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MAGGIE

T rey Smith is in my house, and every nerve in my body is on high alert. How am I supposed to sleep when a stunning, six-something behemoth with piercing-blue eyes is mere feet away? I can’t pretend not to notice his chiseled muscles and rugged features; they command attention from anyone who crosses his path. And here he is, sleeping under my roof, the epitome of danger and desire.

But it’s not just his physical presence that keeps me awake at night. It’s the knowledge that he works in security, a profession that requires him to be ultra-aware and highly skilled in protecting others. Which means he must have countless women throwing themselves at him for protection.

The thought sends a sharp pang of jealousy through me, even though I know we could never be together. Not after what happened between us in high school: his careless words that shattered our friendship, his sudden popularity that made me invisible.

Whatever. I have more important things to worry about right now, like Chris Whatever-his-last-name-is. He’s become obsessed with me, stalking me with chilling gifts and sinister intentions. Why would anyone fixate on plain old me?

My dark curly hair is wild and unmanageable most days, and I rarely wear more than a few coats of mascara and tinted lip balm. I’m short and curvy with huge boobs that get in the way and a fat ass that has a tendency to bump into things and people. I do have nice eyes, though, even if they’re overshadowed by my glasses, and I like my smile. That’s one thing I do get compliments on.

Still, why on earth would anyone want to stalk me? I’m a librarian, for Pete’s sake!

I might as well quit pretending I’m going to fall back asleep and get out of bed. I’m wide awake, tossing and turning as I think about the man down the hall. I can’t believe I went to him for help, desperate after being turned away by the police yet again. And now look where it’s landed me: alone in bed with a man who holds both my past and present secrets.

Sighing heavily, I kick off the sheets and sit up, my feet sinking into the plush carpet beneath me. My mind races as I try to process everything that’s happened until a delicious aroma reaches my nose. Coffee. Without even thinking, I follow the scent to the kitchen, where I find Trey shirtless and cooking breakfast like some Greek god.

He doesn’t even have to turn around for me to know he’s aware of my presence. “Morning,” he greets me without missing a beat. “I won’t ask if you slept well, because I know you didn’t.”

Giving up any pretense of being quiet, I walk over and pour myself a cup of coffee, trying not to let my eyes wander too much over his perfect physique. “How do you know how I slept?” I ask, trying to sound casual.

Trey turns to face me, revealing a multitude of intricate tattoos and scars that hint at his dangerous line of work. “I could hear you tossing and turning all night,” he says, observing me with those intense blue eyes that never miss a thing. “Not surprising after coming home and discovering your stalker has been to your house.”

My heart races as I take in everything he’s saying, realizing just how deep I’ve gotten myself into this mess. And yet... part of me is grateful that he’s here now, looking out for me in ways no one else can. But underneath all that gratitude lies an undeniable attraction that threatens to consume us both. And as we stand there in my kitchen, sipping coffee and trading glances filled with unspoken words, I wonder if this is the calm before the storm.

Trey portions the eggs onto two plates with a calculated precision, then sets the pan on a trivet to cool before popping a few slices of bread in the toaster. His gaze continues to find mine as he moves around my kitchen with an unsettling familiarity. As if he’s been here before and feels right at home. I watch him with a sense of unease while he flits around. Wondering what other secrets he’s hiding.

He butters the toast, putting two slices on each plate, then hands one to me. “Send his phone number and his profile link.”

“I already blocked him. I don’t know what good that’ll do.” My stomach churns at the thought of Chris having access to my personal information.

Fighting back my panic, I take a sip of my hot beverage and attempt to focus on something else. But Trey’s words keep ringing in my head, reminding me that a strange man knows where I live, and it makes it hard to concentrate on anything else.

My mind is reeling but I force a smile while I study my eggs. “Feelin’ fancy this morning? What’s in these?”

“Chives and gruyere. It’s flavor, not fancy.”

I’ve never had a man cook for me before, but I must admit it’s quite nice. “When did you become a chef?” I tease, before wrapping my lips around a steaming forkful and moaning at the delicious taste. “Oh, wow. These are so good!” Marginally hanging on to my decorum, I dig into my breakfast, savoring each bite.

“I’ve lived alone since I was eighteen. Had to learn real fast, or else I would’ve survived on nothing but frozen meals and canned goods. Can’t get abs like this eating junk all the time.” He pats his washboard stomach and my pussy clenches. When he catches me ogling him like a teenager, his lips curl into a cocky grin, making me blush.

“Thank you for breakfast.” I push my plate away and wipe my mouth on a napkin. “I need to get ready for work, and I’m sure you do as well. Should we just meet back here this evening?”

Trey leans his tight ass against the counter and folds his arms over his chest. “Nope, I’m with you today. And every day for the foreseeable future. You’re stuck with me, Mouse—where you go, I go.”

I freeze with my mug a few inches from my face. “Uh… that’s not what I was thinking. I thought we’d just be seen together around town a few times or something.”

I’m not sure I can handle being this close to him 24/7. Sure, we were joined at the hip as kids, but he is definitely not a kid anymore. He is all man, the delicious kind of man I read about in my smutty romance novels.

“I can work from anywhere and I have a go-bag in my truck. I’m going to work with you, and while you strut your cute ass around and do sexy librarian shit, I’ll be on my laptop, learning all about your stalker. So don’t forget to send me his number and profile link, or I’ll have to punish you when we get home.”

