Page 6 of Librarian & the Rockstar

It's bigger than most of the cabins around here, made more for actual living than rustic off-grid survival. The MC mostly uses it as a source of income. I guess when you don't get paid to be heroes, you have to diversify somehow. Checkered curtains hang in the windows, and there are rocking chairs on the massive porch.

"Not bad," Ash mutters, almost like he's surprised.

Has he not seen it before?

I decide not to ask. It's not really my business, and I don't want to pry. He's been quiet since I told him that I know who he is. If this is reality and not some coma or death dream, I'd prefer not to come across like some crazed fangirl.

I'm guessing he gets enough of that already. And truthfully? He seems…different in reality. On camera, he's always smiling, always laughing, always playful. He hasn't done much of that today. He's quieter, more reserved.

There are deep shadows under his eyes that say he hasn't been sleeping much, and lines around his mouth that his beard doesn't hide. He's even more beautiful up close and in person, don't get me wrong. The cameras never get the exact shade of his eyes right. They're this mix between sky and midnight blue, as if an artist mixed shades and his eyes were the result. He's also bigger than I always thought he'd be, taller, more muscular.

"Come on," he says, pulling to a stop in front of the cabin. "Let's get you inside and get you warm."

"I…um…" It only just dawned on me at this exact moment that I'm going inside his cabin with him. Alone.

Gulp.

"I don't bite, Loralei," he says, a teasing smirk on his lips.

I duck my head, avoiding his gaze. He probably thinks I'm a disaster. Awesome.

I hope I never need rescuing again. It's entirely too much work.

I reluctantly slide from the SUV, grimacing when I'm immediately pelted with frigid rain again. By the time I make it the few feet to the covered porch, I'm soaked to the skin again, and even colder than before.

Ash grabs a duffle and a couple of shopping bags from the back of the SUV and then rushes up the steps after me, shaking water from his overly long, dark hair. If he's bothered by the rain, he doesn't show it. He just stomps mud from his boots and hurries to the door, unlocking and then holding it open for me.

My body brushes against his as I pass by. I try to hide the way I shiver, but it's impossible. If he notices, he doesn't say anything, though. He just follows me inside, dropping his bag right inside the door. He tosses the shopping bags on the coffee table and then hits the light switch, flooding the room with light.

The cabin is nice, with dark, comfortable furniture, plush rugs, and plenty of space. Tiny dust motes hover in the air, as if it hasn't been used in a while, but it smells fresh and clean. Windows along the back overlook the creek.

Ash immediately heads down the hall on the left, poking his head into the first room on the right before going into the one on the left. He materializes a second later with a towel slung over his shoulders and another in his hands.

"Here," he murmurs, stepping up in front of me to wrap it around me. His hand brushes my shoulder in the process, and another shiver rips through me. He definitely notices this time. His eyes tangle with mine, this look in them that says he isn't quite sure what to make of me.

I want to tell him I feel the same damn way. This isn't what I expected of the day. I'm still not even convinced this is reality. But with him standing in front of me, it's hard to believe this is anything else.

Ash Kilborne is staring into my eyes right now.

He's touching my shoulder.

What is even happening right now?

"Loralei," he says…whispers, really.

I don't know why I sway toward him. I don't even recognize the soft, needy sound I make. It's like I'm in one of my dreams, where he's in my room, telling me he can't live without me. My whole freaking soul wants to reenact that right this second and fling myself at him the same way I do when my sleeping mind conjures him up.

Except…I'm more sure than ever that this is reality. And in reality, I've never been that girl—the one who just throws herself at anyone. I don't even know how to be that girl.

"I…um…bathroom," I mumble, rushing around him before I say or do something I'll absolutely regret, like, 'please fuck me on that fancy rug right there.'

I practically catapult myself through the bathroom door, slamming it closed behind me. My back lands against it, my breath a ragged pant in my throat. I bury my face in the towel, groaning to myself.

My face is on fire, my heart beating a million miles a minute.

Did I seriously just flee from Ash Kilborne? Yes, yes, I did.

"What the fuck, Loralei? What the actual fuck?"