Hey, book bae!
Tomorrow, Mister Librarian will be live for your reading pleasure! If you haven’t preordered it already, you can do so here.
In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek. Indulge, and let me know in a comment if you’re ready for more!
Honey
The literary gods and my professor smiled on me. Professor Johnson had given us a selected book to read and write an essay for. Since there weren’t any copies of The Book of Women by Marlon James at my school library, I had to go to the black historic library. It wasn’t necessarily a historic book, but it was written about a historic time, so I was hoping they had it in stock. If he didn’t, as long as I could see him, this wouldn’t be a wasted trip.
My grin was wide as I strutted inside with a fast pace. Standing between the information and checkout desks and the computers section, I closed my eyes and allowed my sense of smell to take over. Immediately, my nostrils were engulfed by my favorite scent—books. As soon as I opened my eyes again, I had to resist releasing the clipped squeal that tried to come out as I skipped toward the aisles of long, thick bookshelves.
It was… beautifully overwhelming. My eyes were filled with wonder as I took in row and row of books. I didn’t even know where to start. A part of me wanted to see if The Book of Women was here, but Jesus. There was so much to explore.
I found myself going down each row, fingers trailing over books here and there. At some points, I’d stop and grab something to scan, but for the most part, I just wanted to take in the majesty of so many books written by Black people all in one place.
For the first time, I didn’t have to go to an African American section. This library housed thousands of books, and they were all written by people who looked like me. I started to get so emotional that I had to pause and take a few deep breaths while I dried my eyes.
“Do you need help finding something?”
Even with his hushed tone, I knew it was him. That low honeyed voice was unforgettable. Chills covered my arms just at the sound of it. Slowly, I turned to face him, unable to deny the smile that spread my lips in the process.
Mr. Librarian was devastatingly beautiful. Yes, he was handsome and sexy and fine… but God… was he beautiful.
Like the first time I saw him, he was dressed professionally. Today, he wore black slacks and a navy-blue button-down shirt. It fit like it was made just for him—showcasing his muscular build and wide chest in the process.
His hand lifted and thumb grazed the middle of his chin as he eyed me, showing off his classic silver timepiece. There was also a pair of diamond studs in his ears, but no necklace or bracelets.
“Actually, yes and no.” My gaze lowered to my feet softly as I tried to pull in my smile. I felt like a little girl with a crush, and I didn’t know if it was because I was physically attracted to him or feeling attached to him because of what he’d done for me days earlier with Mr. Sheldon. “I’m here for a specific title, but I wasn’t looking for it just yet. This is my first time here, and I’m honestly blown away by the size and collection of these books.” A ghost of a smile lifted the corners of his lips briefly before he licked them and crossed his arms over his chest. When he didn’t reply, I added, “So you’re the manager?”
“I’m the owner,” he corrected, getting an impressed nod and eyebrow raise out of me. He didn’t look that much older than me, but that didn’t mean anything. Hell, there were kids creating businesses and opportunities that were making them millionaires these days… So it shouldn’t have surprised me that a young black man was able to create something for the culture.
“That’s cool. I would live in a place like this if I could.”
This time when he smiled, it fully formed. “You don’t just restore books then?” he confirmed. “You actually read them?”
“Oh yes.”
I couldn’t stop myself from gushing as I took a small step in his direction. I shouldn’t have done that, though, because it gave me the chance to smell his scent. It wasn’t loud and strong or the kind of scent you smelled from feet away. No. It was delicate and alluring… the kind of scent that made you want to get closer so you could smell it better… take in every note. My eyes fluttered as I inhaled, filling my nostrils with the sandalwood and oriental mix. He smelled… airy. There was no other way to describe it. I had taken such a long pause to inhale his scent that I forgot what we were even talking about. Mr. Librarian chuckled before licking those heart-shaped pink lips. They were lined in a brown shade that was darker than his sandy brown skin.
His low beard connected to the tapered fade he was rocking. The sides were shaved low, and there was a curved line on the left side that gave him a slightly boyish appeal.
I liked it—a lot.
But his eyes… I believe I was most captivated by his eyes. They were coffee brown in color with curly lashes framing them. I had to resist reaching out and running my finger across his naturally arched brow.
“What book are you looking for?” he asked, keeping his voice low as our eyes remained locked.
“I need The Book of Women by…”
“Marlon James,” he added with a bob of his head. Turning on his heels, he motioned for me with his hand as he said, “Follow me.”
I did, unable to keep my eyes from zeroing in on his back. I loved a man’s back, especially if he worked out. All I could visualize was my nails digging into his back as he dug into my pussy. With a quiet groan, I shook my head and tried not to think about that as I lowered my eyes.
