The Primitive by E. C. Tubb

Author:E. C. Tubb [Tubb, E. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780575107625
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2011-09-29T07:00:00+00:00

SIX

In the dimness she was a pearly gleam with midnight hair and arms like blind worms as they rose to clasp him about the neck. Her body was soft and warm, a symphony of curves yielding as they pressed, breasts and stomach and thighs, matching the softness of her lips as they sought his own with demanding insistence. Unresponsive, he lay supine, staring at the ceiling, conscious of her warmth and perfume, detachedly aware of the arrogance of her flesh.

‘Leon!’ Her nails dug into his back. ‘You insensitive beast!’

‘Is that all I am?’

‘No. You’re a gorgeous handsome, wonderful man, and I love you very much.’

Her hands moved, caressing his face, his hair, the slope of his shoulders and chest. Hair brushed against his cheek and one long thigh rose to press against the lower portions of his body. Her breathing came faster as her passion mounted and, he knew, soon that passion would be converted into anger if it continued to be frustrated by his indifference. At eighteen, Malinda Dee Strenach had not yet learned to be tolerant.

‘Leon!’ Again her nails dug into his flesh. ‘Leon!’

He turned and reached for her, satisfying her demands with mechanical precision. She sighed and relaxed, snuggling against him, one hand lifted to stroke his cheek.

‘Darling,’ she whispered. ‘You’re such a wonderful lover. You make it last so long.’

‘That’s because I’m insensitive.’

‘Really?’

‘It’s something I picked up when young. A poison which almost killed me. It affected my sensory nerves so that I require greater stimulation than a normal man. It’s getting worse and one day will kill me.’

‘Leon!’ She rose and stared down at him. ‘You’re joking!’

‘No.’

‘You have to be! Please! Tell me you’re joking!’

‘All men have to die, darling, including me.’ He smiled and saw her face relax. ‘But it won’t happen for a long time yet. Do you still want to marry me?’

‘Of course, darling, but –’

‘But the Family won’t let you,’ he interrupted. ‘You know it and so you didn’t ask.’ His voice sharpened a little. ‘You didn’t, did you?’

Malinda shook her head, hair wreathing her cheeks, falling over her shoulders and almost covering her breasts. She had nice hair and a nice body. He touched it, kissed certain sensitive areas, smiled and withdrew as she reached towards him.

‘You’re insatiable. Didn’t anyone ever tell you that a lady shouldn’t be so hungry for love?’

‘No, why should they?’

‘Because a good salesman never gives too freely of his wares.’

‘You –’ He caught her hand as it swung towards his cheek. ‘You – barbarian She smiled to show she wasn’t really annoyed. ‘You traders are all the same. Everything has to be costed on a profit basis, including love. Why can’t you learn that some things have no price? I love you. I’m willing to give you everything you want – I do give you everything you want and, in return, you insult me. Sometimes I wish I’d never met you.’

But that was a lie and they both knew it. She had fired herself at

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