Page 22 of Unearthed Dreams
I squeezed the base of my dick before stroking harder, faster. In seconds, I was barreling toward a release more intense than any I’d felt in years. My hips bucked involuntarily and I erupted, cum painting the shower walls as I let out a raspy, “Fuck.”
I panted through the pulsing aftershocks, cursing once more under my breath. Damn, if just the thought of her did this to me, what would the real thing feel like? I knew I was getting slightly obsessed with this girl, but I couldn’t stop it if I tried—and Ihadtried.
Sighing, I washed away the evidence of my Charlie-induced fantasy and made a plan to get my mind off her.
Twenty minutes later, I was shaved, dressed, and my damp hair was pulled up and out of my face. I slipped out the back door of the bar and locked up before taking the alley toward Main Street. First stop—Harbor Pantry for the staples: bread, peanut butter, jelly, milk, and cereal.
What more did a man on his own need?
I’d just finished bagging my groceries when I spotted Chase anda certain doctor heading down aisle two. I shook my head, knowing he was likely getting in way over his head, but I reminded myself that it was none of my damn business. Again.
Clutching two bags and a gallon of milk in one hand, I walked the few blocks to my next stop. The bell chimed as I opened the door to Books and Crannies.
“Hey Kai!” Jennifer chirped. “How’s it going?”
“Not bad. What do you have for me?”
I stopped here once or twice a week. At first, I’d browse and choose my own books, my lack of trust showing even in the simplest of decisions, like letting someone recommend a book. After two years of weekly visits, Jennifer had earned my trust and I’d let her choose my next read.
“Okay, you’re going to have to trust me on this one. It’s a little outside your normal genre, but I think you’ll love it.”
She handed me a thick red paperback. “Seriously?A Court of Thorns and Roses?”
“Have a little faith, Kai. It’s amazing.”
“What’s amazing?”
My heart stuttered as the woman who starred in all my fantasies rounded the corner from the shop office. Charlie was looking at the stack of books in her arms as she approached the counter.
“Oh, perfect! Kai, do you know Charlie?”
Her head snapped up at the sound of my name and that beautiful blush broke out across her cheeks.
“I do. Charlie,” I said, by way of greeting.
“Hi.”
We stood there staring at each other like a couple of idiots. Jennifer glanced between us, clearly sensing the tension.
“Okay…” she drawled. “Great. Well, Charlie’s going to be running things while I’m out on maternity leave,” she said to me, then turned to Charlie. “Kai’s a regular, and I always have a recommendation handy for him. Today, that would beA Court of Thorns and Roses.”
“Oooh, itisamazing,” Charlie said, her eyes sparkling.
“Alright, I’ll try it. Maybe I’ll like a little romance with my fantasy.”
Charlie’s cheeks deepened to crimson as I spoke the words directly to her. Jennifer, still clocking the awkward energy, broke the silence that stretched between us. “Amazing. Charlie, want to ring Kai up?”
“Oh, right. Sure.” Charlie fumbled through the process, causing Jennifer to shoot me a questioning glance. I shrugged, trying to stifle my smirk. Charlotte Everton was as affected by me as I was by her.
I just didn’t know what the fuck to do about it.
Two days later,I walked back into the bookstore. Normally, with my schedule at the bar, it’d take me a lot longer to finish a book this length, but I was highly motivated to get back to Books and Crannies. Since it was the middle of the week, I usually shut the bar down sometime around eleven, kicking out the regulars who’d ponied up hours ago and wouldn’t leave until they got a swift kick in the pants. Then, I’d taken my book to bed and read for hours, sleeping in way later than I normally would and rushing to get the bar opened each morning.
The motion-activated bell chimed as I stepped inside, andCharlie looked up from her place at the front register. A stack of white pages lay spread in front of her, and her laptop was open off to the side. “Find a quiet place to work, after all?”
She smiled softly. “In more ways than one, though I should probably be doing actualworkwork now that Jennifer is out.”
“She had the baby?”
