Ava Gray - Skin Tight

He forced himself to be logical. “And if I meet your terms, you’ll cooperate fully in the tests?”

T-89 crossed to the cot in his cell and fell back on it, folding his arms behind him. “You bet. Give me what I want, and I’ll light this place up like the Fourth of July. You can film it, and I’ll smile pretty for the camera.”

“Then I’ll agree provisionally,” Rowan said coldly. “You’ll be sedated before we allow you out of that cell. I can’t have you turning your abilities on my personnel.”

“Are you saying my word’s no good, Doc? I’m crushed.” T-89’s words took on a mocking edge.

Rowan ignored that, but couldn’t help asking, “Why do you want to see her?”

“Word on the ward is: she’s smoking hot. A tight little redhead with a killer ass. I figure she’ll be so grateful to see a new face that she’ll be riding my pole in under a month. What do you think, Doc? Will she put out?”

He fought a wave of fury so primitive it all but blinded him. “If you touch her, I will have you killed. Don’t overestimate your importance. You might be my first success, but I took good notes. I can repeat the procedure. I have plenty of meat in the cells, and every one of them is just like you.”

“Hit a nerve? Well, I hate to break it to you, but you’re the crazy butcher who keeps her in his dungeon. She’s never going to show you her titties and beg you for cock.”

Rowan trembled because the other man’s words summoned such a powerful picture. He had envisioned it so many times-she’d be waiting naked when he slipped into her apartment. She’d beg him for sexual initiation.

His penis stirred, hardening at the mere idea of Gillie’s virgin blood. Could sex with her heal the sick as well? He’d wondered, but he had never brought it up to the board because they would auction her virginity off to the highest bidder, some syphilitic old husk. Rowan would never let anyone else touch her.

“Perhaps not,” he said tightly, “but your life is in my hands. I recommend you show a modicum of self-preservation and refrain from provoking me.”

“Ah.” There was a wealth of satisfaction in T-89’s voice. “So you admit I’m right. Good of you. That’s ammunition.”

Belatedly, Rowan realized he’d shown weakness, not advisable with an enemy who wasn’t exactly human. He couldn’t let the man provoke him further. Rowan released a lever, sending a flood of gas into the cell. The man struggled at first, eyes bulging as he realized he was losing control of his motor functions and his intimidating abilities. Then Rowan tapped the intercom button that connected him to the charge nurse while leaving the one to the cell live. “Nurse, send Silas to discipline subject T-89.”

“Right away, Doctor.”

Though he had work to do, it could keep for a while. He was going to enjoy this.

Gillie froze at the knock on her door. The only person who ever visited her was Dr. Rowan, but she would’ve sworn it was too early for him. The man lived like a vampire, working all night, sleeping all day. She wouldn’t be surprised if he did slash people’s jugulars to maintain his creepy immortality.

With great trepidation, she opened the door-if she didn’t, they’d come in anyway. To her surprise, it was Silas, escorting some man she’d never seen before.

“One hour,” the orderly said, and then he was gone.

Gillie closed the door. Her heart beating too fast, she took in the stranger with absolute befuddlement. He stood just less than six feet tall, and he was pale, like her. Chestnut hair, green eyes. On closer scrutiny, she saw he bore bruises on his arms, and more on his back, most likely, if he’d been disciplined.

That made him a test subject, just like her. God, please don’t let it be some mating agenda. If they expect me to breed with him, I’ll kill myself.

“Do you speak?” he asked at length.

She shook herself out of the near panic. “Of course.” Though it had been a long time since she’d met anyone new, she extended a hand, trying to be polite. “I’m Gillie. Nice to meet you.”

Humor crinkled the corners of his eyes. He had a weathered face, as if he’d once spent a great deal of time outdoors. The sun-kissed hue that had led to the lines had long since faded, however. “You, too, Miss Manners.”

“I don’t mean to be rude,” she said in a rush. “But… who are you? Why are you here?”

“That’s a deep question for a new acquaintance.”

She felt heat rising in her cheeks. “I didn’t mean you should define the purpose of your existence. I meant-”

“I know what you meant. I’m here because they turned me into a crazy beast, and then they snapped me up on the streets a few years back. Now the doc’s done something to my brain, something that left me going, Holy shit, I wish I were dead, only I’m not, and I wanted to make the best of this fucked up situation.”

Gillie sat down. “I still don’t understand. They never let me see anyone.”

“There’s nobody sane down here for you to talk to, besides the staff.” He reassured her by taking the chair opposite. If he was meant to mate with her and he only had an hour to get the job done, surely he’d be more aggressive. “And that’s debatable.”

A reluctant smile curved her mouth. “Yes. That’s certainly true. So you’re here… for company?”

“Is that okay?” He hesitated. ̈I also demanded a visit to piss off Doc Rowan. He seems to think he holds your title.”

“That’s one way of putting it.” She tried to control her revulsion, but he saw it.

Maybe because of the cameras, he didn’t acknowledge the revelation. “Do you have anything to drink?”

Gillie could only think, Holy crap, my first houseguest.

“Of course. I should’ve offered. I can make tea or coffee, if you like. I also have some oatmeal cookies I made this morning.”

“You bake in here?” His astonishment wounded her, as if she’d surrendered everything by wanting to make the best of things.

“Yes, I’m a collaborator,” she said, feeling wretched. “Do you want the cookies or not?”

“Tea and cookies in hell.” He shook his head in wonderment.

“That about sums it up.” Relieved that she wouldn’t have to fight off a determined rapist-a worry each time Rowan came in-Gillie got up to make the refreshments. “You never told me your name.”

Pure hatred flashed in his green eyes. “They call me T-89.”

“Do you remember who you are? Do you have a family?” She put the kettle on, nearly weeping with the pleasure of human contact after so long.

“The T stands for Taye. I’m sure of that. The rest…” He shook his head, gazing at his clasped hands. “Only bits and pieces. I think I might have a family out there, but I’m not positive. I’m pretty sure they’d given up on me long before I was taken.”

“I’m sorry.”

Was that true of her as well? Gillie knew a pang, wondering whether her parents had accepted the tale of her death. Did they have more children thereafter? Did they miss me at all? With the ease of long practice, she banished the darkness. Living in the present kept her sane.

He shrugged. “It’s all scrambled now. Doesn’t matter whether I was a crazy bum, begging for spare change and tin-foil for a hat. I doubt my family would want me back, if these flashes I get are true.”

“Well, Taye, I’m glad to have you here. I didn’t think I’d ever see a friendly face.”

Shadows lurked in his jade eyes. “Nor did I. Mind if I use your bathroom?”

“No, help yourself.”

By the time he’d finished, she’d laid the table with cookies and hot tea. He joined her. Gillie had always thought it funny they gave her two chairs, until the day Dr. Rowan sat down across from her. Since then, she’d lost some of the joy she took in doing small, everyday things for herself.