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“It’s fine. I hope I helped.”
“You did.” She touched my arm. “I can see why Connor likes you so much. Here we are. I don’t know exactly where they’re shelved, but they should be in this section.”
“Perfect, thank you so much.”
“I’d stay and help, but I need to get back to the desk.”
“You’ve been a lifesaver, thanks.”
“We still need to arrange drinks. I’ll see when it’s good for Dayna. Maybe we can invite Mila and Harper too.”
“I’d like that.”
“I’ll set it up. If you need anything else, just holler.”
I gave her a little nod before meticulously working my way through the stacks. There was something about the smell of musty old books that comforted me.
The first two titles were easy to locate, but the third wasn’t where I expected it to be, so I moved deeper into the stacks, losing track of time as I searched and searched.
Finally, I spotted it on the highest shelf, taunting me. Because, of course, it had to be all the way up there. Glancing around, I spotted a step. It would give me some extra height, but I still wasn’t sure I’d be tall enough.
Determined not to be defeated, I retrieved the step and positioned it on the ground in front of me, testing its strength with one foot first. With a deep breath, I stepped onto it and got my footing before reaching up. My fingers grazed the spine, but I couldn’t quite reach still.
“Dammit,” I hissed, going up on my tiptoes as I tried to stretch my hand further. “Almost there, just a—”
“Need a little help, shortcake?” Noah’s deep silky voice startled me, and I started to topple. “Oh, shit.” He rushed over to me, catching me as I almost went flying.
“You,” I half-smiled, half-groaned, righting myself.
“Me.” He grinned, stepping back to give me space.
“I’d ask what you are doing here, but something tells me I don’t want to know.”
“You reminded me I needed to pick up a book too.”
“What book?”
“A book… with words.”
“Sounds interesting. And what words would be in this book?”
“Stuff.”
“Words about stuff.” I narrowed my eyes, fighting a smile. “You, Noah Holden, are a terrible liar.”
His eyes dropped to my mouth, hunger simmering in his gaze. “I had to see you.”
“So you followed me to the library? You know stalker tendencies aren’t exactly a turn-on.”
“No, like I said, I needed to pick up a book.” His mouth twitched.
“Noah…” I sighed, not entirely comfortable with playing these games with him here, in the library. With Ella somewhere in the vicinity.
“Shortcake…” He prowled toward me, crowding me against the stacks. His hand came to rest above my head, effectively trapping me there, his intense brown eyes searching mine.
“You wanted my opinion on something?” I blurted, needing a second to catch my breath.
When he looked at me like that, I couldn’t think straight. And I needed to think straight because we were in public.
