Ход королевы
Chapter 11
Shefeltself-consciousatfirstandafraidofwakinghim;shesatupcarefully,leaningherbackagainstthewall.Beinginbedwithamanwasreallyallright.Makinglovehadbeenallrighttoo,althoughnotasexcitingasshehadhoped.Bennyhadn’tsaidmuch.Hewasgentleandeasywithher,buttherewasstillthatdistanceofhis.Sherememberedaphrasefromthefirstmanshehadmadelovewith:“Toocerebral.”SheturnedtowardBenny.Hisskindidlookgoodinthelight;itseemedalmostluminous.Foramomentshefeltlikeputtingherarmsaroundhimandhugginghimwithhernakedbody,butsherestrainedherself.
EventuallyBennywoke,rolledoveronhisbackandblinkedather.Shehadthesheetup,coveringherbreasts.Afteramomentshesaid,“Goodmorning.”
Heblinkedagain.“Youshouldn’ttrytheSicilianagainstBorgov,”hesaid.“He’sjusttoogoodatit.”
TheyspentthemorningwithtwoLuchenkogames;Bennyputtheemphasisonstrategyratherthantactics.Hewasinacheerfulmood,butBethfeltsomehowresentful.Shewantedsomethingmoreinthewayoflovemaking,oratleastinintimacy,andBennywaslecturingher.“You’reaborntactician,”hesaid,“butyourplanningisjerry-built.”Shesaidnothinganddealtwithherannoyanceaswellasshecould.Whathewassayingwastrueenough,butthepleasurehetookinpointingitoutwasirritating.
Atnoonhesaid,“I’vegottogettoapokergame.”
Shelookedupfromthepositionshehadjustanalyzed.“Apokergame?”
“Ihavetopaytherent.”
Thatwasastonishing.
