Body Chemistry Read Online Free PDF

his piercing eyes, every bit the scientist’s—calculating and assessing—may have intimidated another woman, but always made her skin tingle with anticipation. With his smooth brown skin, shaved head and black goatee, all he needed was a black eye patch and a dark cape to look like an avenging outlaw, ready to relieve you of anything you treasured. He had the charm of a rogue, the eyes of a seducer and a smile that could persuade a woman to say “yes” when she meant the opposite. He had an irresistible magnetism.
    Brenda shook away the sensation annoyed with herself. It was these kind of thoughts and unchecked feelings that had gotten her in trouble in the first place. Yes, he was big and strong and brilliant and sexy, but he was just a man and she knew how to handle men.
    “Why would I want to do that?” she asked.
    He lifted a brow. “Exactly.”
    “I didn’t expect you to be here.”
    He shoved his hands in his pockets, looking sad. She knew he was. He was never insincere. “God, I wish I wasn’t. I can’t believe this.”
    “Me neither.”
    “I respected her. More than that, I liked her. She was a great woman and a brilliant scientist.”
    Brenda nodded, grateful for the neutral topic. “Yes, it’s such a waste. All of the ideas she had, all the things she could have accomplished.”
    “All the things she could have experienced.”
    “What?”
    “You’re just thinking of her as a scientist. Unfortunately, I think that’s the only way she saw herself too. As her mother told me, losing the award devastated her. You can’t confuse your profession with who you are.”
    “Is that a lecture, Dr. Ayers? Don’t worry, we didn’t consider ourselves asexual robots. The day she died we had planned to go out for dinner and complain about men.” Brenda tried to make light of it, but his assessing gaze didn’t waver. She sighed; getting him off a topic had always been difficult.
    Dominic took her hand. The shock of his large, warm fingers encasing hers nearly paralyzed her. “Honey, I’m sorry.”
    Her voice shook. “Dominic, if you want me to burst into tears you’ll succeed if you look at me like that any longer.”
    “I just want you to know that I’m here for you.”
    Brenda tried to tug her hand free. “Yes, I know.”
    “How are you holding up?”
    “I’m fine.”
    He tightened his grip, not enough to hurt her, but enough to stop her from struggling. “If you ever need to talk about this, call me.”
    “I’m fine really. Thanks.”
    Madeline’s mother approached them. “It’s so good for you both to come together. Madeline had always hoped you two would reconcile.”
    Brenda widened her eyes, surprised. “But we’re not—” Dominic rested his arm on her shoulders.
    “I’m amazed at how grief can bring people together. I’d always hoped that she would learn from you, Brenda, and have something else in her life besides work,” Madeline’s mother said, her eyes red and swollen with grief.
    “But her work was revolutionary,” Brenda said, not wanting her friend’s lifework to be lost in the sadness of her passing.
    “And it killed her,” her mother replied bitterly then turned and walked away.
    “She’s wrong,” Brenda said annoyed. “Her work didn’t kill her, she just…” Brenda shook her head, not able to come up with a good explanation. She glanced at his arm on her shoulders and tried to shrug it way. When she couldn’t she said, “What is this for?”
    “The thought of us together made her happy. Why tell her the truth now? She’s already suffering enough.” He placed his hand on the back of her neck and began gently rubbing it.
    “What are you doing?” she said through clenched teeth, trying not to enjoy the sensation.
    “You know what I’m doing. You’re tense.”
    Brenda moved away. “I’m not that tense.” She looked and saw a woman staring at them. The woman’s gorgeous features and fine dress looked out of place, like a crystal glass among tin