"It's 3:30 in the morning. A quiet night tonight. Nothing happening that requires me to be awake. Yet, the quiet is what's keeping my eyes open. No activity has occurred since Taggert's body was found. It makes one wonder, "what could they be planning?" I guess we'll have to wait and see."

—

A little book shop sat in between a popular New York boutique and another McDonald's. It wasn't the most popular place, and had even sunk lower due to the popularity of audio books and online stories. Yet, it was safe to say that a good amount of people still came into the shop to rent or buy any stories that peaked their interest. It's been taught that a little amount was better than nothing.

Yet, today was a very slow day for a worker called Taylor. As nobody was here and she was currently being pressed against an office wall and pathetically fucked by her coworker.

This isn't usually like her. She was not the type of girl to be bold enough for a meaningless hookup. In fact, the thought of them frightened her even, because she knows how easily she catches feelings for anyone. Yet, boredom seemed to have a different idea for her the moment her sleazy coworker rubbed her shoulder.

It's not her proudest moment, but it's been seven months since she had any sort of fun. A little fun at work couldn't be too bad, right?

Wrong.

Taylor scrunches her nose in disgust and boredom as her coworker pulls out. She lost any sort of heat a minute into the making out, and the sex didn't really impress her either. Especially since the guy only lasted a damn minute.

Also, this is the one situation where size did matter. He didn't ace that portion.

Quickly, Taylor pulled her jeans up and goes to button them until a hand grabs her wrist. She looked up at her coworker and raised an unimpressed brow.

"I am pretty sure we are done here," she said.

"I wanted a round two!" Her coworker whined.

Taylor rolled her eyes. This was getting pathetic.

"Listen, Ron-,"

"It's Ben."

"Whatever Tom, I was just really bored and needed something to keep me awake. Sadly, your dick couldn't handle a simple task like that. I am pretty sure I almost knocked out halfway through that one minute of jiggling."

Tom did not look at all pleased with Taylor's statement, but she was too tired to even care right now. She didn't take notice to the tightening on her wrist.

"So, let's just get through our shifts and then you can make love to your hand when you get home. Deal?"

Tom's hand did not release it's grip. Taylor bit her lip and yanked her arm, but he still doesn't budge. Her stomach began to feel heavy.

As Tom opened his mouth once more to spew out some bullshit, a new voice from up front took the unhappy pair by surprise.

"Excuse me? Is there anybody here?"

Taylor mentally screamed for joy.

Catching Tom off guard from the new voice, she pushed the man off of her and quickly made her way out of the office. She rubbed at her free wrist then fixed her hair to look presentable. Finally, she got to button up her jeans and buckle her belt. She never thought a belt would bring her even the tiniest spark of joy. Yet, in that moment the accessory did.

Watching her from the front desk was a tall man leaning against the counter. Yet, tall didn't even feel like an accurate description of this man's height. Taylor stood at a near six feet, and this man was even taller than her. If he grew a few more inches, he could be the jolly green giant.

Besides his huge stature, the man was very handsome. His brown hair was a bit long and swooped to the side of his face, revealing mesmerizing blue eyes that could make any person melt. His facial features were way more impressive than any other man she has seen during her short time in New York.

When the man locked eyes with her, Taylor almost froze. The blue eyes became piercing when they looked at her dead on. This man screamed intense, and made her feel guilty.

Guilty for what? She had no idea.

He doesn't smile as she comes up to the counter. Not even a slight twitch in the lips. Instead he stood up and crossed his arms. Taylor turned her attention to the counter. His stare was becoming too much for her, and the newly clean counter became more interesting.

"How can I help you?" She asked, her voice wavering slightly. Why was this guy so intimidating?

"I just need to check out this book," he replied and placed a book on the table. He slides it over toward Taylor more until he was sure the book was in her view.

Little Women.

Taylor raised an eyebrow at the choice and looked up at the man, "is this because of the latest movie version coming out? Want to be one of those people who actually read the book before the movie?"

The man chuckled. The upward twitch of his lips calmed Taylor's nerves slightly, but she was still wary of the man.

"No. Actually, I read it in middle school and fell in love with the story. It's been awhile since I last read it, so I thought it would be a good time to pick it back up," he replied.

Taylor grinned at the man, "makes sense. I do suggest going to see the movie when it comes out. Apparently you'll like this version of Any."

"Impossible."

"You'd be surprised."

Taylor opened the book and pulled out the library card that is stuffed on the inside. She swiped the card and turned to the computer to catch a look at the name.

Dallon Weekes.

"Dallon Weekes?" She asked and looked back at the man.

The man nodded before pulling out his wallet. He takes out a card and hands it over to the librarian. She took it and looked over the card. The card was a driver's license and confirmed his identity. She handed back the card and smiled.

"Thank you, but identification isn't required," she told him.

The man —Dallon— shrugged. Obviously not caring too much about the unneeded action. Taylor turns back to the book and scans it. She writes down the return date and slides the book, along with Dallon's library card tucked inside, back over to him.

