She gasps, inhaling all the air in the room.
“A rolling ladder?A freaking rolling ladder?Did you say that or did my ears fail me?”
I nod. “You heard right.”
She places a hand against her heart. “I’ve always wanted one. It’s top of the list for any book lover.” She opens her arms out. “This is a dream come true.”
“I’m––”
She lunges at me, landing on my chest, circling my waist with her arms. “Thank you for… everything.”
I kiss the top of her head. “It’s my pleasure.”
She glances up at me, misty-eyed. “You don’t understand.” Something catches in her throat. “Reading is so important to me. When I was a kid, books allowed me to expand my vision beyond my parents’ narrow view of the world. Since we didn’t have much money, the library was my happy place. Without stories that allowed me to believe anything was possible, I would’ve followed in my parents’ and sister’s footsteps.” She pauses. “And that would’ve been a tragedy.”
This is the first time she’s shared so much about her past.
Curiosity prickles at my brain.
What has her family done to warrant that last statement?
Chapter 42
Lie back and enjoy the ride
Kazimir
My eyes pop open and I glance down at the sleeping beauty nestled in my arms.
I haven’t woken up next to a woman in so long.
I cringe inside as a memory from my marriage assails me. Devlyn always woke up an hour before me so she could greet me with a full face of makeup. Nothing would kill my morning wood faster.
Devlyn Frostburg. Always camera ready.
Shallow snores slip from Harley’s lips parted lips.
She shuffles around, her back against my chest.
The snoring resumes.
Pride still beats at my chest from her reaction when I opened the door to her new reading nook.
She liked it, even if it’s still work in progress.
I almost let my perfectionism hold me down. That would’ve robbed me of the beaming smile she rewarded me with and the tinge of vulnerability that led her to open up about her family.
She stirs.
I wrap a possessive arm around her waist. “You’re awake?”
She turns in my embrace to face me. “I am,” she says in a groggy voice.
Her blonde hair is a mess, creating a chaotic halo around her face on the pillow. Her wild mane isn’t from a night of fucking. The adrenaline surcharge of her new library caused her to crash right after she slipped into my bed.
She lifts the sheet to cover her nose. “Don’t look at me.” Big green eyes stare up at me.
“Why?”
