Edge of Sanity: An Edge Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

turned to face him, finding him only inches away. She could smell the scent of dryer sheets clinging to his plaid flannel shirt. The sleeves were rolled up, revealing sinewy forearms layered with lean muscle.
    “Have you been having trouble eating?” she asked.
    His shoulder twitched in response, leaving her to interpret that as a yes.
    Before she could think better of it, she slid her hand along his ribs, feeling them easily. He flinched as if she’d hurt him, making her snatch her hand back to where it belonged.
    He was too skinny for a man his age—especially one who did the kind of physically demanding work that was necessary at the private security company the Edge. Instead, what greeted her was the hard, ridged contours of a man who needed more food—very similar to what she’d expect on a bottomless teenage boy. The width of his shoulders and depth of his chest were all grown man, which meant his twitchy shrug was a huge understatement.
    He definitely needed to eat.
    She turned away as if finding nothing of interest, when in fact she was far too interested. “Mac and cheese sounds good. Will you see if there’s anything to drink in the fridge?”
    Clay left her side, giving her room to breathe again. She wasn’t sure what it was about him that captured her attention so completely, but she wasn’t used to feeling off-balance. Hers was a world of routine and logic. She was a mechanic for the body, troubleshooting and repairing whatever was broken. There was no room for emotion beyond sympathy for her patients’ pain and determination to fix it.
    The way she felt about Clay went well beyond those limits.
    Payton needed to get here soon and release her from her guard duty before she did something stupid and forgot how dangerous Clay could be.
    They sat down to eat, and while she’d been starving, she found her stomach too fluttery for food. She toyed with her chicken until the silence was too much to take.
    He watched her the whole time, his gaze so intense it was almost palpable against her skin. She tried not to look like she was watching him, worried that her scrutiny would stop him from eating. As it was, he seemed to be making a dent in his pasta, and she didn’t want to mess that up.
    Leigh forced herself to eat, feeling him watch every time the fork went to her mouth. Finally, after several minutes, the strain of his silent, intense interest was too much.
    “What do you do at the Edge?” she asked to break the silence.
    “How did you know I work there?”
    “Payton told me.”
    “How do you know Payton?”
    “I know most people C moStd at the Edge—at least those who don’t refuse to come and see me the way you have. I figured you knew who I was, even though I’ve never seen you as a patient before.”
    His gaze lifted from his half-empty bowl, narrowing on her. “Patient?” He said the word as an accusation, his body shifting from relaxed to tense in a heartbeat.
    Dangerous vibes tumbled out of him, setting off Leigh’s instincts. Adrenaline kicked her stomach and made her heart lurch in her chest. She clutched her fork in her hand, even though it was a paltry weapon against a man like Clay.
    “I thought you knew who I was, or at least what I do,” she said.
    “Which is?”
    “I’m a doctor. That’s why Payton asked me to come here tonight—to make sure you were okay.”
    Clay shoved away from the table so fast the dishes rattled. “I’m outta here.”
    Leigh sat there for a second, too stunned and confused by his violent reaction to even figure out what had just happened. “What? Why?”
    He whirled around, and his face was twisted with vivid hatred. “I cannot fucking stand doctors. I’m sure as hell not going to sit around and let you toy with me.”
    “ Toy with you? What are you talking about? I’m here to help you.”
    “That’s what they all say.” He stomped into the living room, leaving Leigh no choice but to follow.
    “I have no intention of doing anything other