Kate raised her eyebrows. "I didn't figure you for that old." She shrugged. "Sure. Okay. You buyin'?"

Bethany laughed. "I'll even throw in a piece of pie."

"You're on. My stomach should handle pie by then."

After work that evening, Bethany waited in her van. When the other woman finally emerged from the store, she honked to get her attention. Kate waved and broke into a long-legged jog. Once in the van, she rolled down her window, lighted a cigarette, and said, "Way cool. I've never seen the inside of one of these jobbers. You're all set up to roll."

Bethany considered mentioning that no one was allowed to smoke in her van, but then she decided it was a fair tradeoff for the information she needed. "Where sounds good? There's a Denny's restaurant a couple of blocks over."

Kate sighed. "I don't suppose I could work a trade, could I? A beer instead of coffee and pie."

"A beer?"

"Yeah. I know a quiet little place we can go."

Bethany would have preferred going to a restaurant. Because she had to adjust her daily dosage of anticoagulant if she drank much alcohol, she seldom imbibed. Kate also liked to party, and her definition of a quiet place might differ greatly from most people's. She hesitated.

"Come on," Kate urged. "Live a little."

Ten minutes later, Bethany was entering a seedy-looking place called Suds. A shotgun floor plan sported a bar along one darkly paneled wall, tables along the other, with two pool tables, end to end, at center stage. Kate pointed Bethany toward a table and stepped up to the bar as if she owned the joint.

"Two Buds, Mike! Hold the head."

"Gotcha!" the bartender called back.

Bethany scooted a chair out of her way and drew up to the table. After withdrawing her wallet, she set her purse on the floor at her feet. The next table over was occupied by two men wearing flannel work shirts and jeans, the sawdust on their clothing earmarking them as mill workers. Bethany paid them little notice as she watched Kate advance toward her with two full beer mugs clutched in her hands.

"I was supposed to buy," Bethany said as Kate set a mug in front of her.

"I'll let you get the next round," Kate assured her as she sat down.

The next round? Uh-oh. Bethany took a sip of beer and smiled. "Mmm. This hits the spot. I didn't realize how thirsty I was."

Kate took a long pull from her glass. White foam mus-tached her upper lip when she finally came up for air. "God, I've been dying all day for some hair off the dog that bit me. You're a champ, Bethany. I know this isn't your thing."

"I don't know. It's rather nice, actually. I expected someplace a little livelier. You strike me as the type who enjoys large groups of people-with the ratio of males to females making it easy for an attractive single woman to score."

"God, do you have me pegged, or what?" Kate rubbed her temple and sighed. "I'm not feeling up to snuff today. Check in tomorrow night, and you'll see lively." After taking another swig of beer, she leaned forward over her mug as she lit another cigarette. "So-what's the problem you need to talk about?"

Bethany took a big gulp of beer for fortification. "Sex."

Kate shrugged, blew out smoke, and said, "Yeah. What about it?"

Bethany swallowed more beer. "Don't laugh. I'm really in need of some advice. I'm, um-how shall I put this?-a novice, I guess you might say." She patted the arm of her chair. "Wheels have a way of putting a damper on a woman's love life, and I'm only just now starting my first relationship." Kate narrowed her eyes slightly, the exhaled smoke forming a blue cloud in front of her long, pretty face. "Jesus, honey. That's the saddest thing I've ever heard. Twenty-six years without sex? That sucks."

"Yes, well. I only count the years since puberty. It doesn't seem quite so pathetic that way."

"That's still a long dry spell."

Bethany took another sip of beer and smiled. "I've survived. It was lonely sometimes." She wrinkled her nose. "Oh, to heck with it. You're absolutely right. It sucked."

Kate chuckled. "Hey, without sex, what's it all about?"

"Exactly," Bethany agreed. "Which brings me to my problem. I enjoyed most of it immensely, but toward the end-" She broke off and flapped her hand. "For some paraplegics, the finale isn't all that it should be, and it seems that I'm one of them."

Kate studied her solemnly. "You can't get off?"

Bethany glanced around to be sure no one else could overhear. Then she stared into her beer for a long moment. After taking three huge gulps and wiping her mouth, she said, "Nope, I can't get off. And I really, really want to keep the guy. I love him a lot, and all the rest was really nice."

