by Liz Fox
“Just get over here,” she replies impatiently.
Huffing, I get up from my seat at the desk and make my way to where she stands, staring out the front of the library.
I see why she called me over. In fact, when I glance around the library I notice we aren’t the only ones captivated by the scene outside. The patrons, the kids, and even my fellow coworker have made their way to the windows.
Who could blame them? A couple dozen attractive men in navy blue shirts and cargo pants jog on the sidewalk past the library. It isn’t until I recognize my brother’s auburn hair that I realize these are the firefighters from the Sugar Hill Fire Department out to get some exercise. Only, they don’t normally take this route.
I walk out the front door with my brow furrowed. Rocky will tell me what’s going on.
Only, as soon as I’m about ten feet away from the building, all the firefighters stop jogging. Without any noticeable signal, music starts. I recognize it from that movie about the girl in high school who hates ten things about the guy. The firefighters—including my brother—move in unison to make a sort of V shape with some of them kneeling and some of them standing, with the tip of the V pointing at me.
When the chorus of the song starts, the guys at the front of the V part, exposing the man I’m not quite ready to see. Grant wears the same navy shirt and pants as the rest of them, but somehow immediately grabs my full attention. Maybe it’s the way the t-shirt fits, tight on his shoulders, hints of tattoos sneaking down his arms. Or maybe it’s the way his blond hair glows in the sun, like a halo over a fallen angel. Or maybe it’s the bittersweet memory of his body moving above and inside mine—I’ll never forget it, and I may not ever have it again.
I’m wistfully lost in the memory when he raises a megaphone to his mouth. What the—? The volume of the music lowers, allowing his voice to project clearly through the neighborhood.
“Violet, I owe you.” Grant’s eyes meet mine over the white plastic. His gaze is intense, but I’m not sure with what emotion. “A few months ago, a good friend of mine died. In the following months, I struggled with nightmares and depression. As a last ditch effort to get better, I quit my job and moved in with my best friend. Little did I know, you were already living with him.
“It has been five years since I last saw you, and man, you have grown up. Initially, I didn’t even recognize you. Maybe that was good, because prior assumptions didn’t keep me from appreciating your goodness and beauty. Just a chance meeting in the hallway had me obsessing about you for hours.
“You bring a light, not just to me, but to everyone whose lives you touch. Even a few minutes with you is a gift. For those of us who are closer, your caring is a fucking miracle.
“I screwed up. I know I screwed up. I’m telling you now that I’m sorry. I can’t promise never to hurt you again, but I can promise to do my best to make you happy for the rest of our lives.
“In front of my friends and coworkers, your friends and coworkers, and everyone who happens to be listening in the neighborhood, know this. Violet, I owe you my heart, my life, and my future. I want to spend forever with you. If you give me a chance, you’ll never regret it.”
A feminine arm wraps around me from behind and Hope gives me a side hug. When she places a tissue in my hand, I realize tears are running down my cheeks. “It looks like you have a fan. What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.”
Blinking with confusion, I watch Grant as he hands the megaphone to Rocky. My brother whispers something in his ear and then smacks him on the shoulder.
“You deserve this and more. Don’t let him forget it.” With those words of wisdom, Hope gives me a gentle push forward.
A few steps later, Grant and I meet each other halfway across the library lawn.
“I’m so sorry, little B.” He wraps his arms around me and I hide my face in his chest.
“No one has ever hurt me like that.” I’m mumbling into his shirt, but he doesn’t seem to mind.
“I know. I’m the one who messed up. But I can promise you I’ll never do it again.”
“Is your promise as good as this flash mob?” I try to hold back a giggle.
“Of course. Only the best for my woman.” My giggle escapes at the pride in his voice. “Are you laughing at me, little B?”
“The choreography was terrible!” At this point I can’t stop laughing.
“Your brother helped. Owen too. If it was terrible, blame them.” Grant grumbles at me like a grumpy old man. “What about what I said? Was that terrible too?”
“No, it was just right. I want to spend forever with you too.”
Epilogue
Grant
“You ready for this, G man?” Rocky asks, voice low for privacy.
“Let’s do it.”
Thank god Rocky and I worked things out in the year since I started dating his sister. The first few weeks were pretty tense. Once my relationship with Violet got out, I immediately moved to a motel until I could find a place of my own. Violet and I tried to be discreet, but you can bet her brother knew every single night she didn’t come home. I know, because each time he sent me a text with the watching you emoji.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when Violet moved in with me a few months later. For Violet and I, it meant every we could spend more time together. Time on the sofa, in the kitchen, in the shower, on the bed—morning, noon, or night.
