It had started to rain outside. We sipped our drinks in silence while I studied her-the tawny motes flickering in her dark amber eyes, the curves of her long lashes matching those of her nose. I had always been fascinated by women, though my feelings were not at all erotic.

The beautiful female sex.

I never have thought that beauty is merely skin deep. I was sure even Yi Kong, as a nun, agreed. The novices she’d picked to be around her were all pretty. Not to mention her exquisite art collection. Beauty always whispers mystery, and how can mystery just be on the surface? Maybe that was the reason I was now attracted to Philip?

Lisa looked at me curiously. “Meng Ning, what is it? Please tell me.”

“Hmmm…just a bit confused, so I need someone to talk to.”

“So, what’s your problem, a fight with Michael because of me?”

I remained silent.

“Meng Ning, you should open yourself more to the world. And to men, too.”

Did she already know what had happened between me and Philip last night?

“Are you mad that I was Michael’s fiancée?”

I shook my head. “No, there’s something else on my mind.”

“You’ve been sheltered too long by the nuns, and now by Michael. That’s not healthy.”

“What do you mean?”

She stood up and came to sit down next to me. Then her hand started to stroke my hair, tenderly, as if I were her little sister. The rhythmic touches were soothing, almost hypnotic.

“You’re a very attractive woman, so I think maybe you should date other men besides Michael. You know, now Asian women are hot among American men. What do you think about Philip?”

My heart started to pound. I blurted out, “Do you already know what happened yesterday?”

“You mean you already had sex with Philip?” She didn’t look surprised, but amused.

“Oh no, not like that, but…” I took a big gulp of my drink.

Suddenly I noticed Lisa’s hand had already moved from my hair down to my collar bone, then shoulder. Now she leaned her face very close to mine, staring at me long and hard. “Tell me, Meng Ning, do you think sex is bad?”

“No, hmmm…” I put down the glass.

“It’s nothing wrong, right?” She tapped her head. “It’s only wrong in people’s heads.”

Seeing that I didn’t respond, she continued. “Even Buddhism teaches that sex is good. For Tibetans, sex is the way to enlightenment.”

She refilled my drink. “When you come, there’s no place for the mind, only the experiencing of the moment. There’s no separation-you become truly one with your partner.” She went on, a mischievous smile on her face. “The guy is famous for seducing reluctant women and giving them unprecedented pleasure.”

“Lisa-” I was slowly absorbing the shock. “Do you think what I did was wrong? Being engaged to Michael and attracted to Philip?” I took another gulp of my Coke.

“So what? That doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun, does it? Meng Ning, you’re taking things too seriously. Relax. Life should be a party!”

“Then does it mean that when you were engaged to Michael you also had a little fun?”

“Sure.” She didn’t bat an eyelid. “That’s why we split up. Michael’s just like you; he can’t relax.”

“But I think you told me he left you for someone else.”

“Take it easy, Meng Ning.” She was playing with my hair. “You know Michael’s past. That’s why he’s always starving for affection.”

I didn’t know how to respond. Then suddenly I noticed her hand, like a predator, was now perching on my breast.

I felt blood rush to my cheeks. “Lisa, what are you-”

“Meng Ning, relax, it’s no big deal.”

“But-” I realized that it was already the umpteenth time that I’d used the word “but.”

“You’re a Buddhist, right? So let go of your inhibition, detach from your puritanical rules and live in the moment. Rules are not made by God, but people, and most of them are pricks anyway.” Now she studied me as if I were an elementary school student. “For Christ’s sake, Meng Ning, I’m just trying to educate you!” Then her tone softened. “Believe me, it doesn’t hurt to give it a try.”

“Try what?”

She handed me my glass. “Have more; it’ll help to relax you.”

I took a long swig under her scrutinizing eyes.

“Every woman should try it at least once with another woman. I’m sure you’ll like it. It’ll feel much more open and free than with a man-”

“Lisa, stop that. I’m not a lesbian!”

“You don’t have to be. Are you an American, because you speak English?”

I was speechless.

“Me neither,” she said, then, as if I didn’t understand, added, “I’m not a dyke.”

“Then why do you want-”

“There shouldn’t be any distinctions. I like both.”

“Both what?” I felt my vision blur and a headache coming.

She lowered her voice as if to tell a secret. “Both sexes. As long as I find them attractive.” She paused to sip her drink, then added, “You know what, Meng Ning? I had a crush on you the instant I saw you at the Met. Do you know when you leaned your delicate head against Michael’s broad shoulder, you looked so damn cute and vulnerable? I already imagined making love to you-”

“Lisa!”

Oblivious of my reaction, she went on, searching my eyes, “Ahhh…Meng Ning, you’re still like a little girl. That’s why I’m here for you.” She paused for a few moments before she went on. “Innocence is irresistible…” she almost sang, while her hand lightly pressed my nipple.

“Lisa, please stop-”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be very gentle.” She drew close to me and began to lick my neck; her voice sounded as if it were coming from a deep, delirious dream.

I was trying to resist, but her kissing was becoming ardent. She shifted her weight and moved her leg to lock mine. It was then that her loose cotton slacks slid up, revealing her legs-one muscular and the other shriveled. While tears stung my eyes at the pathetic sight, somehow I also felt strangely moved.

“It’s OK, Meng Ning. Feels good, doesn’t it?” she purred, misunderstanding my tears of compassion for something else.

Quickly she peeled off my blouse, then slipped her hand under my bra. I was still staring at her leg, feeling both too intrigued and appalled to respond. Then I felt her unhook my bra, and her fingers slowly traced around my nipples.

Now seemingly in a state of complete intoxication, her eyes closed; she began to lick the inside of my ears. This time the tickling became so unbearable that I involuntarily jerked.

“Feels wonderful, eh? I know you like it.”

I tried but failed to speak, or think. Her moist, ginger-flowered breath was all over my face. The sight of her shriveled leg struck something deep inside me that I had not known existed. Then the tickle became so intense that I involuntarily closed my eyes, letting shudders escape me like a fish released back to the sea.

Lisa became more aggressive in her advances. She moved her burning lips all over me. When she was pressing her tongue on my collarbone, I opened my eyes and saw her full breasts, now completely bare, pressing against mine. This was the first time I had actually seen another woman’s breasts naked, except, of course, my mother’s when I was a child. In Golden Lotus Temple, any contours would be either hidden under loose, thick robes as if they didn’t exist, or flattened under layers of cloth as if they were diseases trying to break out.

I couldn’t take my eyes off Lisa’s swelling flesh tipped with large nipples like embroidered plum-blossoms. Bits of perspiration glowed there like pink dew.

Suddenly she squirmed; my hand jerked and brushed against the plum-blossom. Wisps of her hair touched my face; her warm skin sent a tremor down my spine. I remembered after the fire when I’d accidentally stroked Yi Kong’s shoulder. But the touch felt different, because Yi Kong was a nun, while Lisa was a worldly woman, who now shifted and moaned breathlessly, her hair spilling over her shoulders and her head falling to the side.