Dust of My Wings by Carrie Ann Ryan Read Free Book Online Page B

down.
    What the hell is that?
    Shade cleared his throat and smiled. He heard an intake of breath, and she blinked rapidly. “Hello,” he rasped. His body pulsated with energy, and he felt a connection snap into place with her. Damn, what was going on?
    “Hello,” he repeated. “I’m Shade.” He held out his hand, and she awkwardly accepted. The feel of her soft hand in his calloused one almost made him come in his jeans.
    “Hi,” she said hesitantly. “I’m Lily. Can I help you with something?”
    Shade smiled again. Oh, she could help him with something, but he didn’t want to look like a lecher.
    “I saw you without a partner and wondered if you wanted someone to play with.”
    “Oh.” The blush that rose on her cheeks looked damned sexy. “Sure, I guess. My friend was supposed to meet me, but wasn’t feeling too well. I had almost decided to leave and call it a day and now here you are.”
    Shade gestured to the seat across from her, and she gave a nod. He sat down and spread the dominos in front of them. They each picked their seven tiles and slid the rest to the side.
    “I’m sorry to hear your friend is sick. Do you usually come here on Saturdays?”
    Oh, great. Could he have sounded more like a stalker? Well, technically he was. Sort of, but it was for a job and it didn’t count. Much.
    Lily’s eyes widened, and Shade backtracked. “Sorry, don’t answer that.” He gave a small laugh. “I was just trying to make small talk. Apparently, I’m not very good at it.”
    Lily smiled, and her face lit up. “No, it’s okay. I come here most weekends to play with my friend, Jamie, or with anyone who wants to show up.”
    Shade had the highest doubles, sixes, and placed the tile in the center. Lily blew her bangs out of her face, chose a tile, and placed it perpendicular to his.
    “When did you start playing dominos?” Shade asked then placed a tile on hers.
    Lily cocked her head, considering her next move. “When I was younger, it was the only game my grandfather would play. We used to play for hours, and he never let me win. After many losses and hits to my pride, I finally beat him.” She gave a wistful smile. “I loved playing with him.”
    “Past tense?” Shade didn’t know why he was pressuring her on her past; he needed to know her present for his job, but for some odd reason, he wanted—no, needed—to know more about her past, present, and future.
    “He passed away a few years ago.” Lily didn’t look up and played another tile.
    “I’m sorry.” He hated to see the sadness emanating from her face and posture. Why did he have to ask such a personal question?
    Lily looked up and gave him a smile. “It’s okay. It was a long time ago.” She picked up a tile from the boneyard and placed it on their board.
    “I’m sorry for bringing it up anyway. Tell me about yourself.” He trailed his finger along the side of the cool tile before making his move.
    “I’m quite boring, I promise you.”
    “Tell me something anyway.” He needed to know more about her. Anything. That bothered him to no end. She might have pretty green eyes and a body that made him drool, but he didn’t need to be thinking about who she was beyond his physical attraction to her. He was most likely going to have to hurt her in the end, if and when she found out the truth. He didn’t want to make it any worse than it was for her.
    And for him.
    “Well, I’m a lab tech.” She gave a sardonic smile. “See? Not that interesting.”
    If only she knew how interesting that part of her was to him.
    “You sound as if you don’t like it.”
    She shrugged and blew her bangs out of her face before straightening one of his tiles. He raised a brow at that, and she blushed.
    “Sorry, I’m a tad OCD according to my friends.”
    He smiled and shook his head. “It’s okay, really.”
    She huffed out a breath and placed another tile. “I don’t hate my job, exactly . It’s just not that big of a deal.” She gave a