Chapter 48

Iwas running late. I had the locksmith at the house to change all the locks. I went so far as replacing the garage door opener. I didn't trust Cole or Vinny.

The alarm company had reset my password as well. I never used the damn thing, but I was going to start. I spent the morning putting back all my things. I did notice one of the watches was missing. I supposed in the grand scheme of things, that wasn't so bad. I got everything else back. But damn, it really pissed me off. It was so fucking violating.

I had tossed and turned all night wondering if I'd been too harsh on Cole. I didn't think he actually stole the stuff, but he certainly contributed to the situation. He and Vinny had been alone in my house on more than one occasion. I doubted Cole kept his eye on his criminal cousin. Vinny was allowed to roam through my house, basically putting together a shopping list of the things he was going to take.

I had actually considered putting the house up for sale at one point. I was so pissed to think about them in the house pawing through all my shit. But that was drastic. I wasn't sure if there was going to be some kind of retaliation for kicking Cole out. I needed to be prepared for anything.

Cole had left the guest room a fucking mess. It took him all of two minutes to pack his limited belongings before getting out of my house. I chose to close the door and leave it alone. I had the housekeeper coming in later. I would have to pay her extra to clean up all those beer cans and fast food trash.

The new bedding and mattress were going to the trash. I wanted to get rid of Cole from my life for good. He used me and violated my trust. It wouldn't happen again.

I walked out to the garage that I would spend some time putting back together tomorrow. It drove me a little crazy to see things out of place but it would have to wait. I hopped on my bike, started the engine, and backed out of the driveway. I watched the door close, not willing to take the risk of leaving it open again.

I made my way over to the library, enjoying the freedom of the ride. After being locked up, wide open spaces were like medicine for my soul. A big blue sky and white puffy clouds elevated my mood immediately.

I took the long way and sorted through my thoughts. My life was in turmoil. I liked simple and straightforward. I liked friends who didn't get me robbed and family members who don't hate me for very little reason.

Still feeling tense, I walked into the library, pulling off my sunglasses and scanning the area for Mary Ellen. I spotted her nestled in her favorite corner by the window. She was reading a book and completely oblivious to my presence. I assumed she was on her break. She didn't typically lounge around when she was working.

Maybe she was living on the wild side today.

I quietly approached her, savoring every little detail of her appearance. She was wearing her usual skirt with a white shirt tucked in. Her hair was hanging loose around her shoulders. I stared at her lips, remembering the way she tasted.

I walked to her side and reached out to cup her cheek. She didn't jump at my presence. Instead, she leaned into my touch and offered me a smile that lit up the room, chasing away the shadows I'd been battling all night.

She smiled. "I've been waiting for you."

The sight of her filled me with a sense of calm I didn't know I needed. "I'm sorry," I said. "I got caught up with stuff at home."

"It's no big deal," she said. "I knew you would come when you could."

"Always," I said.

I pulled over another chair and sat beside her, not talking. That was the great thing about my visits to the library. We could just sit and read. Being in her presence was enough.

I pulled out my book and started to read the book I brought with me. But I couldn't focus on the words. I found myself drawn to her. There was a serene expression on her face as she consumed the words on the page. I saw her brows furrow occasionally.

Caught in the act, she looked up at me with a playful glint in her eyes. "What are you thinking about?" she asked, smiling.

I considered telling her about the events of last night—the robbery, Cole, Vinny—but I bit back the words before they could escape. I didn't want to burden her with my troubles, not when she had brought so much light into my life.

Besides, what happened last night was just a blip, a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things. If she knew about the robbery, it would scare her. I wouldn't blame her for being afraid. Hanging out with criminals wasn't something someone like her did. There was a certain risk. She didn't need to be subjected to that.

If she thought my old life was blending with my new one, she was going to run. You are who you surround yourself with. A counselor in prison told me that. I knew the whole idea was to discourage cons from hanging out with each other once we got out. It was true. Trouble followed trouble.

I chose to answer her question with the safest response. "Just about how lucky I am," I said, my eyes meeting hers.

A slight flush rose to her cheeks and she looked back down at her book. I loved that she still blushed for me. I hoped she never stopped.

I couldn't lose her. My heart was invested now. She wasn't someone I could just walk away from.

To see her smile, to know that she was safe, content, and unburdened by my messy past was all I needed. Her world was here in these walls lined with books and quiet whispers. I felt like a visitor to her world.

"Do you have plans for tonight?" I whispered.

"No, why?" she asked. "More dance lessons?"

