Page 17 of Nerdy Dirty Valentine

“That was nice.” He gave me his silly, half-crooked smile, his features shining with trust.

I wanted to kiss him. Badly.

But this was not our agreement. This wasn’t a real thing. And no way could I risk our new and tenuous friendship. I didn’t domuch beyond hookups, but that wasn’t who James was. Even if he thought otherwise.

Besides, I wasn’t the guy for him. I wasn’t educated like him, and I might be sober, but each day still had a fragility for me. I could have casual sex, fling my body toward danger, be reckless with myself. But not with James.

I’d rather die than hurt him.

CHAPTER

SIX

It was Saturday, and the streets of downtown Phoenix were busy with people. James and I weaved around some of them. Despite my shorts and T-shirt, I was sweating a little, wondering if James would like my surprise. God, I hoped so. James was clearly baffled as to why I asked him to go downtown instead of doing our normal routine. I slowed my stride to wait for James a little, realizing we weren’t walking side by side. He smiled as I did. Around us were runners enjoying the January sunshine of the desert climate, a pack of women shoppers hauling their goodies, and a few couples meandering, holding hands.

I glanced at James’ hand. I liked the idea of taking it in mine. A lot.

“Where are we going?” James asked. He wore gray slacks that fitted him perfectly, hugging his pert ass. His shirt was more casual than his usual “professor wear,” just a faded black T-shirt, but I found that appealing as well. Everything he wore made me look. All of James’ clothing made me dream of removing each item and putting my hands on him.

“Patience.”

Anxious to share my little surprise, I was speaking to myself as much as to James, biting the inside of my cheek to stop myself from saying too much.

“If it’s a club, I’m not ready!” James’ voice colored with panic. “I need more dance lessons.”

“It’s the middle of the day. The clubs aren’t open.”

James chewed at his thumbnail. “Right. But where are we heading, then? I don’t enjoy surprises.”

“Everything planned, Professor.” I nudged him playfully. “That’s your happy place.”

“It is.”

“Well, I think this surprise you might enjoy.”

We halted in front of the bookstore. My heart skipped a beat. I’d googled reviews yesterday that this was the best bookstore in town.

“We’re going in here?” James exclaimed. “But you told me how you fall asleep reading.”

“It’s not for me.” Unable to resist any longer, I took his hand. James had nice fingers, slender with clean, square nails. “Remember, dating is about the other person. And I said I sometimes fall asleep.”

“Right.” His lips quirked.

His hand in mine brought a bright smile to my face.

The store was crammed with books from floor to ceiling. Personally, I thought they could use a cafe or something, but James made a happy noise.

The sound went right to my heart.

He stroked the spines of the closest row of books. Opening one or two, he eagerly read their first lines, clutched it to his chest, and sighed.

“Oh,” James gushed. “How will I decide on what to get?”

I smiled. “Pick out any books you want today. My treat.”

“A dangerous thing to say to a bibliophile,” James warned, his eyes still scanning the shelves. “There is one I’ve been reading good reviews on titledPsalm for the Wild Built.It’s all about a human and robot who converse about the nature of humanity.”

“Sounds like a light read.”

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