"slaughter, karin - Indelible" - читать интересную книгу автора (Slaughter Karin)

УI don't know,Ф he told her, his tone soinething of an apology. УI'm tired of being tied to that string you just yank when you feel lonely.Ф

She opened her mouth but could not speak.

He shook his head, apologizing. УI didn't mean that.Ф

УYou think I'm here making a fool of myself because I'm lonely?Ф

УI don't know anything right now, except that I've got a lot of work to do.Ф He held out his hand. УCan I have my pen back?Ф

She gripped it tightly. УI want to be with you.Ф

УYou're with me now,Ф he said, reaching over to retrieve his pen.

She put her other hand around his, holding him there.

I miss you,Ф she said. УI miss being with you.Ф

He gave a halfhearted shrug, but did not pull away.

She pressed her lips to his fingers, smelling ink and the oatmeal lotion he used when he thought no one was looking. УI miss your hands.Ф

He kept staring.

She brushed his thumb with her lips. УDon't you miss me?Ф

He tilted his head to the side, giving another indefinite shrug.

УI want to be with you. I want to. . ...Ф She looked over her shoulder again, making certain no one was there. She lowered her voice to barely more than a whisper and offered to do something with him that any self-respecting prostitute would charge double for.

Jeffrey's lips parted, shock registering in his eyes. His hand tightened around hers. УYou stopped doing that when we got married.Ф

УWell...Ф She smiled. УWe're not married anymore, are we?Ф

He scerned to be thinking it over when a loud knock came at the open door. It might as well have been a gunshot from Jeffrey's reaction.

He jerked his hand back and stood up.

Frank Wallace, Jeffrey's second in command, said, УSorry.Ф

Jeffrey let his irritation show, though Sara could not guess if it was for her or Frank's benefit. УWhat is it?Ф

Frank glanced at the phone on the wall and stated the obvious.

УYour extension's off the hook.Ф

Jeffrey waited.

УMarla told me to tell you there's some kid in the lobby asking for you.Ф He took out his handkerchief and wiped his forehead. УHey, Sara.Ф