tan of her cheeks, he almost ran to her and seized her with a suppressed
violence.
Wow/ she whispered huskily. Who is a hungry baby, then. And they
tumbled on to the bed clinging to each other with a need that was almost
desperation.
Afterwards they did not turn the light on in the room that had gone dark
except for the dim light of the street lamps filtered by the curtains
and reflected off the ceiling.
What was that all about? she asked, then snuggled against his chest,
not that I'm complaining, mind you. I've had a hell of a day.
I needed you, badly. You saw Duncan Alexander? I saw Duncan. Did you
settle? No. There was never really any chance. I'm hungry/ she said.
Your loving always makes me hungry. So he put on his pants and went
down to the Italian restaurant at the corner for pizzas. They ate them
in bed with a white Chianti from whisky tumblers, and when she was
finished, she sighed and said: Nicholas, I have to go home. You can't
go/ he protested instantly.
I have work to do - also. But/ he felt a physical nausea at the thought
of losing her, but you can't go before the hearing. Why not? It would
be the worst possible luck, you are my fortune. A sort of good-luck
charm? She pulled a face. Is that all I'm good for? You are good for
many things. May I demonstrate one of them? 'Oh, yes please. An hour
later Nick went for more pizzas.
You have to stay until the 27th/he said with his mouth full.
Darling Nicholas, I just don't know You can ring them, tell them your
aunt died, that you are getting married. Even if I were getting
married, it wouldn't lessen the importance of my work. I think you know
that is something I will never give up. Yes, I do know, but it's only a
couple of days more. All right, I'll call Tom Parker tomorrow. Then
she grinned at him. Don't look like that. I'll be just across the
Atlantic, we'll be virtually next-door neighbours. 'Call him now. It's
lunchtime in Florida. She spoke for twenty minutes, wheedling and
charming, while the blood-curdling transatlantic rumblings on the
receiver slowly muted to reluctant and resigned mutterings.
You're going to get me into trouble one of these days, Nicholas Berg/she
told him primly as she hung up.
Now there is a happy thought/Nick agreed, and she hit him with her
pillow.
The telephone rang at two minutes past nine the next morning. They were
in the bath together and Nicholas swore and went through naked and
steaming and dripping suds.
Mr. Berg? James Teacher's voice was sharp and businesslike. You were
right, Christy Marine petitioned for postponement of hearing late
yesterday afternoon. How long? Nicholas snapped.
Ninety days. The bastard/grunted Nick. What grounds? They want time
to prepare their submission. Block them/Nick instructed.
I have a meeting with the Secretary at eleven. I'm going to ask for an
immediate preliminary hearing to set down and confirm the return date.
Get him before the arbitrators/ said Nick.
We'll get him. Samantha welcomed him back to the tub by drawing her