"Just no bang at the end." Kate sat back in her chair, took a deep drag from her cigarette, and then said, "Shit." She regarded Bethany for a moment. "Well, there's worse things. A lot of women don't get off. They go their whole lives faking orgasm, and they seem to get along fine."

Bethany smiled. "You settle for what life dishes out, I guess, and you learn to be happy with what you have. That's the way I look at it, anyway, and overall, I think I'm very lucky." She shrugged. "I just want to keep it that way. He's the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I don't want to lose him."

"Can't blame you there."

"During my lunch hour, I stopped by the video store and rented When Harry Met Sally so I can brush up on my- well, that part goes without saying. But movies and books fall a little short when it comes to giving detailed explanations of how a woman can give a man pleasure. I really, really want to be good in bed. As good as I can be, at any rate, given my physical limitations, and I thought you might know a few tricks you might share with me. Like what to wear, for instance. Or maybe some special tips about how to do things he'll really like. I need a crash course."

Kate pursed her lips. "Damn, honey, you don't ask for much. It's a little hard to share twenty years of experience over a few beers."

"I know I'm asking a lot. But I'm desperate. I understand the basics, but I need to take a giant leap from beginner to intermediate, fast I want it to be as perfect and wonderful for him as I can make it. You know? With plenty of added pizzazz to compensate for my failings, so to speak."

Kate sighed. "Can you wear a garter belt and nylons? Most guys really go for those. Meet him at the door wearing that and a lacy black bra. If he's got blood flowing in his veins, his eyes will pop out of his head. If I walked in here dressed that way on a busy Saturday night, I'd have comers lined up out to the parking lot."

Bethany laughed. "That and nothing else?" She'd thought of wearing a lacy peignoir, but nylons and a garter belt had never entered her mind. This was exactly what she needed, pointers from a woman who knew the ropes. "I'd feel sort of silly."

"Not for long." Kate winked at her. "Try it, honey. Works like a charm. Guys are weird. If that doesn't work, fix dinner for him wearing nothing but an apron. Just remember to turn off all the burners when he decides he can't wait for dessert."

"Nothing but an apron!"

"High heels are a nice touch. Why guys love them, I haven't a clue. I once accidently nailed a fellow in the ass with a spike, believe it or not. He never even broke rhythm." Bethany laughed so hard at the picture that came into her mind, she had to wipe tears from under her eyes. "Oh, Kate, you're wonderful. Unfortunately, I can't wear high heels." "Sure you can. You don't have to parade around in them to get his motor purring. Just seeing them on your feet will do it." Bethany leaned closer. "Another question. You watched When Harry Met Sally, right? In your opinion, was that a pretty accurate portrayal of how a woman looks and sounds when she's having an orgasm?"

Kate rolled her eyes. "You're really without a clue. He won't grade your performance, honey. Lesson number one about men. They all want to believe they're God's gift to women. Fake it as best you can, then tell him he's fabulous. He'll walk on water for a week."

Bethany laughed again. She didn't know if it was the beer or if Kate was just funny. Kate finished her drink and went to get another round. When she returned, Bethany drew a ten from her wallet and pushed it across the table. "The next one's on me." "Thanks." Kate stabbed the bill with a fingertip, then walked it around in a circle. "I know this is a really personal question, but I'm going to ask. Are you totally-you know-numb down there?"

Heat crept up Bethany's neck, and she glanced over her shoulder again. The two mill workers appeared to be intent on their own conversation, and the bartender was busy cleaning the taps. "Not totally," she said softly. "I have some feeling here and there. It's just-well, spinal injuries are funny. If your nerve endings are impaired, as some of mine are, having sensation in a certain spot doesn't necessarily mean that part of the body will function normally. I have feeling in my buttocks, for instance, but not all the muscles there will flex."

"Hmm." Kate frowned. "How many times have you tried for the big whammy?"

Bethany remembered that horrible moment when Ryan had looked into her eyes and asked if it was hurting. To her dismay, she felt her chin wobble. She took several more gulps of beer. "Only once." "Only once?" Kate rolled her eyes. "Bethany, lots of women don't get off the first few times." "They don't?" "Heck, no. I didn't, anyway. I was too uptight, worrying about this and that and feeling self-conscious.

