He smirked and stepped closer. “I do. I really want it. But do me a favor and check over my shoulder for hidden Carls this time, okay?”
Her heels lifted just enough to peer over his broad shoulders and catch the scent of his hair. But he couldn’t wait any longer. He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers, her body lifting toward him. His lips still tasted like apple cider. A soft moan escaped her, so he deepened the kiss, hands pressed into the small of her back. Next thing she knew, her fingertips were touching his jawline and pulling through his hair, like satin against her skin. The sensation unraveled her. She was shocked at how natural it felt, to connect with him, to feel completely consumed.
Ethan paused to come up for air and grazed his lips along her cheek and earlobe. A shudder ran down Cali’s spine.
“I shouldn’t say this,” he whispered, “but … you in these skirts? It drives me crazy.”
“Really?” she whispered back.
He nodded. “You’ve got no idea, do you? How good you look when you’re not even trying?”
He wasn’t wrong. Cali never saw herself as, well,attractive. Sure, she was put together nicely. Nice clothes and nice makeup. But she wasn’t the kind of woman men went out of their way to pursue. That was reserved for young blondes in shorter skirts than she’d ever wear. When guys were attracted to her, it was usually because of her wit or intelligence. And she didn’t mind that at all. In fact, she was almost certain Ethan was attracted to those qualities, too. But no one had ever said she drove them crazy before.
Ethan traced the tip of his nose down her neck, kissing there too, nipping and sucking until she thought she might melt right into the porch.Damn you, Ethan Cross.She hated how easily he undid her. She touched his chin and guided his lips back to hers.
She didn’t want this night to end, yet the words “Pretty sure this breaks some kind of library rule” slipped out against his mouth. “You know—falling for the patrons. Maybe we should call it a night.”
“Is this about my overdue library fines?” he murmured. “I’ve got money in the truck. I’ll pay you back right now.”
She giggled, and he shuddered at the feel of her breath against his skin.
“Okay. If you want to stop here, we stop. Call me a vampire, but I don’t cross the threshold unless you say so.” Ethan kissed her once more, firm and unhurried, but he didn’t let her go.
God, it was tempting. All she had to do was step aside, let him in, give herself over to this ache. But a part of her held back. He wanted more. She could feel it in the quick, unsteady thrum of his heartbeat. She wanted more, too. Alotmore. But this was already farther than she’d ever intended to go.
She forced herself to step back. “Goodnight, Ethan,” she whispered, handing him his coat.
Inside, Cali pressed her back to the door, willing her breath to steady, telling herself she’d done the right thing.
Outside, Ethan lingered on the porch, coat in hand, telling himself it was right, too—because when she finally let him in, he wanted it to be because she’d chosen to.
Chapter 11
Cali woke Sunday with her stomach in knots, and for once it wasn’t because of Ethan. The board meeting loomed like a storm cloud, and she hated the thought that she might’ve jeopardized her case for Banned Books Week by letting herself get distracted with a kiss on the porch. A kiss she refused to replay in her head—except, of course, she was. Constantly.
Her phone buzzed.
Our Maine Coon still in one piece?
She snorted.Our. Probably meant The Nine. Still, it warmed something inside her.
The kitten stretched in a patch of sun beneath the window, paws curled over his pale belly. She snapped a photo, hit send, and texted:Max. Then she muted the phone before Ethan could turn it into anything more. She had work to do.
By afternoon, she’d pulled Minka into emergency duties at the library, even though it was closed. Her best friend entrusted her best waitress to man the café while she plopped two Oat Coutureson Cali’s desk.
“One for now, one for tomorrow morning. You’re obviously not sleeping tonight.”
“Have I told you you’re my favorite friend?”
“Only every time I see you.” Minka folded her arms, squinting at Cali’s note cards. “Okay. Hit me with your spiel. I’ll be the scary board.”
They tried a few rounds. Cali fumbled, reworked, tried again. Minka was ruthless, dramatic, occasionally ridiculous, but between laughs she kept steering Cali back to her points.
Finally, Minka leaned on the desk, eyes narrowed. “Wait. You said Ethan came up with this UV trick?”
Cali froze mid-sip. “Yeah.”
Minka shot her a sideways glance. “And you didn’t think to ask him to help you rehearse?”
