Chapter Five

He was sitting at the front desk, nose deep in a...my brows furrowed, was that my book?

Rude.

I just studied him as he sat there reading my book. He was indeed handsome, and while he didn't look too old, he was also wasn't so young. Probably somewhere in his thirties.

He kinda reminded me off one of the male protagonists from my romance books, lots of money, matured, handsome, true his word, because he definitely stayed when he said he would, and we'll... I didn't know him yet, so I couldn't tell who and what exactly he was.

I took a step forward and suddenly his eyes snapped up to look at me. I like his eyes, like melted chocolate. My mouth watered, even though I'd just consumed a whole meal and my drink was still in my hand.

He stared at me with a lazy smile on his face, and I think I went weak in my knees. I should have hoped he gave me a guilty smile for going through my stuff and reading my book, but my knees almost gave way under me for that lazy smile that just looked gloriously.

I'm sure my face was all red once again, and not just from embarrassment.

"Hi" I squeaked, his smile went from lazy to amused under a second.

"Hey"

"H-hey" his smile widened.

"Hi"

"H..." Get a grip! I chided myself. "What are you reading?" I asked instead of going on to say another hi.

He held the book up to me, it was certainly my book, and the steamiest one in the bunch. There were two books in the bag and he pulled out the one that was raunchy. My face was up in flames now, and that amused him more.

I quickly rushed over and snatched the book out of his hand. That amusement turned into a laugh.

"Relax, I'm not a stranger to naughty content. I'm a stranger to you though...Rosie?" I huffed in frustration,was the name ever going to disappear?

"It's rude to look through people's things, especially women's bags, you might find things you can't unsee." I quoted from my mom's book of wise sayings.

A looked crossed his eyes,but it went away as quickly as it came, and soon he was looking at me amused again.

"Of course, I didn't anticipate finding raunchy books in a sweet girl's bag, you're definitely right. Noted, I'm never doing that again." I scowled and he smirked.

"So Rosie?" He asked, I couldn't help it, I rolled my eyes at that, rubbing at my temples.

"No, my name's Rosette, not Rosie. That's childish."

"Okay, so Rose. Well that's a pretty name for a very pretty girl, as cliché as it sounds, it's the truth, you're a pretty little flower." And the blush that was barely receding was back again.

"I'm not a pretty little flower, Roses are as pretty as they are dangerous." He scoffed, standing up and even from where he was standing, I could see that he'll tower over me. He straightened out his suit jacket. Eyes boring into mine.

"The only dangerous roses are those with thorns Rose, and you my dear, you have no thorns. You're a pretty little flower, a harmless little flower." He walked towards me till he was standing right Infront of me, towering over me as expected, I craned my neck just too look at him. "I'll be taking my leave now pretty flower, say hi to Mr. Potter for me."

With that, he was out of the door, and I was so dumbfounded that it was after his Mercedes Benz was long gone that I realized that I hadn't even asked for his name or why he'd come to the shop in the first place.

I facepalmed.

" Real smooth, Rosette."

~~~

Seattle at night was beautiful, almost like every other city described in my novels. A small town like mine was usually dark and dull, even though it had it's own beauty to boast of, the stars and moon at night,so bright and clear, it was nothing short of breathtaking. It's beauty was natural, peaceful. Seattle's beauty however, it was loud and bold, it was in your face, bright city lights and the sounds of the night life, sometimes I wonder if the city ever goes to sleep.

Mom warned me not to go out on my own at night, said it could be dangerous and she didn't want me endangered. I agreed, but standing here, I didn't see danger, I was in awe of this city, the last thing on my mind was danger.

I hurried once I walked through the school gates, ready to get to my room and call it a day...maybe after reading a few chapters of my book.

~~~

It had been three days, I spent them going through classes, working at the shop, and reading. I hadn't seen either Mr. Potter, Jason or even the mystery guy, and I barely saw or interacted with Sienna, so I was going through my days in a pretty predictable and fluid fashion, I like it.

