Walk on the Wild Side Read Online Free Page A

hard since moving here she hadn’t had time to build a huge social life out of work. Honestly, she hadn’t built much of a social life at work either—her new computer-boy colleagues were all into gaming and she wasn’t. That pretty much ended it. But she was quite sure Jack didn’t have social life issues. He was in a whole other league altogether—handsome, charming, bound to be a player. ‘You don’t have anything better to do?’
    â€˜Not right now. No.’
    Her body was the ice cream, temptation the raspberry ripple—churning right through and flavouring every bit of herself. ‘What’s in it for you?’
    â€˜The pleasure of seeing you cross over to the light side.’
    â€˜The outdoor appreciation society, you mean?’
    â€˜We might need to get something better for you to wear, though.’ His gaze narrowed.
    She stiffened—was he about to tell her what she should wear?
    â€˜I thought girls were over the Goth phase by the time they hit their twenties.’ He smiled, skewering her on two fronts—with his gleaming expression and teasing words.
    But Kelsi’s swift flash of anger got doused by that expression. If her instincts were on track, he didn’t think her outfit was all that ugly.
    â€˜I’m not Goth,’ she said, feeling his eyes burningthrough her—making her body respond in a far too physical way.
    â€˜Emo then. The whole vampire thing, isn’t it?’ he asked softly. ‘Pale skin and weird-coloured eyes and loose dark clothes.’
    Kelsi clasped her hands together in front of her body, hiding the tightness of her nerves—and nipples. ‘I am not on the vampire bandwagon. I change my hair and eye colour all the time. And the pale skin I can’t help.’ The loose dark clothing accusation she had to admit to—but she had reason. ‘Covering up protects it from the sun.’
    She watched him look her over once more and half wished she were wearing her usual ten layers or so instead of just the one long dress. In fact, its spaghetti straps and thin, clinging fabric meant she was far more exposed than usual.
    â€˜See, you are a vampire.’ He grinned suddenly, wickedly. ‘Concealing yourself.’
    â€˜I’m re vealing myself.’ She laughed at his ridiculousness. ‘It’s self-expression. I work in a creative industry.’
    â€˜What, so you have to look as way out as possible? With dyed hair and unnatural eyes?’ He leant forward, penetrating. ‘What’s their real colour anyway?’
    She flexed her fingers, moving to disperse some energy. ‘Nothing exciting.’
    â€˜No?’
    â€˜Some people accessorise with handbags or shoes or both. I accessorise with eye colour or pattern.’
    â€˜Pattern?’ His brows shot up. ‘Patterns on your eyes?’
    â€˜Sure.’ She had the most fabulous collection of freaky contacts. Shopping on the internet was a temptation to which she frequently succumbed.
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜Why not?’ It was different. It wasn’t the typical beautiful babe thing—she wasn’t ever going to be pretty or beautiful. She couldn’t compete with that—but she could do quirky. She could do defence.
    â€˜You’re like an inverse chameleon. You hope people won’t see past the surface?’ He nailed her just like that. He finished his coffee and stood. ‘Come on, then, so long as you’re sure you’re not going to eviscerate if you go into the sunshine, let’s get out of here.’
    It wasn’t the sun that threatened to eviscerate her. It was his burning focus.
    On the footpath outside he tossed the car keys at her. ‘I just need to get something. Be a minute.’
    She caught the keys and watched him walk unevenly across the road into the snow’n’skate store.
    This was her opportunity to escape him—to get in the car and put her