his shirt off my eager torso.

WILL

I’m not sure how I saw today going, but I sure didn’t expect a sex marathon interrupted only by either laughter or the intake of food. I’m not ready for it to end, so I use the kitchen phone to leave a message for Deb and Pam. “Hey guys, it’s Will. Just calling to say I am not dead on the side of the road. I’m staying over at Kate’s place. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

When I hang up, Kate fans out a stack of takeout menus. “Thai, Chinese, Mexican or pizza? We’ve got the globe at our fingertips here in Central Square.”

Leaning against the counter, I pull her in and nestle our hips together. “Chinese sounds good. Or whatever you want.”

“I’m good with Chinese. We can order it and then walk over and pick it up, or have it delivered.”

“Let’s walk and get it. And I’ll eat anything, so just order what sounds good to you.”

“Okey-dokey.” I hand her the phone and she dials without consulting the menu for the number, wandering around the kitchen as she talks. “Hi, Jiao, it’s Kate B.” She listens for a moment before continuing. “You too. Um, can I have an order of my usual and”—eyes on me, she purses her lips before continuing—“a beef and broccoli? With extra rice and spring rolls? Okay, thank you! We’ll come pick it up.” She pauses, and a blush creeps up her cheeks. “Oh, no, it’s not for Alice, it’s… a new friend. Okay. See you in a few. Bye.”

“You have a usual? And they know all your friends?”

“Jiao is very friendly. Motherly. Okay, nosy. I do kind of eat there a lot. I don’t really cook.” She shrugs. “Sorry if that disappoints you.”

“Why would it disappoint me?”

“Well,” she says, sweeping an arm around her rather bare kitchen, “I’m not exactly domestic.”

I had to impersonate a tiger in an acting class once, and I take him on again to stalk her now. “I’m not looking to domesticate you, believe me.” I scoop her up, growling. She squeals as her legs cross behind my lower back. “Why would I want to tame this beast?”

Our kiss is interrupted by a different sort of growl. “Was that your stomach or mine?”

“I think both.” Her thighs squeeze once more before she jumps down and grabs my hand. “C’mon. This wild animal needs her dinner.”

Half an hour later, we’re on the way back to her apartment with a huge bag of food, my hunger eclipsed by the discomfort that followed Kate paying for dinner, even though I hadn’t exactly had a choice. Jiao, who managed to get my name, hometown and perhaps even my social security number, waved me off when I tried to pay. “Very gentleman-like, but Kate has account. She paid already.”

I probably shouldn’t feel emasculated by her paying in this day and age since girls are supposed to be liberated and all that, but I can’t help thinking that Hot Steve, or someone like him, would have insisted on picking up the tab.

Back at her place, Kate asks me to put on some music while she sets the table. Perusing her cassette and album collection in the other room, I’m happy to see some of my favorites. I put on The Specials. “Rat Race” seems appropriate.

The scent of food draws me back to the kitchen. “This looks great.”

She hands me a plate. “Help yourself.”

As soon as we start in, Kate releases a loud moan. When I catch her eye, she ducks her head. “Sorry. I’m just really hungry.”

“Don’t apologize. I like how passionate you are.” My foot finds hers under the table. “About all kinds of things.” After a few more bites, I add, “I have to say, it kind of surprised me.”

She grabs a spear of broccoli with her chopsticks. “What do you mean?”

---