Dallon takes it and holds the book in a tight grip as if he was frightened of losing the copy at an moment.

"Thank you ma'am," he said.

Taylor nodded, "no problem, Mr. Weekes."

Just as she was sure he would walk out and leave her along with sleazy Tom once again, the man leaned back against the counter and opened the book. He began to read.

Taylor cocked an eyebrow at her customer, 'why was this man still at the counter?'

She leaned forward and tapped Dallon's shoulder. He looked over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow at her.

"Yes?"

Taylor crossed her arms, "why are you still here?"

"Would you like to be stuck here with your emasculated coworker for the last thirty minutes?" He asked.

Taylor's eyes widened and her cheeks became a dark red shade. She looked down and rubs her fingers together. Shame filled up her body.

"How long were you here?" She mumbled.

Dallon smirked, "well, let's just say I heard you rip him a new one. I may have been cheering for you while I was looking for my book."

Her cheeked turned an ever darker red and buried her face in her hands. That was probably the most embarrassing thing she had ever head, and she had her fair of a couple of really bad dates. Somehow, they can't compare to this moment.

The man chuckled at her embarrassment, "it's fine. The bell didn't go off. Though, I do suggest staying up front like you're supposed to do on the clock instead of having a lousy fuck in the office."

Taylor groaned, "it was really lousy."

She then giggled as it starts to sink in. She just had the worst fuck of her life in her boss' office with her coworker who couldn't even last five minutes inside of her. Maybe that time in Allison Beard's backyard wasn't truly as bad as she thought it was. No, this was certainly taking the cake.

As soon as her giggling dies down, Taylor looked back up at Dallon and smiled, "well, I really appreciate you staying. I feel like things would have gotten hairy if we were alone again."

Dallon nodded, "no problem. I get it. I have had my bad experiences too, and the conversations after are not fun."

Taylor raised an eyebrow, "really? I'm sure the ladies never have a bad experience with someone as charming as you."

Dallon shrugged, "well, I wouldn't know. All my experiences have been with men."

Taylor's eyes widen, and she felt like an even bigger idiot than she did back in the office, "oh, I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have assumed..."

Dallon waved his hand, "no it's fine. Not a big deal. I'm just glad that was your reaction instead of the usual babble about going to hell and all that bullshit."

Taylor clicked her tongue, "well, that would be hypocritical of me."

Now it was Dallon's turn for his eyes to widen. His lips settled into a tiny grin and an eyebrow was raised, "bi?"

"Pansexual."

Taylor was pretty open with her sexuality thanks to her parents. She was blessed with understanding the parents the day she came out to them in her freshman year. They supported her future relationships with any gender she had dated in her high school and college years. The day she brought a girl home from college in her sophomore year, her mom was over the moon and her dad was an amazing and kind host.

Too bad her relationship with that girl ended the next week.

Taylor checked the time and saw it was nearly fifteen minutes before closing. She looked at the man and saw he was back to reading his book. Taylor tapped his shoulder again, feeling bad for interrupting him again. Yet, Dallon didn't seem to care when he looked back up at her.

"I am going to grab my jacket, and you can walk me out. I'm sure Tom can close the place up by himself." She said.

Dallon nodded, "I thought he said his name was Ben."

"Does it really matter?"

A few minutes later, Taylor walked out the door ten minutes early with Dallon right on her tail. It didn't annoy her though, instead she felt oddly comforted by his presence. Maybe it was due to the fact that he was the first man who hasn't tried to shove a hand up her skirt unlike the rest of the hormonal boys she has met in New York.

The two walked in silence, but it wasn't awkward. It felt nice to Taylor, and appropriate in the moment. She wasn't expecting a friendship or anything to bloom between the two of them tonight. After tonight, they would probably only see each other once in a while when Dallon stops by the library for another book. They'll probably make small talk, then Dallon will disappear for another few weeks. Acquaintances and nothing more.

Finally, the pair reached the bus stop. Taylor turned to her walk partner and grinned up at him.

"Well, thanks for the save back there," she said. She pulls her jacket tighter around herself.

Dallon nodded at her, "no problem. Glad I could be of service."

Taylor nodded and took a seat on the bench. Dallon leaned against the pole next to the bench and waited with her. The blonde was a bite relieved that he decided to stick around a bit longer. New York at night was not very friendly, and she would always get nervous when she walked by herself to the bus stop and waited alone.

A few minutes later, the buss pulled up to the stop. Taylor stood up and turned back to Dallon. She holds out her hand to him, which he takes without hesitation. The two share a firm shake.

"Have a safe trip home Taylor," Dallon said.

Taylor smiled, "you too Dallon."

Pulling back, Taylor turned away and climbed into the bus. She was ready to hide under the blankets for the rest of the night.

—

"1:00 am, and it's another quiet night. I went home this time due to my coworker threatening to kick my ass if I spend another night at the station. Stopped by the library after the work day was over and picked up an old favorite of mine. Seems like a good time to reread."