Free Playing in Shadow by Lesley Davis Page A

loud. She knew her voice could carry a tune so she wasn’t shy about raising it to accompany Sharon Den Adel as she sang about an ice queen wreaking havoc. Over the music, Scarlet could hear the faint noises coming from around the building. Hammering came from downstairs, and there was the faint whine of a drill from the house next door. But from the room next to hers, she couldn’t hear a sound. Bryce was working in there, and Scarlet wondered if she’d find her asleep again. She knew Bryce had the darkest shadows under her eyes she’d ever seen and was growing gaunt. Scarlet was determined to make sure Bryce ate her fair share of pizza when they joined Monica’s crew for the impromptu picnic. There was something about Bryce that made Scarlet oddly attentive even though she knew Bryce would hate to be fussed over. It was strange. She’d never felt so drawn to someone who posted so many “do not disturb” signs all over themselves.
    But Scarlet had never been one for playing it safe.
    She finished off her section with a flourish and climbed down from her stepladder. She cleansed her brushes ready for the afternoon’s work and tidied up a little. Her stomach rumbled loudly and her mouth watered at the thought of the pizza awaiting her. She gathered up a cold can of soda from her cooler and went to find Bryce.
    From the doorway, Scarlet spied Bryce upon her scaffold smoothing plaster across the ceiling. With every sweep of her trowel, Bryce’s outstretched arm pulled her T-shirt up to reveal a taut stomach etched with tight muscles. Scarlet couldn’t take her eyes away from the well-defined abs that were taunting her with every stroke of Bryce’s arm. Her fingers itched to smooth their way across each line to see if Bryce would tense beneath her touch or melt to let her tease further.
    “Scarlet?”
    By the way Bryce raised her voice, it was obviously not the first time she’d spoken to her.
    Scarlet shook herself and knew she was probably blushing a shade of red to rival her hair. She belatedly tore her eyes away from the tantalizing strip of skin still visible because of Bryce’s pose. Scarlet dragged her eyes upward and found Bryce staring at her.
    “You okay?”
    Scarlet nodded. “Are you supposed to be reaching up that high with your shoulder?”
    Bryce finished off a corner deftly. “It was my left shoulder I damaged, not my right. I just can’t load my board as much as I used to yet.” She climbed down her scaffold with ease and set down her tools. “Did you need me for something?”
    Scarlet felt her face flame again at the innocent query. She twisted her hands behind her back to quell the need to lift Bryce’s shirt up and explore the skin she’d seen revealed.
    “Just wondered if you’re ready to eat.” She cursed herself for feeling so conscious of everything connected to Bryce. Scarlet was all too aware of her growing attraction with every moment spent in her presence. She watched as Bryce wiped her hands clean and found herself fascinated by the blunt fingertips and short cut nails. Small scars were visible up Bryce’s arms, paler now, but etching patterns across her muscles. Scarlet had the urge to touch them, trace them, to acknowledge the damage they told of while celebrating the fact Bryce was still there. Still very much alive. The imperative to run her fingers over the scar etching its cruelty through Bryce’s brow set Scarlet in motion, and she stepped forward unconsciously. Startled by her feelings, Scarlet all but jumped back as if scalded when Bryce looked up.
    “We’d better go see Juliet if she’s still here. She looks to me like a lady you don’t keep waiting around when she’s summoned you.” Bryce snagged a can of soda and ran it across her forehead for the chill.
    Scarlet hastily bit back a moan at the innocent act. She tried to act nonchalant but was all churned up inside. Her reaction to Bryce threw her seriously off balance. She watched as Bryce jammed the