Page 9

Avalon

“Holy crap, that’s Parrish Locksby,” my coworker, Denny, breathed. He’d just arrived to relieve me from my shift at the library’s circulation desk.

I looked up from placing my notebook in my backpack. “You know him?”

“Pfft…” he scoffed. “Of course. Captain of the hockey team, second year running, headed to the pros? Just about everyone knows him. Never seen him in here, though.”

“I’m sure he reads and studies,” I laughed, amused by Denny’s obvious hero worship. He was usually someone obsessed with Dungeons & Dragons and a good twenty-sided die. I’d never seen him star-struck over a jock.

“He’s heading over here,” my coworker hissed. “Let me help him when he gets here.”

I waved a hand. “I just finished my shift, but I don’t think he’s here for help.”

Denny rolled his eyes at me. “Well, then why is he here?”

He cut off as Parrish reached us. Parrish grinned at me, his avid gaze eating me up, making me kinda wish I wasn’t wearing my gray cardigan and tweed pants. He didn’t seem to mind, though.

“Hey, sexy librarian. You about done here?”

“Yeah,” I answered.

“This isn’t a hook-up place. Don’t talk to her like that,” Denny butted in, sounding annoyed.

“Denny, it’s okay,” I said. “He’s—”

“No, it’s not.” He glared at Parrish. “I thought you were cooler than that.”

Parrish’s brows rose, but his amusement was clear. “I think you got the wrong idea. I’m picking her up from work, not trying to have a hookup. She’s my girlfriend.”

Girlfriend? A warm flush flooded through my body, and I couldn’t stop my wide smile. If I was his girlfriend, then Parrish was my boyfriend. Right?

He reached over the desk to snag my backpack.

“Girlfriend?” Denny echoed.

“Yeah. Is there a problem here?” Parrish asked. His arm slung around my waist, tugging me close to his side.

“No problem,” I cut in. “Parrish, this is my coworker, Denny. We’ve worked together for a couple years now. He’s kind of protective…apparently. Denny, this is my…um…” I swallowed, feeling like I’d dropped into one of my manuscripts. “Boyfriend. This is my boyfriend, Parrish.”

Parrish thrust his hand out to the other man. “Nice to meet you.”

“Yeah! Wow!” Denny said, pumping Parrish’s hand and forgetting his momentary animosity. It seemed as if he deemed everything well in the world again. “Nice to meet you! I didn’t know Avalon was dating anyone. I don’t like it when guys pick on her.”

“Pick on her?” Parrish echoed, his voice darkening.

“Yeah…some assholes like to play jokes—”

“It’s only happened a couple times,” I cut in. “It’s nothing.”

But Parrish looked pissed. He suddenly looked like he’d fight all my dragons and I wondered if this was what his competitors saw before he and his hockey stick kicked their ass.

His arm tightened around me. “It’s unacceptable. You tell me if that happens again.” He turned his glare on Denny. “Or you tell me. Give me names.”

My coworker nodded, wide-eyed. “Will do, man. Um, you guys have a good night. Avalon, I want details later. You’ve been holding out on me.”

I smiled weakly, but Parrish was already leading me away. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head.

“I thought you were going to wait for me at the car,” I said.

“You ashamed of me?” he teased.

I huffed out a single laugh. “No. Of course not.”

“I missed you. I figured I’d come get you.”

I kinda wondered how that was possible. He’d had class, practice, then a team meeting while I’d been working.

“Do you need to go home before we grab dinner?” he asked.

I glanced down. Maybe.

“You look amazing…my sexy little librarian,” he said as if reading my thoughts, but then I was learning that Parrish was super good at reading people. That trait probably served him well on the ice.

“We can go from here,” I agreed as he opened the car door for me, and I slipped inside. “What did you have in mind?” I continued once he slid behind the steering wheel and started the engine.

“ Tarragon. ”

“Oh…” I couldn’t afford that until I got paid. They might serve wings and beer, but to say Tarragon was pricey was an understatement.

“For our date. Not to collect on the bet,” he said, guessing my thoughts. “Honestly, you’re sleeping in my bed. I feel like I’ve gotten my prize already.”

A flush rose through me.

“Are you for real?” I asked, the words escaping my big mouth before I thought to stop them.

“What?” he laughed in disbelief.

“I’m…sorry. It’s just… Look, I’m not all down on myself.

I’m smart. I’m talented, and I know I’m a good person.

But, I’m not usually people’s first choice.

Or second. There’s a reason why jerks like to play jokes on me at the library, like Denny mentioned.

I’m just… It just…surprises me.” I finished on a whisper when I saw how white-knuckled Parrish’s fingers were on the steering wheel.

He didn’t say a word. He swallowed hard. Then he veered into a parking spot since we hadn’t yet left the parking lot. He slammed the gearshift into park.

“Get out,” he growled.

Dread dawned through me, and I didn’t move. Couldn’t move. I stared at him, wishing I could take back my words. “I… Parrish…”

“Get out,” he repeated.

My whole body went cold. With numb fingers, I grappled with the door handle, fumbling before I opened it then climbed out.

Shit, I’d really screwed up. Tears were filling my eyes, blinding me as I turned to get my backpack from the backseat and slammed into a rock-hard chest. Parrish’s arm went around my waist, crushing me to him, and his mouth slammed over mine. Demanding. Possessive.

Both his hands came up, cupping the sides of my neck, his thumbs holding my face right where he wanted it. When he suddenly pulled his mouth away, I gasped

“This is not a game for me,” he rasped, his lips so close they brushed mine when he spoke. “I’m not playing with you. I’m not ashamed to be seen with you, to be with you. I will fucking stand here kissing you until you melt, until every damn person on this campus sees how for real I am about you.”

I whimpered as his mouth sealed over mine again, pressing my lips open for him.

I moaned, lifting into him while his tongue slid against mine, claiming, taking, and making it clear that he wanted me and he wasn’t afraid of anyone else knowing it.

I was boneless before he stopped kissing me again, leaning his forehead against mine and staring into my eyes.

“We all clear?” he asked.

“Clear,” I agreed.

“Good. Let’s go.” He reached around me and opened the car’s door. It was only then I realized there were quite a few people nearby, some openly watching, some pretending not to, and one or two not so covertly taking pictures or video.

Parrish apparently saw what I did, but he didn’t seem to care. He brushed his lips over mine again. “Let them look. You’re mine, and they can all fuck off.”