Page 14 of Book Me, Baby

“What was his name?” She jerks herself awake.

“Oh, that’s no big deal. We made peace a long time ago.”

“So what’s his name? Maybe he’s heard something.”

“Gary Sutter.”

I note the name while she’s not looking. “It’s been a long time since I actually talked to him.”

“How is he as a boss?”

Her lips twist again and I already know the answer. “He’s okay. But he’s very old-school and he kinda doesn’t want any women at the library. At least not unless they’re a secretary. Not in charge you know.”

She pulls the mashed potatoes and meatloaf out of the oven and then smiles and nods. “Sit down and eat. Even if you’re being a pain in the ass and way too cautious, I don’t want you to go without eating.”

“Great.” I take a deep breath of the food and smile. “Damn, that smells good. You like to cook?”

“I do. Sometimes I don’t have time. And sometimes it seems silly for only one person.”

“So why today?”

“I had some in the freezer that I got out. I’ve been pretty tired. So I wanted something easy.”

I sit down and we get out plates filled and I run my fork through the food on my plate, dragging a pile to my lips and then groaning when I taste them.

“Damn, you’re a good cook, Red.”

I can imagine coming home to her and a home-cooked meal every night. Getting called out in the middle of the night to some disaster and knowing that when I got home, she was asleep, safe in my bed and waiting for me.

I’m rapidly realizing that Hartley Hanover is home to me. Wherever she is, is where I want to be.

CHAPTER7

Hartley

Istare up at the ceiling, confused and horny as hell. What is going on with me?

Ever since the fire, watching him fight to get me out, knowing that he broke those rules, for me? I want to be with him. Want to give myself to him. Want to feel him wrapped around me as I’m curled up in bed, trying to sleep.

And for some reason, knowing that he’s in my house? I can’t stop my dang mind from picturing him crawling in my bed, looming over me in the dark, his tanned body bare to my gaze. Feeling his hands running down my body, owning me, claiming me.

I get up out of bed and hobble downstairs. He hears me of course. “What are you doing up, Red?”

“I can’t sleep,” I whisper.

“What do you need?” He sits up on the couch and I hear the sheets rustle as he stands up to pad on bare feet towards me.

“I think I need you.”

He stops in front of me and it’s like the dark’s made me braver than I have ever been.

Brave enough to admit that there’s something about this strong, sexy, jacked man.

“You think or you do?” His big hand skates over my cheek and I turn my head into it, kissing him lightly.

“I do. I need you, Booker. I don’t know why and I sure as heck know that I shouldn’t but I can’t help myself.”

He laughs. “You know…I thought I’d love it when you said the words but then you had to go ahead and say it your way.” He moves closer and I feel his warm, bare, smooth skin lean into me, scraping along mine. My breath hitches when I feel the rough hair of his legs rubbing my bare thighs. My sleep shorts barely cover my ass and his big hands caress the very bottom of my shorts, pushing it up until he’s cupping my ass and kneading it like a cat.

---