Chapter 2

Icouldn't help but smirk as I watched the librarian's reaction to my approach. I almost believed she was going to bolt from her desk and vanish into thin air. It was a reaction I had grown accustomed to over the years—a testament to the intimidating aura I had cultivated.

My eyes locked on hers. She had pretty blue eyes, but they were hard to really see behind the glasses she was wearing. She wasn't wearing much, if any makeup. Her hair was piled up on her head in what I assumed was supposed to be a messy bun, but it just looked like a mess of light brown, silky strands with some of those strands falling around her face in messy curls. She was pretty in a simple way. Not the kind of woman I usually went for, but there was something about her that intrigued me. Maybe it was the way she was trying so hard to hide her fear, to stand her ground even though every instinct was telling her to run.

Her eyes dropped to my pocket. I almost laughed. She thinks I'm going to pull a gun or weapon of some sort. Chick has some issues if she thinks I'm dumb enough to try and hold up a library. What am I going to steal, books?

I smiled and pulled out my library card, holding it up between my two fingers. We both knew what she had been thinking, and she furiously blushed. I also saw the wave of relief wash over the mousey librarian. She practically melted into a puddle as I walked away. I glanced over my shoulder, and sure enough, she was still watching me.

I smirked and happened to notice a cart loaded with books. A title jumped out at me and I quickly snatched it from the cart and looked for somewhere quiet and private to read. The door to one of the small study rooms was open, revealing no one had bothered to take advantage of the space. Then again, it didn't look like anyone was actually using the library. The sign on the glass door politely asked guests to book their time for the room, but I ignored it and let myself in.

I doubted there was going to be a rush of kids wanting to study. I sat down in the plastic chair and made myself comfortable. I kicked my boots up on the table and flipped open the book I had plucked from the librarian's cart. It was a small act of rebellion, a subtle reminder that rules were made to be broken.

I'm a real rebel… busting into the study room of a library. Look out, world.

I leaned back and started to read the book, immersing myself on the page and forgetting about the ghost town of a library, the smell of old carpet, and the mousey librarian.

Until the sound of a door opening brought me back to reality, and I looked up to see said librarian standing in the doorway, a hesitant expression on her face.

"Excuse me," she began, her voice soft yet carrying an underlying tone of authority. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but this room is actually reserved."

I shot her a cocky grin and raised an eyebrow in challenge. "Reserved for what? There's nobody here."

"It's for people who want to study," she said with the slightest hint of trepidation in her voice.

"If someone shows up and needs the room, I'll leave," I assured her, returning my attention to the book in my hands.

She nodded before vanishing like a whisper on the wind, leaving me to scan the page to find my spot.

But I found myself unable to shake the feeling of the librarian's eyes on me. Her curiosity was palpable from across the room. Normally, I wouldn't care about being watched, but my book was picking up faster than I'd expected. The steamy scenes had me feeling things that weren't entirely proper for an audience—especially one as innocent as her.

As the minutes ticked by, her presence became increasingly distracting. It was now her face on the fiery female lead of my book, and I was the eccentric billionaire reminding her that she was my woman. A groan escaped me at the image in my head, and it was loud enough to be heard through the open door of the study room.

I looked over the top of my book and caught her watching me, her lower lip caught between her teeth. I cocked an eyebrow, questioning her without saying a word. She quickly pretended she was busy doing something else.

A low chuckle rumbled in my chest. The quiet librarian awoke a roaring lion in me. I was the king of the jungle who wanted to burst through the study room door and claim her as mine. She wouldn't be able to keep quiet then.

Something about her shy demeanor and modest attire had me growling for her. She was different from the women I was used to, and that in itself was intriguing. Under the old lady outfit, she had a body on her made for love. I wanted to taste every inch of it.

I had a feeling she would be a wildcat in bed. If she wasn't before, she would be after a night with me.

I caught sight of her hovering right outside the door once again. She was not very good at being inconspicuous.

"You know, you could sit and read with me if you want," I offered, surprising even myself with the invitation. I offered knowing damn well she wouldn't take me up on it. No self-respecting woman like her would want to sit down and share air with a dude like me. That was well and good because I was packing solid steel under the table, and I wasn't trying to show that off in the public library.

Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink. "I can't. I have work to do."

I chuckled at her nervousness. "Come on, I won't bite. Unless you want me to," I added with a playful wink, fully embracing the role of the charming rogue.

"This isn't some bar," she said with disgust. "You don't come to a library to hit on women."

"Weird, I thought the library was exactly the place to hit on women," I replied. "I guess someone gave me wrong information."

