Chapter 8

JASPER

I stood behind Harper as she held the door open, waiting for an elderly woman to enter the store. I couldn't stop noticing how she puckered her full lips when she paused, or how her green eyes popped against her sun-kissed olive skin.

The wind blew a gentle breeze forcing the smell of lavender and vanilla to flood my senses. She smiled, welcoming the woman by name, the smile she wore genuinely met her eyes, causing them to scrunch at the creases.

Fucking Gorgeous.

The woman she called Mrs. Lester, walked through the door. Harper shifted to the side, moving her body out of the entrance walkway, while still holding the door open, inadvertently bringing herself closer to me. The difficulty in disregarding my body's reaction to her nearness, was undeniable when goosebumps prickled my neck.

I reached for the door handle, intending to do the proper thing, and hold the door open for her. Harper immediately withdrew her hand but not before grazing mine slightly. I glanced down momentarily at the connection and when I looked back up, I met her beautiful green eyes gazing at me like she could see through to my soul.

God, she is beautiful.

"Let me get that for you," I said before pulling the door open further. She hesitated a moment and then walked in first.

"Thank you, sir," She managed to get out in a nervous almost whisper. She continued to look at me from the side as she passed me. She was so cautious and aware. I didn't know if she recognized me from the lounge or if this was her reaction to any man in her presence.

Reflecting on the incident at the lounge, I recalled how she tensed up as men approached her, the panic etched on her face when they spoke to her, and the unforgettable fear in her eyes when that piece of shit draped his arm around her. Her defensive posture and how quickly she got up from her seat said more than anything. I couldn't say that I blamed her, once I saw the Information Max was able to track down for me. Living in the shadows of her fears could not be a fulfilling life.

I planned on telling her who I was and giving her the purse she left behind, but that would guarantee no more reason to see her, I would have to walk away from this green-eyed goddess, but something in me wanted to know more. I chose to keep her purse and subtly test the waters, to gauge where I stand.

"Mrs. Lester, I'll have some coffee made in a minute would you like a cup?" she offered the woman.

"No thank you, honey, not today."

I glanced over the small counter. Harper stood in front of a small coffee maker, facing the wall, where she was almost out of sight. To her right was a small mirror where I watched her silently mouthing the woman's response as she spoke them, seemingly anticipating her words.

A small chuckle escaped me as I found her antics amusing. She froze, her head whipping in my direction as she caught me staring at her. Her cheeks flushed pink just before her lips curled into the most beautiful smile I had ever seen, stealing my breath from my lungs.

She gave a silent shrug of one shoulder, dismissing the matter entirely.

She walked around the counter picking up a stack of worn books from a shelf next to the counter. She instinctively walked them over to the woman and handed them to her.

"What page did you get to last week?" she asked.

"Would you believe me if I said 157?" The woman responded proudly with her chin raised.

"Oh wow! that's impressive. 157 in three Saturdays? " Harper cooed

"Let's shoot for 200 today. What do you say?"

"Fingers crossed dear." The woman accepted the challenge.

She gave her a sincere smile and then left her to her reading.

I watched Harper as she slowly made her way in my direction. She stood in front of me leaving a noticeable space between us, I realized I was gawking. She was so kind and gentle-natured toward that lady. most millennials nowadays completely dismiss the older generations and show no patience for them, but Harper seemed different.

I hadn't witnessed such sincere kindness since my childhood days. Witnessing my mother at the grocery store on the weekends, she took time from her day to chat with all the elderly ladies there.

"Anything I can help you find?" she asked after a moment. I said nothing, only staring back at her like a tongue-tied teenage boy.

Finally dragging my head out of my ass, I mustered up the courage to speak.

"Well, to be honest, I'm not much of a reader," I said, instantly regretting that response because why the fuck am I in a bookstore if not to buy books?

She raised one eyebrow and tilted her head as if silently asking the same question. Before she could call me out, I added,

"It was my New Year resolution to read more books this year and I'm here to make good on that," I finished, mentally palming my head.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Her smirk radiated, stretching from the curves of her lips to the crinkles of her eyes.

"But it's July," she said matter-of-factly, with a barely audible giggle.

"Yes, that it is," I answered, fully aware of how dumb I sounded.

I reached for a book on display right in front of us to take the attention off me. I opened the book and began shuffling through the pages nervously.

"This looks like a good one." I snapped it closed and held it up.

The Period Book. A girl's guide to growing up.