Today however, was different.

As I neared the bookshop, I saw the same black Mercedes Benz from last time sitting there in front of the shop. I breathed in my surprise, I didn't expect that, but I guess once he wasn't a figment of my imagination, then he has every right to show up again.

I opened the glassdoor to the shop quietly and peeked inside. As far as I could see, there was no one there, so I stepped inside completely and placed my bag on the front desk and then went around to the back to check if he was around somewhere, because the shop was definitely opened, and I certainly wasn't the one who opened it.

As to how he managed to get the keys and open up the place, I had no clue, but maybe he could fill me in when I saw him. My footsteps were light, I didn't make too much noise in case he was doing something wrong and I had to catch him in the act or something. It's something my dad taught me even though my mom didn't approve, said he shouldn't teach me to look at the world that way, and she was probably right.

I walked round the corner to the far back and immediately stopped.

He was coming out of the dark storage room holding a stack of books, six white case cover bound books with gold lettering and a ribbon holding them together, a gold ribbon with a bow. That looked intriguing, must have been a gift.

My eyes moved from the books to the man, he was just as I remembered except today he was in a white shirt and slacks, a golden watch, even his shoes were normal looking, nothing like the shoes that belonged only in magazines and not on the streets. But I was almost sure that if I looked closely, I'd find that it's from some classy brand.

He hadn't seen me yet, and so his chocolate brown eyes were now affectionately staring down at the books, then seconds later, movement caught my eye and Mr. Potter was coming out from the room and gently closing the door behind him.

"I'm glad you have them now, I'm sure she will love them." He smiled maybe at the books, or maybe at the thought of 'she' liking them.

I'm not sure why, but that thought bothered me somehow, like something prickling under my skin. I didn't like it.

I swallowed, about to announce my presence when his eyes snapped to mine as if sensing the movement or something. He looked surprised to see me. Before he could speak though, Mr. Potter beat him to it.

"Oh Rosette! I didn't see you there. How are you doing dear?"

"I'm doing wonderfully well Mr. Potter, and how are you? I haven't seen or heard from you these past few days." He laughed at that.

"I am as fit as this bookshop, I've been resting dear, catching my breath if you will." He gave me a contagious toothy grin, one I immediately returned.

His eyes then drifted to him, clapping him on the back.

"This is Dr. Alexander Wood, my good friend. Came here for some books." I nodded. "Wood, this is Rosette. She's here now, so whenever you don't find me here, she's in charge." He nodded too, still looking at me.

"Hello Rose, nice to see you again." He smiled down at me, and extended a hand for me to shake, the hand that wasn't holding on to the books.

"Nice to see you too, Dr. Wood, again." I added as I stretched out my hand and held his in a firm handshake. His hands were smooth and soft, like he'd never worked a day in his life.

"Alexander works just fine, no need for the formalities, Rose." He chuckled lightly, still holding my small hands in his, yes, small. His hands literally swallowed my hands whole, but even though my palms we're not calloused, they still weren't as baby smooth as his, I did do household chores and on occasion helped out on the farm.

"You two have already met." Mr. Potter's eyes were trained on our linked hands, and I bristled under his scrutiny, quickly pulling my hands out of Dr. Alexander's own, he released me with an awkward cough, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Uhhh yeah," he answered. "I was at the shop the other day and she was here, but she didn't get my name cus I had to leave." Mr. Potter nodded but still had a look in his eyes, one I couldn't place.

That look was however fixated on Dr. Alexander.

"Um I'll go to the front desk now, it was nice meeting you again Dr. Alexander." I said awkwardly, ready to bolt.

"Just Alexander, no need for formalities, Rose." He called after me and I nodded.

As I hurried away, I heard Mr. Potter's harsh whisper.

"Don't look at her like that, she's off the table. You have enough going on, don't include her."

I hoped they weren't talking about me, but somehow, I felt they were.