She rolled her eyes and stomped away. Of course, I had to check out her ass as she did. Not that I could really see her ass in the skirt that was just a little too big for her. What the hell was she trying to hide?

After what felt like an eternity of her buzzing around the edges of my awareness, I finally gave up on reading and tucked the book into my jacket. I couldn't focus on the words when I was constantly wondering if she was watching me.

She pretended to be busy, but I knew she saw me. I started toward the door.

"Excuse me?" she called out.

I turned around as I slid my hands into my pockets. "Yes?"

"You need to check out your book."

I grinned and pulled the book from my inside pocket. "Oops. I must have forgotten."

I walked over to the counter where she stood. As I handed her the book, our hands briefly brushed against each other. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through me. I could see a similar reaction reflected in her eyes. She quickly withdrew her hand, fumbling slightly as she scanned the book.

"It's due back in two weeks," she informed me, her voice a bit softer than before.

"I'll make sure to return it on time," I promised with a smirk. "Wouldn't want to incur any late fees now, would we?"

She shrugged. "We could use the extra income." She shook her head like she was banishing the thought. "Whatever. Just make sure you take care of it."

I winked at her playfully. "Don't worry, I'll treat it like my baby."

She let out a small laugh, surprising both of us. "Well, your baby better not end up lost or damaged."

"Wouldn't dream of it," I assured her before turning to leave, feeling her eyes on me the entire way out. Now I had a reason to come back and see her.

What was wrong with me? I needed a long ride to get my thoughts in order.

I straddled my bike and the engine roared to life beneath me. I put my sunglasses on. Thankfully, in the great state of Texas, I didn't have to wear a helmet. Should I wear a helmet? Of course. But I supposed that would cut into the thrill of the wind in my hair and the freedom I found on two wheels.

I revved the engine and took off down the street. Speeding through the city, I couldn't shake the image of her from my mind. The librarian's prim and proper appearance juxtaposed with the hint of mischief in her eyes had ignited a fire within me that wouldn't go out.

I let the bike carry me through winding roads. The purr of the engine provided a steady rhythm to my racing thoughts. I weaved between cars, not wanting to let my hand off the throttle. I lived for the speed. It kept me young.

My reckless abandon was short-lived when flashing lights appeared behind me, signaling the arrival of an unwelcome new friend.

"Fuck," I muttered under my breath and pulled to the side.

I prepared myself for a lecture about wearing a helmet. The cop approached and I knew I was screwed.

"Archer, again?" he said with a shake of his head.

"Officer Blankenship. What a pleasant surprise," I said with a heavy infusion of sarcasm. "It's almost like you're just waiting for me every day."

"It's almost like you can't figure out how to read a speed limit sign."

I handed him my license, which seemed pretty pointless. I was sure the guy had it memorized by now, as did most of the cops in Dallas. When he walked back, I knew I was not going to be happy, judging by the shit-eating grin on his face.

"Looks like you've got an unpaid ticket," he said with way too much excitement.

"I pay every ticket."

"That's not what the system says." He smiled and handed me a fresh ticket. "You know the rules."

"Man, come on." I shook my head. "I'll go pay the damn thing tomorrow."

"Tow truck is already on the way."

"You're a fucking dick," I said and hopped off my bike.

Officer Blankenship's smug expression only seemed to grow. "Be careful," he warned. "I would hate for you to get an assault charge."

"It just might be worth it," I shot back.

"Keep going," he replied, stepping closer to me.

He wanted me to hit him. He wanted me to get in trouble. Slapping cuffs on me would make his day.

I shrugged. "You get your rocks off by fucking with me."

He grinned. "It's the highlight of my week. Tow truck will be here in ten minutes."

I waited, hoping he might be bluffing, but unfortunately the truck arrived. I watched helplessly as my beloved bike was hoisted onto the back of the truck.

"You didn't have to do this, Blankenship," I protested, trying to keep my anger in check.

"I just did," he replied, his tone unyielding. "Maybe this will teach you a lesson."

I wanted to punch something, but I knew that wouldn't help my situation. Instead, I clenched my fists at my sides and kept my mouth shut. I was given the claim ticket and then had to stand on the side of the road and watch my baby being hauled away.

With a resigned sigh, I pulled out my phone and dialed my younger brother, Murray, hoping he would bail me out of yet another mess.

"Again?" Murray's voice echoed through the line, laced with exasperation.

"The cop was a dick," I grated.

Murray sighed in response. "Yeah, yeah, all cops are according to you. Has it ever occurred to you that you're the problem, Gene?"