What Comes Around

CHAPTER 7

He was drenched in sweat and panting like an old bird dog. Even the sheets were wet. Somehow he’d managed to give her three Big O’s, two traditional and, lastly, one utterly exhausting one. He’d never worked so hard in his life. “Outside the box,” she called it, that last one.

He managed a weak smile. “Wow, you are something else, aren’t you, girl? I need a cigarette.”

“No time. Back in the saddle, cowboy. You got me hot now. I’m itching to ride!”

“Crystal, seriously. I need a little breather here.”

“Don’t be a pussy, Harding. Mama’s waiting. Turn over.”

“Oh, Christ.”

He rolled over onto his back and stared at the ceiling. She took his wrists and tied them to the bedposts with two Hermès scarves she’d plucked from the bedside table.

He didn’t even bother trying to fight her.

“Are you trying to kill me, or what?”

“Don’t you worry yourself, baby. The Cialis will kick in any minute now.”

“I don’t take Cialis, Crystal.”

“You do now, stud. I put two in your drink down at the lobby bar. When you bent down to pat Rikki Nelson.”

“What? Are you kidding me? F’crissakes, Crystal—”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you, hon. Big sex, remember? Okay, I’ll get on top this time. Oh, yes… somebody’s ready for Mama down there. That Cialis is a bitch, isn’t it? Just think, two pills, you might have an erection lasting eight hours…”

“Listen, Crystal, you’ve really got to stop this… untie me… I’ve got a pain in my chest… I mean it!”

“Pussy is the best cure for whatever ails you, son. Hang on, Mama’s gonna ride this bucking bronco all the way to the buzzer…”

“Damn it, get off! I’ve got a cardiac condition! Doc says I’m supposed to take it easy… Goddamnit, I’m serious! Now my arm really hurts… call the doctor, Crystal. Now. They must have a house doctor on call and.… oh, Christ almighty, it hurts… do something!”

“Like what?”

“My pills! My nitro pills! They’re over there in my trouser pocket…”

“Hold on a sec…”

She reached over and picked up the bedside phone, never breaking her stride, and asked for the hotel operator.