Page 21 of Loving Luna

Oh thank god. I was sure my relief was tangible. “Sir?” I questioned, fully ready for him to get to the point.

“Well, Luna, Professor Rogers is wanting to start a book club on campus.”

“Oh! That sounds fun! But wait…” I frowned. “What does that have to do with me?”

“Well, see… he thinks it will be more popular if it’s led by a student and not a professor. He asked me if there were any students who I thought would be a good fit, and naturally, I thought of you. You’re a big reader, aren’t you?”

“Yes, Sir.” I nodded eagerly. And I was just about to say yes when a thought occurred to me. “But, Sir… why didn’t he just ask Emily?” Emily was my old suitemate, Professor Rogers’ wife and a way more voracious reader than I was.

“Well, you see, Emily isn’t a student. And Professor Rogers didn’t want there to be any accusations of favoritism,” he answered smoothly.

“Oh, right.” I nodded. “I guess the answer is yes, then. I’d be honored. I’ll do it.” I quickly accepted, then faltered. “I mean as long as it doesn’t conflict with my classes or work hours.”

“Professor Rogers was thinking Sunday afternoons, late afternoon, like the hour before dinner is served, in the library. Starting next week when the University goes on winter break. Would that work for you?”

“Yes, Sir. It would. I accept.” I leaned forward to shake his hand across the desk but paused before I got that far. “Is the book club open to anyone?”

“Yes, I believe so, but it will probably mostly be students. Professor Rogers is offering extra credit to students of his that participate.”

“Right. Okay. That makes sense.” I shook his hand for real this time, thanked him for thinking of me and for the opportunity, and left his office smiling.

It wasn’t until an hour later when I was checking in a guest that it occurred to me that anyone actually meant “anyone”.

Drake loved reading.

But he wouldn’t have any interest in going to a book club, would he?

CHAPTER FIVE

DRAKE

As I made my way to the Rawhide University library on the Sunday afternoon after Thanksgiving, I wondered why I of all people had been chosen to run a book club at the University, which I did not attend, and why on earth the book club was starting now, while the University was on winter break until after the new year.

It wasn't like I kept my affinity for romance books hidden, but I didn’t go around advertising it either. Apparently word had gotten around. I’d been excited when I accepted, but now I was second-guessing everything.

Was I really the best person for the job?

And of course I was secretly hoping Luna would be there. What if she wasn’t? I’d have to keep doing it anyway, because now I’d committed to my boss.

Not that saying no had been a real option. When the big boss asks you for a favor, you say yes. At least I do, and I’m sure that most feel the same way. Derek’s done so much for all of us. Ifhe wanted me to run a book club, I wasn’t going to say no. I wouldn’t have even if I hadn’t been the big romance reader I was.

These were the thoughts running through my mind as I made my way to the University library. I wanted to get there a few minutes early, just to have time to figure out my plan and be alone with my thoughts. I didn’t want any of the interested students to beat me there.

When I walked in, on a Sunday afternoon, a time when the library wasn’t even open usually, I knew the door would be unlocked, Derek had said he’d make sure it was. So when it pushed wide open for me, I didn’t think twice about it.

Professor Rogers was supposed to leave a selection of books for me to choose from for our first read. He said it would be on the big table in the back of the library, and that he’d had the submissives bring extra chairs over from other parts of the library to accommodate everybody.

So when I arrived, I walked straight to the back. And saw Luna standing over the pile of books, checking them out. She hadn’t seen me yet, so I stood watching her as she picked up a book, flipped it over, read the back cover, then set it back down on the table and repeated the process.

It was nice to be able to watch her without her knowing I was there, no matter how creepy admitting that made me sound. I missed her. Everything about her. The way her eyes twinkled with mischief when she was pushing my buttons and the way she looked up at me from her lashes when I put her on her knees at my feet during a scene. Mostly though, I just missed her presence. We hadn’t talked or hung out since that day almost a month ago when I’d kissed her and walked out on her.

I stood lost in thought for longer than I should have before she turned and spotted me.

“Holy shit.” She jumped and grabbed her chest. “What the hell are you doing? How is it that you’re able to move that huge body like a fucking ninja?”

“I just walked back here, wasn’t even trying to be quiet. Maybe you just got lost in the stories.” It wasn’t hard to do. Getting lost in a good romance book was one of our favorite pastimes that didn’t involve scenes or sex, of course.

“Maybe.” Shrugging, she picked up the book she’d dropped.

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