i unbuckle my belt and slip it off. she watches. sitting on the edge of the bed, she waits for me to take my belt off and slip it around her neck. she waits and i hesitate. i’ve never done this before. she never wanted this before. we were all waiting. the room was impossibly hot. she takes my belt off tugging it out of the loops. i wait for her. i wait for her to come into the room and take off her robe. i place the rope around her neck. she splays her fingers against the pane as i tighten the belt. i watch. i untie her robe and pull it down to her elbows, not any further. i kneel in front of her. we’ve never done this before. i am waiting. she pushes me against the glass and kneels. she watches as i slip the belt around my neck. she laughs as i turn her over and tug on the robe. the sheet was impossibly cool.