The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 101

Chapter 101

Chapter 101

ASTRA

“I’m just going to the library to drop this off,” I muttered to myself as I walked down the hallway, clutching a couple of books to my chest. “Not because he said so. Definitely not because of that.”

I was lying to myself. Of course I was. But admitting that Zane had told me to meet him here made my stomach twist in ways I didn’t want to examine too closely.

I pushed open the library doors, the familiar quiet hush wrapping around me. “Hi, Mrs. Patel,” I said softly, smiling at the librarian.

“Astra, dear! Always a pleasure. Need help with anything?”

“Just returning these.” I held up the books. She waved me toward the shelves with a warm smile.

I made my way to the back aisles, the scent of old books and polished wood filling the air. I told myself I’d shelve them quickly and leave.

Nothing more.

I slid the first book into place, heart beating a little too fast.

Then I smelled him, that warm cedarwood scent, dark and masculine filling my nose.

I froze.

“Looking for me, Trouble?” a deep, familiar voice drawled from behind me.

I spun around. Zane leaned against the end of the shelf, arms crossed over his chest, green eyes locked on me with that lazy smirk. His uniform sleeves were rolled up, hair messy like he’d been running his hands through it. He looked unfairly good.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

“I… I was just returning books,” I whispered, trying to sound firm. “Not because you told me to come here.”

Zane pushed off the shelf and took a slow step forward, towering over me in the narrow aisle. “Liar. You came because you knew I’d be here.”

I backed up until my spine hit the shelves. He stopped right in front of me, close enough that his body heat brushed mine.

“Admit it,” he said, bracing one hand on the shelf beside my head and caging me in. “You wanted to see me.”

My cheeks burned. “Zane…”

He leaned in, lips brushing my ear. “Say it, Trouble.”

A shiver ran down my spine. I tilted my head back to glare at him. “Say what exactly? That I came here because the big bad bully told me to? Newsflash, Zane, my life doesn’t revolve around you. I have actual responsibilities. Unlike some people who get community service for beating people up.”

His mouth tilted, pleased. His hand slid down to grip my waist, fingers firm as he pulled me closer until my chest brushed

his.

“Responsibilities,” he repeated, voice a low taunt. “Like shelving books and pretending you’re not affected just from me standing this close?”

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Chapter 101

My face flamed. I shoved at his chest, but he didn’t move. “You are so full of yourself,” I hissed. “The world doesn’t stop spinning just because Zane Ashton exists. Get over yourself.”

He chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest into mine. His grip on my waist tightened, thumb tracing a slow line over my uniform.

“Oh, I’m full of myself?” he murmured, lips hovering just above mine. “Baby, I’m full of you. Every damn thought. Every night. Every time I close my eyes. You’re the one pretending you don’t come running when I call.”

I scoffed, stomach flipping. “Running? Please. I came to return books. You just happened to be here being a creepy stalker a usual.”

Zane’s green eyes sparkled with wicked delight. He squeezed my waist, pulling me up onto my toes. “Creepy stalker. Say it again. I like when you call me names. Makes me want to give you a reason to scream them later.”

My cheeks burned hotter. I pushed harder. “You are actually insane. Let me go before Mrs. Patel comes back here and writes you up for harassment.”

Instead, he dipped his head, nose brushing along my jaw. “Harassment?” he whispered against my skin. “This is me being nice, Trouble. If I wasn’t trying to behave, I’d have you bent over that table already, showing you exactly how hard I’d harass that pretty ass.”

“You’re disgusting,” I muttered, voice far too breathy.

Zane pulled back just enough to grin down at me, eyes gleaming. “And yet here you are. In the library. With me.”

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