North Star Read Free

librarians at the returns desk overheard the exchange and giggled.
    Jaiden frowned and begrudgingly followed Graham’s footsteps to the second floor.
    They weaved in and out of the book stacks in search of the right book when a woman on a footstool caught Graham’s eye. She was beautiful. Her caramel skin glowed softly as ebony hair tumbled carelessly down her back. The way her lavender silk blouse caressed her taut body in shimmering waves made his pulse quicken. His brow raised and he found himself studying her more than he should. Her tan skirt made her legs look like the sensational ones that run through men’s dreams. Instinctively, he started toward her, but Jaiden’s quick jab to his mid-section halted him.
    His little brother’s wink acknowledged that he took in the same sight. With a perfected ladies’ man swagger, Jaiden strolled toward the beauty, leaving Graham to watch him in action. For the first time in his life, bitter jealousy singed the corners of Graham’s control as he acquiesced to Jaiden’s favorite pastime—hitting on beautiful women.
    Caresse stood on the footstool poring over a recipe book.
    “Excuse me.” A mellow voice floated up to her.
    She looked down at a self-assured man staring back at her. Draped in a red and black Nike sweats with a matching tank, he looked like he’d stepped off of a basketball court. He had a mischievous look in his eyes and a confident stance that made Caresse pray a man that cute wouldn’t say something stupid.
    He flashed her a charming smile. “My brother and I were having a conversation, and I was wondering if you could validate my theory.”
    She cast her gaze to a sienna-colored man standing a few feet away. The moment her eyes met his, her heart jolted. She couldn’t explain it, but her body suddenly ached to close the distance between them. His engaging smile intensified her curiosity. She lowered her gaze to the younger man speaking to her.
    “I really don’t think I’m—”
    “I believe women prefer a man who’s not afraid to play whatever love game is necessary to win their heart. It’s a mating ritual that has been going on for centuries. Women want a man who will paint a lovely picture for them, one that seems to make all their wishes come true. Don’t you agree?”
    Really? Are libraries the new pickup place now? She creased her brow as she stepped off the footstool. A nonchalant smile slid across her face as she ignored the question and calmly headed in the older man’s direction.
    “Aww, don’t leave without giving an answer. Are you trying to break my heart?” he asked as she hurried away.
    Graham watched, mesmerized, as she approached and motioned him closer. The implication sent waves of excitement through him. He lowered his head and she whispered, “Tell Junior, if he likes games, the children’s section is downstairs.”
    Graham nodded as she slowly inched around him. She didn’t touch him, but her perfume permeated his nostrils, and never had a woman’s scent appealed to him more. A playful glint of warmth in her gray eyes made him wonder if her lips were as soft as they appeared.
    “I’ve told him that, but some kids are so hard-headed.”
    “Tell him again.” A small smile of amusement touched her lips as she strolled out of the book stacks.
    Jaiden rushed to his side. “What was she saying?”
    Graham fingered the book spines of the collection around them as he contemplated telling him the truth. “You don’t want to know.”
    “Spill it!”
    “Let’s just say you gave her a good sense of what kind of man you are.”
    “And she knew she couldn’t handle the magic, huh?”
    “Jaiden, my man, she didn’t even want to try.” He shrugged his shoulders as he moved deeper into the section to search for the books Jaiden needed. “Here we are. Find what you want, and I’ll meet you at the checkout.”
    “Where are you going?”
    “To the new book section downstairs. I figured I’d give it the once over.