the Grifters (1990) by Jim Thompson

Author:Jim Thompson [Thompson, Jim]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-03-14T23:15:00.515000+00:00

"Are you kidding? I've seen the way you looked at that simpering little simp of a nurse! Either you're losing your grip, or you think she's too good to tumble. She is, but I'm not!"

"Oh, for God's sake . . ." He reddened. "Look, I'm sorry about today. If there was any way I could get rid of her without hurting her feelings . . ."

"Naturally, you couldn't do that. Oh, no!"

"Let's just say that I wouldn't do it then," he said, tiring of apology.

"Well, forget it." She picked up her gloves, and stood up. "If it suits you, it suits me."

He followed her out into the hallway, trying to smooth over the rift without unbending too far. Liking her, desiring her more than he ever had, yet wary as always of any tightening of her hold upon him.

"I'll be out of here any day, now," he assured her. "I'm probably a hell of a lot more anxious than you are.

"Well . . ." She smiled tentatively, the dark eyes searching his face. "I'm not so sure of that."

"You'll see. Maybe we can go to La Jolla this weekend."

"Just maybe?"

"I'm practically sure of it," he said. "I'll give you a ring, hmm?"

So he had got things straightened out, for a time, at least, and after a fashion. But he had gotten nothing in return, nothing but the status quo, and unsatisfied desire squirmed in him relentlessly. Something was going to have to give, he told himself. With Moira's presence still lingering with him, with Carol so readily accessible

Carol. He wondered just what he should do about her anyway. Or whether he should do anything about her. She looked completely virginal, and if she was, that was that. She'd remain that way, as far as he was concerned. But looks could be deceptive; and sometimes, when she consented to a kiss and she clung to him for a moment, well, he wasn't so sure about her status. Was, in fact, almost positive that he had judged it wrongly.

And in that case, of course . . .

She came in from the kitchen, bearing two creamtopped parfait glasses. He accepted one of them, and she sat down with the other. Smiling, he watched as she dipped into it, wanting to sweep her up in his arms and give her a hearty squeeze.

"Good?" he said.

"Wonderful!" she exclaimed enthusiastically. Then, looking up at him, pinking with self-consciousness. "All the time here, I am eating! You think I am such a pig, yes?"

Roy laughed. "If they made pigs like you, I'd start raising them. How about eating mine, too?"

"But it is yours. More I could not possibly eat!"

"Sure you can," he said, swinging his legs off the bed. "Will you come into the bedroom when you're through?"

"I will come now. You want your rubdown, yes?"

"No, no," he said quickly. "There's no hurry. Finish your ice cream first."

He crossed the deeply carpeted living room and entered the bedroom. Entering the bedroom, he hesitated for a long moment, almost deciding to stop now while he could.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.