Evidence of Desire: Hero Series 3 Read Online Free Page B

crisscrossed strips of rubber beneath her fingers that adorned his costume instead of the face before her. She gulped in several breaths to sure up her weak form.
    “Are you alright, Soni-love?” His voice was laced with concern as he cupped her cheek to lift her face.
    “Don’t call me that.” She pushed out of his arms. “What are you doing here?”
    “I didn’t think my appearance would be a shock to you.” He set his hands on his hips.
    “How could you not?” She threw her hands high as her side. “I haven’t seen you in years. Why would I think you would show up at my job of all places?”
    Shaking his head, he stooped down and swiped his mask from the floor. Where it must have fallen when he came to her aid. “Because I’ve been here for weeks.”
    That gave her a start. “What? Why? Have you been stalking me or something?”
    “No.” He resumed his full height.
    Was it possible he had grown even taller since the last time she saw him? She recalled him being tall, taller than her five-nine frame. Now, he appeared to be over six-feet.
    “I’m surprised you haven’t seen me around. I’m head of the new entomology wing.”
    Oh, no. No, no, no. “How? Why? When?” She locked her jaw to keep herself from babbling like a numbnut.
    “I put in for a grant.”
    “At my museum?” she yelled in outrage. Not just because Parker was here, but because he had gotten a grant when she had been trying for years.
    “If I recall correctly the museum belongs to the state. I wanted a change of pace. The fact that you happened to be at this one as well,” he shrugged. “Just a bonus.”
    “I can’t believe this. I’ve been trying for a gran—” She silenced her tirade. What she did in her job or personal life was no longer any of his business. “When you discovered I was on staff here, why didn’t you come see me then? Weeks ago?”
    “All the other employees have made their way to our department to welcome us. Silly me, I thought you would do the same. I’m sure you’ve heard my name around here.”
    She swallowed, glancing away from his dissecting gaze. Parker could always see through her. “You know how I feel about being around bugs. Besides, I’m busy. I don’t have time for gossip and chitchat. Like now.” She swept by him. “I need to get going.” She mumbled out a quick, “Congratulation on your grant.”
    At the door, he took hold of her arm. He pulled her back against him, his chest to her back. “I’ll let you walk away from me now, Sonya, but there’s a lot for us to discuss.”
    Glancing, over her shoulder, she met his all to familiar light brown gaze appearing amber in the glow of the red exit sign. “There’s nothing for us to talk about. You do your job here, and I’ll take care of mine.”
    She stepped away.
    He let her go. Out in the hallway, she headed toward the back staircase that would lead to the employee entrance. It was in the opposite direction of the atrium and partiers. She kept up a brisk pace and was thankful when she didn’t hear any other steps but her own.
    It was time to go. She’d stayed longer than she had planned at the party—three hours. However, up until fifteen minutes ago, she’d been having an all right time. More enjoyment at the event then she thought she would have. Then everything changed.
    This night had revealed more shocks than she could handle.
    Parker Hayden was here. In the flesh. Once again they would be in the same place.
    How she was ever going to handle being around him, she didn’t know. She’d have to treat him the way she did anyone else that wasn’t in her department, at arm’s length. There wasn’t any reason they should ever cross paths except at department head meetings and official functions.
    She could do that. She could keep her ex-husband out of her life.

Chapter Two
     
    This isn’t over.
    Parker watched his ex-wife walk out the Planetarium and let her go. Even with every fiber of his being wanting him to go