Читать книгу An Affair of State онлайн

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But it really wasn't that long.

Some time later--it must have been much later for the traffic noises were infrequent outside on the avenue--he awoke and started to rise. Her arm was across his shoulders, and the arm pressed him back. He lay still for a moment, reveling in the delicious relaxation, and her nearness, and his pride of mastery and possession. Then he said, "I'm hungry. I want a cigarette."

"Hush," she said. "In a while."

"What time is it?"

"About one."

"Six hours more. I don't want to go."

"Less than six. We'll have to leave here at five if you're going to make that plane."

"I'm hungry," he insisted. "I was planning to take you to Hall's again tonight."

"I made sandwiches," she said. "Wrapped them in wax paper so they'd be fresh."

"How did you know we weren't going to eat out?"

She put her head on his chest and laughed. "Do you want whiskey," she asked, "or milk?"

"Both."

Then for a time it was Susan who slept while he remained awake. He propped his head on one hand, and smoked, and looked down on her, breathing slowly and quietly, her skin pale ivory in the reflected light of stars and street lamps.