Page 13 of Read Me, Baby

I walk the short distance to the library replaying what she said about Jay. She’s describing a book boyfriend and ticking off the boxes of all the characteristics I look for.

Pushing those thoughts away, I remind myself that I’m only here for a new start. A new job.

And possibly a new guy?

Shaking my head at the stupid thoughts creeping around, I enter the library and head straight for the Read Me, Baby room. I skim the shelves then end up grabbing the small-town romance novel by Bella Valentino that’s being read for the National Read a Book Day.

“When the handsome bachelor in town has been waiting years for his Happily Ever After, can the new girl be the one who finally captures his heart?”

“Oh my god, so cliché.” I roll my eyes but still open the book, flipping through the pages and reading a sentence in my head. Then I repeat it in a whisper.

Taking a breath, feeling slightly embarrassed, I begin to read the whole paragraph out loud.

“I glide my fingertips upward along his inner thighs, pausing right before reaching his groin as I ask quietly, “Do you like it when I touch you?”

He nods and I smile, my eyes locked with his as my fingers make contact with his balls then slowly stroke along the hard line of his dick. “You want more?”

He inhales on a gasp and nods again, so I lean forward and lick a path from the base of his cock to the tip, earning a soft moan from him. I lap at the pre-cum dripping from the end of his dick, humming appreciatively. “Mmm…you taste so good…””

My heart races and I suddenly feel flushed.

Because as I read that last sentence, Jay came to the forefront of my mind.

I slam the book shut.

CHAPTER 10

JAY

Since meeting Nina at the beach the other day, she hasn’t left my thoughts. I know it’s way too soon to be feeling any type of way, but my romance books tell me differently. They tell me, when you know you know. They tell me your heart will flutter, you’ll get hot and the word MINE will bounce around your brain.

Something tells me if I was to tell Nina she was mine, she’d slap me upside the head with a book.

Chuckling to myself, I continue to work when Maverick throws a shoulder into me. “What's so funny, dream boy?”

Rolling my eyes at his nickname, I say, “Nothing. Just remembering something is all.”

“Hm. I bet you’ve been remembering the new librarian over and over again in the shower haven’t you?”

I want to be mad but all that comes out is another laugh, and he exclaims, “Ha! I knew it. Jay, I’ve known you since we were four years old. She’s got a chokehold on your thoughts-”

“And his dick!” Wes interjects.

“And that’s okay! It’s about time you’ve sat up and taken notice of someone.” Maverick shakes his head. “That ex bitch, I won’t even say her name, cannot continue keeping you from meeting anyone new.”

“I don't know why you all think she’s still on my mind.”

“Because you haven’t dated since her,” Maverick points out.

“I’ve been on dates–”

“Not good ones.” Wes says.

Brushing him off, I explain, “I’m just saying, I’m selective now. She taught me a lot at a young age, what I’ll put up, what I won’t and what I hope to have in a relationship. Our parents set the bar high, Wes. Don’t you want a love like theirs?”

“I could never be as good as our dads are.” Wes says quietly and I know that’s his downfall. Failure. He’s afraid of failing so he puts up a front to never get there.

“You guys are getting me all choked up.” Maverick fake cries and we both rush him. “Hey! Hey!” he laughs. “Come on, I’m just messing with you. Listen, it’s clear you like her, so get to know her. She’s new here, take her out. If she’s friends with Hazel, we already know she's good people, so go for it. You’re easy to talk to, easy to like. What do you have to lose?”

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