Page 9 of TBR: Dead But Well Read

Reaching the archive room, I settled on top of the bookshelf I called my bed. I spent the next two hours lost inside my newest BILF—Book I’d Like to Finish.

Completely captivated by the story, it took me far too long to realize something was stroking against my cheek.

“Not now, Wasabi,” I murmured, my eyes still fixed on the page. “Things are just getting steamy.”

I’d expected a disgruntled squeak of protest from Wasabi, but instead, deep laughter filled the room and sent a thrill racing straight to my toes.

Jerking my head to the right, I came face to face with an unfamiliar man. He must have stepped onto the lower shelf because his arms were folded on the top of the bookshelf and he was resting his chin on top of them.

“Ahhh!” My shriek was loud enough to wake the dead, but the man only raised an eyebrow in response.

“Boo!” he teased, still chuckling under his breath. “Someone is awfully jumpy.”

“You would be too if strangers were sneaking up on you! And that’s my line!” I snapped.

My irritation at being pulled away from my book was only slightly dampened by the pair of glittering green eyes that were partially hidden by the blond hair that fell over the left side of the stranger’s face.

He was pretty. Almost too pretty. With my mind still filled with romance and a fantasy realm, I couldn’t stop myself fromtaking a quick peek at his ears to check if they were pointed. They weren’t, which was an absolute shame because the man would’ve made one heck of a beautiful fae.

The infuriatingly alluring man was studying me, and his finger stroked along my cheek again. In life, I would’ve growled at any man who dared touch me without permission, sexy or not. So it had to be the lack of physical interactions I’d had over the past three years that had me leaning ever-so-slightly into his touch.

Realizing how close I was dancing to a whole world of trouble, I sat up and scooted away from him. “Nope!”

The man tilted his head, likely confused by my sudden change of mood. “Something wrong?”

“Yes. I’m living a bookworm’s dream, and I refuse to lose my valuable reading time by getting sucked into a beautiful stranger’s drama.” I narrowed my eyes.

“Aw. You find me attractive, boo?”

“It’s not like you didn’t already know that. I’m sure you’ve been told how good looking you are since you were a kid.” I blushed but lifted my chin, refusing to let him see how much he was muddling my brain and making my stomach quiver. “And don’t call me boo.”

“I’ve never been complimented by a woman as lovely as you though.” The man purred. “If I can’t call you boo, can I call you mine?”

Oh yes.

This man was definitely going to be trouble.

“Axe. Well, actually, my name is Axelle, but I just go by Axe. Axelle sounds like a guy’s name, although Axe isn’t really any more feminine. I guess that’s what happens when your mom gives birth and dips out, leaving you behind for your dad to raise.” Realizing I was rambling, I snapped my mouth closed and looked up at the ceiling.

It was those stupid green eyes of his. They were a siren’s trap, calling me to reveal my deepest thoughts.

Ha! Joke was on him. Deep thoughts were something I’d given up in favor of using my full energy for reading. So he was going to end up regretting any inner musing he pulled from my mind. Like why didn’t we call a yeti’s dick apenisicle? And if vampires didn’t have blood flow, how could they get an erection?

“Axe. I like it.” The man held out his hand. “I’m Lochlan, but you can call me Loch.”

“It was a pleasure to meet you Loch.” I shook his hand, then picked my book back up. “Enjoy your visit here at the library. If you can’t find something, ask for Tilly. She’s the nice one.”

Lying back down, I opened my book and pretended to focus on the crisp cream-colored pages. In truth, I was finding it hard to think of anything other than the scent of fir trees and leather that drifted around me. His scent.

“You’re dismissing me?” Lochlan asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.

“I’m sorry. You caught me at a busy time.” He probably wasn’t used to having girls ignore him. Hiding my smile, I flipped another page.

Loch remained quiet for several minutes, watching me read. Then he hopped off the shelf, and from the corner of my eye, I watched as he pulled a book from another large metal shelf. Lowering himself to the floor, he opened the dusty cover and began slowly thumbing through the pages.

Interesting. He didn’t seem like the reading type, but who was I to complain? I’d gotten what I wanted—peace and quiet to read my book.

Five hours later, I closed the book with a happy sigh. It had been even better than I’d hoped, but now I would have to wait months for the next book in the series.

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