The Librarian Principle Read Free Page B

sent her a message. Against her better judgment, she checked it. There was no text, only a photo, and it was too small in the message window to adequately discern the content. She clicked the image, and it expanded on the screen.
    A noise that sounded vaguely like a cat dying escaped her. Marissa had done it again. Ryder’s head was superimposed onto the body of yet another well-hung porn star, and this time the image also included a woman—superimposed with Liese’s face—sprawled out over a desk, much like the one she stood in front of now.
    “Hi there.”
    Liese screamed, caught completely unaware. She turned to find Ryder standing in her office doorway, leaning against the jamb, his coat thrown over his arm, briefcase in hand. His suit jacket was unbuttoned, giving him a more relaxed look than usual. And sexier. If that was possible.
    “Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” he said. “You seemed rather invested in whatever you were reading just now.”
    Liese hit the button on her phone, and the screen went blank. “It was my girlfriend,” she explained.
    Ryder stared at her, unblinking.
    At his lack of reaction, she elaborated. “My best friend—she’s expecting me later this evening. She was just checking in.”
    “Oh.” He sounded relieved. “Am I keeping you? We can reschedule for next week if you need to go.”
    “No, no, it’s fine. I’m happy to meet with you, unless you have another engagement.” Liese slid her phone back into her purse, turning off the volume as she did so.
    “I have no prior engagements.”
    Their eyes locked on each other for a few interminable seconds before Liese realized they were on her territory, and she should invite him in. “Would you like to work in my office or out there?” Liese gestured to the empty library beyond.
    He glanced over his shoulder and then surveyed their current surroundings. “I think your office would be more private.”
    “Sure. Right.” Liese nodded, clutching the back of her chair.
    “Unless you’d be more comfortable working out there,” he supplied, watching her from his spot in the doorway.
    “What? Oh, no. Not at all. I’m perfectly comfortable with you in me.”
    His shock formed a counterpoint to her horror.
    “In my office! I’m perfectly comfortable working with you in my office .” Heat crawled up her chest to find a home in her cheeks. “I need some water, can I get you anything?” she asked.
    It was best to pretend she hadn’t made that comment. Though she could have sworn she heard him chuckle as he hung up his coat and dropped his briefcase beside her desk . . . She opened one of the overhead cupboards, filled mostly with school supplies, and retrieved two glasses. Her hands shook as she held each of them beneath the spout on the water cooler.
    “Liese.” Ryder was right beside her, the smell of his cologne a heady intoxication as she inhaled deeply. She needed to get a handle on her emotions before she managed to embarrass herself further. Usually she could maintain better control of her mouth.
    “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
    He gently pried the glass from her hand and set it on the desk. “Don’t be. I’m not offended.”
    “I didn’t mean to . . . I shouldn’t have . . . sometimes you make me nervous,” she blurted. “Damnit. Why can’t I just shut the hell up?”
    Ryder burst out laughing.
    “I’m so glad my humiliation amuses you,” Liese said.
    Ryder reached around her for the half-filled glass, his arm sliding against her back, completely disarming her. The physical contact was accidental—of course it was—but it still had an impact. She should be used to the way his presence affected her by now. But no matter how hard she tried to convince herself these were just meetings between professionals, her body and her mind seemed to exist on two separate planes, and neither conferred with the other. Hence she couldn’t speak without it coming out all wrong.
    “I apologize. Shall we start