How to Kill a Man in Thirty Seconds

Chapter 36: Books

Adrian and I strolled home, boots sinking into thick snow as we walked in silence. A soft smile filled my face, the guilt having been replaced by the tiniest ray of hope. Glancing up, my gaze landed on the front of the bookstore we were passing by, on the large banner across its front that announced its newest arrivals.

Eyes suddenly widening in glee, I grabbed Adrian's arm, "Look!" I cried, pointing, "New books!"

Adrian halted, gaze flickering from where it had been lingering on the floor to the shopfront. He glanced back at me, bewildered.

"So?"

"We should buy some!" I replied, hands clasping together in the kind of excitement I hadn't felt in quite some time.

"But it's Christmas Eve."

"But they're books."

Adrian's emerald gaze flickered in disapproval from my face, which was covered by a grin far too large, to my feet, which were bouncing up and down, before he groaned heavily, "Fine."

"Hello, Marcus!" I cried loudly with a wave, as I burst through the front door.

The elderly man at the cash register glanced up through his half-moon spectacles, a smile falling over his face, "Was wondering where you were, Charley. We've got so many new books this month."

Grinning, I rushed off towards the towering shelves just as the bell atop the front door jingled and Adrian shuffled in, hands chucked lazily into his pockets.

"Any recommendations?" I asked Adrian, as I rummaged through the books that lined the shelves, eagerly.

He had been leaning against the wall as he watched me impatiently and he pushed off it now. His gaze flickered around as he searched in silence.

"Found it," he murmured just a moment later as he retrieved a book, placing it in my outstretched hands with a smug smile on his face. He watched me with subtle interest as I took the book, gaze flickering over its name:

Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty

I placed the book back on the shelf, casting Adrian a curt smile, "No. Just no."

The smile fell from his face.

"How... about this?" he asked, fishing another book off the shelf, "this one really gets you thinking."

The Origin of the Universe: God, Antimatter and More

So this was what he liked to read in his free time.

I placed the book where it had been, clapping him on the shoulder as I smiled at him sincerely, "Adrian, when I asked you for recommendations, I meant something... fun. Light." I frowned, "Not... science books, or ones about politics."

I then lifted to the tips of my toes, reaching out for a novel on the top most shelf. The tips of my outstretched fingers merely brushed its spine and no more.

"What are you doing?" Adrian asked, sounding amused.

Huffing in frustration, I glanced sideways at him as he towered over me. His hands were chucked into his pockets.

I shot him a glare, "Something funny, Adrian?"

"You should aim for something lower, Charley."

"I have been waiting..." I huffed, placing one foot on the lower shelf as I stretched upwards, "...for this book for five months. I am not giving up now."

Taking a step forward suddenly, Adrian reached lazily for the book I desired, stealing it from the tips of my fingers in a heartbeat.

"Oh thank you!" I cried, but he held it out of my reach, gaze flickering over the front cover.

My hands dropped to my sides and I felt a blush steal over my cheeks, "Adrian, give it back..." I murmured, feeling embarrassed.

His lips twitched.

"Adrian!" I protested, jumping upwards but the effort was futile. He was too tall and merely shifted his arm away, a chuckle escaping his lips.

"Gabriel Pavlov," Adrian read the blurb out loud, sounding amused, "a fallen angel. Come to earth to discover where his true destiny lies. Little does he foresee the earth-shattering events that follow, when he crosses paths with shy, awkward Avery Montgomery."

"Adrian!" I cried, grabbing his arm, which held the book, and attempted in vain to yank it down. His arm refused to budge an inch.

"The sexual tension is immediate," he continued, grin widening, "Gabriel finds himself drawn to her, consumed by lust and soon, something more intimate..."

I gave up the fight, crossing my arms over my chest and resorted to fixing him a glare. I watched, humiliated, as he stifled a laugh, "He feels...something he didn't know demons could feel: love. But when the law of the land forbids their union, what oh what will Gabriel do? Marry his soul mate? Even if it condemns him to an eternity in the depths of Tartarus?"

I buried my face in my hands, feeling heat rush into my cheeks, even as a laugh suddenly burst from Adrian's lips.

It echoed around the otherwise silent store.

One moment I was glaring, and the next, my gaze softened. One hand was on his stomach as he laughed, his chest rumbling. The sound that escaped his throat was huskier than I had expected it to be. Carefree.

I realized then that it was the first time I was hearing Adrian's laugh.

Upon noticing the silence, his laughter ceased, eyes turning to me, a bewildered grin lingering on his face.

My gaze flickered to his cheeks in surprise.

Adrian had dimples.

And I had never known. 

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A/N- Will be updating soon! Don't forget to heart and leave a comment!