I should disengage. The Crop and Soil Sciences program only accepted three to four doctoral students every year. Not only would this man know my husband, there was also a good chance he could be his dissertation advisee.
Say Goodbye now Envy.
Anna.
My mouth opened, but the words got stuck in my throat.
“It’s a great profession,” he continued, “especially now when there are food shortages. Gene splicing is the future.” The passion in his voice made me want to share my passion for art with him.
“I couldn’t agree more. Drought resistant crops will save millions.” I could talk about food issues all day, a useless talent until now.
“You’re very knowledgeable. Your friend must have taught you well.”
His compliment made me irrationally happy. “I know a few things.” I’ve only heard about food issues for the past six years.
He stood up and stretched his legs. My heart dipped. This was goodbye.
“Look this might seem forward, but I’m going to ask anyway. You saved my life today and I’ve really enjoyed talking with you. Can I buy you some coffee?”
“Um.” I bit my lip. I had thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and wanted to know more about him. Hell, I would be happy just staring at his hotness for an hour, but sanity had to prevail. I hastily locked all of my warm and fuzzy feelings away, to be psychoanalyzed later. I needed time alone to rebuild my walls and feel more like Anna again.
“Thanks, but I have to get to my studio to paint and I…” my voice trailed off as he took a swig or water. The way his lips closed around the spout of the bottle hurled my mind toward an alternate reality where those lips traced and nipped at my collarbone. I licked my lips as the idea alone caused a tingling in my core that migrated from my womb to my clit.
“Please let me treat you. I really want to repay you for your help and I’m a little lonely.” He gave me puppy dog eyes. “I just moved here from California and I don’t know anyone yet. Maybe I could pick your brain about the area?”
California.
Fuck!
The affable co-ed dwindled before my eyes, morphing into a stone cold killer again, a harbinger of death sent to take my key and dispose of my body. The icy cold hands of fear gripped me by the collar and refused to let go. I had let his green eyes and easy smile draw me in and dull my senses. Now what?
I could leave town and never look back. Where would I work? How far would I get on the meager allowance that I had stored in my checking account? How long would it take for the Hell’s Demons to find me again? Fleeing wasn’t a plan, it was a reaction.
No. I couldn’t just walk away from another life. I didn’t have it in me to start over. There were too many questions that needed answers. There was a small chance this man wasn’t a Hell’s Demon, even though all of my intuition told me otherwise.
My need for answers overrode my self-preservation instincts. “Yes. Coffee sounds nice.” I gave a deceptively light smile. I could play this game too.
A huge grin lit up his face. “Great. I’m Lorne, by the way.” His handshake seduced millions of nerve endings in the palm of my hand.
I sucked in a breath, caught off guard by our first physical contact. He appeared unaffected by my touch, which was all for the better. I didn’t need to get swept up into anything. I needed to keep a clear head in his presence for both our sakes.
“Vi,” I said. I gave him my real name. Shocked by my gargantuan fuck up, I squeezed my eyes shut and rubbed my temples. “Follow me.” I led the way out into the brisk autumn day, my executioner trailed behind with a boyish grin on his face.
Coming Undone (Club Voyeur Book 1) Page 16
