Page 15 of Warrick (Rocky Mountain Pack #1)

Aspen

He isn’t here this morning like I thought he would be.

I didn’t think it would be that easy to get rid of him.

I mean, sure, I thought it would piss him off to see me with Chase, but not enough to stop coming.

I don’t expect many visitors today since most people are staying in because of the storm coming in.

The mini remote clicks when I tell it to turn on the music.

Rolling my metal cart to the back, I fill it with all the books that I need to stock the front of the store with. There are a few tables that will need the most attention, especially my table that is specifically for monster romance. The ladies of Jasper sure do love that table.

I’m busy setting out some of the new books that I got in when a chime rings out. A quick glance over my shoulder brings a smile to my face that I try to hide. He showed up. I love coffee and all, but doesn’t he have work he should be doing?

“Good morning, Warrick. Didn’t think you were coming when you didn’t show up before I opened the door this morning,” I say with humor in my voice.

He doesn’t even say anything, just walks over to me with his eyes locked on mine.

Eyes unblinking and with the determination of a hunter tracking his prey.

He leans in close to me, our chests are only a breath apart, and if I leaned just a little more forward, our lips would caress.

Those full lips that are smirking at me like he knows what I’m thinking about.

There is a soft plop of the coffee cup being set on the table beside me before I feel his finger trailing up my arm.

My skin prickles with goosebumps and the urge to shudder is right there.

I let out a soft gasp when he leans over and whispers in my ear, “You can’t get rid of me that easily.

Even when you are trying to make me jealous.

” His nose runs down my neck with a deep inhale.

Before I can even think of something to say or even react to what he is doing, he pulls back with a wink and walks to the lounge chairs.

My mouth is hanging open as he shakes some books over his shoulder. “Anyway, I have some reading to do. So, if you don’t mind, I’ll be over here in these comfy chairs reading my books.”

What in the world is happening? First, he has been showing up each day with coffee. But now, he isn’t just here with coffee but he has books to read? I don’t think in all the years that I’ve known him that I’ve ever even seen him crack a book open besides the required ones in school.

“You good over there?” he says with a chuckle.

This man! I clearly am dreaming, because there is no way that Warrick is sitting in my bookstore reading books on his own. Grabbing my coffee, I decide that clearly I need to work in my back area today. Maybe some time with the inventory and stock will clear my mind of what I’m feeling.

A few hours later, I walk out to grab my lunch from behind the counter.

I’m shocked to find him still sitting in the lounge chair with a book in his hand and a serious look on his face.

Grabbing my lunch box, I’m about to walk away when he lets out a full belly laugh.

A glimpse at the cover of the book in his hand, and wouldn’t you know it, it’s the one that I recommended to Gail.

The second chance romance. Now, that I didn’t see coming.

Although, knowing Gail, it doesn’t shock me that she gave it to him.

What is shocking is him actually reading it.

He is so invested in the story that he doesn’t even look up when I snap a photo or when I laugh at his facial expressions. Leaving him to it, I go back to what I was doing. I did tell him that as long as he stayed quiet, he could stay here.

Shaking my head, I open the group chat with the girls. They have to see this.

Nova might be right about him making changes, but I still don’t understand why he is doing all of this now.

We have had almost five years to claim each other, and he never has shown a lick of interest in it.

Now, here he is not only showing up every day, but he is reading a book.

Surely, he doesn't think that just reading a book will win me over.

Hours later, I come back up front to find that he is halfway through the book and, outside of adjusting his positioning, I don’t think that he has really moved at all today.

My head shakes from side to side as I walk up to him.

I make it right in front of him, and he still hasn’t even stopped reading or acknowledged me.

When I clear my throat, his eyes snap up to mine finally. “Hey… you know that it’s closing time?”

His eyes are full of wonder when he asks, “Are all books this amazing?”

Laughing softly, I tell him, “Wait until you meet a fae prince that is coming to save you from certain doom. Then you will really be amazed.”

Looking at me, he says, “Is that what you want? Someone to save you from certain doom?”

