"Well, yes, I did," Gina admitted, although without the heat of passion her request did sound a little foolish.

"Look, Gina, I'm just not that kind of person," Mark said patiently, as if she were a slightly backward child. "I believe that a man and woman should make love, like I said. We don't have to humiliate each other and stuff like that."

"I see," Gina said, her tone conveying that she obviously didn't see at all.

"If you're into ropes and whips and leather boots and all that, you'll just have to find someone else," Mark continued. He then gave her a rather stunned look. "You aren't into ropes, are you?" he asked.

"I… I could be," Gina admitted. She then flushed with anger. "Well, it's not like I'm asking for the world," she snapped. "Couldn't we just try it my way?" she asked reasonably.

"And why can't we try it my way?" Mark countered.

It was an obvious standoff, and they both realized it. They looked at each other for a long while, then averted their eyes.

"I guess I'd better go," Gina said, her voice sad.

"Don't, please," Mark said. "We can work this out. I'm sure we can."

"Perhaps, but not now, not tonight," Gina said, getting off the bed.

She dressed in silence, then gave him a light kiss before she went to the door. Mark was looking confused and a little guilty, wandering around the living room as if didn't live there.

"You have to understand," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "I… I'm just a straight arrow, I can't help it."

"And I thought I was, too," Gina said, her hand on the doorknob. "Well, I'll see you Monday at work," she said, opening the door.

After she'd gone, Mark sat down on the couch and tried to sort out his feelings. Christ, he'd been in love with Gina since he'd first seen her a couple of years before. And, it was only this week he'd managed to get her in bed. She seemed so sweet, so… well, almost virginal. That was the woman he'd fallen in love with. Not this, this… wildcat.