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“Eve, darling, it’s a machine. It does not think.”
“Ever hear of artificial intelligence, ace?”
“Not in a vending machine that dispenses chocolate bars.”
He made the selection for her.
YOU HAVE SELECTED THE EIGHT-OUNCE ROYAL CHOCOLATE DREAM BAR. THIS FOOD PRODUCE CONTAINS SIXTY-EIGHT CALORIES AND TWO POINT ONE GRAMS OF FAT. ITS INGREDIENTS INCLUDE SOY AND SOY BYPRODUCTS, NONDAIRY MILK SUBSTITUTE, THE CHEMICAL SWEETNER TRADEMARKED AS SWEET-T, AND THE TRADEMARKED CHOCOLATE SUBSTITUTE CHOC-O-LIKE.
“Sounds just yummy,” Roarke said and retrieved the bar.
THIS PRODUCT HAS NO KNOWN NUTRITIONAL VALUE AND MAY CAUSE IRRITABILITY OR WAKEFULNESS IN SOME INDIVIDUALS. PLEASE ENJOY YOUR SELECTION AND YOUR DAY.
“Up yours” was Eve’s suggestion as she ripped off the wrapper. “They stole my candy again. I taped it on the back of my AutoChef. Two bars of the real stuff, not this chemi-mix crapola. They tagged it. I’m going to catch them sooner or later and peel the skin off their face. Slowly.”
Still, the first bite perked her up. “What are you doing here?”
“Adoring you. Absolutely.” Unable to help himself, he took her face in his hands and kissed her hard. “My God, what did I ever do before you were there?”
“Jeez, cut it out.” Even as the thrill whipped through her, she scanned the corridor for eavesdroppers and Peeping Toms. She’d be razzed for a week if anyone had spotted them. “My office.”
“Happy to.”
He walked with her, moved through the door just behind her, then yanked her back to indulge in a deeper, longer kiss.
“I’m on duty.” She murmured it against his mouth as her brain went to fizzle.
“I know. Just a minute.” One day, he thought, he might actually get used to the way the love for her, the need for her, could leap up and grab him by the throat. But in the meantime, he’d just enjoy the ride.
“Okay.” He drew back, ran his hands from her shoulders to her wrists. “That should hold me.”
“You blow the top of my head off.” She shook it clear. “Pow. A lot better than fake chocolate.”
“Darling Eve, I’m touched.”
“Yeah, and this was fun, but I’ve got a briefing coming up. Why are you here?”
“I wanted to buy you a candy bar. By the way, did you know Peabody and McNab have had a spat?”
“I hate that word. They’ve had something, just like I told you they would, and it’s your fault for giving McNab advice. I sent Peabody off to take a soother or something and lie down.”
“Did you talk to her about it?”
“No. No, I didn’t, and I’m not going to.”
“Eve.”
The way he said it, with just a hint of censure, put her back up. “We’re working here. You know murder and mayhem, law and order, little stuff like that. What am I supposed to do whe
n she comes moping in here all teary-eyed?”
“Listen,” he said simply, and took the wind out of her sails.
“Oh, man.”
“In any case,” he continued, amused. “I came by to let you know I have a dinner meeting with Magda and her people. She wanted you to come, but I’ve explained you’re booked. I shouldn’t be late.”
She choked back a little sigh. “If you let me know where the meeting is, and when, I’ll try to swing by if I get loose.”
