Blood Ties by Victoria Rice Read Free Book Online Page A

thick and took up a quarter of the desktop. I slid into the metal chair and dumped my blue, now soaked to a midnight black, backpack on the floor. I shoved my hands under the desk.
    “Since it’s early in the semester, I don’t have much for you to do. But I think this is a bit more interesting than photocopying.” He quirked an eyebrow and gave me a broad smile, flashing a set of brilliant white teeth.
    Whuh. No wonder half his students were madly in love with him.
    “Once you’re finished with this, there are a few books in the library I’d like you to review on the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. I’ve called ahead. They’ll be waiting for you at the front counter.”
    “Sure, no problem,” I replied. I stared down at the book on Raphael, curling and uncurling my fingers on my wet jeans, hoping a little activity would stop their shaking and wishing the book would open by itself.
    He waited for a moment then motioned towards it. “May I?” he asked.
    I nodded and he sat on the edge of my desk. He pulled it towards him and opened up a page. “This is one of my favorites.”
    He leaned in close and I stole a peek sideways. He combed his fingers through those dark silken waves to brush it back over one shoulder. His pale skin was perfect, almost as if it were air brushed. His soft brown eyes gazed down at the book. His lashes were long, a thick lace of black. I inhaled a deep breath of his cologne. It was indescribable, masculine, and made you want to roll in it naked. I took another breath and closed my eyes.
    I felt a quick brush of air. In one abrupt movement he had stood. He went to his desk, opened a drawer and pulled out an envelope. “I have a few things to attend to, so I will leave you now.” He turned back to me, his eyes averted, his face cold, distant. “I will see you then, again on next Wednesday?” He handed me the envelope. He didn’t look up. “Here are your keys, please lock up when you leave.”
    The door closed behind him. A quiet click and he was gone.
    I stared at the closed door for several moments. Well that was just – weird. My tension drained away. Someone above was merciful. I turned back to the book and began to leaf through the glossy photographs and too much text. Bored after an hour I pulled out my laptop and played on Facebook. My status today was “Raphaeled and lovin’ it.” I snickered.
    Students began to file in. After a half hour I thought my voice would give out. I explained that no, he wasn’t in, and no, I didn’t know when he would be back. There were a lot of unhappy students wishing they’d known about the job posting.
    The parade dwindled a few minutes before the end of office hours and I began to pack up my things. The door opened and a man poked his head in, bracing his hand on the doorknob. He had that “aged-sports-jock” look to him; tanned, grey thinning hair with a bit of a gut. His rumpled brown suit hung awkwardly on him as if he’d slept in it. Seeing me, he smiled pleasantly and walked in, extending his hand. “Ah, you must be Miss Aldridge. I’m Dr. Hanson. I hear you’ve joined our team today. Welcome aboard.”
    “Thank you,” I said, taking a few steps towards him, shaking his hand. “I’m looking forward to working with Dr. Marcheon.” He gave me a teasing grin. It was obvious. He thought I was peeing my pants having the chance to work with the campus crush.
    “Well then, where has our Michael run off to?”
    The walls suddenly squeezed in around me. The blood rushed in my ears. I could see him speaking but no words came out. He pushed me into my chair and rushed to the phone on Dr. Marcheon’s desk. He lifted the receiver. I thought quickly.
    “No wait … I’m … fine,” I gasped out. “Just dizzy from … missing breakfast and lunch. I’ll be fine in a few minutes.”
    He hesitated then put the receiver down. “Your color’s not good, are you sure you don’t want me to call someone?”
    “No, really, I’m fine. Just