Page 50 of It takes a Psychic

And yes, he really needed to get out of here now before he did something stupid—like ask if he could stay for a while longer. The whole night, maybe.

He gathered up the files, stuffed them into the messenger bag, and headed for the door. “See you in the morning.”

“Good night,” she said.

She trailed after him to the door. He went out into the hall and stopped.

“You were lying when you said the reason you weren’t planning to register with a matchmaking agency was that you were dedicated to your career,” he said.

She folded her arms and propped one shoulder against the doorframe. “I am dedicated to my career.”

“But that’s not the reason you’ve never registered, is it?”

“I’m a free spirit, remember?”

He nodded. “Okay. I get it. None of my business.”

He took the few steps to his room and rezzed the lock. When he opened the door, she spoke.

“I told you the truth,” she said. “I love my work and I plan to live my life as a free spirit, but you’re right. Those aren’t the reasons I’ve never registered.”

He waited, saying nothing.

“My reason is similar to yours,” she said quietly. “A problematic para-psych profile. I guess I’m afraid of rejection.”

“Figured as much,” he said. “You’re strong, aren’t you?”

She blinked. “What makes you say that?”

He smiled. “The mysterious lab accident. In addition to your locksmith abilities, you can activate Alien artifacts, can’t you?”

She winced. “Some of them.”

“Only some?”

“It’s not the sort of talent you want to run a lot of experiments with. That would be a good way to accidentally murder someone. There’s a reason there are strict laws regarding the handling of artifacts of unknown power.”

“Sure. But just so you know, if you mentioned that aspect of your talent on a matchmaking agency questionnaire, I wouldn’t reject you because of it.”

Her eyes heated. “Are you suggesting that you might ask me out on a real date, not just a date to tour your museum?”

“If I did, would you turn me down?”

“No,” she said. “No, I wouldn’t turn you down. Good night, Oliver.”

She straightened and gently closed the door.

He went into his room and rezzed the lights. He was suddenly feeling remarkably cheerful—more cheerful than he had in a very long time.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Oliver was okay with herartifact talent. He hadn’t even asked her for details.

Leona locked the door of her room, walked a few steps toward the bed, and stopped, trying to process what had just happened. She had taken a huge personal and professional risk when she had admitted that she could activate some Alien artifacts. Most people in the para-archaeology world were nervous around people with that particular talent. Some refused to join any Underworld teams that included a person who might accidentally rez an AUP.

And then there were obsessive collectors and assorted bad guys who would pay any price to obtain the services of someone like her.

But Oliver had guessed the truth and had as good as asked her out on a date. Maybe he wasn’t worried about her talent because he was confident in his own powerful para-psych profile. He did not view her as a threat. He was no Matt Fullerton.

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