Page 7 of Seasons of Love
A book I'd been wanting to read for a while caught my eye. It had mixed reviews, but the blurb had caught my attention when I read it online.
I reached out for it just in time to get caught in a tug-of-war with someone else over the book.
"I'm sor—" My gaze followed the soft, pale skin of the hand gripping my book. The guy's shirtsleeves were rolled up, which showed off his slim but defined forearms, though not nearly enough.
I kept looking up until I met with chestnut-brown eyes that even behind the slim dark-metal frames were deep and assessing.
"I'm sorry. You have it, you went for it first," he said, pushing the book in my direction.
"No, no, you have it."
"No, honestly, it's okay."
I took the book, since he didn't seem prepared to relent.
"I'm not even sure I'll like it," I said. "I've read the reviews online."
He smiled. "That's exactly why I wanted to read it too."
“Please, I insist.” I gave him the book and, that time, he took it.
His face seemed familiar, but I couldn't place it. We definitely hadn't met before because I knew I'd have remembered. With his sharp jaw and soft eyes, he looked like he could take me out with one look and then hug me to make up for it.
The back of my neck felt hot. Hell, it wasn't just the back of my neck, and I don't think I could blame it entirely on the weather.
Putting it simply, the guy was stunning, even if he was far too young for me. And those eyes… God, they could probably pry the deepest secrets out of me without even trying.
I definitely needed to move my attention back to my book-finding mission.
"Well, enjoy the book," I said, picking up a random novel without checking the title or author name.
"Maybe…" he trailed.
I looked up at him. He tilted his head and bit his lip, and my dick enjoyed the image far too much.
A tiny blush appeared under the collar of his shirt, and I wondered if his skin was as soft and pale all over. He was probably some kind of lawyer or accountant. Someone who spent his life indoors.
Suddenly I felt the urge to invite him for a ride on my bike, just so I could see what he'd look like with his skin flushed from the adrenaline of being on the road.
"I'm staying in town for a little while, maybe you can borrow the book when I'm finished with it?" The question took me by surprise.
"I'm sure Ben has more copies of the book," I said, immediately regretting it when the guy flinched.
"Oh…yeah, of course. Well, um…happy book hunting." He turned around to face another row of books.
"I'm sorry, that came out all wrong," I said.
"It's okay, I know when I'm being dismissed. Just for the record, I wasn't flirting."
He walked away, and I knew I should have gone back to the books, but my legs decided for me by chasing after him.
"Hey," I said, grabbing his wrist. It was such a bad idea because just the feel of his soft skin under my rough hands made all the heat from the earth’s core climb up my arm. "For the record, I wasn't dismissing you."
"Right." He pulled his hand back and put it in the pocket of his jeans.
I tried not to stare, but for all the self-restraint I had, I never claimed to be a saint.
"People aren't really my thing," I said.
