Lancelot by Silvia Violet
Julian
Iwatched the man and his monkey walk toward the door. I hated that I couldn’t look away. I absolutely was not attracted to him. He was nothing but muscle and charm. His monkey was probably smarter than he was. Just because I’d seen intelligence in his dark eyes and his wit was quick, that didn’t mean anything. I was flustered and not thinking clearly. Who wouldn’t be when a monkey—a monkey!—sat right on a man’s shoulder and tried to steal a snack. What if the creature had gotten hold of books, or worse, letters or other more delicate items?
The man walked slowly like he was trying to show me how unconcerned he was about my threat to call the police. Even if they bothered to come, what would they do? Escort him out? Fine him? It probably wouldn’t be worth the paperwork for them. Hell, they’d probably be entertained by Tony.
Before he reached the door, Gwen beckoned to him, the traitor. I was sure she’d seen me trying to get rid of him, and it was more than obvious he had a monkey with him.
Great. Now she was shaking hands with Tony. She might be my best friend, but I’d yet to get her to respect the rules.
Was that… Dear God, she had snacks in her desk. It wasn’t like I’d actually thought she’d stop bringing in food because I’d asked her to. She was usually discreet at least, but now she was feeding an animal that ought to be in the wild, not here in the library. Did she want to get us shut down?
I took a deep breath. Calm down. No patrons are watching.
Marshall was, though, and I suspected he wouldn’t mind taking an early retirement package if the library closed. Dammit. I was going to have to make Gwen understand how important this was.
The man was still standing by Gwen’s desk with that ridiculous animal on his shoulder. What was she saying to him? Why didn’t she send him on his way?
I stared harder, trying to read her lips, but I’d been putting off a trip to the optometrist for months, and my glasses weren’t up to the challenge.
She got very animated about something. Was she flirting with the man? I’d rather gotten the impression he was interested in men, although no one would say I had a good track record for figuring that out. I’d decided dating wasn’t worth it, and there was no way the man had actually been looking at me like he wanted to eat me up. It was probably just an act.
He looked my way, and I forced myself to scowl, even though my mouth wanted to drop open. In my annoyance earlier, I’d failed to take in just how arrestingly gorgeous he was. I didn’t think I’d ever seen a man that… potent.
His smirk made my anger mingle with the unsettled feelings he’d provoked in me. I would not dare call it desire. I did not desire the arrogant asshole who was flaunting his defiance of my demand that he leave. I wanted him out, for the sake of the books and for me. I didn’t like how I felt around him, like I was losing control. I had enough things slipping through my grasp, my family, my job, my library. I didn’t need some man making me feel even more off-balance.
I glared more fiercely and pointed toward the door. He just grinned and turned back to Gwen. I wanted to scream at both of them, but I kept my composure. One did not scream in a library.
I continued watching them until finally, after making Gwen giggle like a lunatic, he left the building. In fact, I didn’t take my eyes off him until he’d reached his also gorgeous, illegally parked Mercedes S 580, gotten in, and driven away.
Thank goodness no one had let him see any materials. The thought of what that monkey might do to some of our rare books or the letters we’d carefully preserved made me shudder. The little creature was kind of cute, though.
No! No, he was not. He was loud and rude and as irritating as his owner.
I wanted to believe I’d seen the last of them, but the man seemed stubborn as hell and absolutely unconcerned about consequences. He’d attempt to return, and my threat to have our security guard block his entry was an empty one. Jacques was no more than the barest deterrent. He slacked off any chance he got, and I was sure he’d come to work stoned numerous times. He wouldn’t stand a chance against a man like—he hadn’t ever told me his name, had he?
What was he doing in here anyway? He couldn’t actually be doing serious research. If he was, he would know better than to bring in animals or food. He’d have more respect for our collections than that.
I could go ask Gwen what he’d said to her, but I was supposed to stay at my post until I had a break. I looked around at the empty library. Would it really matter? Was I even going to have a job for much longer?
I really did want to know what that man was up to. He was insanely arrogant, but he didn’t seem truly dangerous, simply used to getting his way, much like Remington Theriot, another man who’d recently been asked to leave the library and not return. At least Mr. Theriot seemed to respect our facility and to have a clear interest in the history of the city. He took exception to our policy about checking materials out or remaining open after our regular hours to accommodate his schedule. He was arrogant but refined. This man on the other hand was…
Exciting. Entertaining. Unusual. A lot of things you aren’t.
Why did my conscience enjoy mocking me?
