Free Evaleigh by Alexia Stark

Content warning: this book contains pseudo incest, adult situations, explicit sex scenes and strong language. This book is intended for mature audiences only. All sexually active persons are 18 or older.
     
    This book was previously “Lovely.” Certain parts have been rewritten and it has been given a new cover and title as part of a PR and publisher agreement. Please enjoy.
     
    Copyright 2013 Alexia Stark
     
    Evaleigh
    Alexia Stark
     
    All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any informational storage retrieval system without prior written permission of the publisher except in the brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
     
    Evaleigh
     
    “I’ve got this weird issue with people, you know?” Evaleigh slurped the last of her Long Island iced tea, the gurgle of the vanishing liquid around ice frustrating her more than it should have.
    She glanced up at her dark haired, dark eyed date. He sat, elbows on table, chin on hands, lips p ursed in an expression of worry, confusion and more than a hint of exasperation.
    Evaleigh had no idea why. She let the straw go with her lips, the words popping out. “I mean, that’s not first date stuff, I know. Not that I’m saying this is a date or anything.”
    Her date shook his head. “No, no, of course it isn’t. Would you like another drink?” He reached out and plucked the glass from her hands and she realized she was trembling so hard the ice was rattling.
    She nodded her head, the quick jerking sending a painful twinge through her neck.
    “So,” His eyes met hers as he set her cup down on the table and signaled the waiter. The soft flickering of the candle at their table did nothing to calm her frayed nerves. “What do you do?”
    “Like… my job?” she asked, and he nodded, infinite patience in his eyes.
    “I, oh, uh…” A nervous laugh broke from her lips and she caught the offended glances of the people at the table next to them. “I, uh, yeah. I’m a coroner. I cut up dead people for a living.”
    The clatter of silver wear on plates and the groans of the people from the next table brought a grin to her lips. “I get that reaction all the time. See, dead people are easy to read. Living people ask questions then turn green at the answer.”
    She caught the horrified expression on her date’s face. “Oh, don’t worry, I washed my hands.” She took the drink from the waiter that stopped at their table. “Oh, and I’m on forced leave because I lost a body. Like, it got up and walked out of the morgue. Cool, huh?” She smiled at her date, who pressed his face into his palms, his shoulders tight.
    She realized how her words must have sounded and attempted to fix the situation. “He’s not a zombie or anything. It’s actually impossible, the whole zombie thing. I’ve written in medical journals about it.”
    He lifted a hand, and she shut up to suck down half her drink. “Well, it’s been fun…” he started, but she flinched when a hand clapped on her shoulder. Turning, she exclaimed in surprise.
    “Declan!” She smiled up at her step brother, catching his tense posture.
    “Evie, why aren’t you answering your phone?” Her brother’s s erious eyes darted to her date and she waved at the guy, who glanced around the restaurant with an exasperated glare.
    “It’s rude to talk on the phone when…”
    “Are you on a date? Right now? Are you kidding me?” Declan’s glare darkened.
    “It’s not a date. I was just telling him that, actually. How funny!” She grinned at her date, who jerked his shoulders up and grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair.
    “I should be going.” He dropped some bills on the table and she glared at her brother.
    “You scared him off. Damn it, Declan.”
    Her brother let out a sharp sigh. “Yeah, I’m sure I scared him. Look, I told Dad and Lanie I’d keep an eye