Skin Dive
Table of Contents
PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF AVA GRAY
SKIN TIGHT
“Gray has crafted a tight, suspenseful tale that will have you up at night turning pages.”
—
Romantic Times
Romantic Times
“Ava Gray immediately sucked me in with this book. Her writing is compelling and addictive. The way she sets up the stories is brilliant . . . I honestly couldn’t stop reading this book and finished it in twenty-four hours.
Awesome
doesn’t even begin to describe it for me.”
Awesome
doesn’t even begin to describe it for me.”
—
Pearl’s World of Romance
Pearl’s World of Romance
“
Skin Tight
is heavy on the smoldering tension . . . Ava’s writing really does grab you from beginning to end.”
Skin Tight
is heavy on the smoldering tension . . . Ava’s writing really does grab you from beginning to end.”
—
Babbling About Books
Babbling About Books
“A supertaut romantic suspense thriller.”
—
Genre Go Round Reviews
Genre Go Round Reviews
SKIN GAME
“Ava Gray at her best. Smart, witty, and bursting with memorable characters so real you can practically touch them,
Skin Game
delivers a powerful punch of danger and nonstop adventure . . . Ava Gray is a must read!”
Skin Game
delivers a powerful punch of danger and nonstop adventure . . . Ava Gray is a must read!”
—Larissa Ione,
New York Times
bestselling author
New York Times
bestselling author
“Sexy, clever, and tightly plotted . . . Ava Gray has some serious writing magic.”
—Lauren Dane, national bestselling author
“Adds a tiny touch of the psychic to a riveting romantic suspense novel. Strong, nuanced character development adds depth to the danger . . . [The] chemistry sizzles.”
—
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
“Ava Gray has written a very hot romance between two incredibly fascinating characters . . . The characters have a remarkably strong chemistry between them. Gray never skimps on the connection between the two, even as the story barrels along, full of action and excitement . . .
Skin Game
is a fast-paced, exciting story featuring fascinating characters, a terrific romance, and a thrilling conclusion.”
Skin Game
is a fast-paced, exciting story featuring fascinating characters, a terrific romance, and a thrilling conclusion.”
—
Romance Novel TV
Romance Novel TV
“Brilliant . . . The perfect package . . . Fascinating characters, excellent pacing and story line, tons of nail-biting suspense . . . and off-the-charts hot sexual encounters . . . My favorite authors make the characters come alive. And Gray has accomplished this in a truly unique and unexpected fashion.”
—
Penelope’s Romance Reviews
Penelope’s Romance Reviews
“Sexy . . . The delicious tension . . . adds spice to the story . . . The romance was particularly well done.”
—
Dear Author
Dear Author
“Compelling, mind-blowing . . . Raw and candid writing that allowed complicated emotions to come through loud and clear. It’s wonderfully written with a perfect pace, excellent character development, and an intriguing plot . . .
Skin Game
is a very good read for readers who appreciate romantic suspense with paranormal elements and a perfect must read for those of us craving unembellished writing, raw action, and strong characters . . . [Ava Gray] is an admirable storyteller and a most talented writer.”
Skin Game
is a very good read for readers who appreciate romantic suspense with paranormal elements and a perfect must read for those of us craving unembellished writing, raw action, and strong characters . . . [Ava Gray] is an admirable storyteller and a most talented writer.”
—
Pearl’s World of Romance
Pearl’s World of Romance
Berkley Sensation titles by Ava Gray
SKIN GAME
SKIN TIGHT
SKIN HEAT
SKIN DIVE
SKIN TIGHT
SKIN HEAT
SKIN DIVE
Anthologies
PRIMAL
(with Lora Leigh, Michelle Rowen, and Jory Strong)
TEN MONTHS AGO THE EXETER FACILITY, VIRGINIA
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.
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, escorted by 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.
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.”
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.
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?
Do they miss me at all?
With the ease of long practice, she banished the darkness. Living in the present kept her sane.
Do 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 tinfoil 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.
“This looks fantastic.”
In truth, the cookies were a bit overdone, and she’d gone wrong somewhere else in making them. The raisins had soaked up all the moisture, so instead of being rich and chewy like her mom’s, these turned out dry and crumbly. But perhaps with the tea, he wouldn’t notice.
“You’re being polite.”
He broke a cookie in half and took a big bite. “Not at all. I haven’t had any sweets in a long time. I used to . . .”
“What?”
“Like marzipan, I think. Or was it peanut brittle?” His eyes went distant, as if all the neurons weren’t firing in sync.
Just how safe was she with him? Gillie eyed him warily. Sure, she knew about the cameras, but this guy could do some damage before help arrived.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” he promised. “I just . . . can’t remember certain things. If it makes you feel better, one condition of my visits is that I’m never to touch you.”
Because she could envision Rowan laying down such terms, she considered that a mixed blessing. Still, she didn’t want him to feel unwelcome. Anyone was better than the mad scientist.
“It does, thank you.”
“I think I haven’t seen my reflection in a while because when I looked in the mirror earlier, I didn’t recognize my own face.” His conversational tone belied the grief in his gaze. “Does that ever happen to you?”
Tell me I’m not alone,
his eyes begged.
his eyes begged.
Gillie shook her head, wishing she were a better liar. She had no comfort to offer a man who found a stranger in the mirror; she could only change the subject. “Silas said we have an hour?”
Taye nodded. “Today, and every day hereafter. I made it a condition of my cooperation.”
“If the question doesn’t strike you as too forward—”
“What can I do?” Wisely, he guessed she wanted to know his ability.
“I’m curious.”
“I’m drugged, so I can’t show you, but . . . I manipulate energy. I absorb it, displace it, and discharge it. Energy is never created or destroyed, but I can transmute it. They’re interested in finding out what, exactly, that entails and what my limits are.”
“They would be. Sadly, they don’t need me willing,” she said softly. “It just makes life more bearable.”
He cocked his head. “So they can use your gift, even if you don’t want them to?”
While he ate, she explained. She’d never imagined she would have anyone to confide in. Even knowing they were listening to every word, it was still a relief. Sympathy shone in his gaze by the time she finished the story.
“Jesus, that’s . . .” He curled his hand into a fist, as if that spoke for him better than words. “Well, I can only say—I don’t know how you’ve borne it.”
“I’ve thought of dying,” she whispered. “They think they’ve eliminated everything I could use to harm myself, but I have a few secrets. Sometimes I still think of it.”
Before he could reply, a knock sounded at the door. “Time.” “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Taye said, eyes on hers. “Take a hot bath and try to relax.”
That seemed like such an odd and pointed instruction that as soon as they left, she went into the bathroom. With something like hope dawning in her heart, Gillie read the note he’d scrawled on a scrap of toilet paper:
We’re getting out of here. Be ready.
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