Blood Ties by Victoria Rice Read Free Book Online

requirements. He had a way of making me feel relaxed, comfortable, prompting me to fill in perhaps a little too much information. By the time I’d answered all of his questions, the room had righted itself.
    He gazed at me for a moment then gave me a gentle smile. “I think, Ms. Aldridge, you would fill this position superbly. The hours are flexible. Any thoughts on how this would fit in with your schedule?”
    My God. He was offering me the position. My favorite dream of Michel started to play in my head. I’d gotten to the part where he had clasped his hands over my eyes when I realized Dr. Marcheon was patiently waiting for an answer. I explained Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays after ten were wide open. It was settled then. I was to start next Monday after my classes. What was wrong with me? I could have said I’d think about it. I could have looked for a job off-campus. I had a car didn’t I? Why had I accepted so quickly?
    I got up from the chair and stood awkwardly, waiting. He didn’t offer to shake my hand. It was just as well, mine were ice cold. My gaze traveled down his face and I watched, completely entranced, as the corners of his mouth, ever so slowly, curled into a smile. They were beautiful – so perfect – so – kissable, just like –
    He cleared his throat.
    Oh my God, I was staring. I snapped my eyes away from those pouty lips and forced a quick smile. He said he looked forward to working with me and would see me on Monday. I mumbled mutual sentiments and concentrated on not tripping over my feet as I went for the door. As I turned to shut his door, he gave me a breathtaking smile.
    I ran around the corner before anyone saw me. My head was screaming, my hands ice cold. I had lost my mind. I couldn’t do it. Tomorrow I was going to call the counselor and tell her I couldn’t take the job with some made-up excuse. She wouldn’t have any trouble filling it. A thousand others would die to take my place.
    The little voice in my head popped up. You are so full of shit.
     
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
     
     
    It was a perfect Monday morning, cold, wet and dreary. I ran through the rain, my backpack clutched over my head, dodging puddles and students bunched up under their umbrellas. Mine, with its bent rib and missing tip, had conveniently walk ed off while I snoozed in statistics. Normally I’d say good riddance but the downpour had timed its deluge perfectly. A perfect start for the first day on the job.
    I sloshed to his office and opened the door. He leaned back in his chair, the expression on his face, priceless. His lips twitched in what I could only call a down- and-out fight not to laugh. He stood and came out from behind his desk. The sleeves of his blue shirt were rolled up, his arms and his red tie, loosened at the neck, hung in a long line down his broad chest just touching the top of his belt encircling a trim waist. Black dress pants, as neatly tailored as his shirt, clung to him in perfect lines.
    I sucked in a shaky breath. Over the weekend I’d brainwashed myself into believing that working with him would be no big deal. It was going to be like any other job I’d had in high school – a demanding non-communicative boss with work seething in intense boredom. I felt better, but it didn’t stop the tremor of my hands and voice. If I were lucky, I wouldn’t have to talk much. Hands I could hide.
    “Miss Aldridge, welcome. I’m glad you made it safely through the rain.” He motioned towards a coat rack. “You may hang your coat there.”
    I ditched my jacket in one quick moment and stuck one hand in my front pocket. The other had a death grip on the strap of my backpack. I followed him to a grey metal desk pushed up against the wall to the right of the window. He reached out to touch the top of its metal surface. “I thought I’d start you on some light reading.” He smiled. “In preparation for some research I’m working on, of course.”
    The book was super-sized – two inches