Read Online Midnight Scent (Amour Toxique Book 1) by Dori Lavelle - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Dori Lavelle
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Judson from the world. Even though I know there’s a one hundred percent chance he will be found guilty in a court of law, I can’t seem to make myself let him go.
At the entrance of the snack bar, I bump into Milton, who catches me before I slam straight into him. Why is he always everywhere I happen to be?
“Hey, hey.” He places his hands on my shoulders. “You’re crying. You okay?”
I shake my head. Tears spill over my cheeks. “Fine. I just... I need to go to the dorms.”
“Did you hear some bad news or something?”
I swallow hard. “No, nothing like that.” Nothing new that I didn’t already know, at least. “I’m sorry, Milton. I really need to go.”
He lets go of my shoulders and digs into the pockets of his scuffed jeans. Change jingles as he pulls out a pack of Kleenex and hands it to me. “You need this.”
In spite of myself, I give him a tiny smile. Probably the first genuine smile I’ve given him since we met.
“I’m sorry you’re hurting. If you need anyone to talk to, I’m here. Seriously, I’m a good listener.” His eyes tell me his concern is genuine.
“I really appreciate that, Milton.” I pull a Kleenex from the pack and return it to him. I dab at my eyes, sniffing. “If I happen to need a good pair of ears, I’ll make sure to let you know.”
“You should. Now go, before everybody else starts asking you what’s wrong.”
I give him another smile and walk quickly toward the exit. Maybe Milton isn’t such a bad guy, after all, I think as I walk out into the sunshine.
***
I burst into my room and crash against the closed door. My heart is way too heavy inside my chest. My lungs hurt when I breathe. I raise my hand to wipe away the tears. Why do I feel this driving urge to protect a man I’ve never even met? It bothers me that I can’t answer the question. It bothers me even more that my heart is behaving so foolishly, going against my head. The right thing would be to stay away from Judson Devereux. The fact that he’s behind bars should send me running for cover. If only I knew how.
After catching my breath, and before the rational side of me catches up and warns me that I’m walking into the arms of danger, I move to my desk and pull out a sheet of paper.
I want to visit you. Let me know how. Ivy
I simply slip the short note into an envelope and seal it. Fifteen minutes later, I’ve sent the letter and I’m back in my room with my head in my hands, hyperventilating as the voices inside my head scream their reprimands.
What have you done? Are you out of your freaking mind?
My hands drop from my face. A sheen of sweat is clinging to my palms.
I draw in a deep breath. Maybe it’s not so bad. The letter doesn’t have to change anything. There’s no guarantee he will want to see me too. He could have changed his mind. Or maybe only friends and family are allowed to visit inmates. What am I to him, anyway? A pen pal? I’m not his next of kin.
I stand on shaky legs and go to the fridge, where I pour myself a glass of wine from the half-empty bottle left over from one of Chelsea and Neil’s dates.
I’m still standing at the fridge as I take a huge gulp, then lick the bittersweet liquid from my lips. I’m normally not much of a drinker, but I take another sip.
There, no need to panic.
If he says he wants to see me, I can always say I changed my mind. Maybe that will piss him off, and then I’ll be forced to cut off contact and let him go.
Is that even possible?
I knock back the rest of my wine and sway to my desk. At my computer, I pull up a few project assignments and get to work distracting myself. It is possible. One morning, I’ll wake up and not even remember the stranger who captured me through his letters. The only problem is my body. Will it forget the sensations that vibrate through me when I read his words?
Chapter Twelve
The day after Chelsea returns from Destin, she crashes into the room, her raven hair wet from the midnight
At the entrance of the snack bar, I bump into Milton, who catches me before I slam straight into him. Why is he always everywhere I happen to be?
“Hey, hey.” He places his hands on my shoulders. “You’re crying. You okay?”
I shake my head. Tears spill over my cheeks. “Fine. I just... I need to go to the dorms.”
“Did you hear some bad news or something?”
I swallow hard. “No, nothing like that.” Nothing new that I didn’t already know, at least. “I’m sorry, Milton. I really need to go.”
He lets go of my shoulders and digs into the pockets of his scuffed jeans. Change jingles as he pulls out a pack of Kleenex and hands it to me. “You need this.”
In spite of myself, I give him a tiny smile. Probably the first genuine smile I’ve given him since we met.
“I’m sorry you’re hurting. If you need anyone to talk to, I’m here. Seriously, I’m a good listener.” His eyes tell me his concern is genuine.
“I really appreciate that, Milton.” I pull a Kleenex from the pack and return it to him. I dab at my eyes, sniffing. “If I happen to need a good pair of ears, I’ll make sure to let you know.”
“You should. Now go, before everybody else starts asking you what’s wrong.”
I give him another smile and walk quickly toward the exit. Maybe Milton isn’t such a bad guy, after all, I think as I walk out into the sunshine.
***
I burst into my room and crash against the closed door. My heart is way too heavy inside my chest. My lungs hurt when I breathe. I raise my hand to wipe away the tears. Why do I feel this driving urge to protect a man I’ve never even met? It bothers me that I can’t answer the question. It bothers me even more that my heart is behaving so foolishly, going against my head. The right thing would be to stay away from Judson Devereux. The fact that he’s behind bars should send me running for cover. If only I knew how.
After catching my breath, and before the rational side of me catches up and warns me that I’m walking into the arms of danger, I move to my desk and pull out a sheet of paper.
I want to visit you. Let me know how. Ivy
I simply slip the short note into an envelope and seal it. Fifteen minutes later, I’ve sent the letter and I’m back in my room with my head in my hands, hyperventilating as the voices inside my head scream their reprimands.
What have you done? Are you out of your freaking mind?
My hands drop from my face. A sheen of sweat is clinging to my palms.
I draw in a deep breath. Maybe it’s not so bad. The letter doesn’t have to change anything. There’s no guarantee he will want to see me too. He could have changed his mind. Or maybe only friends and family are allowed to visit inmates. What am I to him, anyway? A pen pal? I’m not his next of kin.
I stand on shaky legs and go to the fridge, where I pour myself a glass of wine from the half-empty bottle left over from one of Chelsea and Neil’s dates.
I’m still standing at the fridge as I take a huge gulp, then lick the bittersweet liquid from my lips. I’m normally not much of a drinker, but I take another sip.
There, no need to panic.
If he says he wants to see me, I can always say I changed my mind. Maybe that will piss him off, and then I’ll be forced to cut off contact and let him go.
Is that even possible?
I knock back the rest of my wine and sway to my desk. At my computer, I pull up a few project assignments and get to work distracting myself. It is possible. One morning, I’ll wake up and not even remember the stranger who captured me through his letters. The only problem is my body. Will it forget the sensations that vibrate through me when I read his words?
Chapter Twelve
The day after Chelsea returns from Destin, she crashes into the room, her raven hair wet from the midnight
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