Bennett pulled on her robe and left the room, returning a few minutes later with their drinks. “Here you go,” she said, handing Ruby the bottle of water.

Ruby gulped down some of the spring water while Bennett placed the glasses of Chardonnay on their nightstands.

“Can you get drunk?”

“That’s an odd question,” Bennett said, stripping out of her robe.

“Not really,” Ruby said, admiring Bennett in all her nude glory. “You…um…you drink wine at dinner and on our nights together, but you never seem like you get buzzed.”

“I don’t, unless I drink a few bottles,” Bennett said, stretching out on the bed.

“A few bottles?”

“Our metabolism isn’t the same as yours. If I were to drink something with a higher percentage of alcohol, like vodka, whiskey, or tequila, that would dull my senses faster, but I rarely drink any of that. If truth be known, the last time I was drunk was actually centuries ago.”

“What happened?”

“To try to explain that to you would be like you reading a book starting from the middle. Totally out of context.”

“Then fill in the context.”

Bennett took an extended breath, preparing herself to do what Ruby asked until a certain aroma found her nose. “I’d rather fill something else right now,” she said, climbing atop Ruby. “And by the scent of your bouquet, I’d say you wouldn’t mind if I did.” Bennett slipped her hand between Ruby’s legs, knowing all too well the amount of arousal she’d find. “Or am I wrong?”

Ruby opened her legs. “You’re not wrong,” she said, practically cooing when Bennett slipped a finger inside. “You can…um…you can…oh yes…you can fill in the…fill in the context later.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

They spent the rest of Friday night without words, and it wasn’t until near dawn on Saturday before sleep took hold. And when they finally awoke, coffee quenched one’s thirst before sex quenched the other’s appetite. Late Saturday afternoon, after much-needed showers, they ventured out to a Brazilian steakhouse, and enjoying the continuous tableside service, they had their fill of filet, chicken, pork, sausage, and lamb. The conversation was light, their bodies needing replenishment more than their minds, and upon returning to Bennett’s apartment, they spent the next few hours burning off some calories.

Shortly before midnight, Bennett quietly left the room, and when she returned, she found Ruby lying back on a pile of pillows. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“You didn’t. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I just needed something to drink.”

Ruby glimpsed at the partially filled wineglass on the nightstand and then back at Bennett. “I’m guessing it wasn’t wine.”

“No. Let me go brush my teeth. I’ll be right back.”

A few minutes later, Bennett was climbing back into bed. “Should I turn off the lights? Let you get some sleep?”