"Right now I'm just going to see if I can warm you up for him." The end of the whip pressed gently against Valera's flesh. It drew a circle on ...her stomach, the strips on the end tickling her. "What I'd like you to keep in mind is that anything you tell me now can be potentially verified before he gets here. Once he starts, you'll need a very, very convincing story to make him stop." The whip lifted off of her skin. Valera tensed, eyes firmly shut and teeth clenched. A. With most of the distance covered, I was on the last long stretch, which was the steepest part. I was forced to run on the side of the road, due to pedestrians taking up most of the pavement. I was almost there. I forced myself to go faster. Once I reached the stairs ascending to the palace, I leapt, taking two steps at a time, until I was at the top.I leaned on the pillar, next to the stairs. I buried my forehead onto my arm, exhaling deep, striving to catch my breath. A pat on my shoulder. "You're as bad as Cynthia. I'm trying to break her from asking, "Are you going to fuck her?" every time I mention another girl's name." Doesn't she know you're principled?" I wish she would accept that about me. It's becoming a bone of contention between us." I can't say that I blame her. Anyone who goes around boasting that every girl he meets wants to hop into bed with him is hard to trust." Why do you say that you know I'm principled?" Personal experience. I'm one of those girls who have. "Hey, Mary. You got a beer or two you'd let me have?" Jack, you know I don't. And you better not let anyone see you like this," her sharp eyes took in his condition. "Go home and get a good rest, Jack. Robin will be back tomorrow." Shit! I'll go see if Gerry has a bottle." You better not, Jack." I'm all growed up, Mary. I'm OK." You're shooting yourself in the foot, Jack." Screw off, woman!" he muttered, turning away.Mary heard him and almost wept. She knew how much Robin loved the man. And how.