Damn!
He even had the perfect round butt!
Get it together, Honey!
“Is there a particular reason you’re looking for this book?” he asked, forcing me to stand next to him instead of behind him to ensure he’d hear my reply.
“Yes. I have to do an essay on it for my creative writing class.”
“Interesting. What’s your classification?”
I smiled as we made a sharp left down one of the aisles I hadn’t made it to yet. The fact that he had black carpeting and shelves made me love this place even more.
“I actually already have my bachelor’s degree in English, but I’m going back to get my master’s in creative writing.”
“Impressive,” he complimented, stopping and turning to face me. “Is it your goal to write fiction?”
Shrugging, I nodded. “Yeah, eventually. Book restoration pays my bills, and I’m content with doing that, but I would love to be an author one day—fiction and nonfiction. I also love to learn which is why I went back to school. I know that I can write and publish without a degree, but I’m a lover of knowledge and words.”
“Are you as good at writing as you are restoring books?”
Smiling, I shrugged again. I wasn’t used to a man asking me questions about school and work… books for that matter, but I was loving every second of it.
“I’m not sure. Maybe you could read some of my work one day and let me know if you think I’m any good at it.”
“I’m sure you are.” He paused, head tilted as his eyes scanned my frame again. “I’m sure there are a lot of other things you’re good at too.”
There was something about his tone that was naughty. Or at least that’s how it sounded to me. I refused to believe he was actually flirting with me though… so blatantly at that. My head lowered briefly, and when I pulled it back up, a few of my curls had spilled over onto my face.
Mr. Librarian made a quick work of gently pushing them out of my face and pushing my glasses back up the bridge of my nose. I only wore them when I was working or reading and hadn’t even bothered to take them off when I headed here.
Before I could lose myself in the feel of his closeness, Mr. Librarian was extending his arm on the side of me and grabbing a book. He stepped closer, invading my personal space with his heat… filling my nostrils with his alluring scent. When his eyes lowered to my lips, I was unable to deny his attraction any longer. My mouth watered and I swallowed, hoping he wouldn’t notice my hardened nipples.
All of my reservations about meeting new men flew out of the window with him. If he was anyone else, the invasion of my personal space would have been a crossed boundary that triggered me. But with him… I only wanted him closer.
“Here you are,” he granted, extending me the book as his eyes remained locked on mine.
My clumsy ass dropped the book when I tried to grab it, and it hit his foot.
“Oh my God! I’m so sorry!” I whispered as loudly as I could, bending to grab the book.
He groaned within his throat, but it wasn’t from pain. I knew that groan. That groan was from pleasure. I looked up at him, unable to deny the bulge in his pants in the process.
“Unless you’re about to get on your knees, I really need you to stand up.”
I was so caught off guard and aroused by his comment I was speechless. Shit, a part of me wanted to drop to my knees right the fuck where we stood! See how quiet he could be while I sucked his dick in this library. But I didn’t know this man from Adam. The last time I’d moved so quickly with a man, he invaded my home with three of his friends and robbed me while one of them beat and tried to rape me. I guess it was his mercy that he stopped the rape and beating, but that for damn sure didn’t stop Chris from making sure they left with my money, jewelry, electronics, designer items, motorcycle, and bank information.
That thought had my pussy drying instantly as I stood.
“Thanks for helping me find the book,” I muttered, hating how my thoughts of that night could instantly shift my mood.
“Come. I’ll set you up with a library card.”
“That would be nice,” I admitted with a small smirk.
We walked to the front area of the library, where I gave him my license and answered a few questions for the application. He found my name to be fitting, and that wasn’t the first time I’d heard that. As soon as I came out of my mother’s womb with skin the same shade of honey like my father, she made up in her mind that would be my name. I couldn’t count how many times I’d had men ask me if I tasted as sweet as honey and that shit would be more and more played out each time. Mr. Librarian hadn’t asked that though, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it would have gotten a different reaction out of me if he did.
“I want you to come back for more,” Mr. Librarian said, pulling me from my thoughts.
It took me a second to register his words, but when I did, I confirmed, “More books? You didn’t finish your sentence.”
He grinned with one side of his mouth as he handed me the book and my new library card. “Yes, I did.”
“Yes, sir,” I agreed, unable to keep my voice from dropping and displaying my arousal.
He groaned again and bit down on his bottom lip before taking a few backwards steps then turning and walking away. I was glad he did, because I was a few seconds away from hopping over that counter and having my way with him…