My Jaw dropped as I read the cover. Heat flushed my face. She let out a big laugh. One that was so raw and inviting. So much so that I forgot completely about being embarrassed and joined her. I saw Harper look over to the woman who sat on an old worn-out sofa at the front of the store. She gave us an evil glare. I put my hands up in a gesture of surrender mouthing the word ‘sorry' at her. She slowly looked back down at her book, keeping her somber facial expression.

With a chuckle, I said, "Wow, she's serious about her book, isn't she?"

"Actually yes. She is here every Saturday, and she reads the same book. It was her late husband's favorite," she whispered as we both subconsciously looked back in the woman's direction. She slowly moved her finger under the words on the page she was fixated on.

"So, unless you are some kind of creep with a menstrual fetish, this display won't be for you," Harper teased, thankfully changing the subject,

"What type of books do you enjoy? Maybe I can help find you something?" she said walking away from me toward a huge wall full of row after row of hardback books.

"Well, like I said before I don't read much so it's hard to say." She stood back giving me a once over with one finger tapping her lips and the other arm crossed over her chest, like she was thinking.

I don't know how I've managed not to stare at her lips before, but as she tapped her finger against them, I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to kiss her. She saw me staring at her mouth. Her tongue nervously swiped out moistening her lips and her teeth instinctively trapped her bottom lip.

"I'll say you are an action man," she said satisfied with her assessment.

I laughed to myself because she was spot on.

"You could say that, but I was thinking something a little different. What are some of your favorites?" I asked her, hoping to get her to talk about herself. She stood there for a moment silently staring off. I thought she wouldn't answer, but before I could say anything she turned on her heels in the opposite direction.

"Follow me," was all she said.

She walked to the end of the aisle. Straight to a small shelf in the corner of the store. She pulled two books from the shelf and handed them to me. We stood there as she told me about each of them. In detail, she passionately described the main characters, the plots, and why she loved the author and then she mentioned something about tropes.

I may have been lost for the most part, but becoming lost in her enthusiasm as she discussed books was the most delightful way to lose yourself. Her eyes were alive and bright. The sadness I saw last night was replaced with something else today, and it's beautiful. It's like talking about books brought her some sort of raw happiness. I didn't interrupt her, I was enjoying it.

Sappy girl romance love stories have never been my thing and I'm not even sure I have time to read. Her passion was evident in how she described each one, igniting desire in me to read them all.

We walked around the store, as she showed me several other genres. Before I knew it, I had spent two hours in the bookstore with her and accumulated seven books I was ready to take home with me.

Being in her presence was so natural. She was intelligent, enthusiastic, and passionate. Yet there was always an evident sense of vigilance and a protective barrier she built to keep herself shielded.

We walked up to the front of the store where the register was. I placed all seven books on the counter. She stood there in an awkward pause just looking at me with those gorgeous green eyes. Then she nervously put her hands in her pocket.

"Well, it was nice to meet you Mr.…" I looked up at her with a smile on my face.

"Whitlock," I pointed to the stack of books waiting on the counter. "How much for the books?" She gave me a puzzled look as she stuttered,

"Oh…I. I…. I didn't realize you wanted to purchase them," she giggled with embarrassment. Her cheeks flushed an adorable shade of pink.

"All of them?" I nodded. She started ringing them into the register one by one.

When she reached for the last of the stack, she stood there turning it repeatedly with her eyes full of thought. I watched with a raised eyebrow.

"You didn't have to buy every book I suggested you know?" she said without looking up at me.

"I know, but you did such an excellent job convincing me to read them," I said with a smirk.

"But you did forget one," she said then nodded towards the table covered in pink and white books, recalling my humiliation.

She's funny too.

I watched as she nervously bit her bottom lip. She finished scanning my books before giving me a total.

"Okay, all seven books will bring your total to, $56.72."

I handed her my credit card. I looked over my shoulder and noticed the same woman who had entered with me was still present, engrossed in the same book she had started when Harper and I went on our search for reading materials.

"Go ahead and put her book on my bill too." I leaned in and whispered.

The smile she was already wearing doubled in size as she did just that.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out one of my business cards, took a deep breath, and before I could think twice, I opened my mouth to ask something I'd never been nervous to ask before now, before her.

"Thanks so much for your expertise, here's my card. I'd love to take you out sometime maybe we could discuss one of these books over dinner or a coffee." She reached out, took the card, and looked down at it. I almost thought she would say yes but as soon as she looked back up at me part of her smile had faded. The one she wore now was forced and laced with only what I can assume was reluctance.

"Mr. Whitlock, I appreciate the offer but I don't do the dating thing." She looked back down at the card still in her hand. The sadness returned, and the happiness that had sparkled in her eyes only moments before was gone.

Fuck, I pushed too hard.