Page 3 of Library Lovers

That infuriating smirk makes another appearance, and I groan.

“You look particularly lovely today.” His voice is husky and low, and I feel it where I absolutely should not be feeling things for him at all.

Since he kissed me on Friday, it’s all I’ve been able to think about. Even when fully immersed in a smokin’ hot romance novel, it was Jennings’s face I saw in the place of the Hero.

Stupid Jennings and his stupidly sexy voice and sultry kisses.

I glare up at him. “What are you playing at?”

A blanket of innocence covers his features, but I’m not buying it.

Stepping forward, I jab a finger at his rock-hard chest. “I know you’re up to something. Is this some elaborate prank? I mean you’ve pulled some stunners in your time, but I don’t think you’ve ever put in this much leg work. Kissing me at the grocery store, helping carry my books… You’re trying to butter me up so I won’t see it coming. But I’m on to you, Jennings Tate.”

His eyes dance with amusement, but he doesn’t reject my accusation. Instead, he wraps his strong fingers around my wrist, then presses my palm flat over his sculpted pec. I yank at it, but he holds firm.

Tipping forward, he whispers in my ear, “You feel that? Feel how hard my heart is pounding?” Ever so slowly he draws my hand down his chest and over his ripped abs.

He feels so good beneath my palm, and I don’t ever want this to end. Then my fingers graze his belt buckle, and I choke on my surprise. What is he doing? I’m beyond curious and kinda turned on, so I don’t stop him as he draws my hand lower until he’s pressing it over the outline of his hard cock.

Holy shit! He’s like, super hard. And long, and thick…

His breath tickles my ear as it hitches with my touch. “Fuck, Ava, you feel that? That’s for you, my little nerd girl. All for you.”

My head spins. His words, his body, it’s all too much. I’m practically panting.

Yanking my hand free, I stumble back, blinking up at him in a daze. His green eyes are fused to my mouth, and I stupidly lick my lips.

That’s all it takes; Jennings Tate stalks me like I’m his prey he’s about to devour.

With every step he takes toward me, I take one back. And when my butt hits the wall inside the foyer, he crowds me with his big body—one arm bracing over my head, his free hand lifting to cup my jaw. I blink dumbly, my pulse thrumming in my veins. His eyes search mine for only a moment before his tongue slides against the seam of my lips, parting them then swooping inside.

I’m so fucking hard, my dick is begging to be set free from the confines of my jeans. But I can’t. Not yet. Not until I know for sure Ava is in, all in.

Bending down to kiss her is killing my back, so I glide my hands down her curves to the backs of her thighs. Cupping them, I haul her up and pin her to the wall with my hips. She’s at the perfect height now; our groins fit together just right. I can feel the heat from her pussy through her nerdy little dress and my jeans. I grind into her, and she moans.

“Fuck yes, you feel that, Ava? It’s all for you, just you,” I promise, then dive back in for another soul-searing kiss.

She breaks it, panting against my lips. “What… why are you doing this?” she asks, genuine confusion breaking through her lust-filled gaze.

I press my forehead to hers, looking into her, and letting her see inside of me. “It’s always been you; how can you not know that?”

Her lips curve down in a frown. “I don’t understand,” she whispers, her fingers digging into the hair at my nape. “You’ve always hated me, and I you.”

Does she really believe that?

My gaze searches hers, and the sincerity behind her words punches me in the gut. She thinks I hate her. “I’ve never hated you. Not for a single second in all my life. I did everything I could to be close to you, to be around you as much as humanly possible. How could you think I hate you?”

She squirms in my arms. “Put me down, Jennings.”

I shake my head, refusing. “No, answer me. Why would you think that?”

Ava swallows hard and unshed tears pool in her eyes. She blinks them back then bites down on her lower lip.

Balancing her with one hand, I reach for her trapped lip and tug it free. “I could never hate you.”

“Then why did you torment me all these years?” she asks on a shaky exhale.

My mouth kicks up in a grin and I shrug. “Because you’re just too much fun to rile up. I love seeing you get all fiery and sassy. It turns me on like nothing else.”

---