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’Will it?’ She smiled

The waiter would have turned red if he hadn’t been black and left quickly

Abel poured her coffee and brandy She sipped slowly, sitting cross - legged on the floor Abel would have sat crosslegged as well, but he couldn’t quite e the position, so instead he lay down beside her She strokedhis hair, and tentatively he began toGod, how A21 wr11 he res As they kissed for the first time, Melanie kicked a shoe off and knocked her coffee all over the Persian carpet

’Oh, hell,’ she said ’I’ve ruined your beautiful carpet!

Torget it,’ said Abel, as he pulled her back into his arms and started to unzip her dress Melanie unbuttoned his shirt, and Abel tried to get it off while he was still kissing hqr, but his cufflinks stopped hiure had lost none of its beauty and was exactly as he rely fuller Those firave up the one - handed battle with the cufflinks and released her frorasp to undress himself, ahat an abrupt physical contrast he must have appeared compared to her beautiful body He hoped all he had read about wo fascinated by powerful riht of his The Persian ’carpet was proving better than any bed It was her turn to try to undress coave up and finally took off everything except for - at Abel’s request - her garter belt and nylon stockings

When he heard herit had been since he had experienced such ecstasy - and then - how quickly the sensation was past

Neither of the heavily, Then Abel chuckled

’What are you laughing at?’ Melanie enquired

’Nothing,’ said Abel, recalling Dr Johnson’s observation about the position being ridiculous and the pleasure momentary

Abel rolled over, and Melania rested her head on his shoulder Abel was surprised to find that he no longer wanted to be near Melanie, and as he lay there wondering how to get rid of her without actually being rude, she said, ’I’ht, Abel, I have an early appointet soht on your Persian carpet’

’Must you go?’ said Abel, sounding desperate, but not too desperate

’I’, yes’ She stood up and walked to - the bathroom

Abel watched her dress, and helped her with her zipper How arment was to fasten at leisure than it had been to unfasten in haste He kissed her gallantly on the hand as she left