Page 14 of TBR: Dead But Well Read

My fingers clenched into a fist. Why did that bother me?

Because I want her to see me.

Shaking my head to clear the foolishness from it, I strode through the wall and out into the dusk.

Zacharias and I were close to finishing our plan, and getting revenge for my brother’s murder was the only thing on earth that mattered to me.

There was no way I’d allow my curiosity over a wayward ghost to jeopardize it.

Isagged onto the couch, blowing out a long sigh.

“Well? Did you learn anything?” Evander asked, pushing his glasses up his nose and peering at me over the top of his laptop.

Leaning my head back against the couch cushion, I closed my eyes. “There’s a reaper in town.”

“Are you sure? Did you see one?” Rhodes’ footsteps were heavy as he entered the room.

Cracking open one eyelid, I glanced toward him. “I didn’t see anyone, but I sensed his presence nearby. He must’ve been walking in the reaper plane.”

Ev closed his laptop and leaned forward to set it on the coffee table. “Maybe it’s the reaper’s presence in the area that’s drawing the ghosts to Amberwood? Ghosts are drawn to reapers like moths are to flames.”

I snorted. “Not just ghosts. Have you seen how humans act when they’re around a reaper? They should fear death, yet theyfawn all over reapers. Those dicks might as well be a type of sex god with the way panties hit the floor whenever they enter a room.”

“You sound jealous,” Evander chuckled. “Don’t worry, bro. Reapers wouldn’t even consider dating a human, so they aren’t in competition with you.”

I didn’t care who the reaper was interested in dating, as long as it wasn’t Axelle. He could have every female ghost, human, and collector out there if he wanted. But he wasn’t getting Axelle.

That morning, when I’d stepped inside Amberwood’s public library, I’d been greeted by the scent of floor polish, old lady rose perfume, and dusty book pages. It had brought back memories of being in elementary school.

Unlike Evander, who would be thrilled to live in a library, I would’ve been content to never step foot inside one again. Oh, the things a man would do for a beautiful woman!

My brow furrowed. I knew the guys thought I was only there to check out some ghost booty, but they were wrong. We each had a set of skills that made us a valuable part of the circle, and one of mine was the ability to read body language.

Sure, I might’ve gone a little too far when teasing Rhodes about his attraction to her, but it had served a purpose. While he’d thought I was simply being a dick, I was reading his non-verbal cues.

There was no doubt in my mind that he would jump the ghost’s bones if given the chance. What surprised me most was that his interest went deeper than just getting his rocks off.

Rhodes had never shown sexual interest in a ghost, and he’d never shown serious interest in a human or collector. Probably because having a relationship would require him to talk to people other than Ev and me. I’d known the man long enough to know he wasn’t a virgin, but he might as well have been.

There was something about the library ghost that had captured his attention in a way I hadn’t witnessed from him before. We were there to study the unusual ghost activity going on in town, so it had only made sense for me to figure out what made her different. It might have helped us answer some questions.

Instead, I’d spent the day sitting on the floor and reading maps, just so I could study her face while she devoured her book.

In a single day, the beautiful bookworm had me doing two things I swore I’d never do.

First, I’d read a book. Well, part of a book.

Second, I’d fallen in love.

The idea of love at first sight was something I’d spent my life scoffing at, but I’d left the library a believer.

After seeing Axelle in person and tasting her sweet skin, Rhodes’ visceral attraction to her the previous day had made perfect sense. It wasn’t just her looks that captivated me. No, something deep inside me was pushing me toward her and causing my skin to burn with the need to touch her.

Glancing at Rhodes, I wondered for the thousandth time today how this could work. We both wanted her, and we were each far too stubborn to give her up.

What if she wanted us both? Could we work things out, or would we end up killing each other?

I was a selfish man, and I’d only been joking about my willingness to share. Hades! Even if I found the strength to share Axe, I’d lose my mind if she spent the night in another man’s room and I was left alone with my thoughts and insecurities.

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