"Ian R. MacLeod - Nina" - читать интересную книгу автора (Macleod Ian R)

given,
and had instantly thrown away, the way he did with all business cards.

"Just some guy came this mornings" he said, pushing the cloth back into the
pocket of his baggy shorts. "Trying to sell fabric, I think. He gave me a
sample
and I sent him away." Max didn't add that Nina had been singing in the shower
at
the time, that seeing her coming out gleaming wet, all perfection in the
bright
perfect morning with a towel around her hair, was always enough to make his
heart ache, that it was a sight he wasn't prepared to share with any other
man.

Max watched Nina. He knew there was no way of telling her how much love he
felt
without sounding like a fool.
Nina's hazel eyes were drawn away from his and across the square by the barp
of
a scooter horn.

The young man pulled up. He killed the scooter's engine.

"Good morning, Sir." He flashed a smile at Max, his shorts showing the muscles
of his thighs. His name, Max remembered, was Vernon.

Vernon turned to Nina. "You got back all right from the casino last night?"

"Of course. But it's sweet of you to ask."

"You know, Sir," Vernon said to Max, "You're the luckiest man on the island.
You
have the most beautiful wife."

"I know," Max said. He hated it when Vernon called him Sir.

"Sir," Vernon continued, "you should have stayed at the casino last night.
With
your beautiful wife. A great time was had by all."

"Sure," Max said, folding his paper. "But we'll look after our own lives,
thanks."

"Do you have anything exciting fixed for today, Sir?"

"Well, of course," Max said. "We're off to the viewpoint, the top of the
island."

"Not to be missed," Vernon said, smiling widely through his tan. He started up
his scooter. "I'm sure you'll both have fun."