He bobs his head, making his messy curls spill over his forehead.
I close the space between us, fighting the urge to push those golden locks behind his ear. “Seriously, Rami. Make yourself at home. I’m gonna open the shop for a few hours and I’ll be back then.”
He steps further away from me and runs his fingers through his hair. “Thank you,” he repeats softly before grabbing his stuff and disappearing upstairs.
With a heavy sigh, I trudge through the kitchen into the shop. Part of me wants to rush upstairs and be with him. Perhaps I could just stand outside the door and listen to him. What if he sings in the shower? I bet he has a beautiful voice.
What if he jacks off in the shower?they ask, making my member engorge further.
“Thanks for that. Now I’m going to be trying to work with an erection.”
Laughter. That’s all I’m met with. No pity for my predicament, just laughter.
I go through the familiar motions of turning on all the lights, unlocking the door, and flipping the sign to show I’m open. Knowing it’s going to be a slow day with the storm rolling in—let’s be real, I’m rarely busy even on a good day—I make a mental list of stuff to do to keep me busy.
But before I get halfway across the room, the bell above the door jingles. Turning on my heel, a fake smile plastered onto my face, I watch as Sheriff McAdoms walks in. His faux larger-than-life form fills the space and I have to fight the urge to bare my teeth at him like an animal.
“Morning, Abraham,” the old man says, tipping his hat before he slips it off his head.
“Morning, Sheriff. What can I do for you?” I’m quite certain this man has never stepped foot inside my store before.
He’s up to something. I can see it in his eyes.
Rami?I question.
Aye. I’ll keep an eye on him. You get rid of our pest.
With pleasure.
“I received reports of a few people who think they spotted Rami Lawrence. As a favor to his grandmother, I’m looking into it. She’s awfully worried.”
With sheer will alone, I manage to bite back the scoff. “I’m afraid I have not seen him.”
The sheriff closes the distance, invading my space and making my several inches in height appear to be more drastic. “Several sources have said how much Rami enjoys reading, so I assume he has visited your little…” His voice trails off as he glances around my precious bookstore with disgust. “Shop.”
My top lip begins to lift into a snarl, but I force it into a smile. “Yes, sir,” I force through clenched teeth. “He is an occasional customer.” The word customer doesn’t feel like enough, but I refuse to allude to anything further. “As is your son.”
His façade drops only briefly before he clears his throat. “Very well. If you do see him, be sure to call me. But do so discreetly; he’s a flight risk.”
“Yes, sir.” Yeah, that’s not happening.
As he sees himself out, I feel them return to me.
“Is he okay?” I ask once we’re alone again.
Wanna know what he does in the shower?
“Please don’t.”
You should get him a book.
A lascivious grin curls up my face as I know exactly which books I’m gonna grab.
Chapter 28
Rami's POV
Oh, shit. A hot shower is possibly the most amazing feeling ever. After only cleaning myself in that cold-ass stream for the past week, this feels like heaven. I never want to leave.
