Wasteland Read Online Free PDF Page B

together and fixed her emerald gaze on me.
    “You were in the alley last night.” She angled forward, her plunging neckline exposing the top of her breasts.
    I diverted my focus to my drink, wiping the sweat from the glass with my thumb. The pounding bass resonated through my mind, scattering my thoughts.
    “I knew it. Where did you go? I tried to see you.”
    “You were safe, so I left.”
    She raked her teeth across her bottom lip and leaned forward but stopped. “I’ve never seen you in here before yesterday. New to town?”
    I stared into her eyes. She inclined her head as if encouraging me to speak. The blood in my veins flowed hotter than the Mohave Desert sands. Her long, slender fingers circled the rim of the cup holding the flickering candle. What would it be like to twine my fingers with hers? To feel them touching me as we—
    “Are you okay?”
    I coughed through the bundle of nerves choking me. “Yes. I am new to town.” I scooted my chair back. “I should be leaving now.”
    “Why? It’s early.”
    “I’m sorry. I need to leave.” Actually, I should stay since I hadn’t located my Mark. I’d guessed the other women here weren’t Jessica by their age alone. Not sure how a fifteen-year old girl got into a dance club such as this. But I followed Master’s instructions, hoping to avoid the flesh-burning consequence of missing my Mark.
    “At least dance with me before you leave,” she said.
    Temptress . A trap planted by Master, himself. I had to stay strong, yet I could not stop staring at that graceful female.Above the scent of sweet liquor and human sweat hanging thick in the establishment, a trace of her lilac scent wrapped around me. The demon demanded I draw her close and taste her lips. The sting of my fingernails biting into my palm dragged me back to the moment. I should learn more about her, so I knew my enemy.
    So I told myself.
    If Gage asked, I would tell him my suspicions of her. I dipped my head, agreeing to a dance. Her eyes went wide, and she stretched for my hand. I jerked it back and stood, gesturing for her to lead. She rose to her feet, her eyes meeting mine.
    My pulse strummed in my head louder than the bass thumped. I wasn’t sure I knew how to dance to this type of music, but I’d been watching people for over an hour. Hopefully something sunk in.
    She led through the crowd with the grace of a swan. People often patted her shoulder and said hi while we made our way to a space for us to dance. She turned toward me, a smile filling her face. Her eyes shone beneath the probing lights, and her body began to sway to the music.
    I followed her motions, keeping two feet between us. Didn’t matter, though, the sizzling heat radiating from this beauty had tripped every nerve in my body. It was Sunday night, so the diminished crowd made sense. Fewer people to bump into and aggravate my demon. Beka’s gaze fastened on me and everything else faded from existence. Her eyes moved slowly, as if taking in every detail of my face, but paused at my mouth. She grazed her teeth over her bottom lip.
    The demon stampeded within my chest, and I physically tensed to restrain him. Her gaze continued to sweep down my body before making eye contact with me again.
    Within a minute of beginning our dance, the song blended into a slow harmony of subtle tones and pitches. Partners stepped close to one another. Two hands slid up my chest, encircled my shoulders and clasped behind my neck.
    That elicited a shudder and a gasp.
    “One more dance?” She focused on me, her lips puckered out. “That song was half-way through, so it doesn’t count.”
    “I should g—”
    “Just one.”
    She gathered me to her, flattening her breasts against my chest. So close she had to put one of her feet between mine so we could move. Her warmth seeped through her thin shirt into mine. Hunger for her forced the air from my lungs. The demon demanded to be let out.
    “So, do you have a name?” Her minty breath