Page 67 of Trick or Stalk

I want to know so many things about her. Too many things.

It’s becoming a problem.

I glance toward the end of the aisle. I can't see her, but I can hear her. She's talking quietly to Penny.

My mouth almost curves into a smile.

Her dog likes me. I shouldn't give a shit, but I do.

When Penny came out from beneath the counter and walked toward me, I expected her to hesitate.

She didn't.

She sat directly in front of me like she'd known me forever.

Presley said she's usually a good judge of character.

I look down at my hands. Apparently not.

I never hurt anyone who didn't deserve it. Maybe dogs understand that better than people.

Or maybe she smelled the treats Wilder convinced me to buy at the grocery store.

Either way, when she put her paws on my knee, something moved inside my chest.

Something I don't particularly want to examine.

I’ve never had a dog before. I liked the neighbor’s golden retriever, though. So that should count, right?

Presley's low voice carries toward me.

“Maybe don't fall in love with the first terrifyingly hot stranger who walks through the door.”

I go completely still.

For a second, I'm convinced I heard her wrong.

Then Penny's collar jingles.

Presley says something else, quieter this time. “That was mostly a warning for me.”

Could she really be attracted to me?

Something dangerously close to satisfaction moves through me.

My fingers tighten around the book as her voice echoes inside my head.

It’s too late to stop me from craving you.

The cover of the book finally comes back into focus. A shirtless man stares back at me.

What the fuck?

I turn it over.

Some romance novel.

Of course.