“It was good,” Elwood agrees with me with a soft smile on his face. “I don’t come here too often, but it’s perfect for special nights when a celebration is needed.”
With an arched eyebrow, I ask, “And this is a special night?”
“It is,” he sounds so sure and tops it off with a nod of his head. “It’s our last first date.”
The words land between us, a minefield of sound and feeling I’m not ready to navigate. Not yet. Even if I do want to believe they’re true. Wouldn’t it be nice if they were?
Elwood takes pity on me and doesn’t let the awkwardness stretch between us. “I don’t think you mentioned where you’ll end up during this road trip. Like is there some special destination you’re working toward?”
I bite my lip, the question stinging for some reason as it finds a soft spot between my ribs and cuts deep.
“No,” I choke the word out, “there was never a real destination. It’s not like Hillary’s big dream for the road trip was winding up in New York City to see Rockefeller Center during Christmastime or anything.”
As I look away from Elwood, I jump a little when his warm hand covers mine. I have to blink a few times to stop the tears flooding my eyes from falling. I’m not going to cry in the middle of this nice restaurant. No fucking way.
I clear my throat and scramble to change the subject to anything else. “Why did you become a librarian?”
It’s something I’ve been curious about since I met him. Maybe it’s sexist, but it’s not a job I’ve seen many men hold in the past. It’s not a bad thing, just unexpected.
“Reading saved my life,” Elwood murmurs softly.
I watch his face closely, almost as if I’m unable to look away from the hint of pain written on his face. The thought of anyone making him feel that way has me seeing red.
“Why wouldn’t I become a librarian?” After asking, he tilts his head, genuinely curious about my answer.
“It’s just not a traditionally masculine job,” I wince a little with my sheepish words.
I can’t believe I just said that out loud. As if jobs are gendered. I know they aren’t, but still. It’s a little abnormal.
“I’m plenty manly, if that’s what you’re saying,” Elwood’s voice turns defensive.
I hold my hands up in surrender. “It’s not. I’m aware of your,” my eyes roam over his broad shoulders and my cheeks heat at the thought of how he played my body last night, “manliness.”
Elwood smirks, his eyes darkening as we stare at each other. I can almost see him mentally replaying our time in bed together. If it’s turning him on half as much as it is turning me on, we’re going to have problems.
I want him.
And a fancy restaurant isn’t exactly the place to give into those desires.
“It wasn’t a judgement,” I tell him, hoping he can hear the sincerity in my voice. “I was just curious.”
“The library here has always been a hub of learning and community. I spent a lot of time there while growing up. I did my homework on the same tables where I help kids now. I got lost in the books on the shelves and discovered worlds beyond my imagination.” He shrugs one shoulder, the movement casual. “I didn’t become a librarian with the intention of taking over Storyville’s library, but the job opened up just as I was finishing school. They took a chance on me when they could have gone with someone with more experience.”
“I think they made the right decision,” I tell him honestly, my voice softer than I’m used to hearing it.
It doesn’t take long for the bill to be taken care of, which Elwood pays while a warning flashes in his eyes, and then we’re heading back to his place. The tension between us ramps higher with every minute it takes to get there. I’m not surprised, just being around the man has my pussy clenching and my nipples hardening.
Everything about him appeals to me, even his love of books. Part of me wants to look deep enough to find something wrong with him, but I’m fine with maintaining the fantasy for the moment.
No one is perfect, even the sexy librarian driving us back home.
As we pull into Elwood’s driveway, I’m reminded, again, that I can’t stay with the man forever. Yes, it was incredibly sweet that he offered, and I’ve never slept better than I did last night. Still, the longer I stay, the harder it will be to leave.
Did I say it was only going to be one night? And I’m still here.
Maybe I could stay with Mayer. It would make more sense for me to do that than to continue to stay with Elwood.
“I should probably find another place to stay,” I speak the words softly, hating the way they taste on my tongue as they slip past my lips.
