He just shrugs. “That’s your problem, isn’t it? You agreed to it. Now you’ve gotta figure it out.”
He’s as frustrating as he is handsome.
“At least give me a hint, why don’t you? You’re the one with the magic powers.”
He towers over you, at least six inches taller. Probably more.
“Ha!” He says, “That’s rich, coming from the one who locked me in that damn book for so many years, I lost track.”
“Me!?” You protest. “I did nothing of the sort! I’m just an ordinary lady working a mediocre job, trying to make ends meet. Or—I was—until that mysterious bookshop appeared on my way home. All I want is to go to bed and wake up and have everything be normal again.”
He freezes.
For a moment, he just stands there. Staring at you.
Then he leans close, breathing in beside your ear. Heat creeps up your face as he inhales.
“What—what are you doing?”
He’ssmellingyou. Why is he smelling you!?
He draws his face close to your collarbone, breath trailing goosebumps along your skin.
“Hey now!” You push him away, blushing furiously. “Seriously. What the hecking heck do you think you’re doing?”
He smirks, grabbing your jaw and tilting your face up to his.
“I was wrong,” he whispers as he turns your head, studying your face.
He tilts your face back, letting his thumb rest under your jaw as you stare up into his eyes.
He only smirks wider.
“What?” He asks, “Hoping I’ll kiss you?”
You blush hotter, yanking your face out of his grasp.
“No!” You protest, sounding a little more forceful than you’d intended. The kind of vehement denial that only makes you look more guilty. You fold your arms and hug the book to your chest as you glare the opposite direction, hoping maybe he won’t see how bad you’re blushing as you insist, “I most definitely was not.”
“You sure about that?” He slings one arm around your shoulders, drawing you close. “‘Cause it sure looked like you wanted me to kiss you.”
His side feels warm against yours. It’s strangely comforting, and for a moment you almost wish he’d never let go.
Almost.
But he pulls away, shaking his head as he mutters, “What the hell am I thinking? She’s just a puny, helpless little human.”
“Hey!” You protest. I may be human, but I still have ears, you know. And feelings.”
Feelings which are starting to get more than a little bit trampled.
He stops pacing, turning abruptly to face you. So abruptly and so close, you find yourself blushing again in spite of yourself.
“Tell you what,” he says lazily, leaning back slightly. “Let’s say you’re just a normal, helpless human. But our deal still stands.” He holds up his arm with the golden cuff. Frowning at it, he says, “You promise you’ll find a way to set me free, and I promiseI’ll protect you.”
Your stomach flips.
You’ve never had a guy promise to protect you. Not in real life. He really is the perfect book boyfriend material.
