Page 110 of Read Me (Forget the Past 2)

He nods, scooping up my hand and tugging me toward the front doors.

“What are you doing? I don’t want to leave!” It’s hard to dig in my heels when I’m wearing actual heels, so I just try to shorten my shuffling steps.

“We’re not leaving. Just come to my truck for a second.”

“Okay, but I want to see this next one. It’s about promoting health literacy!”

Cole’s half-smile is all indulgence.

When we find his truck, Cole opens the back seat and unzips a small duffle bag. From it, he pulls out a black T-shirt.

“Oh, that’s sweet Cole. But I’m trying to keep a business casual appearance.”

“This is for me. This”—he reaches for the bottom of his sweater, pulling it off in one move, revealing his naked, tattooed chest to the empty parking lot—“is for you.” And then he holds the glorious book sweater out to me.

“I couldn’t.” The words come even as I grasp the knitted glory.

“You want to,” he coaxes, pulling his T-shirt on.

“I really, really do.” I finger the fabric, then glance around the parking lot. “Okay. Cover me.”

Stepping between the car and Cole’s body, I briefly wish he was wider around the middle. Better to act as a human dressing screen and keep me from flashing anyone walking by. Quickly, I shuck off my blazer and navy blouse, leaving me in a white bra. Luckily the day is mild, so I’m not fighting a chill as I bundle the clothes into Cole’s back seat. Then, excitement sparking through me, I pull the sweater over my head. And immediately I’m grateful for Cole’s slim form. The sweater is a decent fit, only a tad looser than my preference.

“Okay, how do I look?”

He steps away, pulling on his T-shirt before turning to examine me. I strike a Peter Pan pose, arms akimbo. I figure the sweater has to look decent with my black A-line skirt, dark tights, and Mary Jane heels. Maybe not an interview-level outfit, but better than a T-shirt or a sweaty blazer.

Cole’s eyes trail over me before answering. “Adorable. Sexy.”

“I was going for professional, but I guess those will do.” Reaching up, I pull his head down so I can plant a noisy, smacking kiss on his lips. “You are an amazing man, Cole Allemand.” When I lean away, I’m delighted to notice a light shade of red high on his cheekbones. “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”

He clears his throat and shrugs. “I guess learning about how to promote health literacy?”

“You…what?”

He reaches into his back pocket to tug out a lanyard. Attached to it is a small plastic sleeve holding a card with the conference’s logo and a printed name.

Cole Allemand.

“Paid for the day. Might as well get my money’s worth.”

He didn’t sneak in. He paid to attend a library conference. Just to see me present.

Some strange heavy feelings spark in my chest, and my fingers reach out to fiddle with the lanyard. “I want you to wear this in bed tonight.”

Cole’s gaze flicks from my hand, to my mouth, to my eyes.

“My conference name tag?”

“Yes.”

The grin that curls the edges of his mouth is the exact right amount of naughty.

Chapter Thirty-Six

COLE

I gave Summer my spare key. My excuse was that Smaug gets lonely when I’m at work, so she should stop by and see him. In reality, I just wanted to up the chances she’d be at my place.

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