Reluctance Read Online Free Page A

amazement. He looked a little stunned himself.
    "Dinner?" he finally said.
    "Huh?" She couldn't comprehend the word.
    Cam laughed. "Are you ready for dinner?"
    "Oh, um, yeah. Okay."

    * * * * *

    Dahlia found herself watching Cam more than usual in the weeks after their date. She got him to kiss her as often as possible, loving the feeling of calm, happiness, and fulfillment that overcame her each time—able to forget for those few moments just what she was. She never got tired of being with him. They seemed to find endless subjects to discuss, and had a similar sense of humor. Dahlia laughed more with Cam than she had at any other time in her life.
    It was never far from her mind, however, that he wasn't for her. Jace was her quarry, the one who would gain her acceptance among her people—because he was corrupt enough to want that life. Cam was not. Cam was too good, too pure for her to drag down into her reality. She could totally see Jace hunting—and enjoying the hunt.
    But Cam . . . every time she tried to imagine it, picture him as the hunter, taking down some hapless human . . . the image wasn't right. I may be a selfish person , she thought, but not enough to condemn Cam to such a life.
    She figured she could indulge herself for another few weeks. For once in her life, she would allow something fun and pleasurable to be a part of her life . . . but then she'd have to move on with her original plan. She was running out of time. It was only six months until her twenty-first birthday. She had put her decision off as long as she could, and now she was almost out of time. She looked across the lunch room at Jace, who stood surrounded by his fan club as she thought of them. As if he could sense her gaze, Jace looked up. She could see his lip curl in distaste when he noticed her observation.
    Cam slid onto the bench next to her, his tray loaded with food for the both of them. She smiled at him, and he kissed her quickly on the lips. Her eyes flicked back to Jace, and she couldn't help but notice his distaste had turned to interest.

    * * * * *

    "Hey there."
    Dahlia turned at the unfamiliar voice—and saw Jace, smiling in what she assumed was supposed to be a seductive manner. Her pulse leapt, but more from dread than from excitement or nervousness. She knew she'd have to begin her pursuit of him soon, but she never would have guessed he'd approach her first. She wasn't prepared.
    "Um . . . hi," she said.
    "I'm Jace."
    "Yeah, I know."
    He smirked, as if it were obvious she would know him. "And you are?"
    Dahlia felt a chill climb up her spine. He didn't even know her name.

    "Dahlia," she said reluctantly.
    "Beautiful name, for a beautiful flower."
    Dahlia nearly laughed aloud. "Did you read that somewhere?" she asked, repeating the words she'd used with Cam.
    "What? No. Why would you ask?"
    Dahlia bit the inside of her cheek. She suddenly, overwhelmingly, did not want to have anything to do with Jace McMahon.
    "Just kidding," she told him.
    "Oh." He gave an unconvincing laugh. "So, uh, you and Cam Taylor, huh?"
    "Me and Cam, what?" She couldn't keep the annoyance from her voice.
    "I saw the two of you at lunch, and it seemed like you were . . . you know."
    She just stared at him, not giving an inch.
    " Together ," he said in exasperation.
    "Yeah." She was beginning to enjoy vexing him. "We usually eat lunch together."
    She watched as his estimation of her intelligence lowered.
    "I saw him kiss you."
    "Um," she said, not giving him an answer.
    "Are you . . . his girlfriend?"
    His words caused her to stop. She hadn't really considered it. They were together all the time, and she knew he didn't go out with anyone else . . . but his girlfriend ?
    "No," she said, more out of reflex than out of any real knowledge.
    "Good," Jace said, giving her a grin and walking away.
    Dahlia stared after him, a little sick at the thought of having to eventually try to seduce him into her life.
    Two days later, Jace asked her out on a date,