Sia feels dizzy, lost, as if she is living the moment from someone else’s perspective. She watches as Lilith places her mouth against her husband’s erect organ.

Danny lays his head back and closes his eyes.

For Daniel Diaz, senior structural engineer at NASA’s Top-Secret Project: GOLDEN FLEECE, the night is indeed still young.

Fraternity Row, University of Miami

Lauren wraps her arms tighter around Sam’s waist as he propels the Harley-Davidson HY-1200 motorcycle along College Avenue at 96 mph. Wind whistles past her headgear, the sleek black-and-chrome hydrogen-powered cycle cutting a hole through the humid evening air.

Sam banks hard, directing his hog into the student parking lot. He reaches for Lauren’s hand, but she pulls it away. ‘Come on, don’t stay mad.’

‘Why this Tanner woman? Can’t someone else interview you?’

‘It’s part of my PCAA obligations, Lauren. What am I supposed to do, insist on a male reporter?’

‘Yes!’

‘Well, I can’t, okay? So just drop it.’

‘Fine.’ They walk down Fraternity Row in silence. ‘You know, Sam, maybe it’s time we see other people.’

‘Come on, Lauren.’

‘No, I’m serious. We’ve been together since ninth grade. It’s not healthy.’

‘Says who? Your friend, Tierney? She’s just jealous.’

‘Maybe … but she has a point. We need a break before we get married. You should experience some other people.’

‘Lauren—’

‘I’m serious. If I get that research grant, I’ll be gone for four weeks. Use the time to “grind some fresh bone.” Get it out of your system. If you don’t do it now, our marriage’ll never last.’

‘And what about you? You planning on “draining” some park ranger while you watch Old Faithful?’

‘Maybe.’

‘Bullshit.’ He spins her around, then sees the tears. ‘Lauren, I don’t want to grind other women.’ He smiles. ‘I just want to grind you.’

‘Okay. But I swear, if I find out you were with that—’

He kisses her, cutting off the expletive.

Lauren kisses him back. Passion replaces fear as she grinds her pelvis into his, drawing him in deeper. ‘Let’s … skip … the party.’

‘Can’t.’

‘Yes you can.’ She continues kissing him, rubbing her hand along his crotch.

‘I can’t … okay maybe … no, wait—wait, stop, Lauren, stop—I have to make an appearance. Just a couple of minutes, okay?’

‘Why?’

‘Because they’re my teammates.’

She stops teasing him. ‘Some teammates. If you ask me—’

‘Which I didn’t—’

‘—they’re more like your employees. All they care about is their damn playoff bonuses. You need to look out for you. You should have turned pro last year.’

‘Well, I didn’t. Now come on, we’ll stay for an hour and finish this in your apartment.’

‘No we won’t.’ She pushes him away. ‘I won’t be in the mood.’