Page 49 of Rating the Book Boyfriend

“Um, my shoes are missing,” I say when we reach the door, and Riggs curses.

“Dammit, Ace!”

The dog pokes his head out from under the coffee table, takes one look at his owner, and takes off down the hall. Riggs stomps over and digs beneath the table before coming up with two completely mauled melon-colored flip-flops.

“Shit, Libby, I’m sorry. I’ll replace them.”

“No, it’s okay,” I assure him. “They’re just the cheap ones from the dollar store.”

He checks the bottom, probably looking for the size. “No, I insist. I have the goofy mutt trained pretty well. He goes to his room when I tell him to, and he never gets on the couch. His only toxic trait is that he seems to have a hunger for shoes.”

“I have a couple pairs, so it’s fine.”

He’s still shaking his head when he leads me outside. As Riggs walks in front of me, I gingerly make my way over the crushed oyster shells that make up his driveway. Then he turns and notices, and his eyes widen.

“Hold on. Don’t move,” he directs, jogging back and turning around. “Hop on my back.”

“I can’t… I mean… you don’t… no, it’s…” I’ve lost complete control of my verbal abilities at this point.

“Now, Libby. Don’t make me tell you again.”

Oh sweet balls of fire!That tone of voice that leaves no room for debate is my weakness, and I hop up onto his broad back when he dips his knees slightly.

Riggs surprises me by taking off at a gallop, and I squeal. “Riggs, you’re going to hurt yourself!”

“Whatever. You’re light as a feather, Libby-girl.”

“I’m totally not. My long legs make me much heavier than a feather, or even the whole damn bird.”

“Bet you’re lighter than an emu,” he says, and I giggle.

When he reaches my car, he opens the door, turns, and squats so I can slide directly into the driver’s seat. “There you go. Safe and sound. You didn’t cut your feet, did you?” Riggs bends and picks up both my feet, and I have to brace my arms on the seat to keep from falling over backward.

“Riggs Romero, do not look at my feet! They’re all dirty from walking barefoot on the beach.”

He completely ignores me, inspecting each one while I squirm, before releasing them. “I don’t see anything. I’m sorry again about your shoes.” His chagrined smile is so goddamn adorable, and I’m in real fucking trouble here.

“I told you, it’s no biggie. They’re super cheap.” I swing my feet into the floorboard, and Riggs stands in the open door.

“Text me when you get home so I know you made it okay.”

“I’m grown and perfectly capable of driving for twelve miles,” I protest, and his lips kick up on one side.

“I don’t mean to insult your capabilities, Libby, but anyone can have an accident or a flat tire. I always have my sister call me, and she only lives five miles from here.” Then he pauses and cocks his head to one side. “Please. It would make me feel better.”

“For Christ’s sake, stop doing the puppy dog eyes. I’ll call you,” I grump, and he grins broadly.

As I drive away, I glance into my rearview mirror and find him standing in the driveway with his hands in his pockets. And I wonder…

How the hell am I supposed to make this man swoonier than he already is?

CHAPTER 14

Libby

Ileave my coffee date with Lucinda Farina in a tailspin. I’m confused… and angry as hell. Somehow, I managed to hold my temper and not tell her where to stick her pretentious coffee. Barely. And only because it would be unprofessional.

After texting my BBB cofounders that I’d like a meeting, I drive home and quickly change into lounge clothes before logging onto my computer. One by one, my friends pop onto the screen.

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