3. Casper
three
Casper
Ipromised Dante I’d make this quick. An in-and-out kind of deal to keep his temper in check. He doesn't like me returning to such a dangerous area so soon, especially when my side is still throbbing each time I shift.
I made that promise before getting a good look at Kylee.
Back then, she was nothing more than a blur. Now, thanks to my glasses, I’m able to see this beauty in high definition. It’s why I haven’t been able to keep my eyes off her.
Fuck, she’s pretty. I was not expecting this.
She’s curvy in all the right ways, the kind of shape that draws the eye and holds it, but it’s her mouth that really has me trapped.
She’s wearing a ruby red lipstick that acts like a magnet, catching my gaze every single time she moves.
Part of it is the completely human, completely helpless wonder of what it would taste like to kiss her.
But the bigger part? The part that actually makes my chest tight?
She’s smiling at me.
I’m not used to women smiling at me. People don’t usually look at someone with albinism and think welcoming.
They look, they see the stark difference, and they get uncomfortable.
They treat me like a freak or a puzzle they don't want to solve. But Kylee? She’s already seen me at what I always considered my worst—not bleeding or broken, but vulnerable.
She's seen me without my glasses. She didn't flinch.
Hell, she was the one who encouraged me to take off my helmet in the first place.
Looking at her now, there isn't a drop of hesitation or pity in her eyes.
It’s completely intoxicating.
For my entire life, I’ve been hyper-aware of my own skin, always waiting for the inevitable shift in a person's expression when they realize what I am.
But Kylee doesn’t look at me like I’m a freak to be feared. She just looks at me like I belong right here, sitting across from her.
It hooks into something deep in my chest, a sudden, fierce ache that demands I do whatever it takes to keep that warmth directed at me.
I'm so tangled up in the sheer novelty of it, tracking the curve of her lips and the warmth in her expression, that the room goes entirely mute. My brain just stalls out. I catch the movement of her mouth, realizing a second too late that she’s actually saying something to me.
"I'm sorry," I mutter, clearing my throat as my face heats up. "Could you repeat that? I missed it."
Kylee lets out a soft laugh, and the sound hits me like a physical punch straight to the gut.
Fuck. Even her laugh is cute.
"I asked if there was something on my face." That bottom lip of hers catches against her teeth. "You're staring."
"Can you blame me?" I let out an easy laugh, leaning my chin in my hand.
"You're kind of hard to look away from, sweetheart.
Especially with that lipstick." I watch her blink in surprise at my compliment, totally captivated by the way she squirms, before I remember I actually have brain cells left to use.
Tugging my eyes away to look over to the front door, my smile lessens.
"That's besides the point. Tell me, you haven't had any trouble sniffing around since then, have you?
Outside of the usual faces you've already seen. "
With as much commotion as Dante made getting me to the Last Stop, I would not be surprised if the Outlaw Sinners came in here asking questions. We're in their territory, after all.
I'm relieved when she shakes her head, those burgundy curls waving against her flushed cheeks.
"Thankfully, no." She pauses before growing pale. "Should I expect more trouble?"
Rubbing my jaw, I consider telling her the truth.
That I may have dragged her into something bad without even knowing.
Since she's helped me in a way, it's put a target on her back.
Instead, I decide to go down the second-best path.
Reaching into the inside of my jacket, I pull out my phone before sliding it her way.
"Who is to say? How about you give me your number so you can text me if anyone bothers you? Let me return the favor for what you've done."
She doesn't grab my phone straight away, opting to scoff instead. "How many of your group are going to find a way to get my number?"
Woah, now. Who asked for it? Last time I checked, Dante doesn't step away from his role long enough to save his love life, and Tank can't find his tongue to ask.
I don't realize I'm frowning until she lets out a laugh. Reading my mind, her mouth curves back into that smile that is doing things to me. "I didn't plan on calling Thanatos back, but I may be willing to text you."
Hearing that name out of her mouth hits a switch I didn't know I had.
A territorial prickle shoots straight down my spine.
Than. Of course, that bastard already made a move, most likely at the worst time possible.
The thought of him sniffing around her makes my blood run hot, and I'm not sure what to do with this prickling jealousy.