I shook my head. "Not tonight. I want you to come over. I'll cook you dinner and we can hang out by the pool or in the pool. If you want to bring a swimsuit, that's cool, or we can go al fresco again. And you can spend the night."

"Spend the night?" she asked.

"Cole moved out," I announced.

"He did?"

I nodded. "Yep. It'll just be me and you."

"What happened there?" she asked with concern.

I shook it off. "Nothing. He was planning on going and he went."

"That was sudden."

"I'm not sad," I told her.

She nodded. "Sure, I would love to spend the night."

"Perfect."

"After work, I'll grab an overnight bag. Should I drive?"

"I'll pick you up," I said.

"Okay," she said. "I'm excited. A nice swim under the moonlight sounds like a very good way to unwind after a busy day."

"Did you enjoy your coffee date with Lauren?" I asked casually.

"Yes, it was nice." A soft smile spread over her lips at the mention of Lauren. "It's so weird to have to make a coffee date to get time with her. We lived together and were constantly around each other. When you're running late and someone is hogging the bathroom, you think you can't wait until they leave. And then they're gone and I actually miss fighting over the bathroom or getting pissed that someone drank the last diet soda."

"I understand," I said, remembering the countless times Cole and I had fought over petty things. "It's funny how the things we used to find annoying can turn into memories we miss."

Her smile deepened. "Yes, it is."

As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, tranquility washed over me like cool water. As though nothing in my past or future could touch this moment.

"Did something happen between you and Cole?" she asked.

"No, why do you ask?"

"Because last night you were talking about him moving out soon and now he's gone," she said.

I shrugged. "He's been looking for a place. His cousin got him a job. I think he wanted to be closer to work."

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked.

"I'm good. I'm happy I get to sit here with you. I would have been here earlier, but I was dealing with some house stuff."

"Like?" she asked.

"Like laundry," I joked. "Which reminds me, I need to do a grocery delivery. Now that Cole is gone, I can order groceries and expect to actually have them in the house when I'm hungry."

"That bad, huh?"

I felt bad for talking shit. "No. I'm just cranky. I didn't get much sleep last night."

"Were you thinking about me?" she asked in a low voice, leaning toward me in a show of intimacy.

"Always," I said softly, meeting her gaze. "You're pretty hard to forget, you know. Especially after last night."

"And what do you think about?" she asked, curiosity lighting up her eyes.

I thought for a moment. "Everything. About how your smile can light up an entire room. How your laughter somehow manages to become my favorite sound."

"Really?"

"Really," I assured her. "You're complex, you know that? You have this strength about you, a courage that is sexy as hell. And yet, there is a certain vulnerability to you that is both intriguing and compelling. It's endearing. You're not perfect, but you're genuine. And to me, that's more beautiful than anything else."

"You have quite a way with words," she said.

"I mean every word I say." I replied with a shrug. "And I read a lot, so I guess I've got a lot of words up in this head of mine."

"Yes, you do." She laughed softly. "But when I asked what you were dreaming about, I was thinking something else."

I raised my eyebrows. "Naughty girl," I whispered.

She flashed a sexy smile. "Well, I know what I dreamed about."

"Woman, you're tempting me," I growled.

"You tempted me first," she said.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, feigning innocence.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief. The air between us was charged, the mood shifting from playful banter to something distinctly more primal. This was how it was with us. This library had some kind of strange aphrodisiac effect on me. It turned out I was a book slut.

"Is that so?" she asked as she moved closer. "You sure you don't need your memory jogged?"

"Maybe I do," I confessed, my heart beating faster in my chest at her proximity. I caught her familiar scent, a mix of sandalwood and vanilla, laced with a hint of citrus. It was comforting and familiar, yet unique and exhilarating. It always made me wild with lust.

She bit her lip as she contemplated me, her eyes darkening with desire. "I'd be more than happy to help remind you," she whispered, her voice velvet against my skin.

"Want to make a mad dash for the bathroom?" I asked, my voice dropping lower, matching her tone. Simmering tension built between us. Her eyes flickered to my lips and back to my gaze, a silent confirmation.

"I would love to, but I only have a few minutes left on my break," she replied and sat back.

I groaned and shifted in my seat. "You're such a tease that three minutes is plenty of time."

Laughing, she pushed me away. "You'll just have to wait," she said with a mischievous smile dancing on her lips.

I leaned back in my chair, attempting to regain my composure, but I shot her a playful scowl. She knew exactly what she was doing.

"I'll get you back for this," I warned, pointing an accusatory finger at her.

"I look forward to it."