Part 6 (1/2)

”Definitely.” He grinned and a deep dimple formed on one side of his face. ”So this isn't business, but I like it.”

So do I, Melissa thought, but couldn't admit it just yet. ”Well, people have friends at work. Friends they talk to about things. So why can't we be like those kind of friends?”

Sebastian narrowed his eyes. His grin grew broader as he pointed at her. ”I've been a bad influence on you, haven't I? Admit it.”

She grabbed his finger and gave it a teasing pull. ”I'll admit it on one condition.”

”Shoot. What do you want?”

”Why'd you cut your hair?”

A simple enough question, but with an answer too complex to explore right now, Sebastian thought. With a shrug he replied, ”Remember those unresolved Dad issues? Just trying to look respectable.”

Melissa reached out and ran her fingers through the longer strands at the top of his head. He smelled the clean scent of her, and desire jumped to life. He fought it down, but it wasn't easy.

”I liked it long and I liked the T-s.h.i.+rts and other stuff.”

Sebastian glanced down at the neatly pressed dress s.h.i.+rt he wore, another concession to what he thought would be considered respectable. ”Boring much?”

”Boring,” she agreed with a small nod.

”So I can go back to being disreputable Sebastian.”

”You can go back to being you.”

”Me, huh?” Inside there was surprise, confusion and wait...What was that? Was it pride? Maybe even self-confidence and happiness? Grinning broadly so that it almost hurt, he said, ”I kind of like this work-friends thing.”

There was a slightly confused but happy expression on her face as she admitted, ”So do I, only...I guess it's time I tackled that journal.”

Leaning forward, Sebastian snagged the book from the coffee table where he had left it earlier and handed it to her. ”Nap time's over.”

She grabbed the book from him. ”Slave driver.”

Chuckling, he rose and glanced down at her. She looked good enough to kiss, only work friends didn't kiss, did they? So he forced himself to move away from the sofa and back to Ryder's desk to start the next book.

While he scanned, he battled the need to look her way. So she liked his longer hair and preferred his T-s.h.i.+rts? But thinking about all they had revealed to each other tonight was dangerous because...

ubera.n.a.l Doctor Melissa didn't do bad boys. Only, she had already done him and liked it.

She had liked it, he thought with a grin, and while he scanned, he considered which T-s.h.i.+rt he might wear tomorrow. And how long it would take for his hair to grow out ' cause maybe Good Girl Melissa might consider a repeat performance with Bad Boy Sebastian.

Sebastian wasn't feeling quite as positive after three days of scanning with no sign of Melissa. Rumor had it that she was having an exceptionally rough time at the hospital, which slowed her review of the journals. So Ryder had taken over the task for the last few nights.

Sebastian, however, was wondering if Melissa had reconsidered her earlier decision to become work friends. Was that the reason for her absence?

When Ryder strode up to the desk, surprising him, Sebastian bolted upright in his chair. Glaring at the vampire, Sebastian said, ”Can't you wear a bell or something?”

”Spooked?” Ryder challenged. ”Ready to call out VLAD and have my members.h.i.+p yanked?”

”Or maybe upgraded, because you have been just way too lurking in the shadows lately.” He tried to resume his scanning, only Ryder stilled Sebastian's hand as he moved the mouse.

”Diana has more news.”

Sebastian swiveled around in the chair. ”Bad, I guess.”

Ryder nodded, but said nothing else.

”And the journals? Anything so far?” Sebastian asked.

”Nothing.”

Sebastian had been hoping for something beyond a nod or monosyllabic answer, but it was apparently not forthcoming. Clasping his hands together and adopting what he hoped was a casual stance, Sebastian glanced up at Ryder looming over him. ”How's Melissa?”

”Busy.” Anger surged through him. He was struggling to locate a snappy rebuke, when Ryder surprised him by saying, ”She'll be home later tonight. We need to talk about things and I'm hoping you'll hang around for that.”

When he met Ryder's gaze, he saw a different look there. He couldn't quite call it welcoming-there was still something about the whole vampire thing that threw off his radar-but it was at least more friendly than before.

Or maybe Ryder was just hungry and eyeballing a prospective snack. Regardless, Sebastian wouldn't miss seeing Melissa later that night.

”I'll be here.”

Chapter 9.

Q uitting time.

Melissa was dead tired and counting the minutes until she arrived home. Granted, Ryder had called to say a big powwow was planned, but he'd also let her know that Sebastian would be there.

Which brought a smile to her lips.

The smile didn't last as she pushed through the door of the women's locker room and encountered Sara. Uneasiness crept through her, even though Sara was a friend and had never given Melissa cause to worry-blood bags and possible theft notwithstanding.

Sara was almost finished dressing. On the small bench was her knapsack.

Melissa wondered if it contained blood bags.

”Hola,” her friend said as she noticed Melissa approaching.

”Hola to you,” Melissa responded, opening her locker and eyeing Sara's bag.

Sara seemed as relaxed as always as she pulled on a s.h.i.+rt. Momentary inspiration seized Melissa. While Sara was distracted, Melissa grabbed her bag and swung it onto the bench. Right into Sara's knapsack.

Sara's bag tipped over, spilling its contents onto the floor. Both Sara and Melissa rushed to pick up the items.

”Sorry,” Melissa said. Then she noticed the two blood bags on the floor along with Sara's other things.