Page 2 of Broken Beauty

I leave the front counter and go to the literature section of the store. Barely anyone reads literature and if someone were to find my little section they wouldn't dare pick up any of the books I have in that section.

I find my section on the top shelf. I feel a small smile lift on my lips as I see my shelf looks the same as the last time I put a book there.

All of my books on the shelves are covered by literature books. If you were to move a few out of the way then you would find my books.

I look around, trying to find a step stool. Usually I always keep one around here but I can't find it.

I walk around the literature area and still manage to not find it.

Damnit.

I get back to the shelf and I stand on my toes so that I can reach the top shelf.

As I try to reach it, my arm starts to hurt and I'm not even close to touching it. I reach farther and my body is pressed against the shelf as I try to get it.

I feel chills go up my spine when a warm chest presses against my back. I see a large hand with veins running up his arm and then tattoos crawling up his forearm and hand.

My stomach fills with butterflies as I imagine those hands touching me.

He grabs the book I was trying to reach for and I turn around and face him.

Dark brown eyes stare back at me.

It's the same guy that distracted me from finishing my favorite book.

Up close I can see his features more clearly than I did when he first walked into the store.

He has a sharp jaw structure, full lips, and piercing eyes. His dark brown hair matches his dark brown eyes.

“'Invisible Man'. You seem more like a 'Great Gatsby' kind of girl,” he says while bringing his hand down and handing me the book.

“Last time I read 'Great Gatsby' was when I was a freshman. Safe to say that I wasn't interested.”

His gaze dances all over my body and I feel hot when he stares at me with so much heat. His eyes then look at the shelf above me and I see a small smile lift on his face.

What is he thinking?

“Dark romance? That is more convincing.”

I furrow my eyebrows at him.

How does he-

I turn around and see a dark romance book I hid there last time I came to the store.

Damnit.

“I wouldn't be judging my taste in books. I bet you're into one of those boring historical books or something.”

“Now you're judging me.” He tilts his head to the side and gives me a teasing smile. “I'm Ash.”

“Ash.” I say, testing his name on my lips. “I'm Ariella.”

“So what books do you read, Ariella?”

As I roam my eyes down his body, I can tell he is full of muscle under the crewneck and pants he is wearing.

And as I look at him I realize how perfect he is for my plan this summer.