Page 16 of Unearthed Dreams

“I don’t have cooties.”

A bark of laughter shot out of my mouth and startled the shit outta me. My expression must have given away my surprise, because she looked utterly fucking delighted with herself, chest puffed up with pride, like making me laugh was a gold-medal worthy achievement.

“I know you don’t have cooties, pretty girl. But I don’t need the whole damn town up my ass thinkin’ I’m doin’ somethin’ with you I shouldn’t be.”

Her brow furrowed and she pursed her full pink lips, but there was a mischievous twinkle in her pretty blue eyes.

“And what is it that you’re doing with me, Kai?” She planted a hand on one curvy hip and popped it.

Fuck.

She had no idea how sexy she was. The sass, the shorts, the shoes—they were all doin’ it for me.

What the hellwasI doing with her?

“So, what are you working on?”

Charlie had come willingly at the promise of having a peaceful place to get shit done. I’d set her up at the bar so she wouldn’t be too far away while I got the place situated to open in a couple hours.

The dim lighting cast shadows across her face as she dropped her gaze to the scuffed bar top.

“I-I wrote a book.”

My heart skipped. “A book?”

A slight flush crept up her neck as she nodded. “A high fantasy romance novel.” The hesitancy in her voice made my chest ache.

“Are there dragons?”

Her lips curved up, just barely. “Yes, there are dragons.”

“Can I read it?”

“You don’t have to do that.” She waved a delicate hand.

“I want to.”

She shook her head, chestnut waves catching the neon beer signs. “I’m sure you have better things to do in your spare time than read my stupid book.”

The need to show her seized me. “Come with me.”

Confusion flickered across her face. “What? Where?”

Without a word, I strode behind the bar, past towers of liquor bottles and through the cramped storage room that smelled of cardboard and spilled beer. The wooden stairs to my apartment creaked under our feet as we climbed. Thefamiliar musty scent of old paper grew stronger with each step. When I reached the top of the stairs, I took a few steps into the small studio apartment and stopped. I hadn’t realized how close behind she was, because she slammed right into my back.

The solid impact of her body against mine sent sparks down my spine.

“Ouch. Twice in one day. Good lord, you’re like a brick wall.”

I turned, fighting back a grin at her adorably wrinkled nose. “Sorry.”

Her deep blue eyes darted around the dim space. “Kai, what are we doing up here?”

My hand swept toward the organized chaos behind me.

Charlie edged around me, those expressive eyes widening as she took in the precarious towers of books covering every surface. Her mouth formed a perfect little O.

“Oh,” she breathed. My chest puffed up at the wonder filling her voice. “Wow.”