Page 20 of Ruthless Reign

“What exactly are you looking for?” I ask.

She eyes me thoughtfully. “Jane Eyre. Ever heard of it?”

“Do you really think so little of me?” I give her a smirk. “It’s a book. A very old book.”

Her lips quirk up at the corners. “Most people would call it a classic, but okay… ‘Old book’ works as well. Do you know what it’s about?”

I cross my arms and lean against a bookshelf, noticing how her hair looks more auburn when it catches in the afternoon light. “No idea.”

“As I thought.” She purses her lips. “When I’m in a used bookstore like this, I like to dig around for rare books—collector’s items, first editions. You never know what you might find.”

“How do you know what to look for?”

She taps her temple. “I have a good eye.” With that, she spins on her heels and heads towards a stack at the end of the aisle, scanning each row with precision.

When her face lights up with a find, she reaches up on her tiptoes, fingertips brushing the spine of the book she wants but can’t grasp.

I’d usually position myself where I can see everything, but since the store is closed to the public, I wander towards Liza. She's still reaching up when my body presses gently against her back, extending over her shoulder to grab the book she's after.

The warmth from her body sends a buzz through me. My hand closes around the spine, but I don’t make a move to pull it down. Instead, I soak it all in: her soft curves pressed against my hard form, her scent—a blend of vanilla and spice, the rise and fall of her breaths against my chest.

“You smell good,” I murmur.

My lips brush her ear, and she gasps softly. I have to fight the desire to wrap my hand around her hair and pull, exposing her neck to me.

Even though she’s considered tall for a woman, she only comes up to my shoulder. She sways against me, and I steady her with a palm on her waist.

“Is this what you wanted?” Her mouth hangs open, but understanding dawns when I hold the book out for her.

She’s slightly flushed, the air between us charged with an unexpected intensity. “Uh, thank you.”

I let my eyes travel down her body. She looks gorgeous in high-heeled leather boots, a snug gray sweater, and fitted jeans that do nothing to hide the delectable curve of her ass.

I shake my head, tearing my eyes away from her and ignoring the bulge growing in my jeans. Down, boy.

She bites her lip and gazes at the book in her hand. “Not a first edition, but that’s okay. First editions are nearly impossible to find,” she notes, her voice a little husky.

“What’s the book about?” I ask. “In case a pretty girl wants to discuss it with me. I can impress her with my knowledge.”

She narrows her eyes. “Why don’t you read it for yourself.”

“I’ll take that as a challenge.” I scrape my knuckles along my jaw. “What do you like so much about this book?”

Her lips twist in thought. “I read it when I was still in school, and it made me feel… I don’t know. Hopeful, in a weird way. Jane has this really terrible beginning as an orphan, but she’s able to rise above it. She becomes a governess, makes her own way in the world… falls in love.”

Something flickers to life in my chest. “So, it’s a love story.”

“Yes and no. It’s complicated.”

I shake my head. “Everything’s complicated.”

Liza rests a hand on her hip. “Are you actually going to read it?”

“Damn right.” I open my palm, and she stares at it for a minute before dropping the book in my hand. “I’ll report back to you.”

“I’ll be shocked if you get through half of it.”

Heat spreads over the back of my neck. “Prepare to be amazed, Liza.”

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