Here we go.” Rachel returned with a small bowl of soapy water and a tube of ointment. “The cut’s not that big.”

Scott knelt to see the books on the bottom shelf. “This is your collection?”

“Uh-huh.” She set the bowl and ointment on the table and got the small towel from around her shoulder. “You like books?”

“Do I like books?” He ran his fingers across the thick and thin spines of hardcovers, wondering if books brought Rachel the same comfort they brought him. “Books are the reason I live.”

“What?” She dipped the towel into the water.

“I freaking love books.” Scott stood, throwing up his arms. “You’ll never meet anyone as book crazy as I am.”

“I don’t know about that.” She took his hand, guiding him to the sofa. “I wouldn’t have gotten through a lot of hard times if it weren’t for books.” She dabbed the wet towel on the cut.

Scott made a sucking noise with his teeth from the tinge of pain while inhaling her strawberry scent. “You smell like strawberries.”

She smiled. “I was eating some before you interrupted me.” Her gentle hands soothed the cut. “Strawberries are my favorite fruit.”

“Mine are oranges.” Scott looked at the bookshelf again.

She dried the cut and applied ointment. “You’re salivating like that bookshelf is a naked lady.”

A tingle ran from his knees to his feet.

“Sometimes reading a book is better than sex.” He looked at her, shrugging. “Some think I’m crazy to say that. Do you?”

She stuck out her lips as if to ponder the notion. “Depends on who you’ve been having sex with.” She opened a Band-Aid. “I love books but nothing takes the place of being in a man’s arms.”

Scott’s legs trembled.

“You okay?”

He touched his crotch, desperate to thwart the burning erection. “So for you books aren’t as good as sex?”

“Guess it depends on the book or the sex.” She laughed, sticking on the Band-Aid. “Sometimes I get overly excited when I read. It’s like a drug.”

“Me too.” Scott clamped his knees together.

“What do you do?”

His gaze fell to her nipples, the imprint of them jolting from her pajama top.

“Scott?” She laid her hand upon his shoulder, breasts jiggling as she moved.

“Huh?” He forced his attention on her face. “What did you say?”

“What do you do for a living?”

“Oh.” He stretched his legs out. “Guess.”

“A teacher?” She giggled. “A security guard? A superhero slash Kung Fu master?”

“I’m a librarian at the Willowick County Library.”

“Librarian.” She snapped her fingers. “How could I not know? Tell me, are you able to get any work done there or do you spend your time ogling the books?”

He snickered.

“What type of books do you like?”

“I’m a classics man.” He pointed to the shelf. “And, you have some of my favorites.”

She leaned forward, batting her eyes. “Wanna know my favorite book?”

Scott swallowed, a prickly sensation clawing its way to the tip of his manhood. “Yes.”

“Madam Bovary.”

“Madam Bovary?” Scott’s eyelids grew heavy. “Why?”

“Emma is my favorite character ever.” Rachel stood straight. “She gained freedom and control through her sexuality despite not having control in society. She taught me how powerful it can be to be a woman. What’s your favorite book?”

He dropped his head. “You’ll think it’s corny.”

“Try me.” She held her small hips, her curves forcing their way through her pajamas.

“Romeo and Juliet.”

“Why?” She squinted with a devious smile. “You believe in love at first sight?”

“I didn’t.”

“You didn’t?” She licked her full lips, leaving a trace of wetness on the bottom one. “Sounds like you’ve changed your mind.”

“Can I be honest?”

She exhaled, breasts heaving. “Please do.”

“I can’t stop wondering if your lips taste as good as they look.”

She backed away, batting her eyes.

“Was that too forward?”

She shook her head. “Are you smitten with me, Scott?”

He stuck the tip of his tongue between his lips. “Maybe a bit.”

“That’s the motive for wanting to help me?”

“No.”

“Is that honest?”

“I wouldn’t want anyone to be hurt if I could do something about it, Rachel.”

“But, you can’t.” She lowered herself on the table. “You seem to be a very sweet man.”

He touched her thigh. “I am.”

“That’s why I can’t involve you.” She moved his hand. “I’m in a lot of danger and it’s best if you walked away.”

“What if I can’t? Rachel, something keeps driving me to you, and I don’t think that’ll change.”

“What do you want from me?”

“I want you to take me up on my offer and let me help you. I want you to trust me.”

She brushed her long bangs out her eyes. “I won’t drag you into my mess.”

“It wouldn’t be dragging if I want to do it.” He stood. “I’m making this decision on my own.”

“No.” She stood, shaking her head. “Please leave.”

“Come on.” He walked from the couch, pointing to the bookshelf. “I’m not gonna stand by while something happens to you.”

“It’s bad enough I’m in this mess.” She pulled him from the den, pushing him to the front door. “I won’t put someone I barely know in danger. Please go, Scott.”

“Rachel—”

“Enough!” She opened the door. “Let’s forget all this ever happened…”

BANG!

A bullet shattered the flowerpot on the porch.

Rachel screamed as Scott pulled her back into the house.

A car sped away, tires squealing.

“Oh.” Rachel fell to the floor, huffing and puffing.

“Are you all right?” Scott scanned the darkness. “You okay, Rachel?”

“My god.” She panted, rubbing her chest. “Scott—”

“I’m calling the police.” He got his phone.

“No.” She reached for it. “You can’t. Please.”

“I’m calling my brother.”

She stood, grabbing his shirt. “Scott—”

“We just got shot at.” He dialed Bobby’s number. “You bet your sweet ass I’m calling my brother.”