Total pages in book: 15
Estimated words: 14068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 70(@200wpm)___ 56(@250wpm)___ 47(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 70(@200wpm)___ 56(@250wpm)___ 47(@300wpm)
Yep, I got it bad. Real bad for this man.
I don’t remember crushing so hard on anyone like this. At this point, I’m convinced I’m actually already falling for him.
Crap. Is this what an unrequited love feels like?
Taking a deep breath, I grasp the brass handles and push the heavy doors open. The hinges creak softly, and I sigh as the cool air grazes my skin. Yet another reason to love the library.
I’m not surprised to find it almost empty, with only a few students scattered in the study nooks and long tables. The only sounds are the faint hum of the air conditioner and the occasional soft rustling of pages.
The doors swing closed behind me, and I wince, preparing myself for the loud thud. But none, just a muted swish. Thank god for small mercies.
The service counter is empty but the librarian’s desk is full of the usual clutter—a vintage lamp with red and green glass shade, a small pile of books, a scattering of ballpoint pens and highlighters, and a computer monitor with a keyboard on the side.
I try to ignore the hollowness in my chest.
Doesn’t he normally wait until everyone has left? Or maybe I spooked him with my behavior earlier that he went home early?
My ribs grow tight. It’s stupid of me to come here. He probably has other plans. I mean, I’m sure someone who looks like him has no shortage of women dressed in sexy outfits asking him to attend parties with them.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
“You’re looking for something?” His rich baritone voice from behind me makes my core clench and my breath quicken.
I turn slowly to find him leaning against the wall, partly hidden by the bookshelf. He’s changed to something more casual, maybe because it’s almost closing time.
His dark blue plaid shirt with its sleeves rolled reveals his muscular forearm and big, veiny hands, and I curb the urge to whimper. God, he’s so sexy it physically hurts me to look at him.
His black-rimmed glasses slide down his nose and he pushes it back up, squinting at me as he does so. I’m about to say the first book that came to mind when his hot eyes rake up and down my body. Jacob’s eyes glaze over, pupils blown wide.
In turn, my body responds by throbbing with raw need, wet heat blooming between my thighs. I cross my legs and clench, scared of being too obvious.
But my god, he sees it.
His eyes narrow, and his Adam’s apple bobs, the muscles in his throat flexing. With his huge hand, he scrubs it across his well-trimmed beard.
Sparks zip through my belly, my breath coming in short pants, and he hasn’t even done anything. He’s not even near me.
He stays in place, but he’s gritting his teeth, a muscle ticking in his jaw.
Maybe it’s the alcohol from earlier, but I suddenly feel bold. I want to see where this goes. I want to know if what happened before wasn’t a one-time thing. If he denies me and pushes me away, then at least I tried. It doesn’t mean my heart won’t break into a million pieces.
I stroll to him, the soft rubber soles of my doll shoes gliding across the polished hardwood floor.
He still doesn’t say or do anything, but his breathing is labored, his face contorted like he’s in pain.
Maybe this is a mistake. Maybe I’m making him uncomfortable. Maybe he doesn’t know how to reject a university student. Maybe—
The thought leaves me as he grabs me by the waist, pulls me to him, and crushes his lips to mine.
Oh. My. God.
I’ve dreamed of this so many times I lost count. But dear god, it’s so much better than I thought. His kiss is urgent and demanding like he wants to take as much as he can before we come up for air.
One hand snakes behind my back, his huge hand cupping the back of my neck, his thumb caressing my pulse—my pulse that has gone wild.
I clutch his collar as his tongue invades my mouth, plunging in and out, his beard tickling me.
A long moan leaves my lips, and it horrifies me, afraid of calling attention to us, but he swallows it and sucks my bottom lip between his teeth.
When he pulls back, his breathing is harsh and so is mine, his eyes flaring with naked hunger. My skin twitches at his touch, and I want more of him. More of whatever this is.
He can probably read my mind because he takes my hand and leads me deeper into the ‘Special Collections’ section. Light is dimmer here, and I almost sneeze at the dust motes floating in the air. We go deeper into the area, trying to maneuver around uneven tiles, until we reach the back.
Jacob stops in front of a bookshelf full of paperbacks, some with yellowed pages, others with torn covers.