My stomach flickers. A pathetic beat of excitement flares that I’m trying not to read into, but I already want to see Eloise more than I’ve ever wanted to see another human being in my entire life.
I’m like a golden retriever and my owner’s been away on vacation. I wanna chase my tail in circles, and sure, I might pee myself when I see her, but that’s beside the point.
This is fucking ridiculous.
Maybe I’ve built her up in my head to be something more than she is because we’ve barely even talked, but it’s unlikely. No one has ever had an impact on me like this.
I’m vaguely aware that the redhead has said something, so I blink myself out of my momentary stupor and cant my head. She’s looking at me like I’m lacking somehow. And for the first time in my life, I’m afraid I might actually be lacking. I don’t like that either.
“Third floor, near a window; she likes being able to look outside.”
I splutter my thanks, grab my coffee, and jog out the door, her laughter chasing me the entire way. It’s like all my Christmases have come at once, and I’m only going to talk to the woman.
An alarm bell tinkles in the back of my head. What if she doesn’t want to talk to me? What if she doesn’t want me to kiss her again? What if it wasn’t as life altering for her as it was for me?
I rub at my sternum with a balled fist. I’m not sure if it’s the too-hot coffee burning its way down my chest or the idea that this beautiful, smart woman might want fuck all to do with me that’s making me feel queasy.
Tempting a parking ticket, I double park outside the library. The SUV is going to need a detail because that coffee didn’t stay in the cup on my way across campus.
I take the stairs three at a time, like I’m a hero in a romance movie pursuing the love of his life. I’m aware of how cheesy it all is as it runs through my head, but I don’t care. I’m crushing hard on this girl, and I need to know if she felt anything when we kissed.
I squash down the idea that she might reject me, because my gut says she felt it too.
When I pull open the door to the third floor, the smell of books smacks me square in the face. It’s kinda gross. Ew. Musty old book smell is not my kink. Two steps inside, the reality of the situation crashes over me.
I’m looking for a woman I have an epic crush on. In the library. The space alone intimidates the fuck out of me. I can barely spell library. But I’m willing to do wacky things to get this girl’s attention.
This is a mistake. I shouldn’t have come here. I’m not smart enough to evenbein the freakin’ library, let alone date someone who spends a high proportion of her time here. I command my feet to stop, and my shoes squeak on the floor as my body comes to a halt.
I need to turn around and leave. Except, sitting right to my left next to the window, is Eloise. She hasn’t seen me yet.
My heart’s tripping over itself racing so hard in my chest, and while I’d love to blame it on the three flights of stairs… well, I’m an athlete. I can handle a few flights of stairs.
I open my mouth to say something at the same time my feet turn so I’m full-on facing her. One more quarter turn, and I’ll be pointing toward the stairwell, but I can’t convince myself to finish the job and flee.
She puts down her highlighter and looks up, her eyes sparkling between those pink curtains hanging over her face. There’s recognition in her gaze, but nothing that says either “get the fuck away from me, that kiss was awful,” or “Come kiss me again, you tasty brute.” Or whatever the fuck smart girls think.
She tips her head like she’s not sure whether I’m lost, need help finding a book, or if I’m being chased by a dragon. And I suck in a breath. She’s seen me now, so I can’t leave. There’s only one thing left for me to do. I walk toward her and pull out the seat facing her.
CHAPTER12
Eloise
Ishould have known he would have reacted poorly to rejection. But I never thought he’d hunt me down to the library, and just… sit. It wasn’t even a rejection—I said no, thanks. Polite and everything. I guess he’s not used to people saying no to him.
He spun the chair so it was backward before he plopped down on it, and now he’s leaning on the back with his arms crossed. He looks so gosh darn kissable.
The bill of his ball cap is even facing backward. It wouldn’t hit me in the face if I ignored the fact that everyone is staring at me and grabbed Ares by his shirt to lay one on him.
He smells clean, his hair is floppy. It’s early, so maybe he had hockey training. He’s far more alert and awake than I feel.
I wish he’d say something, but right now his intense chocolate brown eyes are drilling into me. The fact that I wish another part of him was drilling into me reminds me of how long it’s been since I’ve been intimate with someone. What’s he like in bed? Would he be a selfish lover?
The more I stare back at him, the quieter Dad’s angry voice from our argument gets. Leopards can’t change their spots, but Ares looks so unlike a leopard right now that I have to admit, he’s kind of tempting.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say he looks “boy next door” but he certainly doesn’t look like the “Devil spawn” Dad claims he is.
He opens his mouth to say something, but I point to the silence signs, then around the library. People are whispering, probably due to the fact that Ares de la Peña is sitting across the table from me, staring at me like he wants my clothes to disappear. I could totally make that happen.
