Page 60 of I Wanna Be Your Lager

She peers up at me through her lashes. Her chest rises and falls with each passing second, her breath hitching with every inhale. “Almost.” Her warm breath fans across my cheek. “You’re missing the bow ties.”

“I don’t need bow ties.” Still pinning her hand to the bookcase, I inch closer. My chest grazes hers. I drag my lips across her cheek until I reach the shell of her ear. “All I need are my hands, and I’d have you moaning in pleasure.” Flashbacks of the night in the hotel room flit through my mind. I could hike her leg over my hip and slide my hand under the hem of her dress. My fingers would slide against her dripping wet, bare pussy until I reach her opening and thrust inside her. Her moans and whimpers would fill the entire store. Shit. Store. We’re in a store. I drop her hand. “I’m going to go find the bathroom.”

She blows out a slow breath. “To take care of that?” She nods at my crotch, where my hard dick is straining against the zipper of my jeans.

“Something like that.”

“Okay.” A smile plays on her lips. “Come find me when you’re finished.”

I press my lips to hers in a chaste kiss, even though I’d much rather never let go. Pulling away, I glance over my shoulder to confirm we’re still alone before reaching down and adjusting myself not only for comfort but in case I run into anyone. Having a hard-on is never a good way to introduce yourself. I wander around the outer perimeter of the store until I find the restroom sign. After washing my hands, I return to the same spot I left Eve, but the aisle’s empty. I meander through the store, scanning all the rows until I find her perusing a row of books on the shelf. Slowly and carefully, I tiptoe down the aisle until I’m right behind her. I whisper, “What are you looking for?”

She jumps and spins around, clutching her chest. “Oh! Nothing!” She exhales a deep breath. “I—I was just walking around, waiting for you.”

I glance up at the sign above the bookshelves. “In parenting?”

Her gaze follows mine before falling. A dusting of pink covers her cheeks. “Oh, is that where I am? I guess I got lost trying to find photography. I’m ready to check out.” She holds up the stack of books she found.

I grab the books from her and carry them to the counter. Eve gets distracted and stops at a table of more books and a variety of knickknacks. I can’t help the smile that takes over. She makes me so fucking happy. When I reach the counter, an older woman with light gray hair greets me with a friendly smile of her own. The name on her nametag reads Sandy.

She glances at Eve and then back at me. “At the risk of sounding presumptuous, have you ever thought about proposing in a bookstore?” She beams up at me, her eyes crinkling in the corners.

I freeze, unsure if I heard her right. “Um. This is our first date.”

“Oh gosh. I’m sorry. By the way you two have interacted with each other for the past hour, I would have thought you’d known each other for years.” She grabs the books and starts scanning them. The beeping from the scanner matches the steady thump of my heartbeat.

“Yeah. It’s complicated.”

She stops and meets my gaze. “The best love stories that last usually are.”

Is that what we are? A love story? Love has never been on my radar. Never something I tried to find. Something I always considered unattainable. At least for me. Fuck.

The beeping resumes, pulling me from my thoughts. “If you ever consider proposing, I have the perfect spot.” She points to a sign behind me.

I turn around, following the invisible line. Sure enough, on the wall hangs a sign with giant script letters that reads Love Blooms Here.

“I also give a twenty percent discount on an engaged couple’s purchase.”

“Thanks. I’ll consider that,” I say because what else am I supposed to say? I came here for a date, and now this woman is talking about love and engagements.

“Oh, can I get this too?” Eve stands next to me, holding up a bookmark with bold, black letters printed on it. STFUATTDLAGG.

“Yeah.” I take the bookmark and slide it across the counter.

“Thank you.” Eve beams up at me.

“What does that mean, anyway?”

“I’ll let you know later.” Eve runs her hand down my arm.

“It stands for shut the fuck up and take this dick like a good girl,” the woman behind the counter nonchalantly spouts out.

My eyes widen, along with Eve’s. Not only was I not expecting it to mean that, but hearing it come from a woman who’s someone’s grandma was completely unexpected. I laugh/cough into my fist while Eve bites her lips together. The woman finishes ringing up the purchase, and I pass her my credit card. She drops the receipt into the bag and wishes us a great night.

Once we’re outside, both of us burst out laughing.

“I can’t believe that just happened. That made my entire day. No, week.” Eve rests a hand on her stomach as she continues to laugh.

“Oddly enough, it wasn’t the only bizarre thing she said to me.”

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