[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.”With a muttered “Yessir,” Retting vanished like smoke.Susan grimaced.She’d been right; days when she overslept never did go right for her.She fell behind on every project with no hope of catching up.It made her clumsy and ill-tempered.Witness poor Retting’s dressing-down.From the carefully averted eyes in C and C she guessed her rep had gone from Iron Lady to Iron Bitch.Oh well, at least I’ll start getting decent reports.For a while.And having the Commander in a bad mood should put everybody on their toes.She scanned the traffic board, as had become her habit since Larkin’s arrival.A powered-down Centauri freighter was just sitting in the middle of an approach lane, apparently drifting.“Larkin!” she snapped, furious at his inattention.“What is that Centauri doing out there?”“Sorry, Commander,” he said in a high, tight voice.“She developed a glitch in one of her steering jets and their main gyro went down.They swore they’d have both on-line in under ten minutes, so rather than send a tug I gave them a green on that.They’ve seven minutes remaining.I’ve redirected other traffic and set up a warning.”Oh.“Very good, Larkin.But you’re also supposed to send a message to my board.”“Yessir.” The message appeared.Not bad for two minutes’ work, Ivanova thought.Maybe you’ll work out after all.“Thank you, Larkin,” she said aloud.“You’re welcome, Sir,” he said in a curiously dead tone.Ivanova raised one brow and glanced over her shoulder.That was bold.She’d marked Larkin down for the self-effacing type.But then, she thought regretfully, when I’m in a bad mood, so’s everybody else.*Larkin’s heart burned within him and every muscle in his body had stiffened with his fury.He drew his breath in several great, tearing gulps and he could almost hear his teeth crack as he clenched his jaw.How dare she? How could she humiliate me like that? Knowing that no one here, not even her perfect self, could have handled that any better.She knows she’s wrong.But does she apologize? Oh no.Can’t do that.Who’d respect her afterward? Gotta look good at all times, don’t we, dar-lin’? Especially after dumping on everybody within reach.His internal tirade had soothed his temper somewhat.It was hard not to smile as he thought, That little valentine I left on your doorstep must have really gotten to you, sweetheart.Didn’t it? If she thought that was something… Oh, baby, wait for the next one.*“My dear Ms.MacBride.” Londo swept down on Semana where she sat at a cafe table.“May I join you for just a moment?” Assuming the request was a mere formality, he seated himself, rewarding her with a smile.“Actually, Ambassador, I am expecting someone.” Semana looked embarrassed and her voice was warm and tinged with regret.“Ah, well, I can’t stay but a moment,” he said, as though, despite his own wishes, it was the best he could do for her.“I wanted to discuss a matter of business with you.”Semana raised a well-pruned brow and slowly drew a tiny? calendar-comp from her purse.“Shall we make an appointment?”“Dinner?” he asked.She considered him for a moment, then consulted her calendar.“Tsk!” she cocked her head prettily.“Tonight I have an appointment.But I’m free from seven to eight.I could join you for cocktails.” She looked at him inquiringly.“By all means,” Londo said graciously.“I simply cannot wait.Perhaps after our discussion you’ll find room in your calendar for dinner with me.The casino?” he suggested.“I look forward to it,” she said and offered him her hand.He brought it to his lips as though it were an exceedingly rare and delicate flower and kissed her fingertips lightly, his eyes never leaving hers.“Tonight,” he murmured, and he was gone.Semana allowed herself a grin; after all, that could be mistaken for pleasure.But she suppressed the torrent of laughter bubbling within, which could never be mistaken for anything but purest amusement.What was that? she thought merrily.There’s one boy who’s been watching too many bad vids from Earth.Tonight! indeed.Her dark eyes snapped with laughter.I wonder what he wants?It sure wasn’t what that soulful gaze at parting hinted.His purpose seemed much too direct to be mistaken for wooing.Particularly by a Centauri.They conquered women just as ruthlessly as they did planets, but with far more finesse.Maybe she should have spoken to him.It wasn’t like she was busy.She pursed her lips.Nah.The worst thing you can do with the Centauri is make things convenient for them.So, cocktails at seven, Narn at eight.CHAPTER 12Semana was very demure tonight.If a shapely young woman in a tight red dress can be called such a name.It covered her from neck to ankles, flaring out just past the knees, and the sleeves were full length also [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

zanotowane.pl

doc.pisz.pl

pdf.pisz.pl

listy-do-eda.opx.pl