I look over in time to see her getting cuffed and all hell breaks loose. She’s kicking and screaming while two more cop cars show up to help.
“We’ll need you to come in for a statement,” Chief says.
“Be there soon,” I confirm and end the call.
I wrap my arms around Barbara and we watch as the two of them are taken into custody and the area is secured.
Chapter Seventeen
Barbie
Is it wrong that I’m a little disappointed that there’s no need for Shaw to be connected at my hip? I shove another fry from the diner into my mouth, thinking that after one night in bed with Shaw I’m ruined. I have no idea how I’ll ever sleep without him again.
Shaw takes some of the fries off his own plate and puts them onto mine. The diner has killer steak fries, so I don’t know how he can share; I wouldn't. He really is a hero right out of a book. I couldn't have written him better myself.
I pick up another French fry and dip this one in my strawberry shake.
“I can order more.” He turns to look for our server.
“No, I don’t need any more. I still got all these.” I motion to the giant pile he gave me. “Unless you need some.”
He lets out a deep chuckle. “I’m good with my burger.” He picks it up and takes a bite. “You want to stay at your place tonight?”
“Sure.” I shrug. I had a feeling that question would be coming.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine.” His eyebrows lift. It’s clear he doesn’t believe me. “Not fine. I’m great,” I try to correct myself because everyone knows “fine” is not okay.
“I promise Kayla is fine.” He tries to reassure me about what he thinks I might be upset about. I know she’s okay. She sent me a text telling me if I don’t see her, don’t send help. She’s done running from the giant man that looks like GI Joe.
“She texted me.”
Shaw tries to ask me something else, but I’m saved by Amelia, who starts asking five million questions looking for gossip about what’s going on with Missy. That blends into her telling me some about Joe and Kayla. It sounds like my best friend has found her match and I’m happy for her. Love is a wonderful thing. I’ve read thousands of stories about people falling in love and now I’ve gone and done it myself. But I don’t want only love; I want everything that comes with it.
Shaw pulls out his wallet and lays a few twenties on the table. He grabs my hand and I get up from the booth. I snag the last fry on my plate and give Amelia the best goodbye I can with a mouth full of food and Shaw trying to get out of there in a hurry.
“Are you okay?” Now it’s my turn to ask what’s wrong.
“I will be,” he clips back. I’m not sure his answer was much better than mine.
“Are we fighting?”
We shouldn't be. We should be happy. No one is trying to ruin my store and there’s no creepy man lurking about. For a small town there’s a lot of drama happening, but I suppose we need something to keep us entertained. Magnolia Springs is so much more than anyone would think from first glance. It’s another reason not to judge a book by its cover.
Shaw puts his key into the front door of the shop and we go inside. When the door locks behind us, I look around the store. Everything is back to how it should be with all the help we had.
“Ahh!” I scream when my feet leave the ground. Shaw tosses me over his shoulder and his hands slips up under my dress. “Shaw! What are you doing?” He walks through the back storage area and takes the steps to my place three at a time.
He puts me on my feet when we enter my place and kicks the door shut. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong now?” My nipples tighten from the look he’s giving me. His mood has shifted to dark and sexy, and to be honest, with the way he’s looking at me I can't recall what was bothering me.
“I don’t remember.”
His lips twitch. “Need me to help you remember?” In one quick move my dress is up over my head and on the floor. It dawns on me that when we’re here in my place we don’t have to be quiet. Shaw and I can be as loud as we want and no one can hear us.
“This isn't helping me remember anything,” I say as he goes for my bra next.
“You shut down on me when I asked about staying at your place tonight.” A flash of those feelings come back and he holds my chin. “There you go again, getting that look on your face.”
“I don’t want to sleep apart,” I blurt out. Might as well get it out there in the open because Shaw won’t rest until he knows.
“Who said anything about sleeping apart?” He lifts me off my feet and carries me to my bed. If we share it, I’ll have to practically sleep on top of him.
“There’s no reason for me to stay with you now,” I huff as he lays me on the bed and gets on top of me.
“I can think of thousands of reasons I want you to stay with me.”
“Really?” There have been a lot of words said in the heat of the moment, but I don’t know how much of those are transferred over to reality.
“I told you I was going to put a baby in you.”
Okay, so that wasn’t the heat of the moment.
His hand comes up and he brushes his fingers across my lips. “If something is bothering you, I don’t want you to hide it from me. Say it so I can fix it.”
“Okay,” I agree, because he’s right. Shaw is the type of man that would fix anything. “So we sleep together every night?”
“Here or my place until we find something that works for both of us.”
“So you’re staying in Magnolia Springs?” I know he’s here to help his mom, but I wasn’t sure if he had plans to make it permanent. He has a home back in the city with a whole life and a job.
“You’re here, I’m here. Easy as that.”
“You make it sound so simple.”
“Because it is. I love you, Barbara. We’ll get married and find a house that we can fill with children.”
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.