Атлант расправил плечи

           Heseizedherwrist,pulledherdown,swungherbodytoliestretchedfull-lengthontopofhim,heheldherstill,uncomfortably,asshehadfallen,hisonehandinherhair,pressinghermouthtohis,hisotherhandmovingfromtheshoulderbladesunderherthinblousetoherwaist,toherlegs.Shewhispered,"AndyousayIdon’tneedyou...!"

           Shepulledherselfawayfromhim,andstoodup,brushingherhairoffherface.Helaystill,lookingupather,hiseyesnarrowed,thebrightflickerofsomeparticularinterestinhiseyes,intentandfaintlymocking.Sheglanceddown:astrapofhersliphadbroken,thesliphungdiagonallyfromheroneshouldertoherside,andhewaslookingatherbreastunderthetransparentfilmoftheblouse.Sheraisedherhandtoadjustthestrap.Heslappedherhanddown.Shesmiled,inunderstanding,inansweringmockery.Shewalkedslowly,deliberatelyacrosstheroomandleanedagainstatable,facinghim,herhandsholdingthetable’sedge,hershouldersthrownback.Itwasthecontrastheliked—theseverityofherclothesandthehalf-nakedbody,therailroadexecutivewhowasawomanheowned.

           Hesatup;hesatleaningcomfortablyacrossthecouch,hislegscrossedandstretchedforward,hishandsinhispockets,lookingatherwiththeglanceofapropertyappraisal.

           "DidyousayyouwantedatranscontinentaltrackofReardenMetal,Mr.Vice-President?"heasked.