Seductive Shadows Read Online Free Page A

previously.”
    Even though part-time students didn’t have advisors, Professor Freeman had offered to become mine. He had outlined my courses for the next few years; he knew I had two planned for summer term, which would complete my freshman year credits, and his mentoring and reviewing of each piece would continue straight through.
    “Please do,” he said, pausing. “Charlie, I know yesterday was a hard day for you. I’m glad to see you smiling today.”
    I thanked him silently and turned toward the door.
     

CHAPTER THREE
     
    I’d been employed at the Back Bay Grand Hotel as a front-end supervisor for four years. It was only the second job I’d ever had. My first, in high school, was at a jewelry boutique; I worked there until the accident. The hotel was close to the train and to Northeastern—both just a short ride from my apartment—and since I worked the night shift, I could take early morning classes. Lilly’s pain was worse at night, so she took an extra pill that knocked her out until morning. She required less care in that state. I didn’t like leaving her alone for all those hours, but I had to work, and school was equally important. Besides offering a slightly higher wage, the night shift was also the quietest shift available. My life was loud: the shouting at home, city honking, bursts of creativity exploding in front of my eyes, the screams I heard inside my head. All of that was reduced to a drone when I had the time and space to relax my breath. That opportunity came to me late at night, while everyone slept.
    But if Jody was staying at the hotel? My mind would be roaring then.
    I logged into the computer; he had checked in this morning. It only took an hour into my shift before I felt him. He hadn’t actually touched me; he didn’t need to. I was so tuned in to his movements and sounds that I could sense him—smell him, even—as soon as he stepped off the elevator. The heels of his shoes clicked on the marble as he walked over to the desk. When he pressed his hands against the wooden counter, the outer rim of his tattoos poked through the cuffs of his button-down. A black winter hat covered his shaved head, even though it was warm outside, and scruff dusted his cheeks. He was beautiful.
    “Evenin’, Charlie,” he said. His voice was deep, slightly raspy, and his accent caressed my ears.
    With just his stare, my flesh felt as though it had been licked. And bitten. Was it a true need…or was it just me needing him ?
    “Did you have a good flight, Jody?”
    He nodded, and coughed into his fist. The gesture revealed a little more of the dragon that swirled around his forearm. “I came in from Vancouver. Cold as hell up there.” He lived in London, but consulted for a high tech company so he traveled the world. At the end of every month, he stayed at the hotel for at least three nights. 
    He always told me about the place he’d last visited. I’d never traveled outside of New England; in my mind, though, Jody brought me to all the countries that had been stamped on his passport.
    “How long are you staying?” I asked.
    The computer showed four nights, but I liked to hear him talk, to have his attention, his hands gripping the desk with tension. Aviator glasses hid his blue eyes, but I knew they were on my lips…and my breasts.
    He shifted his jacket, moving it from his right shoulder to his left. “A few more nights. Then it’s back to London for a bit, before I head to Bangkok.”
    My mind didn’t just travel the globe with him; it fucked him, too. My eyes moved from his lips to his fingers, ignoring the circular shield of gold that he wore. I studied each one, picturing how they would look when they shined from my wetness. His mouth opened, and his tongue touched the inside of his lip. I could feel it flick my nipples.
    “Have you been there before?”
    “Several times,” he said. “I prefer America over Asia. Everything tastes better on this side of the Atlantic.”
    “The