"Andrew J. Offutt - Spaceways 14 - Assignment Hellhole" - читать интересную книгу автора (Offutt Andrew J)

office. "Gahmsin's on the way. They just broadcast the word. Sounded a little
ashamed of themselves, too." "Kali take me if they shouldn't!" Alanni turned
off the tractor's engine. "Tilno in sight yet?" "Neg." "Good. I'm going to
shower and change. If he comes before I'm through, plant him by the
pool." 5 "Will do." Alanni headed for the house. Originally the place was a
rich merchant's country retreat. It possessed a few features one hardly
expected on a working farm-the pool, for instance. Also a master suite with
opaquable windoors opening onto a balcony, and a spiral staircase from the
balcony down to the pool. Balcony, staircase, and the suite's paneling were
all exotic woods from at least a dozen different planets. Alanni discovered a
new one about once a month. Most of the other luxuries were the kind that
showed money rather than good taste. All had come with the house- once the
merchant went bankrupt and had to sell out-and most of them left immediately.
Alanni cleared half a year's income on the sale, although she'd been tempted
to use some of the intriguingly distasteful furniture and rugs for landfill.
She still couldn't forget the bow-curved divan, with what must have been
intended as erotic carvings all over it. She and Tilno had tried to soar on it
only once. He'd got the droops and hadn't recovered until they had pulled the
cushions off onto the floor and tried again. Thinking of Tilno brought back
the question of why he was coming over. She scanned it from several angles
while she climbed the stairs and from several more as she broke clothing
melds, dumped the sweaty clothes and climbed into the shower. She really hoped
he wasn't coming to propose again. That would make five times. She wanted to
think better of Tilno than she could of a man who couldn't take five no's as
an answer. Or maybe he thought he could change her mind if he kept nibbling
away at her like a root-grubber? That would be even worse. And there's another
question too, O woman of pride. What is it, O ill-natured not-still-enough
inner voice of so-called wisdom? Why won't you marry him? Because he's
grateful to me, damn it. Oh? What's wrong with that? When you broke up the
Gryphon's House gang, you let his son go. The boy was just 6 along for the
fun, you thought-and it seems you were right. The man should be grateful! He
is. He's also interesting to look at, intelligent, witty, charming, rich, no
more than half again your age, and incredibly sexy. Good at it, too. The
showering Alanni rolled her eyes and this time answered that mental "voice"
aloud: "Don't remind me about that!" Her plea was much too late. The water
trickling down her belly and between her thighs suddenly took on the feel of
Tilno's mouth. Those lips had often followed the same path. She growled low
and far back in her throat, knowing that her nipples were hardening, and swore
at her inner voice. He's all of those things, true, but he's not in love with
me. At least not enough really to want me around all the time, day and
night. That's important? Yes, you idiot! Lord of Light, I asked for a
conscience and what did you send me? No, don't answer that! If I don't know by
 Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html



now I never will. And you might not want him around all day and night
either? Suddenly her Voice was saying something useful. Alanni realized she
really didn't like the idea of the way she used most of her time depending on
another person. Tilno wouldn't be whimsical or cruel or selfish, but he would