Read Online Demon's Plaything by Lydia Rowan - Free Book Online Page B

Doc. I let curiosity get the better of me. Given the surroundings, I can understand your reluctance, so how about this: tell me about you, not work, not family, just you.”
    “Wow, I do that, and you really will have to find someone else to talk to,” she said with a high-pitched, girlish laugh.
    “I sincerely doubt it.”
    She laughed again, surprised by how unnerving she found the question. Shayla the doctor, Shayla the sister/granddaughter/friend, she knew. But just Shayla? That was a tougher order.
    “Hmm. Well, I’m very responsible, but I try not to let that get in the way of spontaneity. I worry about my weight, especially my hips and thighs getting out of control, but only because I feel like I should. I’d have no problem eating macaroni and cheese every day if I had someone willing to cook it. I love cards, dealing especially, and secretly dream of running off to a carnival to do tarot or moving to Vegas and presiding over tables. Let’s see…” She tapped a finger on her chin. “Yeah, I think that’s about it.”
    “And is there a special someone with whom you enjoy your macaroni and cheese?”
    “Be serious. Would I have let you kiss me if there were?”
    He grumbled noncommittally. “Probably not, but it never hurts to ask.”
    “And what about you, Demon, just Demon?”
    “What about me?”
    “Oh, come now, goose and gander and all that. Something you want to share? Like the story of your name.”
    A flush spread over his face, and she realized that this confident, handsome man was blushing about his nickname. When he spoke, his voice betrayed nothing, but she still smiled at the stain of red on his cheeks.
    “Nothing much to say. It stuck.”
    “Oh, there’s a story there. I can smell it, but in the spirit of cooperation I’ll let you off the hook. For the moment.” He laughed at her arched brow. “Okay, what else about you?” she prompted.
    “Hmm. This is tough. I want to do something, but I don’t know what it is. I have ambition but no direction, sorry to say. Does that turn you off?”
    “Depends,” she said honestly, thinking of Ian. “I don’t think all, or even most people have a clear idea of what they want out of life, even at our age. So if you decide what you want and have the discipline to follow through and you do so without hurting others, I can buy it and a little hiccup doesn’t hurt.”
    “That’s surprising.”
    “Why?” she asked, tilting her head in question.
    “I mean, you’re still relatively young”—he paused to snicker at the sharp glance she cut him—“and you’ve accomplished so much. That takes ambition and direction, and I’d think someone who appears to have an abundance of both would want the same.”
    “Oh, those are appealing traits, don’t get me wrong. But they aren’t the be all and end all. And like I said, I was fortunate to have a clear vision and the stubbornness to keep going when I wanted to quit. No magic and certainly nothing that I hold against someone for not having, assuming, as I said, that they don’t hurt anyone else.”
    “A very evolved and fair-minded position.”
    They stared at each other for a moment, smiling, and Shayla felt that pull toward him, didn’t know how much longer she could resist it, or whether she should even try. They chatted for a few minutes more, but the noise died down, and Shayla noticed that people seemed to be leaving. She relaxed more, happy that the night would soon be over. She’d enjoyed his company immensely, but the day was catching up with her.
    “Looks like we’re wrapping up here. We should get you headed home.”
    She yawned in response and then giggled.
    “Guess I can’t argue with that.”
    “Shayla!”
    Ian’s whispered yell had her on full alert; Demon too if the way he sat up taller and tensed, seemingly ready to pounce, was any indication.
    “What is it?” she asked, taking in Ian’s wild-eyed gaze.
    “Come quick. Somebody’s unconscious. Looks like a seizure