33. Katelyn #2
Mugs in hand, we settle onto the overstuffed cushions.
I don’t bother pretending that I’m not going to cuddle up against Jackson.
I’m pressed against his side, with my legs crossed so I can hold onto the mug by the handle and rest the bottom on my knee.
Jackson places one hand on my thigh, while his other holds his drink.
We watch as some of the tables fill up in anticipation of the reader.
“Do you know what the reading is about?” I ask.
“No idea. I think they have a sign-up sheet somewhere so anyone who wants to read can do it. The times I’ve been here before it’s been poetry, but I think that was just random chance. Steph says some are authors, and others are just people reading a chapter out of their favorite book.”
“It’s a clever idea. I can definitely think of some books I’d like to read from.”
“If you sign up, you have to tell me.”
“Will you wave around a foam finger, cheering me on?”
Jackson squeezes my thigh. “Absolutely. I’ll be your biggest cheerleader.”
Looking at him out the corner of my eye, I give him a once-over. “Biggest is an accurate description.” He winks, and for the sake of my sanity, I ignore it. “Hmm, I think I’d want the full experience. Pompoms, a little crop top… some hot pants. ”
He nods. “So, you did go snooping around my house the other night.”
“Oh my god!” I say laughing.
Before my mind can wander to that mental image, a woman steps onto the platform and takes a seat in the single chair.
She looks to be around seventy, give or take a decade.
I’m bad with age. She has a definite hippie vibe with her long grey hair secured by a knitted headband, and her windchime looking earrings so long they reach her shoulders.
She has jangly bracelets lining each wrist, and a long-sleeved, floor-length dress tie-dyed in ranging shades of blue.
And from all the way back here, I can see a giant turquoise ring on her finger. I instantly want to be her friend.
As she digs around in her oversized bag, I take the first sip of my drink. And I moan. Holy secret coffee shops, how is this so good? What the hell is it made from, pixie dust and pheromones?
As he leans down to whisper directly into my ear, Jackson applies pressure to my thigh.
“You’re going to need to keep those sounds to yourself, Kitten.
We’ve flown under the radar so far today, but if I maul you right here, right now, someone is bound to make another video of us.
” He uses a finger to tilt my face toward him. “You have a little something...”
Then instead of using his thumb, or a napkin, or his goddamn sleeve, he licks the corner of my mouth.
Literally. Licks .
A small, slow lick that I feel everywhere.
I blush as I clench my legs together.
Jackson chuckles.
Damn him.
Thankfully, the lady upfront clears her throat. “Good evening, lovely people. My name is Lily, and I’m going to read an excerpt from the book that my granddaughter just published.” The gathered crowd lets out a communal aww . “The title is Laird of My Heart . ”
That’s so sweet. This cute grandma is out here supporting her family and doing it in a very personal way.
When she starts, I let myself fall into the tone and lilt of her speech.
She has a great reading voice. You can hear her age, but it’s still strong enough to be understood clearly.
She started her reading midway through the book.
I’m only half paying attention to the words, mostly listening to the tune of her voice, catching enough of the story that I can tell it’s a historical romance.
Probably set in 1500s Scotland. I’ve read a few dozen from this genre, so I’m familiar.
I’m also familiar with the typical buildup to a sex scene. And... Oh. My. Grandma. I feel my heart rate pick up, and the warmth of Jackson’s palm on my thigh suddenly feels hot.
I tense.
Jackson must've felt my shift, because he quietly asks, “What’s wrong?”
“Umm… you’ll see,” I murmur, suppressing a giggle.
Looking back toward Lily, I brace for what comes next.
“The sound of her slap against his face echoed around the bed chamber. She was so upset with him for risking his life, and she only just now realized why. She was in love with him. And she felt the truth of it deep in her bones. Why it had taken her so long, she’ll never know.
The look he gave her in return was new..
. different... hard to read. She held still for a moment, while she waited to see how he would retaliate for the slap.
But instead of striking her as she expected, he crushed his lips against hers.
She had never felt a passion like this before, and for the first time ever, she felt a dampness forming between her thighs. ”
I force myself to keep looking forward, as I hear Jackson choke on a laugh.
“The girl pressed her body against his, wanting to get closer. Her body knew what it needed, even if the girl didn’t understand. With their bodies together, the girl felt a strange hardness pushing against her belly.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I hear Jackson mutter under his breath.
Stealing a look at him, I see he’s tipped his head back against the couch and is staring at the ceiling.
“When the girl releases a needy moan, the man grabs her bodice with both hands and rips the fabric straight down the middle. Tossing her onto the bed, the laird growls, before following her.” Lily stops.
Looking up, she closes the book and smiles. “Thank you all for coming. If you’d like to hear what happens next, please purchase the book.”
There isn’t so much applause , as there is a smattering of stunned, slow-clapping from a few individuals. One man, though, stands suddenly, claps vigorously, then grabs his date by the hand and rushes away. I have to put a hand over my mouth to keep from laughing.
Looking back over to Jackson, I see he’s still staring at the ceiling.
Aiming my gaze south, I notice there’s a bit of a bulge in his jeans where there wasn’t before.
I can’t blame him. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little turned on right now.
I get all sorts of worked-up by books, all the time.
But it is a little weird for it to happen in public.
While hearing it read out loud. By a sweet old lady.
Leaning my head on Jackson’s shoulder, I smile at him. “You gonna be okay, big guy?”
“Yep.”
“You want me to go buy you a copy of Laird of My Heart ?”
Jackson barks out a laugh before looking down at me. “Only if you promise to read the rest of it to me out loud.”
I bite my lip. “Tempting.”
Letting out a sigh, Jackson shakes his head.
“Seriously, Kitten, I don’t know why all the strangest things happen when we’re together.
I swear to you, every other time I’ve been here it’s been very PG.
And Steph comes here all the time. I’m positive she would’ve told me if she ever sat through a reading like that before.
I mean, I think she’d be thrilled, but she still would’ve told me about it. ”
Patting his knee, I force myself to stay focused and avoid the temptation of running my hand up higher.
I still vividly remember the feeling of Jackson between my legs when he pressed me into the wall last night.
I know what he’s hiding down there. And after Lily’s little reading, I’m tempted to skip dinner and get to the part where we lose our clothes.
“Earth to Kitten.”
I shake myself back to reality. “Huh?”
“I think I lost you there for a moment.”
“Oh sorry, just thinking about that laird.” I wink.
“Well, that just won’t do.” Jackson clicks his tongue. “Let me take you to dinner. I’ll make you forget all about the laird and his lady.”
As I follow Jackson out of Cuppa Chapters, I send Grandma Lily a quick wave and a thumbs-up.