Page 7 of Dangerous Men (Fortune City Mafia #1)
SYDNEY
For the first time in years, I catch myself humming as I work. A silly piece of music, probably nothing more than an advertisement jingle I heard on TV, but humming nonetheless. A moment of joy, just for me.
Jade was right. Blocking Chase really was the best thing for me and my mental health. Without the low-level anxiety of knowing another message from him could disrupt my day, I’ve been in a better mood this last week than I have in months.
I should have blocked him right after we ended things, if I’m being honest with myself.
But it just felt so… final. I’ve never been great at no-contact endings with anyone, let alone someone who had been such a huge part of my life for so many years.
But the sinking feeling I’d get in the pit of my stomach every time my phone would buzz is suddenly gone, and with it a huge weight I didn’t even realize I was carrying.
I’m feeling lighter than air as I set to work putting up the publisher’s display for the third book in The Prince’s Knife series.
Sure, we can’t technically put any copies out until the book’s official release date, but we can start building hype among the book’s fanbase by advertising it.
Instead of the newest book (still nestled safely in an unopened box in our stockroom), I fill the display with copies of the other books in the series, as well as a few of the author’s back catalogue and lesser-known works.
Satisfied, I step back a few paces to judge the full display. It looks good, but I can’t help but think it still needs something extra to really make it pop. Maybe some of the fantasy-themed shirts and bookmarks we keep near the back register?
I chew my bottom lip and gaze around at the other displays, considering what to add.
That’s when I spot him.
Lounging in an armchair sandwiched between our Science Fiction and Fantasy sections is Alec. He looks perfectly in his element sitting there, one ankle resting on his knee and a book in his hand, looking for all the world like he’s been there for hours.
My heart skips a beat when I notice the book he’s holding.
He’s reading The Prince’s Knife.
As if sensing my gaze, Alec looks up, and we lock eyes. It’s too late to pretend I wasn’t looking at him and too late to duck into one of the other aisles and hide. So, a little embarrassed, I raise my hand and wave.
A slow smile creeps over his face. He waves back briefly before gesturing me over.
My feet carry me over to him before I can even stop to think if it’s a good idea or not.
“Sydney,” Alec greets me, closing his book. I glance down at how far he is through it, morbidly curious, and see he’s almost at the end. Great. No chance in hell he doesn’t know exactly what sort of book it is by now. “I thought I might have come on your day off. I didn’t see you up front.”
“Oh, no.” I laugh. “I hardly ever take a day off. It’s too much work for just Jade or me to handle on our own. And we’re the only employees right now.”
I reach up to touch my brown curls nervously.
“Are you… enjoying it?” I ask, motioning to the book in his hands. I ask it automatically, like commenting on the weather, and only when Alec smirks, his eyebrows raising, do I realize how suggestive it sounds. “I only mean, it’s not, uh… not for everyone. This sort of book.”
His smile only grows.
“I am enjoying it. Very much, actually,” he tells me. “I like the political intrigue. And the overarching themes about the inevitability of corruption that comes with power.”
I take a step closer to him, excited.
“Yes!” I agree animatedly. “This author does a great job of making you question whether it’s better to submit to a corrupt but stable system or to overthrow it and risk chaos.”
I’m so glad to hear Alec is enjoying the plot. And, sure, maybe it is a little smutty, but fantasy romance at least tends to be pretty plot centric. Why can’t a book be good and have a few sexy scenes now and then?
“What’s your favorite part so far?” I ask excitedly. For me, it’s the twist—the I can’t believe it moment when you find out a character you thought was dead has been alive this whole time, living under a different name.
“Oh, that’s easy.” Alec taps the book lightly against his leg. “The forest scene where Malachi orders Pheadra to get on her knees and beg for his cum.”
My head empties.
I’m vaguely aware that my mouth is open as Alec watches me. I close it, only to open it again.
“Oh,” I manage to say, mouth suddenly dry. My heart is beating unusually fast. I know the scene he’s talking about, and while it was undeniably sexy and I enjoyed it, nothing at all prepared me for hearing those words come from this man’s mouth.
But… that’s something a man like him would do, isn’t it? Alec looks like the type who would take charge like that, who would force a girl to her knees and make her say dirty, filthy things to him. Make her beg for him, make her lose all control…
Heat pools between my legs at the thought.
“I’ve made you uncomfortable,” Alec says, sounding concerned. He sets his book aside and stands, his full attention on me.
“No, not… not uncomfortable,” I admit. I turn away, worried the blush of my cheeks will give away exactly what I was thinking. “I just… was surprised, is all. You caught me off guard.”
“I’m sorry,” he says, reaching out to touch my upper arm gently. “That wasn’t my intention, Sydney. I didn’t think about how my answer would affect you, or how inappropriate it was. I just answered.”
Oh, I don’t think this man has any idea just how much his answer affected me. I think I need a cold shower.
“You’re fine,” I insist. “Honestly, I?—”
He hasn’t let go of my arm. I glance between where he’s touching me and his face. Those dark, gorgeous eyes.
“I…” I lick my lips.
My service bell rings, the sound a little too shrill, announcing that I have a customer waiting. I step back, breaking the spell between us, and Alec lets his hand fall back to his side, almost reluctantly.
“Customer,” I explain with a sheepish grin, motioning toward the back of the store, where my register awaits. “I have to go.”
I can feel Alec’s eyes watching me as I leave, the force of his gaze so strong it’s almost physical.