Page 5 of Allie's Enforcer

“That’s my little secret.” I keep my promise and zip my lips.

After the meeting, I head over to Gatsby Books. Today, I’m starting my campaign to win over my little honey bun. The first time I laid eyes on her, she stole my fucking heart. Turnabout is fair play.

I push open the heavy glass door and step into the bookstore, waiting for my eyes to adjust to the dimmer lighting, and then look around for my girl. Rage slams through my soul when I see her standing way-the-fuck too close to another man, pointing at something on the book he’s holding. Okay. The man is ninety if he’s a day, but he still has a cock. Therefore, he shouldn’t be that close to my woman. God, I’m jealous of a man old enough to be my great-grandfather. I’m losing my goddamn mind.

“Hello, honey bun.” I walk over, place my arm around her shoulder, and glare down at the older man.

“Oh, hi.” Allie takes a step away from the other man, and the tightness in my chest eases. “Is there something I can help you with?”

My mind fills with all the possibilities, but I force myself to move slowly so I don’t spook my shy little honey bun. “I’d like to see if you have a few books.” I’d buy every book in this fucking shop to keep her from standing next to another man.

“I’ll be with you as soon as I’m finished helping Mr. Lindman.” Fuck. It’s hard to walk over to the counter and wait, but I don’t want to push my girl.

A few minutes later, she comes strolling over to the counter and rings up the older man’s purchase. Once he pays and leaves the store, my girl smiles at me. “I’m so sorry you had to wait. Scarlett is at lunch, and our new part-time employee doesn’t come in until three.”

“I wanted to see you anyway.” I take a step closer to her and smell her delicate floral fragrance. My heart pounds away in my chest from her nearness while my cock grows painfully hard in my jeans.

“What books were you interested in?” She’s in work mode, but I’m not really interested in books today, so I decide to tell her the truth.

“I own about five thousand books that I’m trying to find the time to read.” It’s true. I’ve always shared my love of books with my little sister, Morgan. When our parents’ marriage disintegrated, I used our shared love of reading to help her get over the trauma. “I can’t resist buying every single book that looks interesting.”

“I don’t understand.” Allie scrunches up her nose adorably, and I’m tempted to throw her over my shoulder and run. Fighting my selfish urge to keep her all to myself is going to be a life-long affliction.

“I came here to see you. I can’t stop thinking about you.” That’s putting it mildly. She owns my goddamn heart and soul. Her honey eyes widen as I finish my explanation. “I’m kinda hoping you’ll agree to have dinner with me tonight.”Then we can negotiate you staying with me forever.I add silently.

“I already cooked a pasta casserole that I’ll never be able to eat by myself. Some will go to waste if you refuse.” I’m not above begging to get my girl to spend time with me.

Her straight white teeth dig into her plump bottom lip as she considers my proposition. “Well, we can’t let your casserole go to waste.” Relief cuts through me as she agrees. “I don’t get off of work until seven. Is that too late?”

I’m tempted to insist on coming to get her, but I don’t want to push my luck. “That’s perfect. I usually eat late anyway. Why don’t you come straight over after work?”

“I’ll be there.” My heart settles into a normal pattern when she agrees.

I almost pump my fist in the air as I rush to the Rodeo Drive Market to find a bottle of wine that goes with my granny’s famous chicken pasta casserole. Tonight, everything has to be perfect for my curvy little honey bun.

I watchthe clock move at a snail’s pace all afternoon long. When the darn thing finally hits six-forty-five, my heart starts to pound. I’m really doing this. I’m not sure when it happened, but the smoking-hot hockey player got under my skin. Big time. I’m pretty sure I’m at least halfway in love with him already. Who am I kidding? It’s really around ninety percent. I’m in so much trouble here.

At five minutes until seven, the bell over the door rings and I groan. Great, a last-minute customer. I paste a fake smile on my face and turn to the door.

My heart drops when I find Miles standing there, and I wonder if he came by to cancel.

“Uh, hi.” All my thoughts scatter as disappointment cuts through me.

“Hello, honey bun.” He walks over and takes my hand. “I know you want to drive to my place, so I came by to follow you.”

“Why?” I attempt to wrap my mind around his words. None of this makes sense to me.

“To make sure you get there safely.” He smiles down at me before leaning over to place a soft kiss on my cheek. His warm lips barely brushed my skin, yet I’m ready to jump his bones.

“Silver Spoon Falls isn’t exactly a dangerous place,” I remind him. “And I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.” It’s the same argument I’ve had with my overprotective brother for years. In fact, Fischer makes me call or text him every night when I get home from work, so he knows I’ve made it safely. It gets old, but I love my brother and want to keep the peace.

“I have no doubt you can take care of yourself, but you don’t have to. It’s my job now. I plan to spend the rest of my life making sure you’re well taken care of.”

Hello, twilight zone, you have a new resident. “We just met two days ago,” I remind him.

“It only took me two seconds to fall for you.” I hope it’s not a line because I just fell the last ten percent myself.

“Oh.” This is all happening so fast. I’m having trouble keeping up. “I need to lock up, and then I’ll be ready to head out.” Disappointment fills his gray eyes, but I’m not ready to hand over my heart on a silver platter. The hot hockey player has to earn it first.

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