Page 46 of All Your Firsts

As I round the corner, I stop dead in my tracks and look at him, casually resting against the shelf, an innocent smile gracing his lips.

“Why are you following me around like some creep when you left me high and dry the other night?” I blurt without thinking.

“If I remember correctly, I didn’t leave you high and dry. Maybe high, but not dry,” Vic says with a grin. “And I’m not here for you, I’m here for...” He grabs a book. “This.”

I peek down at the book he’s holding. His long, tattooed fingers splayed against the cover. I try to hold in the laugh bubbling to the surface. The cover captures the majestic beauty of a mountain landscape with a rugged, half-naked man. His dark hair dances in the wind as he rides his horse into the sunset.

I gaze up at Vic with a huge grin as he looks down at the cover with a less-than-stellar expression adorning his annoyingly handsome face.

I nod my head toward the book. “Well, I’m glad you found what you were looking for. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

His determined strides toward me make me panic, and I try to turn around. However, his firm grip on my hand prevents me from escaping.

“We’re not done here.”

I look back at him, narrowing my eyes. “We never started.”

He made that apparent when the incident–as I like to think of it–happened, and he left me like a one-night stand gone wrong.

I stride to the front of the bookstore with my only book, the title of which I still haven’t seen.

Retrieving my phone from my pocket, I steal a glance. The remaining time for my lunch is dwindling fast.

“Hey, did you find everything you need?” the guy asks from behind the counter.

“Not really, but I’ll be back soon.”

“Well, I’m always here to help,” he says with a little smile.

Just as I’m about to answer, the sudden slam of a stack of books on the counter startles me. My gaze swings to Vic, his smile tight and jaw working as if he’s holding himself back.

“What’s up, Ben?” Vic says in a polite tone that I now know is anything but polite.

Vic’s arm falls around my shoulders, and I become motionless, overwhelmed by his touch and possessive gesture. I attempt to shake him off, but he’s as resistant as a brick wall. I raise my eyes to meet Vic’s. A satisfied smile is plastered on his face. What’s his deal?

“Grabbed a couple of books I thought you’d like.” Vic’s tone is unbelievably sincere for being so fake, making me want to stab him in his gorgeous caramel eyes.

His hand gives me a little squeeze before he retrieves his wallet and slaps a hundred-dollar bill on the counter.

As he bags the books up, I shoot daggers at Vic, who just smiles at my irritation.

“Thanks for coming in,” the guy says as he raises the handles of the bag toward me.

I smile while attempting to grab the bag of books.

“Nice seeing you, Ben.” Vic grabs the bag from him before I can and ushers me outside.

“Yeah, sure. You guys have a good day.”

I stop in my tracks, my heels digging into the ground the second we’re on the sidewalk. I whirl around to stare up at Vic. “What the hell was that back there?”

“We went shopping for books. Then, I bought you books. You can say thank you at any time.”

“We?” I point my finger between the two of us. “Are nothing.” He narrows his gaze at me. “And the PDA. What was up with that?”

“He was flirting with you and couldn’t keep his eyes off your chest. I didn’t like it.”

“And how is that any of your business?”

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