AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What do you want?” The giant released the smaller man’s throat but didn’t give him any room. In fact, he deliberately positioned part of his body between Zoe and her assailant.
“I got a letter from the city. They’re going to suspend my driver’s license for library fines. Irefuseto pay them.”
Practically picking up the angry little man, he bodily turned him toward the open area in the center of the library that looked down on the first floor. For a moment, Zoe worried he’d throw the smaller man over the railing.
Lifting his arm, he pointed at the sign below that readLibrary Fines.
Angling his body so Zoe could read his lips, he said clearly, “That’s where you need to be. Not in theresearchsection. Take your disrespectful ass down there and wait.”
He delivered a light shove in the right direction and Breath Mint shuffled backwards, mumbling about the hiring of incompetents.
The man beside her took a step forward and Zoe placed her fingertips lightly on his muscled forearm. He looked down, she shook her head, and he sighed in resignation.
With a carefully blank expression, he asked, “Are you alright? Did he hurt you?” There was no doubt in her mind that he took the protection of others seriously.
“I’m fine.” She mouthed the words and signed them out of habit, blushing when she realized.
To her complete shock, he signed back. “I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner. I was setting up a ladder on the third floor when I heard him yelling.”
She didn’t pay attention towhathe said, onlyhowhe said it. “You sign? That’s…unusual around here.”
“My mother and little sister are deaf.” He gave a small shrug. “I’ve signed since I can remember. Were you born deaf?”
She shook her head and tapped it with her finger. “Car accident when I was sixteen. Permanent nerve damage.”
“Why don’t you speak?” he asked her gently. She shook her head and started to turn away. He lightly touched her shoulder and she paused. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I wondered why you didn’t call for help or demand he let you go.”
“When I’m shaken or spun too quickly, I get disoriented. Severe motion sickness is a side effect of the crash. If he hadn’t stopped, I’d have thrown up.”
She didn’t mention she was also terrified of her voice.
Zoe sighed. “That would have added to the humiliation.” Smiling, she added, “Thank you for stepping in.”
“No reason to thank me. No one has the right to manhandle you like that.” He stuck out his big hand with a grin. “Nathaniel Lang.”
“Zoe Green.” Belatedly, she realized he was the contractor doing the third floor renovations for the library.
She accepted his calloused hand, amused to see how small hers was inside it. A funny tingle she hadn’t felt in alongtime drifted through her. He released her after a careful squeeze and she missed the way it made her feel.
Safe and warm.
“It’s nice to meet you. I didn’t know you were already here.” She glanced at her watch, wondering if she’d lost track of time.
“I got here ahead of my guys to run electrical cords. I want them out of the way. We’ll do everything possible to keep the noise down. We don’t want to interrupt the normal flow of your day, Miss Green.”
“I appreciate that. Call me Zoe.” She glanced over him quickly, accustomed to picking up a lot of information as fast as possible.
Wearing three-inch pumps put her around five-four. He looked almost a foot taller – six-four maybe – and positively massive in the way men only earned from manual labor. Broad chest, huge arms, a defined torso visible through his t-shirt, narrow waist and hips.
One didnotget a body like his from a mere gym.
Longish sandy blonde hair and pretty hazel green eyes were complimented by his tanned skin. His lips were full and his smile bright. He wore a dark green t-shirt emblazoned withLang Contractingand heavy work boots.
The most unusual thing about him was the kilt that hung low on his hips and highlighted his thickly muscled legs. It was primarily green with yellows, blues, and reds shot through it. A very wide worn leather belt with an intricate buckle was his only accessory.
She’d never seen a man wearing a kilt in person and she straightened her glasses for a better look. When she realized she was staring, she blushed brightly and met his eyes. He grinned.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare. I like the fabric pattern and the design on your buckle.”
