Page 136 of Only Ever You

“Where are we going now?” I ask as we step out onto the sidewalk.

“To this bookstore.” He pulls me toward the store on the left of the coffee shop. “I need to pick up a package.”

Instead of interrogating him, I shake off the anticipation prickling through me and decide to go with it. I trust this man with my life. He will always keep me safe.

While he goes to the counter, I head straight to the romance section. Blake mentioned a series she recently read and loved, and while I’m here, I might as well pick up a couple of them. As much as I love e-books, nothing rivals the smell of a physical copy.

I trail my fingers along the spines, scanning titles as I move through the romance section. When I finally spot the books—Saving 6 and Redeeming 6—I pull the first book, open it, and skim the first couple of pages. I fall into the story right away, and I’m so immersed that when a person stops behind me, I almost jump out of my skin.

“I thought I’d find you in the manga and anime section. You went for romance first, huh?”

I whirl around and gape at Michael. “Don’t sneak up on me like that.” I whack him on his shoulder. “You scared me.”

“You got lost in the book you were reading in the middle of the bookstore, and I’m the problem?”

I tsk. “It’s not like that. You’re just⁠—”

He shuts me up with his mouth on mine, the kiss so searing and consuming, I lose my train of thought. Backing me up against the bookcase, he slips his hand to my nape, fingers sliding in my hair. I part my lips, welcoming his tongue, and tingles erupt all over my body, my skin humming with pleasure.

“I’m getting carried away,” he whispers against my lips. “And this is not a fucking place for it.”

“Yeah, being thrown out of the bookstore for inappropriate behavior is not on my bucket list.”

“Mine either,” he says between dropping featherlike kisses to my lips.

“Michael.”

“One more.” He kisses me again.

I’m giddy, practically floating, when he takes a step back.

His eyes glimmer, as he studies me. “It’s nearly impossible to think straight when you’re around.” He shakes his head. “Like I’m under your spell.”

“Maybe you are.” I glance at the paper bag I only now notice in his hand. “What is that?”

“A gift for your seventeenth birthday.” He extends it to me. “I couldn’t have done it without your mom’s help.”

I turn, searching for the opening to slide this book back onto the shelf, but before I can, he snatches it from me.

“Is this the only book you wanted to buy?”

“And Redeeming 6.” I jab my thumb over my shoulder. “I’ll buy it later. No worries.”

He hands me the bag, then plucks the second book from the shelf and marches to the counter. “Check your gift, Isla,” he throws over his shoulder.

I open the bag and my breath hitches. No way! Nestled inside are the missing volumes of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End I’ve been trying to get my hands on for months.

“You shouldn’t have...” I murmur.

I carefully pull one of the books out, examining the cover, taking in every detail.

When he returns, carrying another bag, I’m still standing in the same spot, flipping the pages of the last volume.

“You like it? Aunt Bella told me you were having a hard time finding these.”

I look up at him, my heart swelling.

His lips tick up, as if my joy is plastered all over my face. “I’ll take that as a yes.”