, Tunde wished her to be struck dumb in that very moment.My cousins are coming later, he said.No one asked which cousins.It had been that kind of hot, lazy summer with people wandering in and out of the big house around the corner from Ikoyi Club.Tunde noticed her not protesting.She didn’t stroke her friend’s back and ask her to stay home from the beach, too.She said nothing when he got up half an hour after the last car left and stretched and said he was feeling much better.She watched him as he jumped from the short springboard into the pool, her quick smile flashing.He makes a turn under the water.It is neat, his feet barely breaking the surface.He wonders if she saw him do it, but she’s not there.Hey, servant girl, bring me that Coke.She turns and smiles with wide, limpid eyes.She looks to one side and then the other, and points a finger at her chest as if to say, Who?He doesn’t know exactly what to do.There have only been two girls before her and neither of them became girlfriends. At college they joke about him that he’s married to his studies, because he’s always so single.But he’s been waiting for someone he really wanted.He wants what she has.He plants his palms on the wet tiles and raises himself out of the water and onto the stone in one graceful movement which he knows shows off the muscles of his shoulders, his chest and collarbone.He has a good feeling.This is going to work.She sits on a lounger.As he stalks toward her, she digs her nails in under the can’s tab, as if she’s about to open it.Oh no, he says, still smiling.You know such things are not for the likes of you.She clutches the Coke to her midriff.It must be cold there against her skin.She says, demurely, I just want a little taste. She bites her bottom lip.She must be doing it on purpose.This is going to happen.Give it to me.She holds the can in one hand and rolls it along her neck as if to cool herself.She shakes her head.And then he’s on her.He takes care not to really force her.He’s sure she’s enjoying it as much as he is.Her arm comes up over her head, holding the can, to keep it far away from him.He pushes her arm back a little more, making her gasp and twist backward.He makes a grab for the can of Coke, and she laughs, low and soft.He likes her laughter.Aha, trying to keep that drink from your lord and master, he says.What a wicked servant girl you are.And she laughs again and wriggles more.You’ll never have it, she says.Clever and beautiful, may the Lord have mercy upon my soul.She’s laughing, and he’s laughing.Do you think you can keep it from me? He lunges again, and she twists to escape him.He makes a grab at her waist.She puts her hand to his.There’s the scent of orange blossom.A wind gusts up and hurls a few white handfuls of blooms into the swimming pool.There is a feeling in his hand as if some insect has stung him.He looks down to swat it away, and the only thing on his hand is her warm palm.The sensation grows, steadily and swiftly.At first it is pinpricks in his hand and forearm, then a swarm of buzzing prickles, then it is pain.He is breathing too quickly to be able to make a sound.He cannot move his left arm.His heart is loud in his ears.She is still giggling, soft and low.She leans forward and pulls him closer to her.She looks into his eyes, her irises are lined with<
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