23. Bailey

Katar dragged up a chair, placing it beside mine, and loaded the newly loaded drive into the computer. While he scrolled through the footage, I helped patrons. The volunteer, Sam, who was supposed to help for the afternoon, didn't show. I'd call him tomorrow and make sure he was okay.

Eventually, the patrons left, and we were alone. Seeing it was nearly four, I made sure everyone had left, locked all the doors, and checked the windows, before dropping into my seat next to Katar.

"Find anything?"

"Whoever installed your security system knew what they were doing. There isn't a section outside the library that's not covered." He shook his head. "There's no missing footage, not six months ago when the book was stolen nor when someone was inside the attic. Just as interesting, no one approached the library from any direction when the book was stolen or on the night when you heard someone in the attic."

"So how did the person get inside after hours?"

"Could they have been there all day, waiting for everything to quiet down so they could do a more thorough search?"

"I always make sure everyone's gone before I lock up. There aren't any hiding places. I even check the basement and closets." I frowned. "I'm still trying to figure out why, if we're dealing with the same person, they waited six months before going through my office and the attic. What were they looking for?"

"A very good question." He rose, stretching his arms overhead.

I salivated over his rippling abs revealed by his lifted shirt, my gaze widening. When I licked my lips, because . . . whoa, he groaned and something big stirred in his pants.

"Cock? Meet your match," he growled.

Everything this guy said was hot. I swallowed—hard.

"I'm desperate to discover what else you could do with your plump lips," he said softly. Deadly. My insides burst into flames. "Your tongue. What else you might be willing to swallow."

"I think . . . anything."

"You're perfect."

Never, but I loved that he saw me that way.

"We're alone now, right, Bailey?" he rasped, looking around with a suddenly hooded gaze. "I've missed you over the past few days."

"I . . ." I'd been so frightened after the detective tried to arrest me that I couldn't think of anything else.

Now all I could think about was Katar.

"Perhaps it's time I went wild again," I whispered.

"There's my sweetheart."

My eyes swept up his body in a caress, landing on his mouth.

"Fuck," he groaned. "There's no way I'll ever to be able to walk away from you. You know that, right? No way I'll ever be able to go even one day without being with you completely."

"You say all the best things."

"And I one hundred percent mean them." He took my hand and helped me out of my chair.

Really. I could do that for myself. But it made my knees tremble to think that he wanted to do it for me.

"Where do you want me to suck on your clit, sweetheart?" he asked as if he discussed the temperature outside. "I think I've forgotten what you taste like, and I need a reminder."

"Here?" I looked around wildly. "But . . . we're inside the library."

"Once you lock up, you cease being the librarian, correct?"

I frowned, thinking. Trying to think, that is. "Kinda. Sorta. I mean, I'm still on the premises, but one could say that I can shed my role as head librarian when there are no patrons to assist."

"Is me sucking on your clit inside the library wild enough for you or do you want more?"

I had a feeling I'd always want more.

He must be able to read my thoughts because his eyes literally smoldered.

"I guess . . . one might consider you sucking on my clit against the stacks as wild enough for this moment," I said meekly. How was I finding the will to stand? I was about to turn this into a romance movie cliché and sweep everything off my desk, lay down on my back, and let him suck on whatever he pleased.

With a sultry smile, he led me across the room and down a long row of stacks. "What subject?"

"I'm . . . sorry?" My voice fluttered.

"What subject is most appealing to you?"

"I've always been partial to ancient Egyptian archaeology."

"The Mummy. I saw those movies. That woman is hot."

Jealousy swarmed through me with the sting of a thousand bees, though I had no reason to feel that way. I found her hot too. I sucked in a stiff breath. "Do you believe she's as hot as me?" I asked way too primly.

"No one," he snarled. "Absolutely no one is hotter than you, Bailey."

Ah, well, I guessed I could live with him finding that woman hot as long as I was hotter.

Finding the section I was referring to; he assessed the long row of shelves holding books. "Yeah, this isn't going to work. I could grab a book and suck on your clit while you're lying on it, but . . . Hmm."

"What are you doing?" I asked, a bit stunned. Me, lie on a book while he dove between my legs?

Why had my entire body turned to rubber? I'd had nothing alcoholic to drink.

I was high on Katar.

Orcs really did do it better. Well, the sucking part. I was still awaiting the fucking part.

"There's something about front windows that holds some appeal," he said slyly.

Sensing where he was going with this, I gasped. "Please tell me you're not into voyeurism."

"We could do it in the park. Ever had sex while bent over a bench when anyone could walk past on the path?"

"No!"

"Sad, Bailey. Sad." He led me back through the stacks, speaking over his shoulder. "Would you want to?"

Shit, shit, yesssss.

"No," I said firmly. "I'm not that wild."

"Yet, sweetheart. Yet." His eyes smoldered, and I could tell he was thoroughly enjoying teasing me.

And that I was falling in love.