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           Heletgoofherarmsandtwistedtoswitchoffthelampbehindhim,thenrelaxedhisholdonherandlaidhisheadbackagainstthechair,sothatshewasn’tsureifhehaddimmedtheroomdowntoglowingcoalsasthefirstmoveinhislove-making,orsimplytoconcealhisexpression.Uncertain,afraidofoutrightrejection,shewaitedtobetoldwhattodo.Sheshouldhaverealizedearlierthatonedidn’ttamperwithpeoplelikeRain.Theywereasinvincibleasdeath.Whycouldn’tsheputherheadonhislapandsay:Rain,loveme,IneedyousomuchandI’msosorry?Oh,surelyifshecouldgethimtomakelovetohersomeemotionalkeywouldturnanditwouldallcometumblingout,released…

           Stillwithdrawn,remote,helethertakeoffhisjacketandtie,butbythetimeshebegantounbuttonhisshirtsheknewitwasn’tgoingtowork.Thekindofinstinctiveeroticskillswhichcouldmakethemostmundaneoperationexcitingwerenotinherrepertoire.Thiswassoimportant,andshewasmakinganabsolutemessofit.Herfingersfaltered,hermouthpuckered.Sheburstintotears.

           "Oh,no!Herzchen,liebchen,don’tcry!"Hepulledherontohislapandturnedherheadintohisshoulder,hisarmsaroundher."I’msorry,Herzchen,Ididn’tmeantomakeyoucry."

           "Nowyouknow,"shesaidbetweensobs."I’mamiserablefailure;Itoldyouitwouldn’twork!Rain,Iwantedsobadlytokeepyou,butIknewitwouldn’tworkifIletyouseehowawfulIam!"

           "No,ofcourseitwouldn’twork.