That’s a whole lot to take in, but all of it sounds like I’ve found my happily ever after. Right now, though, I’m hung up on one thing.
“You love me?” I want to hear him say it again.
“How could I not love you? It’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”
“I love you too.” My eyes fill with tears and I swear this bookstore is filled with magic or something.
Shaw closes his eyes, savoring my words. “I need you,” he groans as he starts pulling at his clothes.
My hands are everywhere, desperate to touch him. He reaches between us and in one hard tug he’s got my panties on the floor.
He undoes his belt and pushes his pants down only enough to free himself. “I need to get you ready,” he says under his breath. I think he’s talking more to himself as his fingers slip between us. I let out a small moan when they brush my clit. “Already soaked and ready for me.” I’m already so turned on right now because he told me he loves me.
He pushes inside and I wrap my arms around him, lifting my hips. “Take me,” I encourage him as his eyes lock with mine.
“I’m going to do more than take you. I’m claiming you, Barbara. You’re mine now.”
He thrusts all the way inside of me, pinning me to the bed for a moment. Then he starts to thrust in and out in hard pumps. He wants to get as deep inside of me as he can and I gasp at a few of his thrusts. It’s a sweet mixture of pleasure and something else I don’t have a name for. I can’t call it “pain” because this is the furthest thing from it.
I dig my nails into his back as my orgasm builds. “Shaw,” I moan, and the bed bangs against the wall, over and over.
“Give it to me,” he orders. “It belongs to me and I want it. Cum for me.” I cry out as the orgasm takes me over the edge.
Shaw holds me close as he keeps on thrusting in and out. He jerks, his warm release spilling inside of me, and my eyes sting with tears. I’ve never felt so happy.
“And you think I’d ever spend a night away from this?” I slowly open my eyes. “I love you and nothing will ever keep me from you.”
“I love you so much too.” I pull him down for a kiss and it’s hot and possessive.
I came to Magnolia Springs thinking I’d lost the last of my family. Little did I know I’d be finding a new one.
Epilogue
Shaw
One week later…
“Hey, what are you doing here so early?” Barbara comes around from the other side of the counter and gives me a kiss.
“I’m happy to see you too.” I smile at her and steal another quick one before I glance around the store. “Can you close up a few minutes early?”
“Yeah, I think so. My last customer just left right before you walked in and it’s only about twenty minutes early.”
“Perfect.” I pull her close to me and kiss her one more time before I let her go.
She giggles as she goes back to the register and closes it down. “What’s gotten into you? You seem excited.”
“I am,” I say, bouncing on my toes a little.
“Something tells me you’ve got something up your sleeve.” She narrows her eyes at me as she grabs her bag.
“Did Mom come by the store today?” I try not so smoothly to change the subject and she lets me.
“She did. She picked up a few books and took a look at the empty store next door. I guess Missy didn’t actually own the building and just leased it. The company who owns it came in today and cleaned it out.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah, it was kind of sad. But then I remembered what a witch she was and I’m glad it’s gone.”
Missy pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated harassment and a few other misdemeanors. She was sentenced to a couple hundred hours of community service and three years’ probation. The second she left the courtroom she packed up all her stuff and skipped town. Last my mom heard she was living three states over and starting up a bakery. Some people never learn; I’m just glad she’s doing it away from my woman.
“So why are you asking me to close shop early?” Barbara comes up to me and I take her hand as we walk outside and she locks up.
“I have a surprise for you.”
“I like your surprises.” She wiggles her eyebrows and I can’t help but laugh.
“I want you to put this on.” I hold out the blindfold and her eyes light up.
“Kinky.”
“I’ll remember you said that.”
She turns around and I tie the blindfold in place and then swat her ass playfully and she squeals.