My Baby Daddy Isn't Human-Chapter 91: High Stakes, High Shelves

The marketing and business department was, for Raelynn, about as exciting as watching paint dry. Numbers flashed on screens, charts covered walls, and overly enthusiastic presentations echoed in the room. To her, it was like drowning in boredom. She sighed, her eyes wandering toward Elion, who surprisingly looked like he belonged here. He leaned back slightly, arms folded as his eyes skimmed the titles.

"How is this interesting to you?" Raelynn muttered under her breath, though she doubted he could hear her from where she stood.

After a while, her wandering feet took her to a small side section labeled Fiction and Leisure Reading. Her eyes lit up. This was more her thing—rows of novels spread out like a goldmine. Her gaze darted across the titles until it landed on one high up on the shelf.

"Perfect," she whispered, reaching for it.

She tiptoed, her fingers just brushing the bottom of the spine. The book refused to budge. She didn't give up and reached higher, even hopping a little, her fingers barely touched the edge.

Suddenly, she felt a presence behind her—warm, solid, and far too close. She felt someone behind her, and an arm casually stretched over her to grab the book off the shelf. She spun around and found herself face-to-chest with Elion.

Her breath hitched.

For a moment, all she could see was the smooth line of his shirt, the faint scent of his cologne, and the steady rise and fall of his chest. Slowly, she tilted her head back, her eyes locking with his. He looked down at her, his silver eyes looking down at her like he was amused and curious all at once. They were so close their noses almost touched, and for a second, she wondered if he'd move closer.

"Here," he said, his voice low as he handed her the book.

Their hands brushed as she took it, and Raelynn felt a jolt, like a small current of electricity sparking between them. She blinked, her cheeks flushing.

"Uh... Thanks," she muttered, suddenly very interested in the book. "You're annoyingly good at this whole 'tall and helpful' thing."

"It's one of my many talents."

Raelynn rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. "Modest, too," she teased, holding the book close to her chest.

As she turned the book over to read the back, Elion leaned casually against the shelf beside her, his arms crossed. "Let me guess," he drawled. "A sappy romance?"

"You don't know that," she said, frowning at him while flipping through the pages.

"Oh, but I do," he replied smugly. "The cover practically screams tragic love and tearful confessions."

She let out a short sigh and hugged the book closer. "Quit acting like you know everything."

Elion reached for the book. "Let me see that."

"No!" she said, pulling it away. But he was faster, tugging it from her grasp with a mischievous grin.

"Let's confirm my theory," he said, holding the book high above her head.

Raelynn groaned, jumping and reaching for it. "Give it back!"

Elion's smirk deepened, his arm staying just out of her reach. She jumped again, her hands brushing his arm, but she lost her balance in the process. Before she could stumble, Elion caught her effortlessly with his free hand, pulling her close.

Time seemed to freeze.

Raelynn found herself pressed against him, one of his arms around her waist while the other still held the book above them. His eyes locked onto hers, amusement fading into something softer, something more intense. His smirk lingered, but his gaze held a flicker of something she couldn't quite place—something that made her heart skip a beat.

"You should really be more careful."

Raelynn's breath caught. Her eyes darted to his lips for the briefest of moments before she snapped herself out of it. She straightened, her face burning.

"I wouldn't have to be careful if someone didn't steal my book."

"Pretty sure that book belongs to the library."

Before Raelynn could respond, a loud throat clearing interrupted them.

She jerked back, quickly turning to see Axel standing there, arms folded and a sharp look in his eyes.

"Excuse me," Axel said, raising an eyebrow. "But this isn't the place for... whatever it is you think you're doing."

Raelynn felt her cheeks heat up further. "We weren't—"

Elion stepped forward, cutting her off. "And what exactly do you think we were doing?"

Axel stared right back. "You tell me."

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The room felt heavier as they locked eyes, neither willing to back down. Raelynn, desperate to diffuse the situation, quickly held up her book. "I, uh, already found what I wanted to borrow!" she blurted out, her voice overly cheerful.

Elion looked away first, his grin returning as he lowered his hand, letting her snatch the book. She hugged it to her chest, avoiding both of their gazes.

They made their way back toward the front, but Elion paused to take a phone call, stepping aside. Raelynn moved to the desk, where Axel helped her scan her book.

When he handed it back, he slid an additional book across the counter. Raelynn blinked in surprise. "I didn't borrow this," she said, looking at the second book.

It was the one about vampire mythology—Vampires: 10,001.

"I saw you looking at it earlier," Axel said, a small smile playing on his lips. "Figured you might want to bring it home."

Raelynn hesitated before smiling softly. "Thank you."

As she tucked the second book under her arm, Elion returned, slipping his phone into his pocket. "Everything done?" he asked.

Axel nodded, his polite smile not quite reaching his eyes. "Yeah, she's good to go. You didn't find anything for yourself?"

Elion shook his head. "No, I'm good."

Axel's smile tightened. "Good to see you, then."

His expression remained calm, but there was a hint of bite in his tone, "You too. I'll remember to pay for what you've done for her."

Axel raised an eyebrow but said nothing, watching as Elion stepped closer to Raelynn. Placing a hand lightly on the small of her back, Elion guided her toward the door. It was a simple touch, but it left Raelynn both confused and flustered.

As they passed through the doorway, Raelynn glanced back over her shoulder, catching one last look at Axel. She couldn't read his expression, but his eyes alone made her stomach do a flip.

"Elion."

"Hmm?" he replied, not looking down at her as they walked.

"Never mind."

Whatever it was, she'd let it go for now.