Page 75 of Ignition

Bzzzt.

My laughter froze on my lips, and I wiped my palms on my woollen dark green skirt, before reaching out to check it.

J: library, 3rd floor, corner by the dusty Encyclopaedias

Don’t make me wait too long xx

My pulse kicked up with a vengeance. I almost dropped my phone in my haste to hide it from Liam’s curious eyes, currently narrowed in suspicion.

“Who’s texting you?”

I swallowed around the knot in my throat and straightened up.

“Pri. Emergency, gotta go.”

I downed the rest of my tea, then patted him on the shoulder, smile a little warmer than usual to smother the wince kicked up by the lie.

“All yours, thief,” I chuckled, pointing at the plate.

Cool air nipped at my heated skin as I stepped outside.

The gentle wind brushed over my cheeks, but couldn’t quite dampen the blush, as my footsteps crunched on fresh snow, a touch louder than they should, while my heart was doing little somersaults.

Chapter twenty-two

Mia

With all the time I’d spent in the library, the third floor was a mystery to me. The heels of my boots echoed against marble stairs as I made my way up, spine prickling with awareness, as if the tomes themselves knew what I was here for—and judged me a little.

The familiar scent of paper, ink, and knowledge suspended in dust settled in my nose, but it didn’t ground me as effectively as before, and no amount of tugging at my collar soothed the tingling clinging to my collarbone.

The third floor was exactly as the rest, except the skylight bathed the shelves draped along the walls in more light than the overcast winter day warranted. Bronze sconces hung over framed vintage maps and art pieces, and a red camera blinked in the corner, kicking up my heart in my chest.

Attempts at self-reprimanding failed me completely, buried under flutters of excitement right below my skin. I looked for a sign saying “Encyclopaedias” and waded through the maze of shelves, throat dry, trying not to peer around for him.

A minute passed, and silence reigned supreme.

No footsteps, no cocky line.

My nerves stretched taut when another minute crept by, and still, there was no sign of him. I self-medicated the only way I knew how, trailing my fingers along the spines of books and craning my neck this way and that to read the titles, telling myself he’d be here.

Or I’m stupid and fell for it.

A shuffle of feet was my only warning before warm, strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind.

I nearly dropped the book I was perusing.

“Hey,” he whispered near my ear, kicking up violent goose pimples down the side of my neck. With unsteady hands, I slid the tome back onto its shelf and made to turn when his fingers tightened, pinning me in place.

His lips brushed over the side of my neck, sending electricity down my spine.

My breath hitched audibly, betraying me.

Damn him. Why does he have such a strong effect?

“Hey,” I whispered back as his fingers stroked slow lines along my sides, and his body pressed against mine until my palms splayed on the shelf for support.

“You came.” He sounded surprised.