his opinion, as the light of Shiva.
Reggie shook his head. "You are outrageous, girl." He held his hand out to her, and Mercedes stepped close. Reggie continued, "Take me to milady's apartment," he said with appropriate haughtiness.
"No way, mister." The tone was still laughing, but the message was serious. "This here taxi service takes you to your motel." Mercedes stepped closer, so close, but not touching. " 'Milady' has to work tomorrow, and she needs to be undisturbed."
Reggie sighed. "I suppose I can understand that." Unable to restrain himself in such close proximity, he reached suddenly around her head, grasped her hair in his hands, and pulled her in for a kiss. "For luck," he explained.
She responded with surprised pleasure, then stopped. They stood together, holding hands, looking up into the face of night.
Chapter Ten
The Alabaster Hall
True love was a rare thing, and Anatoly Vinogrado understood just how incredibly lucky he was to have had two loves in his life. His first love was, of course, his wife. But his new love, his new mistress, was every bit as special to him. He loved his Mark VIII HellBenders.
He'd loved them when he first ran the sims of them in action, so fast and agile. Now he loved them even more, watching them in their elusive grace, driving home to Shiva. Somehow, Shiva was having trouble tracking
Reggie shook his head. "You are outrageous, girl." He held his hand out to her, and Mercedes stepped close. Reggie continued, "Take me to milady's apartment," he said with appropriate haughtiness.
"No way, mister." The tone was still laughing, but the message was serious. "This here taxi service takes you to your motel." Mercedes stepped closer, so close, but not touching. " 'Milady' has to work tomorrow, and she needs to be undisturbed."
Reggie sighed. "I suppose I can understand that." Unable to restrain himself in such close proximity, he reached suddenly around her head, grasped her hair in his hands, and pulled her in for a kiss. "For luck," he explained.
She responded with surprised pleasure, then stopped. They stood together, holding hands, looking up into the face of night.
Chapter Ten
The Alabaster Hall
True love was a rare thing, and Anatoly Vinogrado understood just how incredibly lucky he was to have had two loves in his life. His first love was, of course, his wife. But his new love, his new mistress, was every bit as special to him. He loved his Mark VIII HellBenders.
He'd loved them when he first ran the sims of them in action, so fast and agile. Now he loved them even more, watching them in their elusive grace, driving home to Shiva. Somehow, Shiva was having trouble tracking