Page 71 of Trick or Stalk

“Mmm-hmm. In this case, he stalks and kidnaps her.”

“You’ve read it?”

Her smile turns wicked. “Of course.”

“How is it a romance?”

“It’s spicy. Really spicy.” Her cheeks flame.

“Spicy, huh?”

She looks away and clears her throat, then turns back to me. Her voice is almost a whisper when she says, “She falls for him.”

My pulse pounds in my ears.

She has no idea how closely this book relates to her life.

I haven’t kidnapped her, though.

But I wouldn’t rule it out. Especially if she’d be into it.

“And that’s romance?”

“It has a happy ending.”

“Happy ending,” I repeat.

Jesus. What the fuck is wrong with you?

“Everyone likes happy endings.”

Something inside me goes quiet.

I’ve never had one of those.

Not that I deserve one.

Something passes through her eyes. She masks it almost immediately.

Whatever it was makes me wonder if Presley has ever had one either.

She pats the shelf and walks away.

I grab the book, then follow behind her.

When I lay it on the counter by the register, she stills.

“I'll take it.”

Her eyebrows rise. “Seriously?”

“You recommended it.” I stare into her mossy eyes. Gold flecks shimmer beneath the light. “So I'm trusting you.”

Her expression softens.

Christ. Don't look at me like that.

I can handle fear. Suspicion. Even disgust.