Read Me (Forget the Past, #2)

by Lauren Connolly

Everything about this patron conveys a simple message: I’m not friendly. Don’t talk to me. But I talk to everyone, even sexy, intimidating men who surround themselves with fortresses of books.

Every number he lists off is correct, and I decide that no man as hot as an inferno should be allowed to talk about library organizational methods. It’s too much. I need a fan. Or a respirator.

Cats. Never clear about what they want, but will make sure to punish you if you don’t figure it out.

“I used you to escape an uncomfortable situation. I’m sorry.” He shrugs, eyes still not meeting mine. “Use me any time.”

“What’s wrong?” Attempt at normalcy? Failed. “Nothing.” “You’re lying.” “It’s rude to point that out.” “It’s rude to lie.”

“Only give me real smiles. If you’re sad, frown at me. If you’re mad, scowl.”

“Summer?” Cole. Why? Why does the handsome bad boy I’ve allowed myself to secretly crush on have to know that I’m crying myself into a migraine at work? Can’t he just exist outside of a permanent five-foot radius of me? Let me look at him. Fantasize about him. Maintain an image of a put-together woman around him.

“Do you want a hug?” A Cole Allemand hug? Does such a thing even exist? “Are you offering a hug? You don’t seem like a hugger.” “I’m not.” “Well, I don’t want a hug full of lies.” I cross my arms, knowing that I’m being obstinate. But that’s what this day does to me. Cole’s mouth twitches. “I’m not a hugger. But I’d like to hug you.”

There’s a pressure on the top of my head, and I realize Cole is resting his chin on me. Like he has no immediate plans to end this embrace. For the first time today, I feel…not happy, exactly. But slightly less despondent.

“Black works for me today,” I repeat. “But when I’m happy again—and I will be—I won’t be able to stop myself.” “From doing what?” he murmurs, his stare seeming to catch on my mouth. “From trying to paint you in colors.”

“If you’re trying to discover if I am a sore loser or not, the answer is no. I am very graceful in defeat. Which is quite impressive, seeing as how I am so rarely defeated.”

what if friends don’t spoon because society tells us we can’t? What if there can be a perfectly platonic spooning?

It’s hard to read Cole. Which only makes me want to more. He’s a banned book I’m not supposed to take off the shelf. But every flip of the page feels too good against my fingers to put him back.

Can a man come just from listening to the woman of his dreams describe naughty scenarios? Because I think I just did.

“I’m going to bring you to the edge with my fingers and tongue so many times you’ll be begging to come. You’ll get so pissed at me you’ll want to scratch me up. You’ll want to bite me. And when you do, you’ll have the best orgasm of your life.”

“Don’t worry about it.” My teeth clench, then I force my jaw to relax. “I have considered your request, and I reject it. The worrying is already happening. Can’t stop it now. Might as well tell me.”

“Why did I lie, you ask? I lied because I am a monster and you are perfection. I lied because I am selfish, and I want you. I lied because the truth of me is a dark twisted mass. I lied because I am terrified. Terrified of life without you in it. I am desperate for you, and I believed lies were the only way to keep you from leaving. If I had known that truth was the key to you, I would have shared every detail of my pathetic existence.”