Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
"Jesus Christ," Sidney rumbles. "I hope you're joking, butterfly."
Well, this is awkward.
"Oh! Um, hey. Please ignore everything I just said. I thought you were trying to sell me something."
"Uh, no?"
I bite my lip to keep from laughing. "I know that now, Sidney."
"Where are you? You better have been joking about being on the way to jail."
One brow rises toward my hairline. "Well, hello to you, too, Cranky Bear. My day at work was great. I helped an elderly man get his first library card, and then he asked me to marry him."
"What the fuck?"
Oh, wow. I didn't know it was possible to feel a growl from the other end of a phone, but that one definitely made things twitch.
"I'm pretty sure he was only kidding. His wife was with him. How was your day?" I ask, trying desperately to pretend that my panties aren't getting suspiciously damp.
I do not like Sidney Hawkes.
I do not like Sidney Hawkes.
I do not like Si—
"Better now," he growls. "Where are you?"
"Jeez. You're like a dog with a bone over this jail thing. I'm on my way home from Tye's. I didn't even do anything illegal today."
"Only today?"
"Mind your business, Hawkes."
He chuckles, the deep sound making my stomach flutter. God, he's got a great laugh. "You busy tonight?"
I think about the stack of books in my bag, waiting to be read so I can decide if we'll stock them. "A little bit."
"Doing what?"
"Reading."
"You're a little bit busy reading?" he asks, a smile in his voice.
"Yes," I huff. "I'm a librarian, Sidney. Librarians read."
"What about tomorrow. You busy reading then?"
"Um…no?"
"Good," he grunts. "Be ready at six. I'll be at your place to pick you up."
"What? Why?"
"You want your mom to believe we're dating, butterfly?"
"Yes…"
"Then I'm taking you out."
I gape at his number on my navigation menu. "But I thought…"
"What?"
"I thought we'd just start this weekend, when we go to Aspen?"
"Nope," he says. "We're laying the groundwork now. That way, by the time we land in Aspen, everyone will already know about us. Your mom won't have any reason to suspect you're trying to pull one over on her."
"Tye isn't going to like this," I whisper, my stomach fluttering with nerves. He wants to be seen with me? Yikes. I can see the headlines now…and none of them will be flattering for either of us.
"I'll deal with Tye," Sidney says, his voice firm. "You just be ready when I get there tomorrow night."
I should tell him no. I know I should.
"Are you sure?" I ask instead. "You really don't have to do thi—"
"Be ready at six, butterfly," he growls.
"Okay," I whisper.
"See you tomorrow, baby."
"Hey, Sidney?" I say quickly, before he can hang up.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
"You don't owe me thanks. Just don't stand me up, butterfly." He disconnects, leaving my head spinning. I'm halfway home before I realize I didn't ask him where we're going or what I should wear.
Crap. I guess I have to figure it out myself.
Chapter Four
Sidney
Hattie looks nervous as hell when she opens her door for me at six on the dot. She also looks like a goddess in a retro black dress that bounces around her thighs. The body of it molds to her curves, making sweat trickle down my back. Her makeup is more natural than it was on Saturday, but her hair is still sleek and shiny.
She looks utterly fuckable.
"Jesus, butterfly," I rasp, swallowing hard. "You're going to have me in jail tonight if you're looking like that."
"What?" She startles slightly, smoothing her hands down her sides. Her gaze drops to her dress. "I…I didn't know what I should wear. Did I get it wrong?"
Shit. She thinks I was insulting her.
"Fuck no, you didn't get it wrong." I lean forward, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. I can't help myself. I had a taste the other night, and it's all I've thought about since. She smells like wildflowers and sunshine. Who knew that could be so goddamn erotic? I tip her head up, forcing her to meet my gaze so she knows I'm being truthful. "You look beautiful, butterfly. I'm going to have to beat men off you with sticks."
I already want to gouge eyes out, and we haven't even left her porch.
She beams at me, her smile all shy and sweet. I want to eat her up, just fucking spread her out and devour her. "You look pretty good yourself, Cranky Bear." Her gaze drifts down my body. "Fancy suit."
"It seemed appropriate. We're going to dinner and the ballet," I murmur.
"Really?" Her eyes widen. "I've never been to the ballet before."
"My sister is performing."
"That's so cool," she whispers.
I chuckle, shaking my head. Something about the way she just dives into everything like it's the best thing ever is as sexy as it is endearing. "You ready to go?"
"Yes. If you're sure I look okay."