I needed to taste the fire that she was breathing into my mouth, at its hottest point. The part of the flame that burns white. I needed to taste the s...eetness of her complete combustion. I wouldn't be denied. I closed my hands into fists around her damp, scented hair. She dug her nails into my chest and slowly closed her hand into a fist. I could feel strips of my skin being peeled and dragged under her nails. She sadistically grinned at the feel of my skin curling under her nails. Amber. "You didn't." I said, trying to think what she was apologizing for."I mean, what I said to you in the car. You were being a nice guy, and I see that now." She glanced at me, before turning her eyes to study a drop of rain on one of the windows."Hey, you didn't know me then. I didn't take it personal." And in fact, I hadn't. Beautiful women like her had reason enough to be suspicious of men offering "help." Thanks. Really." She looked up at me again and for a moment, I stared into her soft gray. Fortunately we wereoutside a bar so we went in. I ordered two beers and wewaited for the rain to ease. I noticed his bruisedknuckles and I asked him how his hand was. He looked a trifle embarrassed as he flexed it “It’sfine thanks, Ben. Look I’m sorry about last night.” Hemust have seen the surprised look on my face. “I meanabout touching Kelly up. It was a bit crass.” “Carl, you don’t need to apologise. You know what Kellysaid to you yesterday,. “Yes Ma’am.” Prudence watched with a smile as the maid shushed her children out of the room towards the stairs. It was then she turned to her husband. There was a moment of silence as they stared at each other. She could feel the deep thudding of her heart for the moment was at hand – literally. “Did you read the book?” he asked suddenly. She nodded. “Yes. Yes I have.” Henry picked up his glass of wine and put it to his lips. “And?” His wife glanced away for a moment. What had she.