Total pages in book: 15
Estimated words: 14068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 70(@200wpm)___ 56(@250wpm)___ 47(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 70(@200wpm)___ 56(@250wpm)___ 47(@300wpm)
The roads are mostly empty. Lampposts with banners of recently concluded events line the walkways and cast pools of light while branches of towering trees filter the moonlight. Some lightbulbs flicker, while some bulbs are totally out, leaving us to pass through a few patches of darkness.
I drive slowly, being mindful of the drunk students milling about or chatting by the road, dressed in different costumes. I don’t know what the party’s about, but it might as well have been Christmas because I just received my gift. Christmas came early for me.
The air inside the car is thick and charged. We’re silent throughout the drive, but my body’s fully aware of her nearness, and this thread of awareness keeps winding tighter and tighter. We’re about five minutes away when I start to slow down. Five more minutes. Five minutes until the best night of my life is over.
“Jacob.”
I will never get over the fact that she knows about me aside from being the librarian. My name on her lips has me stiff in seconds. I don’t know how she does it, but Jenna royally fucks up my head, and I’m not even complaining.
“Yes, Jenna.”
“What happened earlier…”
Ah, of course.
I give her a small wave, pretending I don’t feel something acidic rise up my throat. “It’s fine, Jenna. I understand. You don’t want me to tell anyone about it, right? I won’t.”
“Wait, what?”
I spare her a quick glance, her mouth slightly open and her eyebrows pulled together. Suddenly, I’m not so sure I’m right. “I mean, you’re a popular girl in school. I’m just a scary-looking librarian. I understand if you don’t want people to know we know each other…intimately.”
“This is me.”
I don’t even realize we’re already here, so I pull over to the side, just across her apartment building, and turn off the engine.
It’s where all the rich kids stay. Not as luxurious as the city apartments but still different from the cramped dormitories on the other side of the campus.
The exterior is a mix of red brick and glass. They have balconies, for Christ’s sake—big enough for hammocks and small lounge chairs. Soft lights glow in some of the windows, but her room is dark. Obviously.
It’s too quiet inside, the air stifling, the tension so palpable.
“Jacob…”
Her voice is full of uncertainty, but I don’t want to make it harder for her. Will it kill me that she doesn’t want to see me again? Sure. But I understand. I’ll do anything she wants. Anything for her.
I turn to face her, leaning my back against the window.
God, she’s beautiful. I can stare at her for hours every day until my last breath and still be knocked out by her beauty. And she let me touch her.
“Jenna, I understand. Trust me. I’ve been obsessing over you for weeks, so I know your friends. I know who you surround yourself with, and I know I don’t fit anywhere in your life.”
“Y-you like me that much?”
“God, baby. You don’t know the half of it. I was supposed to just work in the library for a week, but I moved heaven and earth so I can stay indefinitely…for you.”
Her hands fly to her mouth, tears welling in her eyes. What did I just say? Is that too much for her?
“Baby, please. Fuck. Please don’t cry.”
I cup her face and wipe the single bead of tear sliding down her cheek.
“I’ve been obsessing with you too. I don’t even usually go to the library.” She chuckles and shakes her head.
Well, thank you, Jesus.
I lean forward, ready to kiss her senseless, when I hear a loud rap on the window.
“Open up!”
I shift around to find who I thought before was Jenna’s boyfriend. Todd or Tate something. Beach blonde hair. Blue eyes. Looks rich. Likes to remind everyone he’s a jock by wearing his varsity jacket everywhere. Doesn’t matter if it’s a hundred degrees out. He’ll wear it just in case anyone forgets.
I wait until he steps back before I open the door and step out. He’s almost the same height as me, but I’m a lot broader and I pack more muscle. Can’t blame him. He probably goes to the gym. I don’t. I spend most of my free time in my cabin, chopping wood and building stuff.
“Why the fuck are you with her?” His eyes flare and he’s pointing an accusing finger at me.
“Why do you care?”
He straightens his spine and sets his stance as if preparing for a fight. Does he think he can intimidate me like this? He’s a boy. I can send him to dreamland without breaking a sweat.
“Because Jenna’s mine! The fuck you think you are driving her in your piece of shit car!” He probably thinks I’m slow so he demonstrates it by swinging his leg to the side and winces when his shin hits the fender.