Steven Womack - By Blood Written

STEVEN WOMACK?

PART I?

THE TOUR?

Saturday night, Manhattan

She fought the urge to scream; after all, there were people downstairs.

The blaring musicloud, driving retro punkand the relentless din of party chatter probably would have covered her cries, but some last, long-buried remnant of propriety wouldnt allow her to let loose.

On his back, underneath her straddled legs, gazing up as she shook and trembled, he knew she was barely holding it in. He felt her thighs tighten, the quadriceps harden-ing, breath quickening. Her eyes closed tightly, the squint deepening into furrows that would, in another decade or so, be crows feet. Her blond hairlong, straight, expensively coiffeddanced from side to side as the air in her lungs compressed with the constricting of her chest. She leaned forward and dug her fingernails into his chest, the sharp, manicured edges digging through the first layers of skin and stopping just short of bloodletting.

He smiled at the pain and thrust upward into her. She was delicious, exquisite, all the more intense thanks to the lines of coke theyd done a half hour earlier. Shed matched him push for push, rhythm for rhythm, until the energy swept over her like the tides that foretold a hurricanes leading edge. And when the storm finally broke, when the air burst out of her lungs like an explosion, there was only the suppressed yelp of her release and then collapse.

She lay on him, exhausted, sliding against him in their sweat. Like posting, he thought. Like steeplechasing

He reached behind her, around the small of her back and below, and dug his fingers into the soft flesh of her hips.

It was his turn now.

He pushed her up then pulled her down, arching his back, jamming himself into her rhythmically, in time with the pulsing energy that was growing within him. Despite her enervation, she struggled to match his pace, to help him find his center. She wanted that, realized she wanted that even more than her own release, and she had wanted release more than anything, she thought. She smiled as she felt his muscles tighten below her.

Once he let go and allowed himself to float free, his moment came as it always did.

When he decided it would.

They rested there a full ten minutes without speaking. She felt herself drift in and out, in that sweet, postcoital languor-ousness that she had so seldom known. The floor beneath them vibrated with the pounding bass and the frenzied dancing of the party downstairs.

God, she murmured sleepily. That was great.

He moaned softly in agreement.

How do you do it?

Do what? he whispered.

You know, she said, her voice rising shyly. You know, go so long

He smiled. I like to make it last.

She nuzzled into him, her hair draping over his face, tick-ling his nose. They were still locked together.

I like it that you like to make it last.

He shifted under her, moved his arm to wipe her hair out of his face. Should we get back to the party? he asked.

We dont want to appear unsociable.

She giggled. What? You think they havent already noticed?

Probably. Why dont we get dressed anyway? It was not a question, although she didnt realize it at the moment. She pressed her palms into his chest and eased herself back into a sitting position.

God, she whispered. I could almost use a shower, Im so

He brought his hand up from between them. The fingertips were wet, red.

Oh no! she burst out. Im so sorry! I cant believe this!

Im not supposed to start until tomorrow. Goddamn it, this is so embarrassing.

She turned her head, self-conscious and awkward now, and started to jerk away from him. He felt himself sliding out of her and decided this was not the way he wanted to end it. He grabbed her by the waist and locked her down.

Hey, he said. Its no big deal. Really. Doesnt bother me at all.

With his right hand, he touched her chin and pushed it softly, until she faced him again. The effort left a red smudge on the side of her face.

It doesnt matter, he said gently. Dont worry about it, see?

He slid his right hand down his belly, to where the two of them were joined. When he pulled the hand back, it was bright red. He drew a coppery, crimson line down the middle of her sternum, between her breasts, the width of two of his fingers, down to her navel. Then he curled his torso toward her and gently, sweetly, ran his tongue up her chest. He nuzzled her breasts, daubing the wet red over them. When he pulled away, there were sanguineous liquid smears on his lips, his chin, the end of his nose.

See, no big deal, he said softly. Its natural. Just a part of you.

Her eyes started to fill and she let herself fall forward into his arms, pressing him down onto the bed.

God, she whispered. Youre so special.

He stared at the ceiling, his arms loosely around her. I know, he mouthed silently. I know.

He had almost drifted off when the pounding started. He came up out of the netherworld between slumber and wakefulness to the spraying hiss of water against tile punctuated by the bass of someone slapping a hollow-core door open-palmed.

Yeah, hold on, he yelled, half asleep. He grabbed a robe and threw it on. How long had he been out?

He cracked the door of the darkened bedroom and stared out sleepily. The woman on the other side of the door was at least six inches shorter and seventy pounds lighter than he, but her irritation seemed to fill the space around her. Her hands were on her hips, petulance on her face.

Well? she said. Im really annoyed with you.

He looked down, feigning embarrassment. Taylor, Im sorry. I didnt mean to

Looks like she wore you out.

We were just he stammered. Things just got out of

Dont explain. I dont want the details. Your guests are wondering if youre going to be back down this evening.

This party is, after all, for you.

He grinned and shook his head, throwing a long shank of hair back off his forehead. Guess you caught me, babe.

Michael, who is she?

Michael Schiftmann, in whose honor the party downstairs was being held and over which control was rapidly being lost, shrugged. I dont know. She told me, but I forgot. At least I think she told me.

How long is she going to stay in my shower? Taylor Robinson demanded. Shes not moving in, is she?

Calm down, sweetheart, Ill get rid of her. Well be down in a few minutes.

See that you do. Jesus, Michael, Audrey Carlisles downstairs. Give a little thought to your career.

Michael smiled at her, his white, even teeth almost glowing in the dim light. If I didnt know better, he murmured,

Id think you were jealous.

Taylors jaw tensed. Dont be silly, she snapped. She squinted and stared intently into the shadows that surrounded Michaels face. Whats that on your chin?

He tucked his chin into his chest and slid behind the door.

Nothing, he said. Taylor, youd better, uh

Better what?

You might want to bring me a set of sheets.

Taylor sighed. That bad, huh? Okay, Ill change them.

No, Michael interjected. No. Ill do it.

Taylor laughed. Well, at least you havent gotten so swell-headed you cant clean up after yourself.

Cmon, give me a break. I was just having a little fun.

Maybe it got out of hand.

Taylor turned toward the linen closet at the end of the hall.

I guess youre entitled to it, she said as she walked away.

After all, its not every day you finally get a book on the Times best-seller list.

And you know what they say, dont you? Michael called after her. Behind him, from the bathroom, the water stopped.

Taylor stopped and turned, facing him. What?

Michael grinned. You never forget your first time.