Adam Read Online Free Page B

hide a shiver. “Brr. Is it me or is it cold in here?” she said, trying to divert his attention. “I need some clothes. So if you don’t mind, we need to hit the locker room area first.”
    “My orders are to take you directly for a debriefing.”
    Attraction or not, Laura didn’t bend to his command. Wouldn’t. No way am I going anywhere with my lower parts uncovered. “Not until I change into some real clothes. I refuse to conduct a meeting while wearing only a lab coat.” She met his eyes as she stated it, pulling on her years of dealing with men who thought they could bully a woman just because she chose science as a career instead of homemaking.
    “No?” A hint of a smile curved the corner of his lip. “You do realize I could make you obey.”
    “Yes. I don’t think there’s any doubt you could. But I’m hoping you won’t.”
    “If you must. Walk quickly. If we’re going to detour, then you need to do so rapidly.”
    He took off at a brisk pace, and she scurried to catch his long stride.
    “Thank you.”
    “Don’t thank me yet. I’m risking a reaming by not following orders.”
    “But at least you’re showing yourself to be human.”
    He stiffened at her side. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “Nothing. Just that I’m so used to you standing guard outside the lab, all emotionless and robot like. It’s nice to see you have feelings.” And a sexy voice to match the hot package. God, I need a break. More like sex. Her mind really was on a dirty roll today.
    He laughed. “I am nothing like a robot. And I can assure you, I most definitely feel .”
    Yes, he did feel, hard and strong, at least his fingers did as he kept a grip on her and propelled her down the hall at a fast march. Why the need to hold her she couldn’t have said. She wasn’t about to flee. Perhaps he did it so that it seemed he had the situation in control to those possibly watching from the many cameras mounted in the ceiling.
    As they rounded the last corner before the locker area, he halted, jerking her to a stop. Turning a startled gaze his way, she said, “Why are we stopping?”
    “You’re bleeding,” he stated.
    “No, I’m not…” She trailed off and stared in consternation as he raised her hand. Angling her index finger, she noted the tiny pinprick of blood on the tip. She must have cut herself on the glass from the shattered vial.
    Oh no. Her gaze darted to meet his, the impact of the tiny wound making her heart race.
    She’d cut herself on the debris but missed it during the decontamination. Not good. The usual procedure in such a scenario was to keep her quarantined, watching and testing her for at least five days for even for the tiniest of possible infections.
    I don’t want to be put in lockdown. It sucked, mostly because she hated small spaces and she couldn’t abide cable television. She’d much prefer to read or work in her lab, but those things would be denied her.
    Such a tiny, tiny wound, yet the soldier’s choice was clear. He had to report her.
    Or not.
    Holding her gaze, he lifted her finger tip to his mouth and dabbed it with his tongue. A shiver went through her, definitely not cold induced.
    “Why did you do that?” she asked, her voice huskier than usual.
    “Never heard of a kiss to make it better?”
    “Embracing it with lips doesn’t heal.”
    “And yet, you’re more relaxed than you were a moment ago.”
    “I wouldn’t be so sure of that. It’s hard to be relaxed when you’ve got the prospect of getting locked in a cell for observation for almost a week.” And she didn’t doubt they would lock her up, even for a sample they’d reassured her was benign but still required the following of rules for contagion.
    He arched a brow and smiled. “I won’t tell if you won’t tell.”
    Seriously? A brilliant smile illuminated her face. “Thank you.”
    “Don’t thank me yet. You still have to get dressed and get moving if we’re going to keep the director from handing