Read Online Redemption by Eleri Stone - Free Book Online

would be a shame if anything were lost for lack of hands. Some of the others might be interested as well.”
    Sean ran a hand through his hair somehow without displacing a single strand. “We can’t pay them overtime.”
    Asshole, Sophie thought. Of course Sean couldn’t conceive that any of the local people would be willing to volunteer a few extra hours to help preserve their own history.
    Adriano’s lips thinned. “Perhaps it might be best if I was the one to ask for volunteers.”
    She couldn’t help it, a laugh slipped out and Sean shot her a sharp look. Adriano grinned at her, eyes sparkling.
    “That would be great. Thanks. We can use any extra help you can find.” He handed his clipboard to her as if entrusting her with his soul. “I’m heading over to check out the funeral bundles. You okay here?”
    She nodded. “Go.”
    When she turned to look at Adriano, he was smiling down at her and it struck her that she liked Adriano, wholeheartedly liked him as a person. For one thing, when he looked at her, he really looked at her. None of those glances that slid right over her like she was wearing a cloaking device. He made her feel alive. He made her want to be alive and she didn’t trust that. Not at all.
    But God, he was gorgeous. A light sheen of sweat covered his tanned skin. A lock of dark hair curled over his forehead. Gold and black. Sunshine and shadow. He was far, far too good for her. So out of her league.
    She smiled anyway. “Hi.”
    “You’ve been avoiding me.” His deep voice slipped inside her, waking up parts that should have stayed asleep for at least a month, maybe more.
    “Just working.” She took a sip of water and offered it to him.
    He shook his head. “You drink it. Can I see you tonight? After the work is done.”
     
    She hesitated. Something like panic came into her eyes and Adriano wondered at it. Last night had been neither bad enough nor good enough to cause such a reaction. He’d worked damned hard to keep it that way, a nice easy fuck between friends.
    She hid away bits of herself, and he wanted to dig them out of her with picks and spades just as she unearthed the secrets of his people. But something more delicate was required now, a brush rather than a shovel. He lowered his voice. “Don’t worry. I’m not assuming you’ll have sex with me again. I only want to know you better.”
    If anything her look of panic increased and he backed off. He needed to leave the site tomorrow and see if he could pick up any trace of the mutant, maybe recruit an extra pair of hands. That would give her some space at least. He couldn’t offer more. He wanted to enjoy every moment with her until he could get the stone and leave. He wanted to keep her so busy, she didn’t have time to go wandering around the site. Funny that Sean had helped with that.
    “I’ll be gone tomorrow on some personal business. Do you need anything from town?”
    She looked relieved and he would have been insulted if he hadn’t been able to sense her desire for him still. “No. I’m good. You might want to ask Mia though.”
    “The blonde?”
    She gave him a funny look. “The pretty one.”
    He wanted to laugh at the way she threw that out there. “Fishing for compliments?” He moved closer, purposefully invading her space, smiling when she didn’t back away. “Let me into your tent tonight and I’ll pour them over your body like warmed oil. I’ll feather them over every inch of your soft skin and whisper them in your ear while you come around me.”
    Her eyes dilated. The black of her pupil expanding to nearly blot the fine gray-green of her iris. He loved that color, like misting rain beneath the shade of the canopy. She shook herself. “I have a roommate.”
    “The blonde?”
    Her lips curved subtly. “Yes. The blonde.”
    “Can you get rid of her?”
    “She’s seeing Sean. I know. I know. It’s a long story but she’s not bad…what I mean to say is no. She won’t have anywhere to