Wetness pools between my thighs as I envision what kind of punishment he has in mind.

Did he call me cute and sexy? What is happening?

My brain is rebooting while I struggle to formulate coherent words. “I… Um… Okay, well…” I squirm in my seat, and the smoldering smirk Trey gives me tells me I’ve failed at trying to hide my body’s reaction to him.

He carries my plate and mug to the sink. “Get dressed. We leave in thirty.”

I’m too discombobulated to argue while he cleans up, but find my feet move of their own accord, taking me to my bedroom. My body is on autopilot as I get ready for work, shuffling around in a confused stupor.

I know there’s more going on here. Yet I push aside my doubts and hesitations, letting my instincts guide me as we head out the door. Because even though Trey may be hiding something, I still trust him. He’s the only one who can give me the answers I seek, and I need them if we have any hope of moving forward.

Trey glances in my direction, from where he’s positioned next to me at the circulation desk, while typing on his computer. “If you’re gonna stare, at least close your mouth and stop drooling.”

Jerk. I’d love to wipe that smug smile right off his face.

“I wasn’t drooling. I’m just not used to having someone in my personal space,” I huff, trying my best not to let his handsome face distract me from my work.

He eyes me skeptically. “I’ve seen two volunteers coming and going around here all morning. From the looks of it, I’d say they were regulars.”

“Well, yeah, but those are two retired ladies who like to stay busy. Not a big hunk of man meat covered in tattoos,” I mutter, reorganizing the same pile of books for the third time.

Suddenly, my cheeks heat up and I pinch my lips together as Trey’s lips curl into an arrogant grin. “Hunk of man meat, huh? Is that what you think of me?”

I stifle a giggle behind my hand. My mind is a whirlwind of emotions after the past twenty-four hours. Yet the one thing that has kept me grounded is Trey. It scares me how easily we fell back into our familiar comfortability.

This is what I was expecting when he moved back to Cedar Point, which is why I was hurt and confused—I still am—when this wasn’t the reunion I received. We’ve both changed and grown up, but there are glimpses of the boy I used to know lurking beneath that rugged, chiseled exterior. He’s got his secrets, and I’ll be patient until he’s ready to share them with me. But I won’t wait forever. I’m done waiting for my Trey to come back to me.

The hours rush by in a blur, with a parade of women finding any excuse to make their way to the circulation desk. When it’s just me here, they hardly acknowledge my presence, but they can’t stay away from the town’s sexiest bachelor.

Maria comes in for the closing shift, but stops in her tracks when she sees who’s sitting next to me. Her mouth drops open and she stares at me, covertly pointing at Trey. Then she mouths, “ Who is that?” while making lewd gestures.

The joys of employing a nineteen-year-old college student.

I indicate with a wave of my hand for her to join us. She’s practically skipping as she rushes over.

“Trey, this is Maria. She’ll be closing up tonight. She’s a student at Grant State.” I wrap an arm around her shoulders and usher her forward.

He spins on his stool to face her and his full lips part into a suave smile. My employee and I both almost melt into puddles on the floor. “Nice to meet you.” Four simple words send the awestruck teen into a fit of girlish giggles. “Ready to go home, Mouse?” Something flickers in Trey’s eyes but I can’t quite decipher what it is.

Maria turns her head to look at me with a puzzled expression. “Mouse?”

I dismiss the question, but Trey answers for me. “It’s the nickname I gave her when we were kids. She’s always been so cute and petite.” His gaze shifts to mine and captivates me in an intense stare. “And she loves it when I chase her. Don’t you… Mouse?”

The room seems ten degrees hotter now and I need some fresh air.

I hurriedly gather my belongings and toss them into my bag. “Okay, so… looks like you’re all set.” I chuckle, sweat blooming along my spine. Trey takes the hint and shuts down his laptop before sliding it into his bag. “Don’t forget to set the alarm, and call if you need anything.”

“Sure thing, boss. This isn’t my first time closing up shop,” Maria teases me with an amused grin.

I tug on the sleeve of Trey’s t-shirt. “Let’s get out of her way. It’s stuffy back here.”

He stands to his full height and towers over me while I peer at him from beneath my lashes. “You alright, Mouse? Seem a little flustered.”

“Yes. Of course. I think I’m just hungry.”

A dangerous glint flickers in his eyes as he leans in closer. “Well, I guess I’ll have to feed you then.”

My heart stutters at the implication, and my brain struggles to process it. Before I can think too much, though, I grab his wrist and drag him behind me while he snickers.

“Good night, Maria,” I toss over a shoulder while marching to the entrance.

The night air hits my flushed face and I close my eyes, breathing in deeply. Trey is flirting with me and it’s throwing me off balance. I shouldn’t forgive him so easily, but there’s always been an undeniable attraction between us, a chemistry I can’t ignore, no matter how hard I try.

Lost in my thoughts, I don’t register when Trey stops and holds out a hand. “Keys.” The demand is firm and direct, but his tone isn’t harsh. That’s the intriguing thing about him—his presence is so domineering that people are eager to give him what he wants, myself included.

I fish my keys out of my purse and hand them over as we make our way to the back parking lot reserved for employees. When my SUV comes into view, I gasp and we both come to a screeching halt.

Why would someone do this?