Page 31 of The Librarian’s Familiar

Charlie smiled. “I’m very good at bossing people around.”

“Great. I’m very good at doing what I’m told.” As the words left his mouth and Charlie’s grin widened, August realized that he’d walked into a trap. For half a second, he tried to find the words to back out, because he didn’t hand control over to anyone in the bedroom. But then half the time, he’d never known their names.

He knew more about Charlie than all the men he’d ever had sex with combined.

“My sister-in-law is a teacher. I can introduce you. She’s probably already been in.”

“Err, maybe, but I swear half the town has the surname North.”

“Closer to twenty percent, actually.”

“It feels like more.”

August smirked.

Charlie’s pulse quickened, and the warmth of lust on his skin intensified. He finished his beer in a swallow. “Ready to play?”

August glanced at his half-full glass. “Yeah.”

The word was barely out of his mouth, and Charlie was getting up, gathering his coat and preparing to leave. August watched him walk away before doing the same and walking over to the till.

He heard the bar door open and close and knew Charlie was on the other side. He swiped his card and said good night to the smiling waitress and headed out. He scanned the street looking for Charlie but didn’t see him.

Damn, he moved fast.

He drew in a lungful of air, picking up Charlie’s scent, and headed in the direction it was coming from. As he rounded the corner, he saw him but didn’t make the effort to catch up, as there were other people on the street.

His heart lurched as he realized he didn’t want to be seen walking with Charlie. He was still worried about what other people might assume.

Shit. Was this Charlie’s way of giving him an excuse to walk behind?

His steps faltered, and the distance widened. How could he pursue Charlie when he was worried about what people would think? He ran his hand over his beard. This was fucked up. He was fucked up. No one in town was going to give a shit. Well…aside from a few female polar bears who thought they had a chance, and that was simply because returning home had put him at the top of the list of eligible bachelors.

This would put him at the top of a very different list and would open up a new range of people vying for his attention.

All he wanted was Charlie’s attention. He kept walking and shoved his hands in his pockets, letting his nose lead the way instead of staring at Charlie’s back.

He caught up as Charlie was unlocking a door. August put his hands on Charlie and spun him around, so his back was to the door. “Caught you.”

“Mmm…but do you know what to do with me now?”

August leaned a little closer. He had a few ideas. He closed the last couple of inches and kissed him. His lips brushed over Charlie’s, and hot lust rippled down his spine, stealing his breath. Charlie gasped, and for a heartbeat, August thought it was too much. But then Charlie’s mouth opened, and his tongue swept over August’s lip, asking for more. He pressed Charlie against the door and moved closer, needing to feel him. His hands slid over Charlie’s hips to cup his ass, and Charlie wrapped his hands around the back of his neck like he had no plans to let him go.

Charlie’s tongue invaded, and heat spiraled through his blood, settling in his dick. He should’ve waited until they were inside. Grinding against him, where anyone could walk past and see them, was not a smart idea. Not only that, but they couldn’t get their clothes off on the street, and he really wanted Charlie naked.

What happened after that they hadn’t discussed.

“Why don’t I get the door open, and we can continue this with less clothing?” Charlie whispered against his lips.

August eased back. Charlie reached behind and turned the door handle, allowing them both to spill inside.

The house was dark except for a light in the kitchen. Charlie locked the door and grabbed his hand.

He followed, but questions were forming, and he needed to say something. “What do you do?”

Charlie glanced over his shoulder. “What do I do?”

“You know…don’t we need to talk about it?”