He was obnoxious and disrespectful and… hot as hell. All right. I could admit that. The man was attractive, but his physical attributes meant nothing. Plenty of beautiful people were horrible inside, not that I thought he was horrible exactly, just…
Fine. I wasn’t going to be able to stop thinking about him until I figured out what he’d said to Gwen. Once she told me, I’d focus on the new box of letters that had just come in. I needed to catalog them, and that would make a great distraction.
I glanced around before leaving my desk, making sure I hadn’t failed to notice a patron entering while I was focused on the hot man. Sadly, the employees were now the only people here. Monkey Man had livened things up, but I didn’t want them lively. I wanted them serious. I wanted them quiet yet alive with inspiring work. I wanted people here doing research, using these carefully preserved materials. I sighed as I checked the door to the archive room behind me, making certain it was locked. Then I crossed the open area filled with revolving racks that housed pamphlets and newer books, things that didn’t need to be protected as carefully.
Gwen’s knowing smile almost made me turn back, but if I wanted to settle my curiosity so I could focus on cataloging the new arrivals, I’d have to put up with her mocking. “I thought you’d want to know about my talk with Mr. Alluring.”
I sniffed. “The man was obnoxious, and he obviously has no concern for the sanctity of our collections.”
Gwen rolled her eyes. “All that man needs to do is walk into a room to get everyone’s attention.”
“And yet he goes around with a pet monkey.”
“Trust me. He’s not compensating for anything.”
I pretended to look shocked, but I’d made the same assessment. He’d been right there, and he was so tall and muscular. I’d studied him like I would a work of art. It didn’t mean I liked him or had any intention of ever letting him into the library again.
“What did he want with you?”
“Not as much as I’d hoped.”
I huffed. “Tell me you weren’t trying to hook up with him.”
“Who wouldn’t?” She looked at me and gave her head a sad shake. “You, I suppose.”
“I appreciate how attractive he is, but I don’t like his attitude. I told him to leave.”
“Yes, he said so.”
And of course, she’d ignored it. “Did he say why he was here? What he wanted?”
“He claimed he needed to see something in your archive for ‘an assignment.’ He’ll be back, you know.”
“What did you say to him?”
“Not much. I flirted with him a little.”
“And gave the monkey a snack.”
She grinned. “He’s cute.”
“And as rude as his owner. You know we can’t have wild animals in here.”
“Lighten up. I know you’re worried about the library, but I don’t think he meant any harm. Besides, this is New Orleans. People expect eccentrics.”
I huffed. “That man is not eccentric. He’s dangerous.”
She tilted her head as if thinking, then nodded. “I agree with that assessment. He’s certainly not your average library patron.”
“Is there even any such thing anymore?”
“Sometimes I swear you’re an eighty-year-old man trapped in the potentially very sexy body of a twenty-five-year-old.”
“I am not here to appease anyone’s idea of what—”
Gwen held up her hand, obviously not in the mood for one of my rants on societal expectations. “I know, but you’re attractive, and you’re young. You keep yourself locked away in here, working overtime, then taking stuff home. You should be living your life. There’s absolutely no reason for you to go home alone to a cold, empty bed.”
I shook my head. “I’m not interested in dating right now.”
“The way you looked at Mr. Alluring makes me think differently.”
“I didn’t say I never felt… I just don’t… I don’t like all you have to go through to find someone, and they’re never what you expect.”
“I don’t envy anyone trying to live up to your standards, Julian.”
I frowned at her. “I’m not that bad. I just want someone who will respect me.”
“As well as your dedication to the library. You want someone who will value the archives as much as you do and listen to old, dry tales of—”
“Gwendolyn!”
“Fine, I’ll stop.”
“Do you really think…”
“No. I don’t think you’re boring. I think you come across that way to some people, but I think that’s how you want people to perceive you because you’re afraid of getting out there.”
I didn’t want to agree with her. “I’m not afraid. Books are just easier than people.”
“That is true, but sometimes people can be rewarding. I have no doubt an evening with that man would be well worth the trouble.”
Would it, though? Part of me said yes, and another part of me said I should run as far and as fast as I could so I would never see him again. “You still haven’t told me what you talked about with him.”
“Nothing important.”
“What did you say that made him look so happy?”
“I told him if he came back after closing, I’d let him in, and he could ransack the entire place.”
“Gwendolyn, I swear.”
“We were just flirting. Don’t worry about it.”
Her refusal to say more had me restless and unable to focus for the rest of the day.