Tension and orgasm don't ride double. You know those romances where the couple gets in a huge fight,

and the guy muscles thewoman into bed when she's still spitting mad?" Kate shook her head. "He kisses her, and she swoons.That's bullshit. At least it doesn't work that way for me. Some guy tries that when I'm pissed, and he'llend up wishing he hadn't. Sex doesn't usually work that way for a woman."

"I really didn't feel that tense until the last when I started worrying about how it would feel. Or, more precisely, if I'd be able to feel it at all. I don't think tension was the problem." She took another long pull of beer. "Afterward-" She passed a shaky hand over her eyes. "I could tell he knew it didn't happen for me, and he was upset. I'm so afraid I'll lose him, Kate. That he won't want to be with me anymore if it isn't good for me at the last."

Kate nodded. "Yeah, that'll do it. Like I said, they got big egos. Most of them can't handle doing a gal who doesn't hit the finish rope. Not for a steady diet, anyway, and that's your aim. Right? To keep him hanging around."

"Right. Oh, Kate, thank you so much for talking to me. You're so real Most people take one look at my wheelchair and freeze up. Sex? The word doesn't cross their lips. They immediately assume I'm a head."

"A what?"

"A head" Bethany waggled her fingers beside her ears. "I talk, I smile, I laugh. Anything below the collarbone is distasteful as a topic of conversation." Kate grinned. "Maybe it's because you never asked them out for coffee to talk about sex. Hell, babe, sex is most people's favorite subject."

Bethany raised her mug. "Here, here. I love you."

Kate's brows drew together. "You drink much?"

"Not a lot. More than I ever have just recently." Bethany swung her mug back to her mouth.

"Well, hell. Who do you talk to?"

"Since moving here, no one. Occasionally with Jake, but not about anything like this. He'd have a coronary."

Kate winked. "I have a feelin' he packs a wallop when he lets the starch out of his collar, but it ain't happenin' around you."

"Exactly. My whole world is starched. With creases." Bethany sighed woefully. "I should have asked you out for coffee a long time ago. Now, here I am with this man. Oh, God. He's all my dreams, stuffed into chambray and denim. Just looking at him almost gets me there. Almost. That's the story of my life, Kate, a long history of 'almosts.'"

Kate chuckled. "What's his name?"

"Ryan Kendrick."

Kate's eyes widened. "Good Christ. Repeat that. You've slept with the Ryan Kendrick?"

Bethany nodded mutely. Apparently, even Kate found it unbelievable that someone like Ryan was interested in her.

Kate grinned and then laughed. "Holy shit. You don't mess around, sweetie. Ryan Kendrick? As in so good-lookin', women fall over on their backs like bowling pins and cock up their toes? That Ryan Kendrick? The to-die-for rich hunk nobody can nail?"

"I never thought I'd be lucky enough to have someone like him fall in love with me. He's wonderful. If he isn't happy with me, I'll die." Kate cupped a hand over her eyes, propped her elbow on the table, and laughed so hard her beer slopped. "No wonder you're so hooked. He's like-well, dynamite." "Yeah." Bethany swallowed, fixed Kate with an imploring look, and said, "Only with no big bang at the end." Kate rocked back in her chair and shook her head. "Well, we gotta get a leash on his collar, no question. Isn't just everybody that gets a crack at him." Her smile softened. "You got stars in your eyes, sweetie." Bethany envisioned Ryan's face and nodded. "I love him so much. I don't care if it's all that fantastic in bed at the end. You know? The first part was a lot of fun. Like, wow."

"Been there a couple of times." Kate grew pensive and gave the ten spot another turn. "Bethany, another real per-sonal question. I know the guy's got a reputation for having been around, but that isn't always an indication. You sure he knows what he's doing?"

"Oh, yes." Bethany drank more beer. "He's followed a hundred dead ends. A hundred. Can you imagine?"

"Ryan Kendrick? Oh, yeah. I can imagine. Poor man. He's like one of them targets at a shooting range. Everybody wants to take a crack. Poor guy has probably had a lot of nasty surprises halfway into relationships when women finally let their true selves shine through."

"Probably. No consolation to me. I about fainted when he told me he'd dated so many women. They all had to be better than me. Just the thought scares me half to death. Being compared and all. You know what I'm saying?"

