Read Online Blood Rose by Jacquelynn Gagne - Free Book Online Page A

thought we were grabbing new soda
    canisters.” Folding his arms over his chest with his usual amused smirk. He was mocking me.
    “Riads? Really? I’m not stupid. You know exactly what I mean. You mean to try to tell me, that your only option for a job is a waiter at a hole in the wall?” I nodded at the shirt he was wearing. Of course I was only guessing. Let’s just say it sure wasn’t from Wally World.
    He gave an innocent casual shrug. My questioning him like this didn’t bother Damien one bit. “You’re right. I don’t need this job. But I’ve always been good at this sort of thing and I like this place. Calling it a hole in the wall is hardly fair by the way.” For a split second, I flinched. He was right. It wasn’t five stars but it was nice.
    I pushed the last comment aside. Damien’s answer caught me off guard. Who on earth works a grunt job for fun? “What did mommy and daddy tell you to get a job to try and teach you responsibility or something like that?” My voice was hard and accusatory. He was barely twenty-one. I’d met plenty of guys like that in college- only there to keep their parents money in their pockets.
    Damien’s lips tightened and twitched slightly. “I don’t actually remember my mother and father. So I am sorry but I’m afraid you’re mistaken. Is there really something wrong with me working here simply because I want to?” It still felt like he was evading me even though he was answering my questions. Sort of. The twisted smile resumed.
    Boy was I the bitch now! “Oh god.” My chin dropped, averting my gaze away from him. “Okay. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed I knew you. But how did you know where I live?” On the last sentence, my eyes came back up to meet his. My brow rose as my lips twisted into a tense smirk in mock of his, while in the meantime my stomach was doing back flips of unease. There was no graceful recovery for the way I’d jumped at him.
    “I’m not a stalker. Just observant. Before I started here I didn’t have much to do in town so I just drove around a lot. I’d seen you walking to and from the building a few times. I just assumed. I should have told you instead of making you so nervous. I’m sorry, really.” His grin was gone as he looked me directly in the eye. He seemed so open, so honest and yet simultaneously elusive.
    My shoulders slumped in defeat. “No, I’m totally the one who blew this. I’m sorry I was such a jerk. I had no idea-”
    He laughed bringing his smile to his eyes and shook his broad shoulders which made my cheeks burn. “Don’t be sorry. It’s not the worst accusation I’ve ever faced. Not by a long shot in fact.” His eyes were deadly serious while his lips fought to maintain a relaxed half smile. “But, since you do walk home so often, I was wondering if you would be alright with my driving you home at night. It’s really not safe to walk by yourself. Especially at night.”
    “You’re obviously not from around here.” I scoffed. “There isn’t much crime in Burlington.” I purposefully forgot the night before for the duration of this conversation. No boogieman after me, no sir . I shrugged off his offer as I motioned to the two canisters we needed. He grabbed one in each hand before I could reach them. Nice.
    “Maybe so but that doesn’t make it safe for you to walk home alone. Just remember the offers open anytime. In fact, I would like it actually. Just think about it.” All I could do was sigh as I held the door open for
    him.
    As we were all closing up, Neesa pulled me aside to talk. “So what’s up with hottie boy starting here anyways?” Even after talking to him, I wasn’t sure of the answer. So I just shrugged.
    Neesa’s brow rose as she looked over at him from across the room. Let me tell you it was a strange sight to see a guy like him mopping a floor.
    “Did you know he only came in on nights you worked? Hm. Well anyways, momma said she could see you tomorrow. She’s