It’s been two weeks.

Two weeks!

There’s been no special gifts or any phone calls from Grant. Not that he has my phone number, but if he could figure out my address, I’m pretty sure a phone number’s a cake walk.

“Do you need any help hun?”

I look over from the shelf I’m perusing to find the older librarian looking at me with warm eyes and a kind smile.

“No thank you. Just browsing.”

She nods and walks off. The library is my sanctuary and books are my lifeline. I’ve been reading since I can remember. My selections have changed a great deal over the years. I’ve traded in Amelia Bedelia and The Babysitter’s Club for any book cover with abs on it.

Do I feel like a perv looking at all this smut in the daylight hours with people flitting around me? Yes, yes I do. But I love it too much to care that everyone thinks I’m a horny nympho. I grab Dork to Dirty off the shelf once I spot it. I’ve been waiting for this one to come in. Karen Raines is a genius! Guess I know what I’ll be doing after work tonight.

“Are you into dork’s Aggie?”

The voice in my ear catches me off guard making me jump. Not only do I jump, but I fly into the shelf behind me and knock three shelves of books over.

“Oh shit, sorry baby.”

With my hand clutched to my chest, book still in hand, I turn towards the man that’s given me many sleepless nights over the past couple weeks.

“What are you doing here?” I whisper yell then drop to my knees and stack all the books on the floor to put back on the shelf.

“It’s a public library.” He drops down next to me as the librarian pokes her head around the aisle. I mutter a “sorry” as we continue stacking.

“And I’m sure you have one in one of your many homes. How did you know I was here?”

“I know everything.” He smirks while getting to his feet.

“Sorry, I didn’t know I was in the presence of the All Mighty. My apologies for sucking your cock a few weeks ago, clearly I’m going to hell now.”

It was the wrong thing to say. Being that I’m eye level with said cock and staring up at him. His eyes darken and his nostrils flare causing me to squirm. What? I’m not immune to him. I did sleep with him the first time we met.

“I think it’s time for a repeat performance.”

That wipes the lust fest from my body.

I stand up and place my hands on my hips. “Have you seen Fifty Shades of Grey? Are you some sort of Dom? That’s twice now that you’ve tried to demand me into some weird sex act. Wait… bathrooms and libraries. Are you into public stuff?” I whisper the last part.

“What guy would refuse? But no, it’s not my kink.”

“But you didn’t deny having one.” I bring my finger to my lips. “I bet you’re into school girls. Would you like that big daddy? If I put on a pleated skirt and punished you with a ruler?” I try to look innocent but the laughter building up in my throat bursts out. I may have even snorted but it was totally ladylike.

When I calm down and wipe the tears from my eyes, I’m taken aback by the way Grant’s staring at me.

“Where did you come from Agnes Fletcher?”

“Well, when a man and a woman fall in love…” I stop, not wanting to think about my mom.

She makes me sad. She’s off in Paris with husband number three for her birthday. We share the same birthday, which is today, she couldn’t be bothered to give her only child a call. But, that’s a story for another time.

He steps up to me and tucks a stray piece of hair behind my ear. When he leans forward, I know he’s gonna kiss me and I could kick my own ass for not backing away, but I don’t. I can’t. Because the look in his eyes is something I’ve never seen before when someone’s looked at me.

Awe.

The kiss is brief but in no way lacking. His lips are soft, making me think he uses Chapstick on the daily. When he pulls back my lips are still puckered and my eyes remain closed.

“Look at me.”

My eyes open, my mind still in a haze. “Yes master?”

“Stop it, I’m not a dom.” He laughs then reaches his hand up to rub my bottom lip with the pad of his thumb. “Have you given our situation any thought?”

I shake my head no even though I have. In the end, the final consensus? He needs to work for it. I need to know he’s serious about this, whatever it is. What happens when the excitement of banging a lowly waitress wears off? When his world and mine collide and he sees we’re not compatible in the least?

“Liar.” He kisses me again then places his forehead to mine. “Let me drive you home.”

“I need the exercise. I’m just gonna hoof it.”

When he backs away, deep in thought, he surprises me. “I’ll walk you.”

“Isn’t your chauffeur waiting?”

He laughs, deep from the gut. “How rich do you think I am?”

“I’m thinking you have enough money to have your own Alfred.” I quickly appraise him. “You definitely have a Batmobile.”

Grant laughs again. “Maybe. Let’s check out your porn and head home. I have a feeling you’re gonna keep me on my toes Agnes Fletcher.”

“Aggie, please. Agnes is so…”

“Old? You know what? I think it suits you.”

“Thanks.” I mumble as we head to the front desk so I can check out my book.

“You never answered my question.”

“About?”

“Do you have a thing for nerds?”

“Not nerds per se. I do love a guy in glasses like Clark Kent or Harry Potter. But in all honesty, I’m a nerd myself.”

“You don’t say. How nerdy are we talking here?” He laughs again. That’s right, apparently, I’m a regular comedian.

I turn with mischief in my eyes. “Last night I wore my Harry Potter onesie to bed.”

“Damn, you’re making me hard.”

I laugh as we head for the exit and rack my brain trying to think of a reason for him not to walk me home. He’s too overwhelming and I just want today to be low-key for my birthday. I took the day off in advance so I could veg out. I work almost every day of the week and that’s not changing anytime soon. Especially since I turned down that job position at Hence and started picking up more shifts at Lace of Desire so I can phase waitressing out. I’m on the prowl for another position.

We’re walking down the front steps and I notice his expensive looking shoes. Light bulb! I mean, desperate times call for desperate measures. A girl's only got so many options.

“Can I see your shoe? Are those what rappers sing about? Gator boots?”

“Um… I’m not sure. But they aren’t alligator skin I can assure you.” Much to my surprise, he takes off his shoe and hands it to me, albeit reluctantly.

Without wasting any time, I sprint down the stairs towards the street and throw his shoe into oncoming traffic.

“What the?” He yells after me but I’m already hightailing it down the sidewalk.

“Send me a bill!” I scream already out of breath knowing there’s no way in hell I can afford a replacement pair.

When I quickly look back I see him standing on the sidewalk staring at my retreating form with a smirk on his face.

I knew he’d be too high-class to walk me home in stocking feet.

Mission accomplished. 

Now I can go home and binge watch some new TV show on Netflix and start my new book. A great freaking birthday plan.

Denial.