Snowstorms in a Hot Climate Read Online Free PDF

verse of its history and people. He’d read Latin American writers I hadn’t even heard of. After months of hanging out with people whose only knowledge was the relevant entry in the
South American Handbook
, he was nothing less than a miracle. I swear I was more seduced by his mind than his body. He was a challenge, a mystery. The most powerful aphrodisiac in the world.
    We slept late into the next morning. Easter Saturday in Bogotá—what else is there to do between death and resurrection? When we woke we made love again, and it was better than before. And, afterward I was a little nervous, because I already understood that I did not feel entirely careless about this one.
    And then, almost as if he had sensed my paranoia, something went wrong. It was as if he flicked a switch and turned off. Just like in the coffee shop. He left. Not physically, but in every other way. He suddenly became distant and chilly, treating me with a kind of patient politeness, as if he was surprised to find me still there. If he’d been English I would have just assumed emotional repression. But I’d been in the spotlight of his charm and knew that it wasn’t that he couldn’t give—it was more that he’d decided not to. Only this time I was prepared for it.
    I took the initiative. I got up, leaving him in bed, took a long shower, then got dressed, ready to go. He could have stopped me at any point, asked me to stay, made some comment about a future—even if it was only breakfast. But he didn’t say a word, just lay back on the pillows and watched me. Yet something hadhappened between us. Christ, Marla, you don’t just imagine that. You might misjudge depths of attraction, but you can’t misjudge the whole thing. But then, Lenny specializes in the unpredictable. Anyway, this one he played to the limit. He waited until I got as far as the door. I was actually walking out, but I had no intention of leaving him in total control. My anger propelled me to turn and say, “Thanks, I had a great evening. Maybe the next religious festival I can buy you for the night. See you.”
    I was halfway out when he called me back. “Elly, if you have no other plans, why not come tomorrow evening and we’ll pick up where we left off?”
    I think it was the studied lack of humility which enraged me most. I remember thinking, Watch it, Elly, this guy is fucked up. But I didn’t listen to myself. Instead of walking out I walked back in.
    “Listen, I don’t know about the women you usually fuck, but the silent macho approach doesn’t cut it with me. I’m sorry, but I’m busy doing nothing tomorrow night. Besides, I’m leaving Bogotá on Tuesday, so there wouldn’t be much in it for you.”
    To give him his due he didn’t flinch, didn’t move a muscle, just looked at me and said, “Well, I’m sorry too. I’ll miss you.”
    “Yeah, well you know how it is on the road.”
    And then he did just what I didn’t expect. Of course. He smiled and held out a hand toward me.
    “I’ve annoyed you. Forgive me. I would like to see you again. Only I have some work that will take a few days to complete. If you felt like changing your plans and staying around, then maybe we could go to the islands, spend some real time together. I would like that.”
    I didn’t move. I still couldn’t work out the hot from the cold in him. “It wouldn’t work. I couldn’t afford your lifestyle. We’re traveling on different budgets.”
    “So, travel on mine for a while.”
    I shook my head. “I don’t live off men. And I don’t have enough money to sit around Bogotá waiting for you.” You see, I knew already that if I didn’t start fighting, I wouldn’t stand a chance. What I didn’t realize, of course, was how much that was his style as well.
    “OK. Let me lend you some. You could pay me back later. I’m not looking to compromise your independence, Elly. It’s just I don’t believe you’re the kind of person to let money stand in your way.”
    He was