Eros Ascending: Book 1 of Tales of the Velvet Comet Read Free

the millions of tiny scales dazzlingly reflected the light of the room. Her only other items of apparel were long leather gloves and a pair of calf-high boots that possessed spiked heels. She wore no jewelry except for a pair of delicate wire earrings that sounded like tiny chimes when she moved her head.
    She used very little makeup, nor did she require much. Her green eyes appraised him frankly, and finally she extended her hand. He took it, and was surprised by the strength of her grip.
    “You're Harry Redwine?” she asked.
    “Right. And you are...?”
    “You know perfectly well who I am, Mr. Redwine.”
    “True,” he admitted. “But I'm not quite sure what to call you. The only name I could get from our comptroller was the Leather Madonna.”
    “Well, then you do know what to call me after all, don't you?”
    Redwine saw a grin of amusement spread across Suma's face, and decided to change the subject. “Where did you find the table?” he asked.
    “On a colony world near the Spica system,” she replied, absently stroking the polished wood. “I spent seven years looking for something of that quality.”
    “Where are the pieces?”
    “There aren't any.”
    “A chess table with no pieces?” he said with a smile.
    “When I find a set that's worthy of the table, I'll buy it.”
    “What do you use in the meantime?”
    She raised her head and met his gaze. “I don't play chess, Mr. Redwine.”
    “Strictly a collector, eh?”
    “No,” she responded. “I just don't play games that I can't win.”
    “Pity,” he said.
    “You disapprove?”
    “Not at all,” said Redwine. “I just liked it better when I thought I was the only one who felt that way.”
    “Well,” she said, turning to him, “I don't imagine you're here to talk about chess tables.” She gestured toward a couch. “Won't you sit down?”
    He did so, and she walked around the chrome table and seated herself on the opposite couch.
    “Can Suma get you a drink before she leaves, Mr. Redwine?”
    He turned to Suma. “I'll have a whiskey, no ice, no water.”
    “And the usual for me,” added the Leather Madonna.
    Suma quickly poured his drink and then set about mixing some concoction for the Madonna in a long-stemmed crystal glass. As he waited for her to finish, Redwine turned his attention back to the Leather Madonna and tried to estimate her age. It was more difficult than he anticipated, and he finally concluded that she was in her late thirties, give or take a decade.
    “Thank you,” said the Leather Madonna when Suma finally handed her an iced, bluish drink.
    “Come back in about two hours.”
    Suma nodded, gave Redwine his glass, and left the room.
    “I don't think we'll have two hours’ worth of things to discuss today,” offered Redwine.
    “I quite agree,” she replied. She took a small sip of her drink, and placed the glass down on the tabletop.
    “I trust everyone has treated you courteously since your arrival?”
    “Absolutely,” said Redwine leaning back and extending his arms along the top of the couch. “It's been the most courteous runaround I've ever experienced.”
    She smiled, unperturbed. “Well, you must admit that your particular needs are not those we're used to serving.”
    “Lady, I'm just an accountant trying to do my job.”
    Her green eyes scrutinized him for a long moment.
    “You're too modest, Mr. Redwine,” she said at last. “Somehow I feel you have many other talents.”
    He shrugged noncommittally. “Well, maybe one or two,” he replied, wondering exactly how much she knew about him. “But one of the talents I seem to lack is the ability to gain access to the material I need.”
    “I thought you might be tired after your trip,” explained the Leather Madonna. “Otherwise, I would have had everything ready and waiting for you.”
    He gave her a look of open disbelief.
    “You seem dubious, Mr. Redwine,” she noted.
    “True. But I'm willing to be shown the error of my ways,” he said.