Abiding Ink (Inked in the Steel City #4) by Ranae Rose Read Free Book Online Page B

hospital.
    “A volunteer. That’s nice,” Dr. Anthony said. “What do you do for work?” His gaze flickered toward Tyler’s forearms but quickly returned to Mallory.
    “I tattoo at a place called Hot Ink.”
    Tyler could imagine what the doctor thought of that, although really, someone who had such unnaturally white teeth should hold at least a little appreciation for body modification.
    “Well, Mallory, you’ve surprised me.” The doctor inclined his head toward her, like he was conceding a point. “I wouldn’t have expected you of all people to date a tattoo artist. You always seem so serious and focused on your work. This seems more like a stunt Wanda would pull.” His grin widened.
    Mallory stood a little taller as her spine stiffened, and her polite smile faded away, leaving her looking … what, disappointed? Maybe a little wary. “I am serious and focused when I’m at work. At least, I try to be. I’m not sure what that has to do with Tyler.”
    Dr. Anthony laughed it off, like it was all part of a joke, and excused himself, striking up a conversation with someone who’d just walked through the front door.
    “Is he always like that, or is that his tenth martini of the night?” Tyler asked, willing the stiffness to go out of his jaw.
    “That was so rude of him,” Mallory said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think – I mean, he’s never said anything like that to me before.”
    Yeah, and she’d probably never spent time with him outside of work before, either. There was no doubt about it – her boss wasn’t happy that she’d brought a plus one.
    Tyler couldn’t even enjoy knowing he’d pissed the doctor off. His mind kept drifting back to the moment when the doctor had touched her shoulder flirtatiously. It was bullshit, a woman being treated like that by her boss. What right did he have to comment on her dating life, let alone touch her?
    “Don’t worry about what he said,” Tyler told her, hating the worried look in her eyes. “My ego can handle it – I may look sensitive and delicate, but I’m no fragile flower.”
    A smile cracked the surface of her apparent distress. “Want to get a drink?”
    “I’ll get you one. What do you want – one of those red and green things?”
    “Cranberry and vodka.”
    That sounded a lot better than the Christmas cocktails everyone else was guzzling down. Drinks that looked cool usually tasted gross, in Tyler’s experience. When he went to the bar, he ordered Mallory’s drink and a beer for himself. Knowing he’d be driving home, he didn’t risk drinking anything stronger.
    She took the glass with a smile and lifted it to her mouth, where the liquid shone like rubies against her lips.
    “So,” she said when her drink was gone, “do you like to dance?”
    Her lips were still shining with the last traces of her drink, a natural red gloss that glistened beneath the Christmas lights. The music faded as she met his eyes, and the first few notes of a new song filled the room – a slow one.
    A bolt of urgency struck him instantly in his chest, spreading lower at the thought of placing his hands on her waist, holding her close. Under normal circumstances, he’d rather walk over hot coals than be forced to dance.
    These were anything but normal circumstances. Reaching for her hand, he guided her over to the dance floor that had been set up to the left of the buffet.
    Wanda was there, a sly look in her eyes as she got close to a tall guy with dark hair. Dr. Anthony was probably lurking somewhere on the sidelines, preying on another nurse – Tyler didn’t catch so much as a glimpse of his auburn hair anywhere. As he slid his hands to above Mallory’s hips, he forgot about everyone and everything else.
    She wrapped her arms loosely around his neck, and this close he could smell her – a faint perfume that reminded him of oranges and flowers. Orange blossoms or something like that, probably. The scent was intoxicating, and so was the view afforded by