For Rocky, it meant plausible deniability.
Unfortunately for Rocky, he can’t escape what’s about to happen. We’re at the second annual Sugar Hill Community Event and the firefighters are just cleaning up the pancake breakfast. It seems like the entire neighborhood is here. It’s great for the event, but it has my nerves acting up. Especially when I notice our parents, both Violet’s and mine, sitting at a picnic table together. And is that Derrick the douche sitting with them?
Whatever. I shake my head, clearing my thoughts. Then, I scan the crowd for Violet. She’s with a couple of her fellow librarian having a quick bite to eat between events. Perfect timing.
Rocky looks at me, eyebrow cocked. I nod in response. Then look over to Maggie, the library director. She nods at me, ready to do her part. When I asked her to help, she just said, “You’re wicked to do this at the library in front of everyone. I love it.”
A whisper runs through the crowd of firefighters. Every single one of my coworkers showed up today. Even Owen, though I still hold a bit of a grudge against him.
Taking a final deep breath, I check my pocket for the fiftieth time today. It’s there. I give Maggie a final nod, watching as she pushes a button on her laptop.
Suddenly, music streams from the speakers causing the crowd to hush. It’s the same song from last year. These firefighters are like family, because only true brothers would dance and shimmy like this in public. Everything is synchronized and choreographed. The guys wave their hands in the air and shake their booties for the crowd with practiced ease.
At least someone is having a good time. I do my part, dancing with everyone else, but I can feel the sweat gathering at my lower back. It’s almost to the chorus. Go time.
Violet stands with her friends, big brown eyes wide with surprise. I dance my way to the front of the firefighters, grabbing the cordless mic from one of the guys as planned. When I kneel in front of Violet, the volume on the music goes down.
I make sure the mic is on and pull the ring out of my pocket. “Violet. Little B. You are the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. You’re my light, my love, and my best friend.”
“Hey!” Rocky protests, causing Violet and I to grin at each other.
“You help me be a better man. And I want to be that man, for you. You’ve been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Now, I’m asking you to continue to be a part of it until the end of time. Will you marry me?”
Her eyes are shining with joy and tears as she gives me the answer I hoped for. “Yes. Of course. I’ve loved you for as long
as I can remember.” I stand and squeeze her, never wanting to let her go.
Thank You
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for reading Wicked at the Library! I’m honored that you gave my story the gift of your time and attention. I put a little of my heart into each of my books, and it’s amazing to me that you read (and hopefully enjoy) them.
A special kudos to Jennifer P. for the use of her fur baby in the story. Tarzan is a real cat and Jennifer is the lovely lady who adopted him! Thank you for sharing your pictures and allowing me to feature her in this story.
This book was especially fun to write because, well, libraries and firefighters. Two of my favorite in the whole world. Seriously, yum.
If you enjoyed the book, please leave a review. It doesn’t have to be long, just a line or two makes a big difference.
For more sweet and steaminess, keep reading for a sample of Willing at the Library, Hope’s story.
If you want to chat about your favorite books, come join the Facebook group! We host giveaways, play games, and share samples of upcoming books! I look forward to seeing you there.
Hugs,
Liz
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Also by Liz Fox
The Right Men
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Mister Right
Right or Wrong
Always Right
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Puppy Love
Latte Love
Bad Bosses
Alpha boss romances written with C.L. Cruz
Naughty Boss
Rugged Boss
Dirty Boss
Sinful Boss
Curvy Librarians of Sugar Hill
Alpha man & curvy woman romances
Wicked at the Library
Willing at the Library
Wanton at the Library
Wild at the Library
Don’t miss Hope’s story in Willing at the Library!
Hope
It took me a lot of traveling--and a lot of jobs--to escape my troubled childhood.
Thankfully, I found my calling and my tribe at the Sugar Hill Community Library.
When a well-meaning single dad picks up his daughter after story time, my heart opens for both of them.
Ryan is tall, handsome, and knows how to turn my pages.
But do I want to commit to someone who might not prioritize my needs?
Ryan
I brought my daughter to the Sugar Hill neighborhood hoping for a new start.
Things might be going great with my business, but I’m struggling as a father.
When the local librarian comes to my rescue, everything starts to fall into place.
She’s smart, curvy, and turns my software into hardware.
If I want to have my happily ever after, then I need to prove to the women in my life that family always comes first.
About the Author
Liz Fox writes short, sweet, steamy romances. They feature curvy women and the alpha men who fall in love with them. A curvy woman herself, she has a special place in her heart for happily ever afters.
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