Page 3 of Possess

“Dani.” His gaze went from Dani to Allyson. “You two friends?”

“Yes,” Dani glanced across the room. “Oh, I see Lara. I wanted to chat with her.”

“I understand you did the remodel,” she remarked, trying to stay calm. Dani walked away, seemingly without a second thought, and Allyson looked up at Zeke.

“Yep. I did.” He grinned. “I’m sorry you weren’t assigned the job. Your co-worker can be a pain.”

Allyson grimaced. “I want to say I’m sorry, but I don’t have control over him.” Why Rudy made such snide remarks about this place, she didn’t know. It looked like a typical bookstore to her.

“I know. Shall we?” He held out his arm.

Manners. She’d almost forgotten men had them. “Thank you.” She slipped her arm through his. It was nice to be treated like a woman instead of another guy.

“Do you want something to eat or drink? Or would you rather have a tour of the bookstore?”

“Are you playing guide?” She fluttered her lashes at him, wondering where this vixen inside her had come from. Hadn’t she convinced herself this wouldn’t go well?

Zeke laughed. “I’m offering my services, yes.” He leaned down. “More than just a tour guide, if you’re interested.”

Allyson started to pull back to berate him but stopped herself. She wanted to know more about Zeke. “Let’s see how today goes, and we’ll go from there.”

“I can agree to that. At least you’re not running.”

“When did I run?” Had she done that to him?

“That wasn’t the right word. Usually, you brush off my attempts to get to know you better.”

“Sorry.” She lowered her gaze. “I’ve recently come off a pretty bad break up.” The jackass thought he could order her around inandout of the bedroom. He got a rude awakening.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. He was an ass.” She glanced at the first bookshelf. Oh my. Alternative Lifestyles. Her heart pounded.

“Well, he didn’t deserve you.” He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. “Damon’s bookstore is as tasteful as the adult store is.”

“Oh, I’ve never been inside an adult store.” In a way, that was funny. She’d dabbled in kink but never been into an adult store.

“I’d love to educate you, if you’re willing.”

“I might take you up on that, Mr. Riggs.”

Chapter 2

Allyson Young stifled a yawn as she pulled her hair back. She’d stayed up far too late finishing up the book she was reading. It had been two weeks since the opening of the bookstore, and Allyson now went there at least twice a week.

Not only did Dani convince her to join the monthly book club, but dang if she hadn’t gotten Allyson hooked on a romance author. Allyson was currently on book five of a long series. Not that she minded. The books had some kink in them, and she was loving it.

After securing her hair, she grabbed her storage clipboard and stepped out of her vehicle. She hadn’t seen Zeke in those two weeks.

She stopped and gazed at the building. Eighteen months ago, this had been a dirt lot; now, a six-story building stood there. The new city executive building. Her lips tilted up.

“Right on time,” commented a deep male voice.

Shivers ran over her skin as she looked up to see Zeke. His black hair curled at the ends, and his eyes regarded her with interest. Her nipples tightened. They hadn’t gone beyond flirting when they met that Sunday, but she was attracted to him.

“Zeke.” Allyson fought to keep her tone even and professional. This was her job after all. Why did this man affect her this way? None of her old boyfriends made her skin tingle with awareness or caused her nipples to grow tight.

Work, Allyson. “Shall we do the final walk-through?” She pulled the checklist from her storage clipboard and fastened it to the top, trying to hide her body’s reaction to him. Maybe she had been reading too many romances.

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