Page 3 of Cohen

Lord, why is it that every word out of his mouth sounds so sexy? So dirty?

Because of all the needs I’d like to take care of for him, none of them are professional. And they have absolutely nothing to do with these dusty old law books.

Thanks so much, dirty mind. Now I’m blushing again.

It takes all my willpower, but I somehow clear my mind for the hundredth time and show him around the small reference section of the library. There isn’t much to see, but I’m proud of the work we’ve done to preserve the town’s records, especially from the early years when the area was first settled.

“I don’t know how much use any of this will be,” I confess as we finish the short tour up and down the three aisles that he’s likely to be interested in. “But please let me know if there’s ever anything you need help finding. I’m here most days and I’ve seen and stocked almost every book in this building at one point or another over the past few years that I’ve worked here.”

“I always thought it would be a fascinating job to work at a library,” he says, though he has to be joking, right? I mean, it wasmydream to work in a library, but I wasn’t like most kids growing up. “Getting to learn about new subjects all the time and being the first one to see and touch all the books—new books, old books, one of a kind books…” He shakes his head and laughs. “Yeah, I guess I spent a few too many afternoons in this place when I was a kid.”

“No—I mean, yes, you’re exactly right about how it feels to work here. I love getting to help people and learn about the things they’re interested in, but there’s also something so special and personal about reading. This whole place feels like Aladdin’s cave to me, just treasure after treasure waiting to be found. I felt like I’d won the jackpot when Mrs. Molina hired me as her assistant, and then I was so honored when she promoted me to take over for her after she retired. That little old lady left some really big shoes to fill.”

I close my mouth and now it’s my turn to smile self-consciously. I’m not sure I’ve ever said most of those things out loud and I certainly didn’t mean for all my inner-most thoughts to spill out like that. If he’s thinking that I’m a huge bookworm or a big nerd, well… he’s right. But he doesn’t seem to mind. He doesn’t look like he’s judging me at all because he's nodding along to everything I say like he truly understands. Like he might even feel the same way.

“It sounds like we might be kindred spirits,” he says, confirming what I was thinking. “But I didn’t catch your name, Miss…”

“Delilah,” I shake his hand for the second time and feel the same rush of heat to my cheeks as I did right after he kept me from falling just a few minutes ago. “Delilah Fawkes. It’s good to meet you. Again.”

“Indeed,” he grins. “The pleasure is all mine.”

I tell him again to let me know if he needs anything while he’s here and then make myself back off even though I’d rather stand right here by his side as he browses the old reference books.

Maybe another time. If he comes back, that is.

And God, I hope he comes back.

3

COHEN

It’s been three days since I stopped by the library and I haven’t been able to get Delilah out of my head.

Actually, no.

That makes it sound like Iwantto get her out of my head. The truth is that I’ve spent most of the past seventy-two hours doing exactly what I’m doing now—sitting at my desk and looking out the window while I try to come up with an excuse to go back in and talk to her.

I can just see the corner of the library from where I’m sitting, a fact that has turned out to be a blessing and a curse this week. It’s a nice reminder that I’m back in a small town where everything I could ever want or need is within walking distance. Literally within sight of my desk at the office. But it’s also really hard to stop thinking about someone when their place of employment seems to have a permanent spot in my peripheral vision.

If I had some clients or even a TV hooked up in here, I could at least keep myself distracted. But right now, it’s just me, my view of the library, and my thoughts of Delilah.

The problem is that I shouldn’t be worried about dating right now. Meeting a girl and having a good time and possibly settling down with her should be the last thing on my mind at the moment. I should be spending all of my time and energy on my law practice. I’ve just moved back to town and I need to be out in the community, talking to people, learning their problems and earning their respect. That’s what the rational part of my brain keeps telling me, anyway.

But the irrational part? The part that’s been able to hold my attention over the past few days? Yeah, that’s the part that points out how perfect Delilah is. Smartandfunny. Beautifulandsweet. And those curves… fuck, she’s literally everything I want in a woman, and I could tell from our short conversation the other day that I’ve never met anyone like her before. Chances are slim that I’ll ever meet anyone like her again. Especially not here in Kismet Falls.

I stand up from my desk before I even realize I’ve moved. I believe in following the facts and making calm, rational decisions. My career depends on it and I think it’s an excellent method to follow in my personal life as well. This time, though… I’m throwing caution to the wind. I’m trusting my gut. And I have to be honest—it feels good. It feels right.

I start whistling as I walk out the front door of my office and head across the street. I don’t know what I’ll say when I get to the library or what my excuse for visiting again so soon will be, but I’m trusting my own instincts on this one.

They’ve never let me down before.

The library is so close to my office that I still haven’t come up with a plan as I step inside, but that’s okay. Under any other circumstances, I’d probably be at least a little nervous, but not today. Not here, in my home away from home. Not when I know my sweet Delilah is somewhere in here, probably just around the corner.

I stop in my tracks the moment I see her, just like I did the other day. She isn’t up on a stool this time, though. Instead, she’s sitting behind the front desk where I’ve only ever seen Mrs. Molina sit before today. Delilah looks so natural there, so perfectly confident in her element as she studies the computer screen in front of her. I’m far enough away that she doesn’t immediately see me but still close enough to notice a few little details that I haven’t seen before—like the tiny furrow between her brows from concentrating on whatever it is she’s looking at or the way she’s nibbling at her bottom lip, completely innocent and sexy at the same time as she’s lost in thought.

In this instant I know that coming here was the right decision. She’s one hundred percent the woman for me. The only woman I want to spend my time with.

“Hi there,” I say, unable to hold back a smile as I take a few steps closer to the front desk. “Sorry if I’m interrupting, but—”

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