Page 85 of Prince Charming

“I read at the library.”

“Shit. This thing is useless to you.”

“No. Luke. I love it very much. It’s the nicest thing anyone has given to me. It means more to me you made it because you knew I would love it.”

“This won’t do.” He grunted and grabbed her hand.

It was assumed they were going back to his house, but he took a turning that led them in the opposite direction.

Content to sit smiling over her bookcase, she laced her hands together until Tag reached over for one to hold.

“What are we doing here?” She asked, confused. Looking through the windscreen to the large chain bookstore.

“Getting you some books to fill that case.” He revealed.

Round-eyed, Marianna climbed down from the truck and fitted her hand inside his on autopilot. “No. That is too much. I will fill it, eventually.” She tried. “They had a lot of books at the Goodwill.”

“Anna, five books are pitiful for a woman who loves fucking reading.”

Cords and wiring inside her snapped.

He dropped his head, putting her up close to blueness. Tag looked adorable with snowflakes dusting his light hair. “Christmas gift part two means we’re heading in, and you’re gonna pick all the books you want. I mean it, you don’t have to choose between. You like it, you get it.”

Slightly shaken by his declaration, she bit on the corner of her lip and asked, “what if it is many dollars?”

Tag pulled open the door, ushering her in before him, turned on so hard by his manners. “You want thousands, we’ll get you a thousand bucks worth of books. Now get your little dancer butt inside before this snow pisses on us anymore.”

Marianna poured over the romance section first, touching the books, running her fingers over the spines. She read the blurbs, oohing over the covers. But she couldn’t let him buy her books. She decided she’d choose one to appease him and then they’d go home.

Tag had other ideas.

Every time she showed even the slightest interest in a book, he snatched it from her and piled it in his arms. Only when he couldn’t carry any more did he prowl to the front of the store. He came back pulling a red wagon they set out for customers to use.

God, he looked adorable. This big, beautiful bear of a man pulling a wagon full of books behind him. Marianna had stars in her eyes watching, so did every female in there too.

“Luke, it’s too much.”

His warm lips pressed to her overheated forehead. Was it crazy to want to crawl into his shirt because he smelled incredible? “Which section do you wanna hit next?” He didn’t let her choose, taking her hand, he led her on. They ended up in the children’s section. “Get a lot for when the kids are here.”

If it were possible to weaken from sweet words, then Marianna was.

Taking the initiative, she pressed into him and hugged him tight. “You are a very nice man, Luke.”

“Just what all guys wanna hear,” he chuckled, fingering through her hair.

She meant it.

He affected herso badly.

Not his generosity. But his heart.

Hers would break over him, she knew it.

But she did nothing in that moment to stop it.

A few hours later, rows and rows of books sat in their new home looking perfect.

If happiness was fleeting, then she was going to hold on to it tight.

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