Page 4 of The Lessons

Callo-what?Oh. Right. Well fuck, he still thought I worked here. For a brief moment, I considered lying, just so I’d have an excuse to keep talking to him. But alas, for some reason I went with the truth.

“Historical fiction?” he clarified.

I personally wasn’t a fan of the genre, but those eyes were making me all wobbly inside, and I could barely respond. “No, I heard you. It’s just?Sorry, I don’t work here.”

He cocked his head and looked at me, confused.

Oh, he’s very cute when he’s confused.My heart fluttered, and my brain turned to mush as I pretended to rub my forehead, using the moment as a chance to steal another glance at him. His body was tall and lean with broad shoulders, and he was wearing dark jeans and a black, leather motorcycle jacket. As I gazed at him, I felt a magnetic pull. For a moment I thought about knocking my books out of his hand in order to see him bend over again.

But that would be wrong, right?

Yes, that would be wrong, Natalie, get a grip.

His blue eyes darkened and seared into me as he angled his head to the left. “Seriously?”

I rubbed my sweaty hands together and nodded at the stack of books in his hands. “Um, yeah, sorry to disappoint. Could I have my books, please?”

He looked me up and down, an amused expression playing on his lips. Eventually he stepped forward.

I took a half step back only to realize I was now pinned between him and a shelf. He paused there for a moment, and I felt the air shift between us before he reached out and grabbed my hand, placing the heap of paperbacks in it. I gripped them for dear life, and as he let go, one of his fingers grazed mine and sent a charge of electricity ripping through me.

“Ah. Well, that explains the swearing.” The corners of his mouth twitched up.

Was hesmirkingat me? He was.

I felt a deep heat take over my face, which only intensified as I chided myself. As far as I was concerned, a woman could swear if she fucking well pleased, and I was about to tell him just that when he continued.

“Well, all I can say is that you and your glasses and cardigan build a very convincing case.”

I frowned. “You’re stereotyping pretty heavily there, dontcha think?” Great. Of course hot guy was typecasting me.

“It wasn’t an insult.”

“Oh?” I lowered my eyes and padded the word with sarcasm.

“I actually dig a librarian vibe.”

I tilted my head. “So is that why you’re hanging out here? To seduce bookish chicks?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. Is it working?”

I didn’t say anything.

“That’s a nice perfume you’re wearing. What is it?”

I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes. Gag me with a stick. I wasn’t wearing any fucking perfume. I know, I know. Hot guy wanted to flirt with me? I should have just gone with it, but the last few years had left me pretty jaded in the men department. Sure, they’re all nice and flirty, but invariably they’d find out my secret and head for the hills.

Yes, it had happened to me. Yes, more than once.

“Hey, whoa, sorry. I didn’t mean to offend.” His eyes lightened as he copped an easy smile. “You know, some women actually find me charming.”

“I don’t find you charming.”

“Yet…”

“Huh?”

“You don’t find me charmingyet.” He crossed his arms and shrugged. “I accept that.”

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