Smoke and Wishes (Best Wishes #1)(22)

A little while later, I slid my rolling stool over to my computer and quickly typed in the book the girl standing at the front of the counter was looking for. After I relayed the information to her, I found my eyes drifting to the twins who had set up shop at one of the tables right by the counter.

I blushed when I found them both watching me, their homework untouched on the wood surface. They wore matching smirks as Landon’s arm came up, tossing a balled up piece of notebook paper at me. It landed with roll on my desk, eying it with suspicion. I picked it up and smoothed it out.

Do your feet hurt? Cause you’ve been running through my mind all day -Logan





My fingers fiddled with my lower lip as I smiled down at the note, trying not to giggle like a schoolgirl at the pickup line. They’re so cheesy. My eyes flicked towards the two mischievous, yet sweet, daemons and was greeted with both of them flexing like they were in a world’s strongest man competition. A surprise bubble of laughter fell from my lips startling a few students around the desk. I quickly quieted and glared at them, pursing my lips to keep them from curling into a smile. They moved from flexing their muscles, so many muscles, to Logan winking at me while Landon bit his knuckle relaxing back into his chair.

I pressed my thighs together as a surge of desire shot through me. Note to self, get a vibrator. I cleared my throat tearing my eyes from them, their flirting turned to smug smirks out of the corner of my eye. I was about to look over at them when another student stepped up to the desk. A guy with black hair hanging into his too-blue eyes and pointed ears leaned onto the counter with a sly smile.

“Hey there, hot stuff, can you help me find some information I’m looking for?” I felt my jaw tic in irritation at the nickname but gave him a polite smile. I was working after all.

“Well, that all depends on what it is you’re trying to find.” I turned to the monitor. My fingers poised over the keyboard and looked at him with a single eyebrow raised, unable to help my lips pursing in irritation.

“I need information on magical creatures as well as alchemical ingredients,” he continued to eyeball me. Uncomfortable shivers crept down my spine at the unwanted attention. Didn’t his parents teach him it’s rude to stare? I relayed the location on where to find some texts that may be useful. Unfortunately, he didn’t move from the counter as I had hoped he would.

“Is there anything else you need?” I continued to be polite despite wanting to punch the sleazy smile off his face.

“Yeah, hot stuff, your number,” he winked at me, but before I could say anything, Landon cleared his throat. Looking to the left, he had his elbow propped on the counter, his chin resting on his strong fingers as he glared at the elf. The standoff only lasted a moment before he turned to me.

“Miss, if you aren’t too busy I could use some help with something,” he asked as he hitched his thumb over his shoulder towards their table. Thankful that he didn’t give away my name, I nodded turning towards the now fuming elf.

“If you’ll excuse me,” I got up and curved around the counter leaving the student standing at the there with an incredulous look on his face. Good, asshat. “Thank you,” I whispered gratefully to Landon as we neared their table. Giving me his signature smirk, he sank into his chair.

“If you could, would you double check this to make sure it’s all in order?” He asked, his voice suspiciously calm. Logan slid the notebook towards me. I side-eyed both of them before pulling the page the rest of the way to me.

Are you from outer space? Because your ass is out of this world -Landon





Rolling my eyes, I burst out laughing. A flirty smile appeared on both of their faces as an arm slid around my waist. I turned to see Cam looking down at me, his face warm with a small flush. The aroma of parchment that held vivid stories of lives long past surrounded me as he smiled, erasing the last bit of stress in my body. He leaned into me slightly before rounding the twins’ table and joining them.

“I figured I’d come to see what you three were up to,” his honeyed voice was filled with laughter as he read the note on the page. His response to it was thick with sarcasm “nice to see you two getting some studying done.” Chuckling, he pulled a book from his bag and turned his attention back to me. “How is your day, doll?”

“Same old, same old,” I responded looking over at the counter and seeing the book return carts quickly filling up with students filtering in and out of the library. “I should probably get those put back on the stacks,” I hitched a thumb towards the books. “I’ll let you get some studying done, Cam. You two should follow his lead because I’m pretty sure neither of you has done anything even remotely studious.” They pouted, both looking like they’d rather be doing anything other than that. I found myself smiling the entire way back around the counter, sticking my head into the office to let Muriel know my plan so she could watch the counter.

I wheeled out the first cart once Muriel took station behind the computer. It’s the squeaky cart, ugh. The noise was less jarring thanks to the hushed voices filtering through the library. Turning down a side aisle towards the non-fiction section, the crowd thinned out. I discreetly made my way through the secluded areas of the library, hoping I wouldn’t encounter anyone looking for “alone” time. I really don’t want to deal with anyone messing around back here. Grateful to not hear any moans or thuds, I continued into the back corner. I had gotten through the first row on the cart when I caught sight of two familiar troublemakers coming down the aisle at me. Shaking my head at them, I shelved a rather thick book in its proper home.