Body Rides by Richard Laymon Read Free Book Online Page B

head.
    She smiled. ‘Anyway, don’t worry about it. Why don’t you come over here and sit down?’
    Carrying his drink, he stepped around the bar. He followed Elise to the sofa. She sat on it, switched the glass to her other hand, and patted the cushion by her side. ‘Right here,’ she said.
    Neal sat beside her, but a little farther away than she’d indicated.
    She turned toward him, lifting her arm onto the back of the sofa and sliding her right leg onto the cushion. She bent her leg at the knee, and tucked its foot beneath her left knee.
    She raised her glass. ‘A toast,’ she said. ‘To a fate worse than death, and the fellow who saved me from it.’
    ‘Well . . .’
    She clinked her glass against his, then took a drink. ‘Mmmm. Very good.’
    Neal tasted some of his, then took a large swallow. He sighed. ‘Does hit the spot,’ he said.
    ‘Now, down to business.’
    ‘There isn’t any business, Elise. Really. I don’t want a reward. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time, and things worked out. I’m really glad I saved you. I mean, I think you’re . . . a very nice woman.’
    She grinned. ‘Nice?’
    ‘Hell, you’re terrific.’
    ‘Thank you.’
    ‘So, I mean, saving you was its own reward. You know what I mean?’
    ‘I know. But I’m not going to let it go at that.’
    ‘You can’t make me take anything.’
    ‘I’m not going to try. I already told you that. But everything is yours, when you want it. And I intend to write a will . . .’
    ‘No, don’t. My God.’
    ‘That’s all right, I don’t plan to die in the near future.’
    ‘You can’t put me in your will .’
    ‘Sure I can. And I will . That’s why they call it a “will.”’
    ‘No, jeez.’
    ‘Don’t sweat it, I might even outlive you. How old are you, anyway?’
    ‘Twenty-eight.’
    ‘I’m thirty-two, so . . .’
    ‘You are?’
    ‘I know, I’m well preserved.’
    ‘My God. I would’ve thought twenty-five.’
    ‘Thanks, I guess. Anyway, I don’t have any family. You’re the most important person in my life, Neal.’
    ‘The most . . .? No. Come on. Maybe I seem that way tonight, but . . .’
    ‘You saved me,’ she said with a sudden fierce urgency. ‘Don’t you get it? I’d be toast right now . . . or maybe screaming my head off and wishing I was dead. He would’ve killed me, sooner or later. No question about it. I’d be dead. So this is the thing: I’d have nothing if it weren’t for you. No house, no bank accounts, no jewelry, no future, nothing. No me. So it’s all yours.’
    ‘But I don’t want . . .’
    ‘I know, I know. And I understand that, and I accept it. You don’t have to take anything. But everything is yours, regardless. Everything.’
    His mouth suddenly felt awfully dry. He took another drink. ‘You don’t mean . . .’ He couldn’t say it.
    ‘Me?’
    He nodded.
    ‘Of course.’
    He heard himself moan.
    Elise’s smile returned. ‘Don’t worry about it. If you’re in love with Marta . . . just figure you’ve always got me in reserve, if you want me.’
    ‘You gotta be kidding,’ he mumbled.
    ‘I think you know better than that.’
    ‘You don’t even know me.’
    ‘I know enough,’ she said. ‘I’m yours – if and when you want me.’
    Elise took another drink, then leaned out toward the coffee table and set down her glass. ‘Everything that’s mine is yours,’ she said. ‘Whenever you want it. But I would like you to have this tonight.’
    She slipped the gold bracelet off her hand, and held it toward him.
    A snake – a single, thick coil of intricately detailed gold, the head swallowing the tail. The eyes of the snake were a pair of brilliant green gems. Emeralds?
    Neal shook his head. ‘No, no. I can’t take that.’
    ‘It’s the most valuable thing I have.’
    ‘All the more reason.’
    ‘Put out your hand.’
    ‘Elise.’
    ‘Please. For me.’
    ‘What am I supposed to tell Marta, she sees me with a thing like