Read Online The Bond That Saves Us by Christine D'Abo - Free Book Online Page B

wouldn’t leave her and he could pick up some of the slack, but she’d still be down a copilot. It was the one position she’d never be able to fill, not with the race only a month away.
    “I’m sorry, Amy,” he said softly. “I know I’m basically screwing you over here.”
    Shifting her chair closer, she grabbed his hand and gave it a light squeeze. His skin was still warm from where the medics had used the bone stitcher on him.
    “It’s okay. I’ll find someone.”
    “Maybe your dad—”
    “Absolutely not!”
    Her voice was loud enough to draw the attention of several around them. Both Sean and Taber looked on, the former frowning. Her gaze rested on him a bit longer than was proper for having just met him, but given what they’d been doing together only a short time earlier, she figured she had the right.
    “Friend of yours?” Steve asked, his voice hesitant.
    “Not sure yet.”
    When Sean turned his attention back to the Briel, Amy saw his entire demeanor flip to something darker, dangerous. For a moment, she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Gone was the relaxed, if somewhat distant, persona she’d first witnessed at the bar. Now Sean and Taber appeared to be engaged in a heated discussion. The Briel’s body remained rigid, almost too much so, his back a straight plank. Sean’s hands were squarely on his hips as he leaned forward. His face had taken on a faint flush, in which she assumed was anger.
    “That doesn’t look good,” she muttered. More than a little arousing, but not good.
    “Keep on his good side, yeah?”
    “Oh yes.”
    “Donaldson, will you listen to me?” Taber’s voice wasn’t a shout, but it certainly carried to her over the din of the crowd.
    People around them shifted their attention to Sean, some openly staring, while others snuck quick glances. Sean’s attention was fixed on her. Holding her gaze, Sean marched away from Taber’s side and walked to her. For the first time since their meeting, she took a good hard look at the man. His body was lean, strong. She’d seen him close up, but the full effect stalking toward her with a purpose was breathtaking.
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    Short cropped blond hair and startling hazel eyes made him look the perfect predator.
    “I hope he’s your friend, ‘cause I’d hate to piss him off.”
    She turned to look back at Steve and grinned. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”
    Waiting until he was at her side, Amy sat back and ran her hands over the tops of her thighs.
    “Steve, this is Sean. I ran into him at the med bay.”
    “Seems like a popular spot,” Steve said, holding out his uninjured arm. “Steve Crawford.”
    “Sean Donaldson. Who was it?”
    The terseness of his tone was in stark contrast to the velvet rumble he’d used on her earlier. It was shocking and reassuring at the same time. Sean was an interesting mix of darkness and light, one Amy had an overwhelming desire to learn more about. No, that wouldn’t lead her anywhere good.
    “Not sure,” Steve was saying, his tone a matching one to Sean’s hostility. “I don’t plan on sticking around here long enough to find out on a second date, if you know what I mean.”
    “You’re leaving?”
    “Steve is my copilot. It essentially puts me out of the race, not that I blame you for a moment.” A bald-faced lie, but ranting about it wouldn’t fix anything.
    Sean’s cool gaze didn’t waver from her, studying the lines of her face and where she clung to her friend. The frown now seemed to be permanently etched on his handsome face, which only served to add to her attraction. He looked dangerous, and for once, she needed a man like that in her life.
    “We need to talk. Sorry, Steve, but I’m going to steal her for a minute.”
    The civility of his words was betrayed by the harshness of his voice. He made no move to touch her, at least giving her the opportunity to back away from him, tell him to fuck off even, that this was none of his business.
    “I’ll be right