Free Simply the Best by Wendi Zwaduk Page A

along?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Cool. Now which serial killer did you want to look up?”
    “Look, I’ll be honest. I didn’t want to look up any of them.” He bowed his head. “I wanted to talk to you. Now I have and I look like a creepy stalker. I’m sorry.” God. All the confidence he used while on the job went right out the window the moment he saw her.
    “I like your honesty.”
    “My name is Sam. How about after you get off work, we meet for coffee?”
    “Emma? This isn’t a dating service.” The man from the counter stepped between them. “This is a library.” He curled his upper lip and then faced Emma. “I can hear you all the way to the desk. It’s rude to the patrons.”
    “He wanted to look up serial killers.” She pointed to the rows of books on the worst in society. “Here we are. So we struck up a conversation. I know how soft to talk. What’s your issue?”
    “Uh-huh.” He folded his arms. “A word? At my desk?” Without looking at her, he huffed and made more noise than their conversation.
    “Get bent comes to mind,” Sam muttered.
    “No kidding,” she whispered. “Sure thing, Trevor.” Emma dropped her voice to a whisper again. “I’ll be right back. If you need help, I’m sure one of the other girls will be more than happy to assist you.” She patted his hand, her touch lingering for an extra moment before she followed Trevor.
    Sam picked up the first book he came to and flipped through the pages without really looking at the hardback. His sixth sense kicked in. Something about Trevor didn’t sit well with him. He couldn’t hear the conversation, but based on her pursed lips and the deep line fitted between her eyes, he guessed she wasn’t happy.
    Trevor pointed and glared. Sam snorted. Typical display to assert his power. He continued to flip through the book, but kept his focus on Emma. He couldn’t pinpoint how, but she brought out the over-protective side of him. He wanted to gather her in his arms and kiss her breathless.
    “You what?” Emma said loud enough for everyone on the second floor to hear. She turned her back on Sam’s general area. He zoned in on her words. The strain in her voice came across loud and clear. Maybe it was time to assert a little of his power.
    Sam sidestepped the cart of books and headed to the main desk. “Excuse me,” he said, interrupting whatever Trevor was saying. “Is there a problem?” He stood beside Emma. “She helped me find what I needed. She did a great job.”
    Trevor’s eyes narrowed. “This is a library, not a place to troll for sex. We don’t encourage our staff to engage in non-book-related conversation.”
    “Oh? That’s foolish. People tend to remember the assistants who were nice to them and come back. You’re a reason I won’t be coming back.” Sam plunked the book on the counter. “Emma is a reason I’d camp out here.” Okay, so he’d come on a little strong. Based on the way the color drained from Trevor’s face, he’d made impact.
    “Take your break, Ms. Harmon.” Trevor waved his hand. “Just go.”
    Emma sighed and glanced in Sam’s direction and then pushed past him and hurried down the steps.
    Yeah, he’d been a tad harsh. Sam picked up his book and finally looked at the title. Ripping Out My Heart. He snorted. She hadn’t ripped out his heart, but she’d be one he wouldn’t get over soon.
    “I meant what I said. This isn’t a place to hook up.” Trevor folded his arms. The smugness returned. “Got me?”
    “I do.” Sam dipped his head. “But I wonder what your motivations are here.” He looked the shorter man in the eye. “I know your kind. You uphold the rules when it benefits you and bend them to the breaking point when you want something. I can’t say she turned you down, but the way you dress her down, she should.” He strode down the stairs. Time to find Emma and make amends.
    ****
    Emma plopped onto the picnic table seat and rested her head in her hands. The day