Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
The way she says it is so cute, and it’s like she’s telling me a secret. Only when she winks, it must somehow throw her feet off balance because she starts to tumble over in the process.
“Careful,” I say as I reach out for her and grab her around the waist.
The moment my hands touch her lush hips, I want to dig my fingers in and hold on. All the blood in my body goes straight to my cock, and where it was excited before, it’s demanding now. I’m throbbing for her like I’m fifteen and not a fully grown man that’s always in control. Her bright eyes meet mine, and although I should have dropped my hands by now, my body stopped listening to me the second I walked in this building.
“Thank you.” Is it my imagination, or is she flushed and out of breath?
“My pleasure.” My tongue slides over my bottom lip as I think about exactly what my pleasure would entail, and her eyes don’t miss the gesture.
“Romance,” she says and then blinks a few times.
“That’s what I’m here for.” Forcing myself to stop mauling her, I let her hips go but otherwise don’t move. I’ll try and keep my hands to myself, but I’ll be damned if I’m giving her any more space than absolutely necessary.
“Books.” This time it’s like she’s talking to herself before she says it again. “Yes, romance books. This way.” Before I know it, she’s turning on her heels and walking entirely too fast away from me.
It takes me a second before I go after her to close the distance between us once again. While I’m doing it, I realize that this is the first time in my life that I’m chasing a woman.
And I have zero hesitation.
Chapter Seven
NOEL
Holy snowballs. My heart is still fluttering along with a few other places. Having that man grab my hips sent me into a frenzy. What the heck is wrong with me? Of course I almost trip over myself when the hottest man I’ve ever seen is talking to me.
He probably thinks I’m an utter dork and that I need to get it together. Be cool, I tell myself. Not Tinsel cool, normal-ish cool. I can do this. I’ve read a million romance books, so I should know how to flirt. Is that what I’m going to do? Crap, I’m not sure I know how to do anything, and I’m running out of time. I’m almost to the romance section already.
“I don’t get a lot of men that ask for romance books,” I say, trying to make conversation.
“Judgment?” I stop suddenly and turn back to face him.
“Oh no. I ah…” I stumble over my words. That was the last thing I was trying to do. I actually thought that it was sweet he was asking for it.
“I’m teasing you, Noel.” I let out a small breath. Right, we’re both romance readers, so it’s a judgment-free zone.
“You know my name?” I don’t recall telling him, but I also don’t recall my name ever sounding sexy when someone said it either.
“I heard that asshole say it.”
I snort a laugh and quickly cover my mouth with my hand. Why can’t I giggle? I have to freaking snort? Do I always do that? Is that how I laugh?
“What? You're telling me he’s not an asshole?” A smile pulls at the corner of his lips, and I drop my hand from my mouth.
“He’s…” I trail off, unable to come up with another word that isn’t so harsh.
“An asshole,” he fills in for me. “Go on. Say it.”
“He’s an asshole,” I whisper, and his smirk turns into a smile. Damn, he’s even hotter when he smiles. Is he flirting with me? “What’s your name?”
“Gabriel.”
Another laugh pops out from me, and I rush to cover my mouth again. “I’m sorry.” Of course his name is Gabriel. I can’t wait to tell Snow all about this.
“Why is that so funny?” He cocks his head to the side, and I can tell from his expression I didn’t offend him. For some reason, I get the sense he’s not someone to easily get offended.
“It’s just a hero's name, I guess.”
“A hero's name?”
“Yeah.” I shrug. “Strong with a dash of sweetness to it.”
“Sweetness. I don’t think I’ve ever been called that one before,” he chuckles.
“Do you get ‘asshole’ too?” I tease him back.
“A few times.” We stare at each other for a long moment, neither of us saying anything.
A familiarity falls over me for some reason. Maybe it’s because of the teasing and the sense that we’re now sharing a secret. Or maybe it’s because he got me to say something out loud that I’ve only ever thought.
“What kind of romance do you prefer, Gabriel? I have a lot to choose from.” I wave my hand toward the rows of books. “I section them off, so it can get a bit tricky for someone that doesn't know my system.” Libraries normally toss all romance together and file them by the author's name. That can be overwhelming, especially with how many we carry. I made up a system of my own to help people find something more suited for them.