48

48
Sarah Thompson.
I parked my car in front of the mall. I got out of the vehicle very excited; tonight would be spectacular.
I adjusted my coat, put the bag under my shoulders, and went into the mall, looking around.
It was quiet tonight; a few people were in the hall talking.
I sped up my steps and then entered the huge bookstore.
When I took the first steps, my eyes jumped... There was a time did not enter a bookstore. That smell enveloped me—of books, new leaves. Tempting smell.
This is the perfect place for any book eater.
I walked slowly through the aisles lined with books and looked up at the shelves.
I entered the fantasy section, and I was amazed when I started looking at the titles and covers.
Passed my fingers through the spine of each book, imagining already how it would be the story. I needed something new, an intense story for me to dive into.
There was a time that I did not read anything new.
As I kept walking, looking at each cover, my head hit something hard... hot.
I raised my head, and there he was...
Edgar.
In front of me, he was with his hand on a book too. He smiled, and I did the same.
''Hi... I thought I’d find you here,'' he said.
Its smell was too close; it was too hot.
But I did not turn away; I stayed there, looking at him...
''How nice we met here; I was just looking for a book. I was going to send you a message,'' I said.
''Think I’ll pick this,'' he said, stretching out his fingers and took a book.
''I’ll decide here,'' I said, looking at the books, wanting one of them to catch my eye.
It was then that my fingers stopped on a cover... it was bluish, with a magician wrapped in shadows. The title was The Forbidden Love of the Shadow Wizard.
I held the book and said:
"I want this one. But before I buy it, I'll read a little."
Edgar nodded with an encouraging smile:
"Good idea. Let's go to that armchair over there in the corner. It looks comfortable."
Edgar took his book with him; it was dark fantasy with elements of terror, which I recognized by the cover. We sat side by side in the armchair. A salesman approached and offered coffee. We accepted, and thank you for your kindness.
The warm aroma of coffee mingled with the smell of books. It was all so... perfect.
I opened my copy and dove into the first few pages, feeling the warmth of the coffee warm my hands. Edgar read intently, his eyes fixed on the book, not looking up for a second.
He looked sexier that way.
So focused.
I smiled and went back to reading my book.
In front of me unfolded the story of a dark wizard, accustomed to loneliness and darkness. I read ten chapters and was already in love with the plot: a classic enemy-to-lovers story where the wizard would learn to love a rival sorceress of his own father. I already knew where this love would take them, and I was curious to find out more.
When I finished my coffee, I looked up at Edgar.
"I'll take this one," I said, pointing to: The Forbidden Love of the Shadow Wizard. ''And your book, what's the title again?"
He closed the volume gently and replied:
"It's called: The nightmare of the inverse dimension. It's fantasy with suspense: the protagonists are transported to another dimension, where they must survive a brutal killer and discover his identity. I really liked it." My eyes widened; it sounded fascinating.
"I'm curious," I said, interested. "After I read mine, and you read yours... can we swap books?"
He gave me a big smile:
"Of course. Do you want to go to the checkout and pay?"
"Yes," I replied, standing up with the book in my hands.
We walked together, paid for the books, and thanked for the coffee, which was a delight.
We walked side by side down the mall corridor. Edgar commented more on the genres that attracted him most: horror, suspense, and fantasy. I listened attentively, surprised by his variety of reading material.
We walked to the parking lot, where our cars were waiting.
It must have been almost ten o'clock, I think. Time really flies.
I wanted to spend more time with him.
Even though I was embarrassed, I turned to him.
I asked.
"How about we read some more at my place?" I offered, with a shy smile.
He widened his eyes, curious. But a smile soon appeared on his face.
''I want it very much, but... are you sure? Do not want to rest?''
Didn’t want to... just wanted to be with him. I said no with my head, showing that I wasn’t tired.
''I want your company,'' I said.
He then smiled—that sexy smile of his.
He nodded and then went to his car; I did the same.
I couldn’t stop thinking about his face while driving and how Edgar looked better every day.
In minutes, we arrived at the building. We parked the car, and we went to my apartment, opened the door, and then Edgar approached... It was too close; his perfume intoxicated me.
"Shall we read in the living room then?" Edgar asked, pointing to the sofa.
My hand on instinct took yours and looked at me intensely. I was ready to read, but I had another, much more urgent desire.
"Yes... but first..." I began, feeling my heart racing.
His face came closer to mine. I froze... I could only think of one thing:
Kissing his mouth.