Kate smiled. "You're not exactly dog meat. Not a guy in the store who hasn't looked your way and rubbed his fly a few times."

"Pardon?"

"Christ. Never mind. Like you'd know if Kendrick knows his stuff? I can't believe I asked." She stubbed out her cigarette and immediately lit another one. "You're a sweet kid. Funny. I figured you for being stuck-up."

"You did?"

"Jake acts like you shit golden eggs. Never saw a man so protective of his sister. Must be nice."

"Nice?" Bethany groaned and finished off her beer. She stared at the empty mug, feeling mildly surprised at how easily it had gone down. "You know-I think maybe I just found my poison."

"Holy mother. I can't drive that rig of yours. We'll have to call a cab."

Bethany giggled. "What are you saying?"

"That you're getting a buzz." Kate pushed to her feet, grabbed the ten, and said, "What the hell. We may as well. Only go around once."

When she returned with the beers, she said, "Okay, now we're both relaxed. Got all the starch out of our collars. Let's get down to the dirty."

Bethany took a huge gulp of beer and smiled when she came up with a mustache, just like Kate's. "Go for it. I'm all ears."

"Before we talk more about what guys like, let's talk a few minutes about you. I've got a question. Did he try to get you both ways?"

"Both ways? I'm not following."

Kate leaned closer. "You know. Some women can't get off the conventional way. Did he try your hot line?" Bethany pictured a huge, red phone and burst into giggles. "No, mine's probably been disconnected." Kate sighed. "Your love button, sweetie. Did he try that?" "I've never heard it called that before." Bethany sighed and shook her head. "In answer to your question, yes, he tried it. To be honest, I found it very-well, not really painful, but uncomfortable, like all my nerves were exposed. It's hard to describe. The same sort of feeling you get when you bite down on a piece of tinfoil. It made me want to clench my teeth and shudder."

"It can feel that way if you're not into it." Kate got a knowing gleam in her eyes. "The important thing is, you have feeling there."

"That doesn't mean it works properly. Trust me, it didn't."

"It could be that he didn't have the magic touch. Ever think of that?"

Bethany remembered the magic in his touch everywhere else and shook her head. "No. It's more a case of damaged nerves, I think. That isn't his fault, and-" Before Bethany could finish what she meant to say, the man behind her turned on his chair and said, "If he doesn't know his way around a love button, honey, trade him in for a new model."

"Butt out, Dave," Kate said. "Who invited you into this conversation?"

The man draped his arm over the back of his chair and twisted farther around to give Bethany a long, hard look. "Well, now, if you ain't purdy as a picture." "Jack off," Kate said. The man ignored her. He scooted back his chair and pressed his face closer to Bethany's. "Hi, honey. I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. My heart's breaking. Sounds like you've got yourself one hell of a problem."

Bethany blinked and inched her face back. "I'm a little distressed."

He nodded. "What you need is a real man to grease your gears. I'm packin'."

Kate came up off her chair. "Hey, asshole, get out your dictionary. I said, 'Jack off!' Leave the lady alone." "I'm surprised you recognize one, Kate." "Stuff it where it'll never again see sunlight." Kate planted her hands on the table and glared daggers at him. "Leave her alone. She's with me."

He gave Kate a long, hard look. "You can't help her. This little gal needs a real man to get her motor running." He returned his bleary gaze to Bethany. "How 'bout it, honey? I'll get you perkin', then you can go back to lover boy."

Bethany inched farther away. All she could think of to say was, "I need to use the bathroom."

That seemed to cool his jets. Bethany rolled her chair back and fumbled for her purse. She glanced at Kate as she returned her wallet to the side pocket. "Excuse me." The man blocked her path. "Please. I really need to go."

He sighed and said, "I'll be waiting. Give me an hour. Problem solved."

Bethany's heart was pounding. The effects of the beer had done a vanishing act. That man wasn't taking no for an answer. She cut right, following the signs. She found herself in a long, dark hallway with warped paneling. The ladies' room was the last door on the left.

She was about to reach for the knob when a big hand closed over her shoulder. "My name's Dave, by the way," he said in a slimy voice. Then he leaned down, grabbed the arms of her chair, and turned her to face him. "No one will bother us back here. Let me have a go at that love button of yours."