“I’m sure you’ll have a great time. Just … be careful. The guy’s new in town, and while someone vouched for him, we’ve had some … interesting characters drift through Lorewood over the years.”
Aw, he’s really trying to protect me. I’ll text Eve later so Thane gets some brownie points out of this. And by “brownie points,” I mean blowjobs.
“Thanks, Thane. I appreciate the advice. I have a good feeling about Jameson, and I’m sure Eve will fill you in after the date. She won’t leave me alone until I give her every detail, anyway.”
We walk out to the front of the shop together, and Thane wraps me in a tight bear hug.
“Enjoy your tour, Aurora. Ezra knows this place inside and out, so you’re in excellent hands.”
When I wrap my arms around my pseudo-big brother, Ezra glances up from his book while another dark shadow crosses his handsome features.
I’m not going to lie. I’m a little nervous about being alone with him, but I can’t ask Thane to stay.
As we pull apart, Thane gives me a wink and flashes me a wicked grin. Great. Now I’m blushing like I’m thirteen and he just passed me a note from Ezra in math class.
Am I that fucking obvious?
“Have fun tonight. Tell Eve I said hi—and to behave!”
I’m certain Eve won’t behave, which is probably why Thane can’t get enough of her.
When I finally summon the courage to turn around, I find Ezra watching me with his hands once again folded in his lap.
Good god, his posture is perfect.
His grey eyes bore into me, making me feel painfully self-conscious.
Eventually, I break his intense gaze, and my eyes drop to the book resting beneath his folded hands. I can’t help but wonder what dark, devastatingly handsome sex gods read in their spare time. The moment the title on the spine registers, a small chuckle escapes my lips, and I immediately slap both hands over my mouth to stifle it.
Ezra’s eyes narrow and his head cocks to one side, studying me with unnerving focus.
Great. I just pissed off the predator sitting in the wingback chair.
Behind him, something pulses once, just at the edge of my vision.
A shadow? A flicker of movement? Probably just the dim lighting.
“Is there a problem, Aurora? Perhaps my reading material is not up to your standards.”
He places the book on a pile beside the chair, uncrosses his legs, slowly rises, then takes calculated steps in my direction.
I fix my posture, digging deep for whatever spine I’ve got left.
Because, seriously, fuck this guy.
“N-no, not at all. It’s just … you seem so … I-I never would have guessed you’re a Grady Hendrix fan. I love his books and his humor.How to Sell a Haunted Houseis one of my favorites. I guess I thought you’d preferUlyssesor something more … classic.”
Ezra erases the distance between us in three steps. He stands before me, almost too close for comfort. His warm cinnamon-and-pine smell wraps itself around me again, and I struggle to keep a level head.
Now is not the time to let my pussy drive instead of my brain.
He touched you without asking, you fucking moron. Don’t let him get to you.
“Now, now, Aurora.”
Ezra looks at me like a feast he can’t stop imagining between his teeth, his eyes thunderstorm-dark and crackling with restraint. Something stirs behind him—a flicker at the edge of the room that makes my skin crawl.
“I didn’t think you were the judgmental type. Do you know me and my reading habits so well that you feel comfortable commenting on them?”