I wasn't aware I could become jealous.
"Good. That guy fools around too much, anyway.
" Leaning over the table, I look at her over the top of the frames of my sunglasses and smile bigger when she doesn't dart her eyes to the side.
Instead, her cheeks grow the prettiest pink.
My heart does a stupid, dangerous flip in my chest, the petty jealousy completely melting into pure fascination.
"Unlike him, I can give you my undivided attention. "
Oh, Dante is going to kick my ass. Forget all about leaving this place alone; I'll be lucky if I can keep myself away.
I need to know everything about this woman.
If I'm lucky, maybe I can get her to show me what's so good about these books.
I'll have to get used to the dusty smell that's clinging to the pages if I want a path to get closer to this woman in every way possible.
Once she's within arm's reach, I'll show her exactly what's so good about me. If she's willing to smile so sweetly, then maybe...
Fuck, I don't want to sound soppy like half of my brothers, but maybe I can see if she's willing to give me hope that I stand a chance.
After adding her number, she offers the phone back, and I take every excuse to graze her fingers. I don't miss the way her breath catches.
"You're freezing on such a hot day..." Tucking her hand back, she cradles it to her chest. "You are becoming stranger and stranger."
Normally, I'd let her words get to me. However, I don't think she means it as an insult. Instead, from her, I take it as a compliment.
"You should see me when I burn hot," I tease, biting back a grin when she scoffs again. The little eye roll of hers has me sitting up straighter, jaw aching.
Little does she realize that all the heat in my body is radiating into one spot, and, thankfully, that part is hidden beneath the table.
"Can I come back tomorrow to see you?" Or is that too soon? Hell, I'd come back tonight and offer her a ride home if she let me.
Kylee's brows furrow together at my question as if she doesn't understand what I'm asking. As the realization crosses her expression, I watch in amusement as the pink on her cheeks spreads to her ears.
"You—" She struggles to find her voice before she looks around. "I'm running a business here. You need to buy something if you want to."
A massive, helpless grin breaks across my face. She's giving me permission. More than that, she's giving me a challenge.
"Sounds easy enough."
Even if I have to burn a hole in my wallet, if it's an excuse to see this woman up close again, I think I can do that much.
Maybe I can see who all reads at the clubhouse. I can treat them to whatever book I leave with each visit.
Already planning out the details in my head, it's the rattle of my phone that is pulling me out of my thoughts.
Expecting it to be Dante telling me to return to the warehouse already, I'm surprised to see it's a message from the club's lovable hacker. Hex's message only consists of a single checkmark and an emoji of a boat.
Ah, that's good. More business to take care of.
"Duty calls," I murmur, but I don't stand up right away.
Instead, I reach up and slide my sunglasses completely off my face, then fold them and slip them back into their case. I don't miss the way she lets out a shaky breath.
While I know she's not feeling nervous, I'm trying not to get ahead of myself here. Can't trick myself into believing she likes what she sees. I'll need to hear those words for myself.
"Have a list of recommendations ready for me tomorrow, Kylee. I'm going to want to know every single thing you like."
Smiling at how flustered she easily gets, I force my body away from the table, grab my helmet, and slide it over my head, sealing the darkness back in.
"See you tomorrow, sweetheart," my muffled voice promises before I turn for the door.
Wishing I could stay for an eternity today to find out more about my savior, I have to force my feet to move toward the exit, or else I'll never convince myself to leave.
She makes it a thousand times harder without trying. "See you tomorrow, Casper."
Be still, my heart.
Leaving the shop, I linger on the corner of the street for far too long. With how much foot traffic takes place in this section of the town, I'm surprised not many people flood into her shop.
Then again, outside of the sign screwed into the brick of the building, I couldn't tell it was a book shop until the smell of worn pages hit me like a sucker punch.
As the thought of suggesting to her to get a shop with better visibility crosses my mind, I find myself already filling in all the blanks. If her business were closer to the warehouse, I could visit her that much more often.
God, what is wrong with me? One pretty woman gives me a little attention, and I'm suddenly gone. I shouldn't be thinking this way.
What I should be focused on is the message Hex sent me.