The Dying Embers

Chapter one

I adjusted my tote bag on my shoulder before picking up another book off the bookshelf. You may be wondering where I am, and the answer is the cresent book shop. It is one of the best bookstores in town, and definitely my favorite place to be. The whole atmosphere of this store reminded me of my home back in California. I was struggling to carry all the books in my hands when suddenly I bumped into something hard. I looked up and saw a guy around my age staring back at me. 

"Oops, sorry! couldn't see over the pile of books, did I hurt you?" I asked with an embarrassed smile on my face. The guy just kept staring at me before slightly shaking his head as if snapping out of it. He cleared his throat and said in a gentle voice, "No, not really considering the size difference." 

I frowned and looked down at myself. I did look like a scrawny teenager despite being 19 now. 

"Hey, I'm sorry...I didn't mean it like that. You're beautiful." The guy said while staring at me with his gray eyes, which were surrounded by a silver ring. I looked up in surprise. Not many people had called me beautiful. And I wasn't expecting it from someone...this handsome. He had gray eyes and a sharp jawline. He had a lean build and definitely has muscles.

"Thanks, I guess?" I muttered as a blush rose up my cheeks. His eyes glinted with amusement. I quickly looked at my phone to avoid his gaze and my eyes widened at the time. Looking up I said, with an apologetic smile "I'm so sorry but I have to go now...see you around?" His eyes hardened in a matter of seconds and he came closer to me. My breath hitched as I stepped back and my back hit the bookshelf behind me. He was so close to me that I could smell his cologne which was a mixture of coffee and mint. And this combination never appealed to me until now. He caged me in his arms as he placed his palm beside my head and the other on my waist. 

"You're not going anywhere, mate" he growled.