Page 25 of Soul Sucker

Laney jumped down too, then hugged her hard. “Thanks, sweetie. I’ll call you as soon as I get my first impression of the guy.”

“Sure.” Ella hugged her back. “Take care, hon.” She realized the Russians were both standing as well and she smiled at them. “Have a good evening.”

She turned for the door only to find Morosov following her out. She thought about pretending she hadn’t noticed him, but he was damn hard to ignore. He held the outer door open for her and glanced down at the top of her head.

“Do you mind if I walk with you? A bit of fresh air might help me sleep.”

She couldn’t think of a polite way to say no. “But you didn’t get your drink.”

“I’m sure it will be there when I get back, or more likely Alexei will drink it for me. He has an incredibly high tolerance for alcohol.”

Sometimes his English still sounded rather formal, but Ella was getting used to it. She set a fast pace down Market and kept her eyes on the Ferry building.

“I thought you would live in the city, Ms. Walsh.”

“Why’s that?”

He shrugged. “Because you seem the type.”

She kept her eyes on the sidewalk as if she was intent on avoiding the cracks. “Then you don’t know my type. Most empaths need their space, so we tend to choose quieter places to live.”

“Not all empaths.”

“I thought you didn’t like empaths, but you were all over Laney.”

“She’s charming and I don’t have to work with her.”

Ella stopped walking and faced him. “Look, are you programmed to disagree with everything I say, or are you just totally obnoxious?”

“Probably a little of both.”

“Then get over it. I’m already tired of having to argue with you all day.”

“You could try agreeing with me for a change.”

She started walking again. “Right. Like that’s going to happen. We’re obviously not meant to be best buddies, okay? So let’s do what Feehan said and try to get along at least on a professional level.”

“You prefer to keep things professional?”

“Of course.”

“You don’t date your colleagues?”

“Why, are you trying to summon up the courage to ask me out?”

He laughed, displaying a dimple near his chin. His blue eyes crinkled at the corners and he looked so damn sexy Ella almost wanted to smile back. “For the record, Morosov, I don’t date.”

“Why not?”

“Because…” She glared at him. “I don’t owe you an explanation, do I?”

“Not yet.”

“Wow, you really are over-confident.”

“Not at all. As your colleague, I’m just concerned about your well-being.”

“Ihavemen, I don’t date them.”

---