Blood of Innocence (Sloan Skye) by Tami Dane Read Free Book Online Page A

aren’t ... Well, anyway, I can tell you like him.” He released my arm. More softly he said, “I’ve seen the way you smile at him. The way you look at him.”
    I didn’t respond right away. I wasn’t certain what to say. I mean, here he was—obnoxious, irritating Gabe—being so honest. Vulnerable. Looking into his eyes, I could see the spark of something. Sadness? Pain? I didn’t have the heart to brush off his feelings.
    “Sure. You’re right. I do think he’s attractive. But the fact is you and I are interns. We have to be careful. How bad would it look if it got around that I was sleeping with him?” I sidestepped to a nearby light pole, leaned against the concrete base, and folded my arms over my chest. The wind was picking up, and it was actually getting a little chilly. “I guess I need to do a better job at setting aside my personal feelings and acting like a professional, if it’s as obvious as you say.”
    “I’m not saying it’s obvious to everyone. Only to me. But that’s because you once smiled at me like that.”
    Shit.
    My phone rang.
    “Um, sorry. I should check to see who it is.” I dug my phone out of my purse. The display was glowing but blank. Strange. I shrugged and slid it back into my purse. Then I looked up at Gabe.
    “I should let you get going. It’s getting cold.” He glanced at the western sky. “And it looks like we’re in for some rain.”
    “O-okay.” I still hadn’t responded to his last comment. I didn’t know what to say, honestly. This was beyond complicated. He was a nice-enough guy, when he wasn’t intentionally trying to antagonize me. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. On the other hand, I didn’t want him thinking I had any warm, fuzzy feelings for him. Because I didn’t. At least I didn’t have a lot of warm, fuzzy feelings for him. Maybe there was a little something there. A spark. But I was hell-bent on not traveling back down that road again. Once in a lifetime was enough for this girl. Besides, I technically still had one annoying and demanding would-be fiancé to contend with.
    “See you tomorrow, Skye,” Gabe said, shooting me a smile.
    “Yep.” I waved and then scurried to my car. I jumped in, buckled my belt, and then I just about peed my pants when someone tapped me on the shoulder. “Holy hell!” I screeched, jerking around.
    Elmer. My so-called fiancé. “It’s just me.”
    “I—I ...” Whatever I was about to say completely vanished from my mind. Poof, gone. I was rendered speechless as my gaze took in Elmer’s clothes. “W-what are you wearing?”
    Elmer grimaced as he checked his nonreflection in the rearview mirror. (The Sluagh cast no reflection, like your typical Western European vampire.) “What’s wrong? Don’t you like my speed-dating look?”
    I took in the goofy hat, the polyester shirt with the 1970s-style collar, and the really tacky vest on top of it before I responded. “It’s a lot of look. Where do you shop?”
    “Salvation Army. I like their prices. And their selection.”
    “I see.” I briefly considered his problem; then I made a decision. As much as I didn’t want to get Gabe or JT involved in this situation, I needed some help—or rather, I needed some decent clothes. “What time does the speed dating event start?”
    “Nine o’clock.”
    “Good.” I checked the clock. “We’ve got time.” I dug my phone out of my laptop bag. After a quick struggle, trying to decide which guy to call first, I dialed.
    JT picked up on the second ring. “Hey, Skye.”
    “Hi, JT. I need a favor.” I slid a sidelong glance at my companion and fought a shudder.
    “Sure,” JT said.
    “Where are you?”
    “I’m on my way home.”
    “Good. Um. Can I have your address?”
    “Sure. It’s 626 West Elk Avenue, Unit 2.”
    “Thanks.” I punched the address into my GPS. “I’ll be at your place in ten.”
    “Okay. What do you need?”
    “I’ll explain when I get there.”
    “Fair enough. See you in