I Still Do Read Free Page A

Emily’s way and then glared at Jake. He didn’t know who made him more irritated, the woman for not appearing like a librarian should or the younger man for practically drooling over Will’s wife.
    Oh, God. His wife.
    â€œYeah,” the younger man continued, rubbing his palms together. “I wonder what it would take to get her between the, uh, stacks.”
    â€œListen, Jake,” he heard himself grind out. Then his pager went off, saving him from making a fool of himself. He glanced down at the read-out. Groaned.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?”
    â€œIt’s my captain. People have been falling like flies thanks to some flu going around. It’s my day off, but now I’ve got to go in.”
    â€œAh, too bad.” Jake clapped him on the shoulder. “But cheer up. You’ll get your wild on, I just know it.”
    Will turned toward the door, then gave a swift glance over his shoulder once more. Yeah, he was definitely going to get his wild on. Just as soon as he got that wedding ring off Emily’s finger.

Chapter Two
    T he day after the “Firefighters’ Flu” had left the station house shorthanded, Will returned to the library. He’d gone home for a shower and some sleep after his extra shift ended. The night had been a busy one and he didn’t think it was smart to confront Emily without charging his batteries first. But now, wide awake after a second shower and two cups of coffee, it was time to get the ball rolling on their…breakup.
    He yanked open the glass door and his gaze instantly found Emily—again at the reference desk, again looking incredibly sexy. But now wasn’t the time to be thinking of that three-letter word, the one starting with an s and ending in an x, he decided with a grimace. Not when she looked so curvy and so damn appealing in a sweater that matched the startling blue of her eyes. And not when she was surrounded by a trio of teenagers clutching pencils and worksheets and gazing at her like she was a goddess.
    â€œNinety-five theses,” she said, laughing. “Martin Luther posted ninety-five theses on the door of the church.” Then she whisked her hands at them. “That’s the last one. I’m sure your European History teacher sent you to find the answers at the library from books, not from the reference librarian.”
    â€œOne more, please, ” a boy pleaded, his strong build and football jersey making clear where he spent his Friday nights. “I have to be at practice in twenty minutes and if I don’t get this done I won’t have time later for my English reading.”
    Emily was already shaking her head, but then her gaze caught on Will as he approached the group. Her cheeks flushed and he saw her swallow. “Well, um, I, um, I suppose…”
    â€œMs. Garner always had a soft spot for football players,” Will commented, coming to a stop behind the kids.
    Her gaze darted to him again even as the tall high schooler grinned and glanced down at the paper he was holding. “Sweet. What’s that other one we need, guys?”
    â€œWho wrote The Prince? ” the girl of the group piped up. “That’s the last one.”
    Frowning, the other boy squinted down at his own worksheet. “I have that. It’s the Marquis de Sade.”
    â€œEww,” the girl squealed. “It is not. The Marquis de Sade was the whips and chains dude.”
    The football player turned to eye her with new interest. “Amanda? How do you know about whips and chains? I bet you’ve never even been French kissed.”
    â€œI have too!” The girl flipped her straight blond hair over her shoulder. “I’ll have you know that—” she broke off and slapped her paper against the now-laughing athlete’s arm. “Brent Spier, you’re nosy and annoying.”
    â€œAnd loud. All three of you are too loud,” Emily put in, then lowered her