There was a little awkward fumbling for a moment as Una managed to divest herself and Starbuck of what remained of their clothing, and then she stretched out her long body, lying on her side beside Starbuck. And then another slow, gentle kiss on the lips, then jaw, then throat, while she explored with her hand.

Every nerve was lit up, every sense sharpened and alert to each nuance of movement, sound. And she was aware of her own body's hunger, but satisfying it wasn't what she needed now anyway; what she needed was to act: this kiss, that flick of the tongue; this sliding of the leg between smooth calves, that gentle movement of the fingers.