 |
 |
|
|
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] shape and aspect, in shape but not obsessive about it. He was clean shaven, wearing a black turtleneck and dark slacks. He moved with easy grace, light on his feet, but appeared very tired, fumbling for things he needed and pouring with only a sketch of professional elegance. As he went by the register, she noticed the key sticking out of its lock, giving it the absurd air of a file:///G|/Program%20Files/eMule/Incoming/S...on%20-%20The%20Mind%203%20-%20Lifehouse.htm (126 of 430) [10/16/2004 3:06:15 PM] Robinson, Spider - The Mind 3 - Lifehouse windup toy. Something indefinable about his upper lip gave her a mild but distinct urge to bite it. When he brought her the drink, she noticed the bulge in his pants, without being caught at it. She thought about all these things, and then she made him sit down and told him a long and gaudy and quite fictitious tale about how she had come to need succor at this hour, sipping her bourbon slowly as she created. The story might well have produced an erection on a statue of John Diefenbaker, and when she was sure he had one, she slid a hand into her purse. "I've taken up enough of your time," she said. "Let me just pay for my drink and I'll let you finish up and go home." She stirred the trash in her purse. "Do you have change for a twenty?" He bunked at her, turned to look at the locked register, turned back to her. "You don't have anything smaller?" "Afraid not," she said, smiling sweetly. "Forget it, it's on the house." "No, really, it's the least I can do. You want your file:///G|/Program%20Files/eMule/Incoming/S...on%20-%20The%20Mind%203%20-%20Lifehouse.htm (127 of 430) [10/16/2004 3:06:15 PM] Robinson, Spider - The Mind 3 - Lifehouse accounts to balance." "I already closed out the register. Thanks for offering, but it isn't necessary." "Well, let me give you something for your trouble, then. Really, you've been a life-saver: just give me back a ten and a five." She began to take out the imaginary twenty. This was fun. "I wouldn't dream of it," he said quickly. "Look, have you got some place you can go for the night? That creep could still be back at your apartment " "I ... I'll think of something," she said. "Why don't I go back there with you, right now, make sure the coast is clear?" "But didn't you say you have to wait for your boss?" she said sadistically. He blinked twice. "Uh, well, if he's not here by " He glanced at his watch. " now, it usually means he's not coming. Really, I'd be glad to lock up here and " "I don't think I want to go back to my place, just file:///G|/Program%20Files/eMule/Incoming/S...on%20-%20The%20Mind%203%20-%20Lifehouse.htm (128 of 430) [10/16/2004 3:06:15 PM] Robinson, Spider - The Mind 3 - Lifehouse yet. I don't think I'm ready. You wouldn't know of anyplace else . . ." He went for it like a starving trout. "Uh . . . look, what's your name?" "Angela," she said. "Angela, I know how this might sound, but . . . there's a fold-out couch at my place." He met her eyes squarely. "And I swear you can trust me." She looked him over carefully. "I almost believe you," she said softly. "You can," he said. "I've got my share of faults, but I won't ever lie to you." "I hope you mean that," she said. "I do," he assured her, quiet sincerity in his voice. She took her time deciding, for the pleasure of watching him mime steadfast, and finally said, "I don't even know your name no, don't tell me yet but I'll go home with you, if you'll give me a truthful answer to one question." file:///G|/Program%20Files/eMule/Incoming/S...on%20-%20The%20Mind%203%20-%20Lifehouse.htm (129 of 430) [10/16/2004 3:06:15 PM] Robinson, Spider - The Mind 3 - Lifehouse "I'm not," he said. "Never even been engaged." "Good, but that wasn't the question." "What, then?' "How much did you clear?" He shook his head slightly a few times. "Beg pardon?" "How much did you take off the guy tied up and gagged on the floor behind the bar?" His eyes went to her right hand, still deep in her purse. They were the only part of him that moved. His own hand must have yearned to go to the bulge in his pants she had seen earlier the one a few inches from his erection but it didn't even twitch. She was impressed. "You heat?" "No," she said. "And I'll never lie to you, either. Not anymore. Sound like a plan?" It was his turn to take his time making up his mind. "Yeah," he said finally. "I guess it does. When did you tip?" file:///G|/Program%20Files/eMule/Incoming/S...on%20-%20The%20Mind%203%20-%20Lifehouse.htm (130 of 430) [10/16/2004 3:06:15 PM] Robinson, Spider - The Mind 3 - Lifehouse [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |