Clearing my throat, I nodded and walked deeper into the aisle, glancing at the shelves. “That’s thoughtful of you,” I said while I pretended to be interested in the selection of miniature flashlights.
Without missing a beat in the conversation, he casually asked, “You want any?”
I blurted out the first thing that came to mind, “Birdseed?”
“Kids,” he said with complete seriousness if it were the most appropriate conversation in the world to be having with someone you just met.
Meanwhile, I stood there choking on my own saliva.
“I… Maybe. Not that it’s any of your business.” I glared at him, casting a warning that he was on real fucking shaky ground.
He hummed to himself. It was the type of sound that made him seem like he was some sort of scientist observing an unexpected result in a science experiment. Like my response had intrigued him instead of discouraging him.
I made a point to busy myself with the seasonalcookie cutters in front of me, feigning interest in the pieces of metal shaped like pumpkins and leaves.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him making a disgusted face while muttering, “Too much millet.” He plunked the bag back onto the shelf, choosing another brand instead.
Then, he was moving. Towards me, getting closer. He stopped at my side, close enough that every subtle shift sounded off like fireworks. The quiet rustling of the fabric of his hoodie, the slight squeak of his boots, even the lighttinkof his belt buckle against the button of his jeans.
If he weren’t as tall as these shelves, I’d pretend not to notice. But as it were, it was difficultnotto notice him. He was unlike anyone else here in town, in the same way Bale had a way of feeling like a centerpiece in an otherwise ordinary setting.
“Harlow, I’m going to be straight with you.”
My heart stuttered in its rhythm.
Corbin stepped in even closer, forcing me to turn to face him, each of our steps in sync like this was some twisted dance where we both revolved around one another.
With the shelves now at my back and both his hands clutched onto the edges of the middle row, the length of his arms caged me in. My pulse spiked.
Refusing to show any ounce of intimidation or unease, I lifted my chin with a sassy smirk for the ages.
“I do love a straight-shooter.” An edge of playful huskiness tugged at my words.
His eyes met mine as his head cocked to one side slightly, and a breathy huff that wasn’t quite a chuckle came out of him. Leaning in until his lips were at my ear and the heat of his voice trickled over my skin, he spoke in a register that did unfair things low in my core.
“You’re everything that this town needs and everything I will ever want.”
The silence between us crackled with an energy that promised total devastation that would leave us both in ruins. Now, the only question was who was going to succumb to it first.
Taking a deep inhale, the tip of Corbin’s nose dragged down over my jaw and onto the side of my neck. One large hand dropped to grab my hip, possessively grasping onto me like I might fly away if given the chance.
I fought the urge to lean into the contact, to press myself against him like a cat scent-marking.
When I spoke, the words barely came out evenly. “Bold words from a guy who just had a dick measuring contest with his friend.”
Before I could blink, my back made contact with the unforgiving metal shelves behind me. Corbin’s body was flush against mine with his mouth hovering over my own.
With a mischievous gleam in his amber eyes, his hips rolled against me. The sinful movement pressed the unmistakably hardened outline of his cock against me.
“How’sthisfor measurements?” he murmured.
My breath caught in my throat; my wit escaped me for exactly three pulsing aches between my thighs.
Finally finding my voice again, I flashed a wobbly smile. “Notable. Too bad you’ll need more than just charms and a loaded…egoto impress me.”
Undeterred by my response, he bore an even wider grin. He made the barest of movements, indicating he was going for the kill and stealing whatever remained of my breath.
“Well, Harlow, you’ve managed to impress me. And trust me when I tell you that it is no easy task.” One of his hands skimmed down my side until it found the hem of my sweater.
