Midnight Scent (Amour Toxique Book 1) by Dori Lavelle Read Free Book Online Page A

Judson Devereux, a former art history professor at the same university, is currently behind bars as he awaits trial for the murder. Although Devereux maintains his innocence, several witnesses have come forward to dispute these claims. Devereux was rumored to have had an affair with Banes’s girlfriend, Jennifer Hanson, one of his students. Oliver Banes was found naked and stabbed to death inside one of the university lecture halls. The autopsy report states the cause of death as blood loss due to castration. After months of waiting, the trial date has finally been set for Thursday, December 12th.”
    My breath is struggling to find its way to and from my lungs. I grab my throat and without saying anything to Chelsea, get to my feet and push my way out of the row, careful not to trip on popcorn boxes and empty paper cups. I finally stumble out onto the nearest balcony and grip the rail as I take a deep breath of fresh air.
    I keep my eyes squeezed shut. I want to drown out the words I heard on TV. I want to erase the pictures of the covered corpse that was Oliver Banes being wheeled out of Oaklow University.
    Someone taps me on the shoulder and I jump. I turn around so fast my head spins.
    “Milton, what the hell.” I try to calm my breathing. “Why are you sneaking up on me like that?”
    He chuckles. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. You okay?”
    “Why wouldn’t I be?” I swallow hard.
    “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” He reaches out to touch a lock of my hair, but I move out of his reach.
    “That’s because you scared the shit out of me.”
    He drops his hand and tips his head to the side. “I’ve never seen anyone look so cute when they’re frightened.”
    “Why are you here, Milton?” My question is stupid, because like me, he has every right to be on this balcony.
    “I saw you walking out of the movie room. I thought it was the perfect opportunity for us to talk.”
    “Talk about what?”
    He leans against the railing and licks the corner of his lip. “About you coming to dinner with me.”
    I shake my head. He’s almost as bad as my mother.
    “Milton, when are you going to get it? I’m not interested. Thank you for the flowers. Thank you for the notes. But I’m not changing my mind.” It dawns on me that I’m being a bit too harsh. I place a hand on his shoulder. “Look, you’re not a bad guy. I’m just not interested in dating right now.” I drop my hand and my eyes.
    “I want to be the guy who helps you change your mind.”
    “You never quit, do you?”
    “Not when I like somebody. And I really like you.” He lowers his voice. “I think we could be good together.”
    “Are you sure you don’t just want to sleep with me? Word around campus is that you’re not really a relationship kind of guy.”
    “All lies.” He runs a hand through his hair. “Fine, maybe that was true in the past, but not anymore. The first time I saw you, I became a changed man.” He leans into me and whispers, “Ivy Hollifield, I can’t stop thinking about you.”
    I lean a few inches away to avoid his popcorn breath on my cheek. “I’m interested in nothing more than friendship. That’s all I can offer you. Take it or leave it.”
    “Come out on a date with me. Give me one date and I’ll change your world.”
    I laugh out loud and shake my head. “I do like one thing about you. You’re funny. But the answer stays no.”
    “I’m glad I make you laugh. I’ve noticed you don’t do much of that.”
    “You’re perceptive. I’m working on it,” I admit.
    “I want to teach you how to laugh. Let me take you out to dinner tomorrow night.”
    “I don’t think so. I’m sorry. I like you, but not… like that.”
    “That’s a shame.” He pauses for a moment, glancing briefly at the entrance to the balcony. When he looks back at me, his eyes are a shade darker. “I don’t like hearing that, Ivy. I don’t like it at all.”
    “You have no choice but to accept it.” I attempt