(eng) Mike Resnick - Velvet Comet 01 by Eros Ascending

Author:Eros Ascending [Ascending, Eros]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

When Redwine awoke, the Leather Madonna was no longer in bed with him. He tried three closets before he found the one that held his clothes. He pulled out one of his gray business outfits, then changed his mind and decided to wear something a little more colorful instead, and discovered to his surprise that he didn’t own any colorful clothing. He made a mental note to stop by one of the shops in the Mall and purchase something that would put a little life in his wardrobe, then set his chosen outfit on the bed while he shaved and showered.

After getting dressed he made a quick tour of the apartment, and wasn’t especially surprised to find that the Madonna was gone, probably off solving another of the daily problems that never seemed to diminish in frequency. He found a container of coffee warming in the kitchen, poured himself a cup, and finally went to the office to see if he could discover her whereabouts with the computer, and possibly join her.

He was four steps into the room when he noticed the chess set. He had given it to her just before they had gone to sleep, and she had seemed quite overwhelmed by it—but it wasn’t until now, when he saw that she had actually taken the opposing forces out of their ornate container and set them up on the table, that he was convinced that she liked them as much as she had said she did. She had re-polished each piece before leaving the apartment—though they certainly didn’t need it—and he had to admit to himself that they looked right in their new setting.

He walked over to the table, sat down on one of the chairs, and spent the next few minutes once again admiring the thirty-two pieces. He still didn’t know what they had cost him, but if they made her happy they were worth it whatever the price.

He was still sitting there, sipping his coffee and re-examining one of the knights, an intricate sculpture of an armored warrior on a charging stallion, lance at the ready, the horse’s mane and tail whipping in an imaginary wind, when a beeping sound told him someone was at the door. He commanded it to open.

“Where’s the Madonna?” asked Suma, entering the office as the door slid shut behind her.

Redwine shrugged. “I haven’t the slightest idea.”

“Then what are you doing here?”

“Drinking coffee,” he replied. “What about you?”

“I have to talk to her.” Suma stared at him for a moment, then grinned. “You’ve moved in with her, haven’t you?”

“Yes, I have.”

“Your taste hasn’t improved any,” she said with barely concealed contempt. “Of all the whores on the Comet, why her?”

“I don’t see that it’s any of your business,” replied Redwine irritably.

“Is it because she’s the madam?” persisted Suma.

Redwine merely stared at her without answering.

“It sure as hell isn’t because she’s the best in bed—or have you forgotten already?”

“She’s good enough for me,” said Redwine, surprised that he felt as defensive as he sounded.

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