Chapter 27

O f course the book Lila needed was on the top shelf and she'd worn her sneakers. She had managed to score most of her textbooks online secondhand, but this particular tome was specific to her gothic literature in America class, so Lila had no choice but to brave the bookstore in search of it. She examined the bookcase closely. Maybe if she carefully stood on the lowest shelf…

"Need a hand?" a deep voice boomed over her shoulder as she was assessing her options. Startled, she jumped about a foot, much to her would-be savior's apparent delight. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

"Done laughing yet, King? Because I really do need help reaching the book."

Only then did she risk a glance over her shoulder and noted that King looked particularly edible in a plain white tee that stretched over his chest and thin cotton shorts that showcased his muscular calves and thighs.

Do not think about his thighs.

"My pleasure." He moved in and reached up to retrieve the book. Lila definitely did not notice how nice his ass looked or how tan his skin looked when his shirt lifted up and exposed a couple inches of his stomach. Skin that she knew felt surprisingly soft to the touch. Not that Lila was thinking about touching his skin or anything.

King handed her the book with an amused look on his face, like he knew exactly what she'd been thinking about.

Friends. Friends. Only friends.

"Thanks, friend," she said to reinforce her inner monologue. Then she noticed he'd tucked another copy of the book under his arm. "Wait, why do you have one too?"

"I'm taking the class. Word on the street is that we get to read The Shining ."

"I'm aware." She smiled. "So I guess we're in the same class, then? Since Dr. Danger only teaches one American gothic class a semester?"

"Guess so." King snapped his fingers as his dark-brown eyes glowed. He looked like he'd just been struck with the best idea ever. "We'll have to be study buddies." Lila swore he was closer to her than he'd been a few seconds ago. Also, was it getting hot in there?

"Study buddies sounds good," Lila replied.

Just then, a group of girls turned down their aisle, and the one who appeared to be the de facto leader zeroed right in on King.

"OMG, girls. It's King Spencer. The star of our soccer team."

"Who can definitely hear what you're saying," King replied with a tight smile. "How's it going, ladies? You all soccer fans?"

"We're definitely fans of what you have to offer."

Lila was equal parts annoyed and in awe of this girl's boldness. She definitely took the "Go for the things you want in life" pep talk they all received during freshman orientation to heart.

The group flocked around King, pointedly ignoring Lila. She was getting prepared to shoot him a wave and let him take care of his groupies, but then she noticed the way his body had stiffened and how inappropriately forward the women were being. He was a person, not a piece of meat. So she thought on the fly.

She wedged herself in between the girls and King, her back to his front. Thankfully, the group instinctively backed up.

"While I appreciate you all taking in the utter deliciousness of my boyfriend , I'd appreciate it if you would keep your hands off him."

She studied each of their shocked faces intently. "Which is just kind of a good rule of thumb in most situations when you encounter somebody you don't know. Because, body boundaries and consent and all of that."

Lila flashed them what she hoped was an intimidating smile, as King's free arm circled her waist and pulled her back so she was pressed against him.

She could feel King everywhere when he moved her hair aside and grazed his nose down the crook of her neck, and she tried to suppress her body's reaction. "I'm sure he'd be willing to sign autographs if you'd like. If not, I think we'll be on our way."

He spun her around so she was facing him and put his hand on her lower back, dangerously close to the swell of her ass. "Maybe I'm not in the mood to sign anything because I want to get you home as soon as possible." His grin was positively wicked, and when he licked his full lips, her ovaries wept.

While they were in the middle of some serious, prolonged eye fucking, Lila registered the ringleader of the group stammering out an apology and saw the group of embarrassed girls quickly retreating down the aisle from the way they'd come.

She reluctantly took a step back, and King dropped his hands. "Sorry about throwing that whole scenario at you. But I figured it was better than getting mauled by a group of superfans."

"I mean, I think we did a great job at improv just then, and I am very grateful for the save."

"And to think I was initially planning to just slink away and leave you to your own devices."

He shuddered. "Super glad you chose option B."

"Happy to help." They wound their way over to the registers. "I'm closing tonight, so you're more than welcome to come over later and partake in all the free food gloriousness."

King pursed his lips. "As tempting as that sounds, I'm actually busy tonight. But I appreciate the invitation."

"Got a hot date or something?" Lila word vomited, because she was actively trying not to think about all the ways she'd been "busy" with King in the past. She definitely didn't want to think about him being "busy" with anyone else. But friends talked about this kind of stuff, right? So she needed to toughen up if she wanted to make this whole platonic thing work.

"Or something," King replied, the left corner of his mouth curved into a sort of half smile. Then he slung an arm around her and pulled her into his body. "The groupies just looked over here," he whispered into her ear.

"Ah. So our exercise in improv continues."

"At least until we exit the bookstore, apparently." King chuckled. "There's some pretty hardcore hate-staring happening. All directed at you, of course."

"Internalized misogyny strikes again," Lila remarked solemnly. "Next thing you know, everybody will blame me if you don't score a goal every game."

"Forget people like that. I've had people try to control me and tell me how to live my life from the time I was born. I've got zero fucks left for that kind of bullshit."

King dropped his arm so Lila could pay for her book, and then she hung out when he paid for his. They walked outside side by side, eyes alert for the approach of any more rabid fans.

"Looks like the coast is clear," Lila remarked. "See ya around, King. Thanks for the two-minute quickie fake relationship."

King's forehead furrowed, just slightly, and then he nodded, giving her a little mock salute and an almost smile before walking off in the opposite direction.