I grab the nicest notebook in this area with a leather cover, sturdy binding, and metal snap.
Perfect. Grab that book too.
Not sure which book the voice means, so I point at the spines until the hisses turn to a grunt. Pulling it out, I look over the book all about the medicinal uses of native plants.
Really?I ask for clarification.
Hmm,they grunt.He has a curious spirit, and with how often those boys injure him, perhaps he’ll be able to care for himself more effectively.
Almost as if we’re protecting what’s ours?
Precisely.
I smile wickedly at the inner voice, praising their genius. Taking my treasures with me back to the checkout counter, I hesitate briefly. My confidence wanes until that breath stealing smile of his rushes it all back in onewhoosh.
Gently, I place the two books and notebook in front of his empty plate.
“Hated it, I see.”
He chuckles good-naturedly. “It’s probably a good thing I don’t visit more than I do, or else I’d weigh a ton.”
You’d still be beautiful, I think, thankful I have enough wherewithal to not say it out loud.
“And it was probably the best apple pie I’ve ever had. Thank you.”
I bow my head, taking the plate back into my kitchen and giving myself a moment to clear the cloudy thoughts his presence always causes me. Standing at my sink, I take a fortifying breath to fill my lungs. When I return to the shop, Rami is thumbing through the books I brought him.
“These are great, Abraham! I didn’t even think about the medicinal plants. And this notebook is stunning.”
Rami’s praise fills me and my chest pokes out further. “I thought you might like that,” I say, preening like a proud peacock. My back smarts again, deflating my chest to lessen the tug on my injured flesh.
He reaches into his messenger bag to remove his wallet, thankfully distracted from my mishap. I open my mouth to tell him that his money is no good, but he gives me a dangerous glare. Daring me to deny him this.
“Fifteen dollars.” Not the full amount—not even close—but I also know he’s on a tight budget. He’s hinted at an allowance that his grandmother gives him, though I don’t know why a man his age is on an allowance.
He continues to glare, his eyes bouncing between mine as if he’s trying to judge whether to argue with me or not. Thankfully, he caves and hands me the money.
Touch him, the voice purrs.
And I do. Touch him. As I reach for the money, I make sure our fingers brush. An image of us together flashes through my mind as the voice hums seductively.
Rami gasps and jerks his hand back as if I shocked him. “I-I need to go. Thank you again. For everything.”
Grabbing his stack of books, he turns and sprints out the door.
“Mine,” I whisper.
Ours.
Chapter 18
Rami's POV
What the fuck just happened?
I run out of there like my ass is on fire and I don’t stop until I round the corner onto Main Street. Honestly, Abraham didn’t do anything wrong. He was his friendly self as he’s always been. But…
Flashes of our naked bodies twined together as he buries himself deep inside me. Our mouths locked together in a battle for dominance. The joining of our gasps and moans.