“Alright, time for you to head home. I have to close up.” I pat his shoulder as I walk back to start shutting off the lights at the back of the store.

“I’m almost done with this one.” I nearly jump out of my skin when Warrick speaks up from behind me.

“Oh, yeah?” I say when I look over my shoulder.

“Yeah. Actually… I hoped you could give me a recommendation for another book? Now I really see what all the fuss is about.”

A mischievous thought crosses my mind and, realizing the opportunity that I have to torture him, I grab Throne of Glass off the shelf and hand it to him.

“Start here for fantasy. Be warned though, it's a seven book series, so be ready to be invested. Also, we don’t loan books around here. Let’s get you ringed up so I can close. ”

The key slides out of the lock as I turn around to see that Warrick is waiting with his fresh copy of Throne of Glass.

“Can I walk you home? Not expecting anything, but I figure since we are both heading that way that maybe this time we can walk together?”

“Sure,” I say with a nod of my head.

We fall into step with each other as we walk down the sidewalk. “So your...” he starts at the same time as I say, “What did you...”

We both laugh before he says, “You go first.”

The snow starts to fall in that slow way where you can see the flakes as they drop.

I watch as one catches on his eyelashes.

He really is handsome. He finally grew into those long legs he was given.

His face is covered in a scruff of a beard that I am digging in a way I never thought I would.

“What did you think of the book you were reading?”

“Uh, I liked it. I don’t think it will probably be my choice in reading going forward, but it has shown me some things I should have done differently.

I have some thoughts that I want to work through after reading it.

But it’s a cute story, and I’m cheering them on since he finally confessed how he has always felt. ”

I consider what he says as we walk in the snowfall. “You know… uh… never mind.” I shake my head, deciding to keep the thought to myself.

“Hey,” he says with a nudge of his shoulder. “Tell me.”

I shake my head again. “It’s nothing. What were you going to ask?”

He continues to look at me, with the street lamp illuminating the snowflakes on his hair, sparkling in the night. “What were you just about to say?”

“I, uh, just wanted to say that you don’t have to make any drastic changes, Warrick, to win me back. I’m sure that you think that you have to do all this over the top stuff, but you don’t have to.” My eyes fall to the ground as I watch my booted feet walk along the sidewalk.

He gently tugs me to a stop before turning me to look at him.

“Everything I do and will do is because you deserve it. You deserve the love you cherish in your story books. Not even I should be exempt from doing those things for you. Fate may have said that we are meant to be together, but that doesn’t mean I get a free pass. ”

This is the second time today that he has shocked me. Who is this man standing in front of me? I know that I might be holding the seventeen-year-old version of him against him, but I didn’t expect any of that.

I place my hand on his shoulder and run it over his back.

Looking up into his eyes, which are full of love and that I think maybe I shouldn’t be so hard on him.

Maybe I could let go of the past. “That is the most beautiful thing you have ever said to me. You also deserve love and someone to put you first above all else.”

He grunts before he pulls himself out of my hold and starts walking back down the sidewalk.

I rush after him. “Do you not agree?”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Aspen.” He picks up the pace, and now I’m literally having to jog to keep up.

Finally reaching for his elbow, I pull it back. “Hey, don’t run away from me. You can’t say things like that, and then push me away when I try to reciprocate. Do you really think you are undeserving of love?”

“Let it go, Aspen. I don’t want to talk about it. Maybe one day, but that isn’t today. I think… I think I’m ready to go home. It was nice to spend the day with you, Aspen. Have a great night.”

Before I can think of a response or stop him, he takes off toward his cabin.

I wonder what that was all about, because that isn’t just someone who doesn’t believe he should be loved, that is someone who has been hurt by love.

Surely, it can’t be any of these women flitting in and out of his bed?

Could I have been the one to subsequently hurt him without knowing it?

That can’t be it. There’s only one person who can answer these questions, and I watch as he storms away until I can’t see him anymore.

I wonder if Hazel is home. I could use someone to talk to about all of this right now.