Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
I tug my Carhartt jacket closer to me as I jump out of my truck. My work boots land in a river of water and I grunt as I slam my door closed. I look around and see the light just down the sidewalk for the small bookstore.
Mom told me last night the ladies in Knit Happens were scandalized by the all-romance shop that popped up last month. As soon as the door closed on the last visitor, my mom made me look up the address and then proceeded to give me a list of books to grab. I stuffed it in my coat pocket, and as I get closer to the store I reach in to make sure it’s still there.
I push through the door and a bell chimes above it. The warmth and the smell of coffee hits me first and I'm surprised how nice it feels. It’s probably just because it’s so cold and rainy out, but if I have to be here, at least it smells good.
I push my hood back and see a few people milling around. There’s someone at a table with a laptop and a couple of people drinking coffee on a loveseat near the painted window. I see two people at the end of an aisle, but all I can make out is a thin guy and part of the woman he’s blocking from my view. There’s another woman in the back with a young child who is picking out books, and I glance back at the door to make sure I’ve got the right place.
They sell kids’ books here too? Weird.
Taking the list out of my pocket, I glance at it for the first time and inwardly groan. These can’t be real names of actual books she wants. I sigh and run a hand over my face and beard. Drops of water from the rain run off and fall to the floor, and I close my eyes as I remind myself my mother is sick and she doesn’t ask for much.
I look around and don’t see anyone who can help me locate the books, and I’m honestly not sure I’d ask for it at this point. There are small baskets at the end of each aisle and above them are labels with different genres. I realize that’s how the books are categorized, so I grab a basket and walk across the room. The first shelf is labeled BDSM and I try not to cringe as I make my way slowly down the rows of books.
To my shock and horror the book my mother requested is sitting there in all its glossy glory and I grab it up.
It’s not that I’m against this kind of stuff, it’s just thinking of my mom being into it is more than I can take. Hell, I might actually like bending a big round ass over my thigh and watching it turn pink. I’m big myself, so I’d need a solid woman to play with, and damn if the thought doesn’t get me a little warm.
“Fuck.” I shake every part of that fantasy away as I toss the book in my basket and go back to the list.
There’s another on this aisle she wants and I find that before moving to the historicals. Once there I have a hard time finding the right one, and I have to get down on one knee to look at the bottom shelf.
When I do I see the man and woman I noticed when I first walked in are in the aisle across from me. I can only see their calves at this level, but I can hear their hushed talking.
“So how long have you worked here again?” the man asks, and there’s a cocky tone in his voice like he already knows the answer.
“Actually, I’m the owner.” The woman’s voice is soft but there’s a hint of pride in it.
“Oh, that’s great.” Before she can respond he keeps on talking. “Listen, you’ve been so great about helping me find what I was looking for, let me take you out to dinner.”
“Um—”
Once again the guy keeps talking like he’s less interested in what she has to say and he’s just ready to hear himself speak.
“Let’s say Friday night. I can pick you up here. What time do you close?”
“It’s kind of late.” Her sweet voice is so soft, but if I’m not mistaken I hear her hesitate. “I’m not sure if—”
“You don’t even know your own store hours? The name Barbie really does suit you.” He chuckles and my hackles begin to rise.
I grab the book I was searching for and abandon the rest of the list when I see the pair of legs walking toward the front of the store.
I get up from my crouched position, grab my basket and walk to the checkout. I can’t see the woman behind the counter because the man is blocking my view. But I move in close enough to hear what they’re saying.