‘What do you think?’ she stuttered. ‘If I don’t … You should … There should be a consequence.’
It was very hard not to smile, but he managed it somehow.
‘A consequence,’ he repeated. ‘Yes.’
She flinched, but held his eye.
‘What sort of consequence?’ she asked.
‘Well,’ said Rob. ‘Not a pat on the back, obviously. What would work for you, Ruth? What would keep you on the straight and narrow? My disapproval doesn’t seem to be quite enough.’
‘I don’t like being in trouble with you,’ she said.
‘But you still won’t do as you’re told. Come on. I want suggestions.’
‘I can’t say it.’
Now it was going to be easy. Now all he had to do was apply the pressure. Already the first stirrings of a victory celebration tickled his loins. She was that kind of girl. Just that kind of girl he’d always dreamt of running across.
‘You can say it. You will say it.’
He moved close to her, in front of her, and crouched at her eye level.
‘Come on, Ruthie. What should I do with you?’
She shifted and looked at the ceiling. Her fluffy dressing gown brushed against his knees. What was she wearing underneath? Pyjamas, loose and a bit faded, perfect lazingwear.
‘I don’t know, maybe …’
‘Maybe …?’
‘You could …’
‘I could?’
‘I can’t!’
‘Ruthie.’
He took her hands in his. ‘Look at me.’
Reluctant as she was, she couldn’t disobey him and she turned perturbed eyes to him. He could see she was chewing the inside of her cheek. He drank in the signs of delicious conflict, her desires struggling with her pride, and then let them settle before turning the screw again.
‘Tell me what you need,’ he whispered.
‘I want you to tell me,’ she said with a pout.
He shook his head.
‘Has to come from you. Otherwise you can say I forced it on you and you didn’t mean it, didn’t really want it. I’m not laying myself open to that. Do you understand? Much as I’d like to just …’ He squeezed her fingers, and a smile flickered uncertainly on her lips.
‘Would you?’
‘God, yes.’
‘I hope you’re thinking what I’m thinking because otherwise I’m going to have quit uni, leave this town, leave the country, but here goes.’
She screwed up her face in anguish and Rob put her fingers to his lips; the suspense was almost unbearable.