Ход королевы
Chapter 9
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Helookedatherforamomentandsmiled.Histeethweren’treallysobad.“Ithoughtyou’dneverask,”hesaid.
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Shehadnotbeensoimmersedinchesssinceshewasalittlegirl.Beltikwasinclassthreeafternoonsaweekandtwomornings,andshespentthattimestudyinghisbooks.Sheplayedmentallythroughgameaftergame,learningnewvariations,seeingstylisticdifferencesinoffenseanddefense,bitingherlipsometimesinexcitementoveradazzlingmoveorasubtletyofposition,andatothertimesweariedbyasenseofthehopelessdepthofchess,ofitsendlessness,moveaftermove,threatafterthreat,complicationaftercomplication.Shehadheardofthegeneticcodethatcouldshapeaneyeorhandfrompassingproteins.Deoxyribonucleicacid.Itcontainedtheentiresetofinstructionsforconstructingarespiratorysystemandadigestiveone,aswellasthegripofaninfant’shand.Chesswaslikethat.Thegeometryofapositioncouldbereadandrereadandnotexhaustedofpossibility.Yousawdeeplyintothislayerofit,buttherewasanotherlayerbeyondthat,andanother.
Sex,withitsreputationforcomplexity,wasrefreshinglysimple.AtleastforBethandHarry.Theywereinbedtogetheronhissecondnightinthehouse.Ittooktenminutesandwaspunctuatedbyafewsharpintakesofbreath.Shehadnoorgasm,andhiswasrestrained.Afterwardhewenttohisbedinheroldroomandsheslepteasily,fallingasleeptoimagesnotoflovebutofwoodencountersonawoodenboard.
