Cal raised his eyes to hers. She was still glaring at him with the same determined expression. If it hadn’t been so pleasurable, he would have thought she was punishing him for her experience that night at the hospital. Without any letup on Veena’s part, Cal lost voluntary control and climaxed. When Veena still didn’t stop, Cal had to urge her to do so. “You have to give me a rest,” he managed.

Veena responded immediately by climbing off, and without even a moment’s hesitation began dressing. Her facial expression still had not changed.

In a postcoital fog of physical pleasure, Cal watched her and progressively became even more confused. He sat up straight. “What are you doing?”

“I’m getting dressed, obviously,” she said, speaking for the first time since she’d launched her aggressive lovemaking. Her tone was challenging, as if she thought Cal’s question idiotic.

“Are you leaving?”

“I am,” Veena said, while hooking her bra.

Cal watched her pick up her dress. “Did you enjoy this experience?” he questioned. It was obvious she’d not had an orgasm. It had been so mechanical on her part that Cal likened her behavior to that of a motorized mannequin.

“Why, am I supposed to?”

“Well, yes, of course,” Cal said, a little hurt but also perplexed. “Why don’t you stay. I need to file the story about Mrs. Hernandez, but then we can talk about your experience tonight at the hospital. I sense you need to talk about it.”

“How would we talk about it?”

“Well, discuss the details.”

“The details were that she woke up, thanked me, and she didn’t go quietly.”

“I’m sure there’s more than that.”

“I’ve got to go,” Veena said with emphasis. She glanced around to make sure she had everything and started for the door.

“Wait! Why did you make love to me tonight, and why did you do it the way you did?”

“How did I do it?”

“Well, aggressively. That’s the best way to describe it.”

“I wanted once in my life to prove my father wrong.”

“What can you possibly mean?” Cal questioned, with a short, cynical laugh. He was beginning to feel totally used, not that it had been unpleasant physically.

“My father always told me that no man would want me if he knew my secret. You knew my secret, and you still were willing to make love. My father was wrong.”

Oh, for crissake, Cal thought irritably but didn’t utter. He said with a fake smile, “Wonderful, now you know. See you around the mansion.” He got up and began dressing. He was aware Veena was watching him, but he avoided her eyes. A moment later she was gone.

Cal let out a slew of expletives under his breath as he pulled on the rest of his clothes. At age thirty-two, he had no intention of getting serious romantically, and experiences like he’d just had made him wonder if he’d ever feel like getting serious. Women truly were mysterious and even crazy as far as he was concerned.