Swimming to Catalina (Stone Barrington 4)

“Absolutely,” he replied.

* * *

Stone was awakened by the doorbell, and Barbara called out that she’d get it. He fell back into bed. A moment later, she pushed a rolling table into the room.

“I ordered you a big breakfast,” she said.

“Thanks,” he replied, sitting up and arranging pillows. He tucked into bacon and eggs, a luxury he rarely allowed himself “First bacon cheeseburgers, now bacon and eggs,” he said. “If I hang around you long enough I’ll have a coronary.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” she said, eating her own breakfast. “You seem in pretty good shape to me.”

“That’s because I lead an abstemious life, when I’m not with you.”

She threw back her head and hooted. “I love it!” she cried. “You were a virgin before I came along, right?”

“Absolutely. You’ve taught me everything I know.”

She set down her plate and took his away. “Well, I must be one hell of a teacher,” she giggled.

“You certainly are.”

“Now, let’s see, what shall we learn this morning, class?”

“Entirely up to you, ma’am.”

“Well, we’ve already tried positions one, two, and three.”

“I don’t think I remember position three,” he said.

“I can see that you learn only by repetition.”

“That’s always the best way, isn’t it?”

“Well, it’s one way.”

“Not the best way?”

“Sometimes, my dear, you have to improvise.”

“Improvise? How does one do that?”

“Like this,” she said, “for starters.”

“That’s a very nice starter. What’s the main course.”

“You’re not ready for the main course.”

“I think I’m getting there.”

“I think you are, too!” she cried. “What a good student!”

“I do my best,” he said.

“You’d better, or you’ll have to repeat the course.”

“Oh, God,” Stone moaned, “I don’t think I could repeat the course.”

“We’ll see,” she said.