Luck (Gimme 2)

I give her an extra squeeze then answer, “Yes, that’s why I’m here. Are you ready to go?”

“I left my coat in the story area,” she exclaims, pointing to the back of the library.

Holding her to the side with her arms wrapped around my neck, we walk over to the back of the room quietly. A woman is bending over, picking up the books. The first thought that crosses my mind is damn; she was meant for those pants. She straightens up and turns around.

The second I see her face, I’m struck dumb. I know Valentine’s Day passed, but damn, I feel like I’ve been run through with one of cupid’s arrows. My heart’s racing out of control. I can’t even take my eyes off her light blue ones.

“Ms. Kate. Ms. Kate. My uncle is here for me,” Bella cheers, trying to get herself down. It shakes me out of my reverie. I set her on her feet, then stand straight up and stare like I did seconds earlier.

The petite blonde in front of me smiles softly, a blush creeping up her neck. She tucks a stray chunk of hair away from her face as I continue to gawk at her like a teenage boy. Every bit of her calls to me. She’s barely tall enough to meet the center of my chest although she’s undoubtedly effected it. I wonder if she can actually see my heart beating out of control.

Her green long-sleeved V-neck top hugs her torso perfectly. From the way it displays a hint of collar bone that begs to be kissed to the way her breasts are prominently displayed, making my mouth water. She lowered her sleeves, stretching the fabric over her hands and playing with it nervously.

My upper lip and teeth come down over my bottom lip, trying to stave off the instant lust she’s awakened in me. Once I’ve gained my composure, I stick out my hand, and say, “Hello, I’m Aiden McAvoy.”

She takes my hand, and I close my fingers around hers, feeling her pulse pick up almost as quick as mine. “I’m Kate Sloan,” she stammers out.

“Hello, Kate,” I say her name with a growl, catching us both off guard. My reaction to her is so immediate that I can’t even explain it to myself. It’s as if I’ve found the proverbial one. The one that makes everything in your world amazing and worth living.

“Do you do this every week?” I have to know if this is luck or have I been missing out and I should kick Jules and Derek’s asses.

She shakes her head, loosening up those strands of hair so that they fall back over in front of her face. “No, actually I’m not the usual storyteller. I’m a student at UIC. My roommate had the flu and asked me to help.” I reach up with my free hand and brush the hair back behind her ear. I don’t like anything obstructing my view of her.

It hits me instantly that I’d gotten lucky as hell. A once in a lifetime chance to meet the woman of my dreams. “Then it’s lucky that we met,” I confess with intensity so strong that I nearly choke on my words.

She smiles and gives a silent little giggle. “I suppose it is.”

“It’s the day for it. Well, tomorrow is, but it’s the weekend for luck,” I remark still holding her hand, rubbing my thumb over the back of it. She’s so soft, so delicate that I want to push her sleeve up further and feel her flesh.

I know this encounter is going to end because I can hear footsteps coming around. Swallowing hard, “I’m going to be hanging with my little niece all day. Are you busy? Would you like to hang out with us?” I don’t know what I’d do if she said she couldn’t. I mentally hope that this is my lucky day.

Chapter 2

Kate

I can’t seem to pull my hand away from his. From head to toe, this man is captivating. His black hair is cut in a sexy, messy look, but it goes so well with the dark three-day-old scruff on his strong jaw.

And damn, those eyes of his are gray—a steely gray.

He’s wearing a dark wool coat that’s open, revealing a green sweater. The jeans he’s sporting are made for a man like him. They’re not those skinny jeans that look like women’s pants. No, these are fitted and perfect. I bite back a moan.

“So, Kate. Do you have plans today? A boyfriend in my way?” he asks, growling at the last part. I blush again because I’m so out of my element.

A part of me wonders if he needs glasses or maybe something else is wrong with his eyes, but I look like a hot mess. I have a pair of jeans and a long-sleeve green shirt on that I didn’t bother to iron this morning because I had to leave in a rush.