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“I know,” I said with a smile. “But Vittoria didn’t laugh. She just said, ‘That sounds wonderful.’

“And I said, ‘But I don’t know how.’

“And she replied, ‘You want to make me come… but not knowinghowmakes you feel embarrassed. Is that it?’

“I nodded. I still remember it – my face felt like it was on fire, I was so ashamed – but I was also incredibly turned on.

“She took my hand in hers and asked quietly, ‘Do you want me to show you how to make a woman come?’

“I nodded. ‘But I don’t want you to lie. I don’t want you to fake it.’

“She smiled and said, ‘Don’t worry, I won’t. But it might take a while.’

“‘I’ve got all night.’

“‘So do I,’ she answered.

“She stood up and tried to pull me along with her, but I said, ‘Not here. I don’t want to do it here.’

“She looked at me for a long while, like she was trying to decide whether or not to trust me… and then she finally said, ‘I can take you to where I live… but I have to warn you, it’s not that great.’

“‘I don’t care,’ I told her. ‘Just as long as it’s anywhere but here.’

“She nodded, and then we left and went to her place.”

Mei-ling stared at me intently, waiting.

I just smiled at her in silence.

When I didn’t say anything, Mei-ling prodded me with, “…AND?!”

“And she taught me everything I know.”

“Oh my GOD – you’re not going totellme?!” she cried out, half-laughing, half-indignant.

“Nope.”

“Youtease!”

“Just a little,” I said with a grin. “But Iwilldosomethingfor you.”

“What?” she asked, pouting playfully.

“I’ll show you.”

Mei-ling stared at me, her eyes wide.

For a second, I thought perhaps I’d overstepped –

And then she whispered, “…alright.”

I smiled. “Alright, then.”

I extended my hand…

She placed hers in mine…

And then she led me out of the kitchen.

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