When the Devil Drives

His hand slid under her hair, lifting it away from the nape of her neck,and caressing the smooth skin there in a delicate circular movement.It was her turn to sigh, arching her throat in a pleasure she couldn'tdisguise. She felt weak, boneless, as languorous as a small kitten. Thecushions that supported her were clouds, and she was floating abovethem.Cal's fingers were still continuing their delicious massage, butphysically he seemed to have withdrawn to some great distance. Shestared at him, trying to focus.'How do you do that?' she asked, her voice slurring a little. 'How canyou be so near, and miles away at the same time?''Is that how I seem?' She could tell he was smiling. 'I think, beauty,it's time you went to bed.''Yes.' She let him take her hand and draw her, unresisting, to her feet.His arm was round her, and she was glad to lean against him as shewalked, because the carpet was so thick, she was in danger of sinkingdown into it.She was vaguely aware of another room, and a door closing behindher. More lamplight, and a blur of rust, royal blue and gold which,when she peered more closely from beneath her leaden eyelids,turned out to be an enormous bed.'A king-size bed.' Her voice sounded wondering and far away. 'I'venever seen one before. Now that is nouveau riche.''Think so?' He was laughing. 'It's also very convenient for times likethis.'She felt him drawing down the long zip at the back of her dress, andcouldn't lift a finger to stop him. A fate worse than death, she thought