Page 42 of No Shelf Control
My brows furrow, my gaze running across his face. "Why are you apologizing to me?"
"You're all over it," he murmurs. "So is the way I feel about you. I wanted you to read it first. You should have been the one to decide whether it was published or not."
I blink wide eyes at him. "Are you serious?"
"Yes?"
"River." I laugh despite myself, shifting on his lap until I'm curled around him, my legs hooked behind the small of his back, my arms around his neck. "It's the best thing you've ever written. I'd be so pissed if youdidn'tpublish it. Besides, it's not like anyone is going to know that I inspired you to rewrite Melody."
"I didn't just rewrite Melody, princess." His hand skirts up my thigh, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. "I rewrote most of it after meeting you. The book is what it is because of you."
"Then you should definitely move forward with publishing it. I've heard that I'm pretty awesome."
"I've heard that too, but publishing might not be an option now," he mutters. "A quarter of it is online right now."
"Yes, a quarter. That means you're going to have thousands of people desperate for the rest of it soon." I nuzzle my face into his throat, biting the tendon there. "Whoever leaked it already stole too much. Don't you dare let them steal the rest of the story from you and your readers, River Jamison."
He's quiet for a moment, his hand resting on my thigh, and then his lips curve into a grin, his fingers inching upward. "Make you a deal, princess."
I eye him suspiciously.
"You get naked and let me make you scream for me, and I'll consider your suggestion."
"Counteroffer," I breathe, grabbing the hem of my shirt to rip it off over my head. "I'll get naked and let you make me scream, you'll publish your book, and if you're a very good boy, I might let you keep making me scream."
"Deal," he growls, tipping me backward onto the couch.
Chapter Thirteen
River
Why I thought Book Club would be normal, I don't fucking know… but I was sadly mistaken. I'm nervous as hell when I step through the doors and see two dozen women scattered aroundBook of Love, flipping through the pages of one of my books. Jasmine is in the center of their misshapen circle,her hands on her hips, her mouth running a million miles a minute.
"No inappropriate questions," she says to the group. "No asking about our sex life. Absolutely no mobbing him."
I smile to myself, my dick pressing up against my zipper. She's sexy as hell, laying down the law like she's ready to go to war for me. I don't need it, though. Not here, not tonight. I didn't agree to do this because she badgered me into it.
I agreed because Iwantto do it. These women mean everything to her. I want to meet them. I want to tell them what I'm sure she's already told them a million times—that they're badasses who can do anything.
I'm still not convinced I'm the motherfucker who should be standing here, but I'm not worried about anyone getting hurt tonight. That shit will never happen on Jasmine's watch. She thinks she isn't a hero, but she's wrong. That woman is more hero than anyone I've ever met, willing to go to war just to get me here to speak to the people who matter most to her.
She's both unconquerable spirit and fierce champion, so goddamn beautiful it hurts to look at her and doesn't hurt enough. God, she's perfect.
"Child, please," an old lady at the end of the sofa says, waving her off. She has to be at least eighty, but there's this gleam in her eye that says she's probably more trouble than half this room combined. "The only thing this group is mobbing is the bargain bin once we're done here. We know how to behave."
"Mrs. Braithewaite, don't you lie to me. You haven't behaved a day in your life," Jasmine retorts, spluttering with laughter. "Don't think we haven't been listening to your stories."
Half the circle nods in solemn agreement.
The old lady cackles, slapping her knee. "At least someone is listening."
I'm not sure if this is a good time to announce my presence, but half the group already knows I'm here. They've been staring at me since the bell over the door jingled.
I step forward, clearing my throat.
Jasmine wheels around, her eyes lighting up as soon as she spots me. "River! You're here!"
"Of course, I am, princess," I murmur, holding her gaze as I cross the bookstore. "Told you that I would be, didn't I?"
