Атлант расправил плечи

           Herheadwasclosetohis,hishairbrushinghercheek,andsheknewthatneitherofthemwouldmovehisfacethatonebreathcloser.Itwasasudden,stunnedstateofquietdrunkenness,completeinitself,theirhairmingledliketheraysoftwobodiesinspacethathadachievedtheirmeeting,shesawthathewalkedwithhiseyesclosed,asifevensightwouldnowbeanintrusion.

           Heenteredthehouse,andashemovedacrossthelivingroom,hedidnotlooktohisleftandneitherdidshe,butsheknewthatbothofthemwereseeingthedooronhisleftthatledtohisbedroom.Hewalkedthelengthofthedarknesstothewedgeofmoonlightthatfellacrosstheguest-roombed,heplacedherdownuponit,shefeltaninstant’spauseofhishandsstillholdinghershoulderandwaistline,andwhenhishandsleftherbody,sheknewthatthemomentwasover.

           Hesteppedbackandpressedaswitch,surrenderingtheroomtotheharshlypublicglareoflight.Hestoodstill,asifdemandingthatshelookathim,hisfaceexpectantandstern.

           "Haveyouforgottenthatyouwantedtoshootmeonsight?"heasked.

           Itwastheunprotectedstillnessofhisfigurethatmadeitreal.Theshudderthatthrewheruprightwaslikeacryofterroranddenial;butsheheldhisglanceandansweredevenly,"That’strue.Idid."

           "Thenstandbyit.