Gargoyle's Mate Read Online Free PDF Page A

after she returned from her Michigan conference.
    “There you are,” Gordy whispered as he slid into the empty seat next to her.
    She nodded her acknowledgement, feigning interest in the topic of the ongoing lecture.
    “About last night.” He leaned in close and Fatima could feel his hot breath warming her ear.
    “Not now,” she returned his hushed tones.
    Gordy was silent for several moments before continuing. “Who was the man you were talking to yesterday?”
    “What?” She barely registered what he said.
    “The freakishly tall Neanderthal you were so cozy with after you dismissed me.” His tone was accusatory.
    She sighed. “His name is Lorn De LaRue,” she provided, wondering if she should inform him it probably wouldn’t do to insult a potential benefactor. She stopped herself preferring not to broach the topic with Gordy and risk a discussion on a subject still too unbelievable for her to accept.
    “Lorn.” He said the name as if it left a bitter taste on his tongue.
    She chose to ignore his reaction. There were more important things to worry about like how the hell she was going to get out of this mess without the university losing their donation and she her job.
    ***
    “Fatima.” The slightly familiar voice called softly as Lorn seemed to materialize out of nowhere. Her heart flipped at the seductive caress of his tone. They were on a break, which Fatima needed even if it was to be short lived. Gordy was driving her crazy with all his questions and attempts at conversation.
    Her breath caught in her throat as she turned to face the man who’d instantly climbed to number one on her shit list. He was impeccably dressed in all black, sporting a fitted mock turtleneck which clung hungrily to his corded muscles. Like before, his long dark hair was pulled into a plaited ponytail and hung down his back.
    “We must talk,” he continued in his deep accented voice.
    “You’re absolutely right,” she agreed, resisting the urge to give him a piece of her mind in front of everyone milling about during the recess.
    “Fatima,” Gordy urgently called as he rushed toward them. “Where are you going?” he asked all the while eyeballing Lorn.
    Is it really any of your business? She thought, but instead introduced the men.
    “Lorn, this is Dr. Gordon Singleton. Gordy, Lorn De LaRue.”
    Gordy mumbled a barely audible hello while Lorn merely nodded.
    “Are you going somewhere?” Gordy asked again.
    “I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Fatima promised, before turning to leave the crowded conference area.
    Lorn followed as she led them through the hotel lobby and outside. She didn’t stop until she found a quiet alcove to properly put him straight.
    “You had no right calling the university. Do you realize how much you’ll be disrupting my life? I have classes, not to mention my own research, my friends, and what about my plants?”
    “Is this Gordy fellow one of your friends?”
    For several seconds she just blinked at him. Obviously the imposition he would be putting on her life meant nothing. Her temper flared at the inconsideration but she quickly took hold of it.
    “He’s a colleague and of course a friend too, not that it’s any of your concern.” She sounded breathless as she began to touch the spot below her collarbone. “Our university is very excited over your generous gift, but I’m sure there are others who could better meet your needs.”
    The look he gave her seemed to say he strongly doubted her suggestion.
    “And I still have connections at the CDC if you feel you really want a cellular biologist.”
    “No. I want you.” The finality in his response sent a shiver down her spine.
    She was sure he meant to follow the statement with ‘to do the research’.
    “And if I refuse?”
    He cocked his head. “We both know rejection is not an option.”
    Why did she get the feeling they were not talking about research any longer?
    “I have arranged for your passport to be updated,” he