“And that gave you an excuse to crawl into the sack with me.”

He nodded. “I guess it did.”

“You are the best lover I’ve ever had,” she said. “Not that I’ve had all that many, but I had the years between puberty and the time I met Paul, and I enjoyed myself. But you are the very best.”

“That’s high praise,” he said, satisfyingly flattered.

“Do you know why?”

He shrugged.

“It’s not because you’re a beautiful man, though you are, and it’s not because you’re experienced and inventive, though God knows you are: it’s because you’re so considerate. I know when we’re fucking that you really care that I’m enjoying it as much as you. It makes me want to please you even more.”

“And you do, believe me.”

“I know I do; I can tell. I think you like me best when I’m wanton, when I do the things a proper Greenwich, Connecticut matron isn’t supposed to enjoy, and when I do them well.”

He smiled, but said nothing.

“Take me back to the boat,” she said.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said.

They walked past the two policemen on guard and boarded the yacht, and as they started down the companionway, she began undressing. So did he. She led him to the after cabin and threw off the bedcover, then made him lie on his back. She began slowly, kissing him here and there, using her tongue, but staying away from his genitals until he was completely erect, which didn’t take long. Then she spent several minutes bringing him to the edge and backing off, playing him as if he were a musical instrument.

Stone then found himself in a condition where he knew he could resist coming for as long as he liked but still remain rigidly erect. Finally she rolled over on her stomach, took him in her hand, and guided him home. Then, after a while, she let him slide out.

“Now here,” she said, guiding him into a different place. She let him ride her for a short time, then turned on her back and reinserted him in the same place. Then, without parting from him, she rolled him onto his back and sat astride him, moving slowly up and down, making little noises. Half an hour had passed before she said to him, “Now. Come for me.”

And he did.

They passed the night alternately sleeping and making love, as the mood took them.

She woke him at dawn and made him do it again, then they slept for another hour.

“Want some breakfast?” she said, yawning.

“Sure.”

“Oh,” she said, “all my stuff is packed. Will you bring me the smallest duffel? It’s got my toothbrush in it.”

“Sure.” He rolled out of bed and stretched.

She kissed him on the belly. “You were perfectly wonderful last night.”