Page 13 of Teach Me Your Ways

“Co-owner,” I corrected.

I watched her disappear into the bathroom. The faucet turned on but she didn’t close the door all the way. I had to keep myself from peeking in.

“Clever name,” she called out. “The Library.”

“Thanks,” I replied.

“Thank you, if I forgot to say it earlier,” she said. “For the rescue. And the shirt.”

“No problem.”

“I don’t usually get saved by guys who could bench press a mammoth.”

“I’m more of a mastodon guy.”

I heard her laugh softly. “Same difference.”

“We try to keep the vibe mellow. Frat guys don’t come in much. But it’s the start of the school year, I guess. Fresh meat. They don’t know the vibe yet.”

She gave a little huff. “Well, they know the vibe now. That’s for sure.”

She returned to the room wearing the shirt that might have been just a little on the smaller side. Her other shirt was in her hand. Not the bra. That meant she was still wearing it. The lace was cupping her beautiful breasts. I had never been jealous, but right now, I was jealous of lace.

“Better?” I asked, trying not to stare at how the shirt hugged her curves.

“Much. Though I feel like I’m advertising something I know nothing about.” She gestured at the slogan across her chest.

“Trust me, you’re wearing it better than anyone else ever has.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them. She raised an eyebrow. This was probably the moment she either slapped me across the face or ran out of there. But that wasn’t what she did. Instead, her gaze dropped to my mouth. That was when I knew it wasn’t just me feeling a pull.

There were moments in life when you should be cautious. Then there was that old saying about grabbing the bull by the horns. The air in the tiny office was thick with sexual tension. This was like the jungle with Yelena but hotter. Steamier. I took a step closer to her, testing my theory.

Her pink tongue darted out and licked her lower lip. She wanted me. It wasn’t exactly a novel thing, but I wanted her too.

“I don’t want to sound like those assholes, but I’ve never seen you here before,” I said. I was within reach of her.

“Because I’ve never been in here.”

I nodded, my eyes locked on hers. What the fuck was happening? Why did I want to bury my cock in this woman so badly? I didn’t even know her name.

I oh so casually tested the waters further and reached out to use my fingertips to push one fiery strand of red hair away from her face. She didn’t pull away. “What’s your name?” I asked softly.

She smiled. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but does it matter?”

I chuckled. “Maybe.”

I swore I could see actual electricity crackling between us.

“Is this the part where I grant my hero a kiss?” she asked softly. “My knight in shining armor.”

I flashed a grin. “If you’re so inclined, yes.”

I lowered my mouth to hers, fully prepared to brush my lips over hers and call it good. But the second my lips touched hers, all that sizzling chemistry ignited. She grabbed the back of my neck and pulled my face closer to hers.

Her mouth opened under mine. My tongue immediately delved inside. I tasted beer and something sweet, something uniquely her. My hands found her waist, pulling her closer until there wasn’t an inch of space between us. She made a soft sound against my mouth that went straight to my cock.

This was supposed to be a simple thank-you kiss. Polite. Brief. Instead, I was devouring her mouth like a man starved, and she was giving as good as she got. Her fingers tangled in my hair, tugging just hard enough to make me growl.