Bookstore Barbie: Magnolia Ridge Series Read online

  Bookstore Barbie

  Magnolia Ridge Series

  Alexa Riley

  Contents

  Bookstore Barbie

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Epilogue

  Epilogue

  General Joe

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Cozy

  Chapter 1

  Read Me Romance

  Stalk the Author

  Copyright © 2020 by Author Alexa Riley LLC. All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, email to [email protected]

  http://alexariley.com/

  Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

  Edited by Aquila Editing

  Bookstore Barbie

  All Barbie ever wanted was to own a store filled with romance books. After an unexpected windfall she’s finally got her own place, but some people in town have been less than welcoming. That’s until one dark and stormy night a man that might as well have come straight out of the pages of her dirty books comes to her rescue.

  Shaw has relocated from his business in the city to Magnolia Springs to help his mom. He runs her errands and helps her with anything else she needs, but he’s less than thrilled about picking up her list of romance books. When he walks into the store, he’s blindsided by a damsel in distress and is ready to take charge.

  Warning: This has all the accessories a girl can dream of! Dirty books, thrilling suspense, a sassy bestie, and a whole lot of steam! Come play with us… We won’t let you down!

  To my dad…

  For always making the time to play Barbies with me.

  I love you.

  Chapter One

  Barbie

  I run my finger across the spines of the books as I walk down the aisles of my little bookstore, Twice Read Tales. I love this place. It’s the first thing I’ve ever been able to call my own, thanks to a grandmother I never knew. She helped me break from the bnds of my old life and now I’m able to start over. I have a chance to make my own story and for the past two months I’ve been open, the excitement still bubbles in my chest.

  Too bad everyone else around here isn't feeling the same enthusiasm I am. I’m trying not to worry, but I think I might have to shake something up around here if I want to keep this place going.

  When I hear the bell over the front door I rush toward the entrance of my store, but I stop running when I hear Kayla’s voice.

  “I’ve got the perfect plan!” I turn at the end of the aisles to see her carrying a coffee machine. Her blond hair is streaked with pink today, which she must have done last night. I never know what color it will be each time I see her, but I like the constant surprise.

  “Free coffee will most definitely bring some booties up in here.” She shakes the fancy-looking machine in her hands like I’m not seeing it.

  “Where did you get that?” I don’t even know how to use that thing and it looks expensive.

  “Don’t worry about that.” When I raise my eyebrow, she nods toward the front checkout area. “Clear a spot.”

  “Maybe you should take it back.” The longer I stare at the thing, the more expensive it looks. That thing is way out of my budget and if she took it from someone they’re going to notice.

  “My arms are going to give!”

  I shove over the paper on my desk and knock a few of my notepads to the floor. When I bend down to pick them up, my glasses fall off my face. Before I can stop her, Kayla’s black combat boot crunches down on them and I hear something break as she roughly deposits the coffee maker onto the desk.

  I don’t know if my glasses or the coffee maker are going to make it.

  “What did I step on?” She lifts her foot off my glasses and I pick them up, holding the pieces of what’s left in each hand. “I can fix it.” She takes them from me and I shake my head.

  “I have another pair upstairs.”

  “It’s fine. I’ve totally got it.” She moves behind my desk, where she starts opening all the drawers.

  I’d run upstairs to my place and grab my backup pair but I’m scared to leave Kayla alone in the store. I’d come back to a pile of rubble with all the bookcases dumped over.

  “So listen, this machine is really easy. You just put these pod things in and bam. Coffee.”

  “I can’t even get people in here to tell them about the coffee,” I point out.

  “I’ve got a plan for that too.” She drops her backpack on the floor as she pulls tape out from my desk.

  “You’re not taping those.” I try and grab them from her but she’s faster than me. “I already look like a dork. I do not need tape on my glasses to add to the effect.”

  “You’re not a dork. You’re wholesome.”

  “Is that a step up from homely?”

  “No, you’re adorable.” She starts wrapping my glasses in tape and piecing them back together.

  I don’t want to have the same argument with her about how adorable isn't going to get me a man. Even covered in paint she always looks good without trying.

  “Good as new.” She turns my glasses over to look at them. “I think it gives them style.” She smiles brightly as she passes them over to me.

  “Thanks.” I put them back on, knowing I’ll get my others later and these can hold me over for now.

  Romeo jumps up on the counter to inspect what’s going on. I don’t know who the cat belonged to before, but apparently he came with the building.

  “I’m going to repaint the front window. The grand opening is over, so it needs something new.” She opens her backpack to show me she’s brought her supplies.

  “Did you steal this from your dad’s house?” I go back to the coffee machine, thinking it may not be the worst idea.

  “He won’t notice.” She shrugs. Kayla might be a walking catastrophe, but she’s beautiful in a hipster-artsy way.

  “What if free coffee isn’t enough?” My shoulders drop. If only it was that easy.

  “People love free shit.”

  “I’m not sure Missy will love that I’m giving away free coffee.” I point to the coffee shop next door. I’m not one for coffee, but they do have killer brownies over there—not that I get to eat them anymore.

  “She’s a bitch.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to agree because she is a mega bitch. “I think she’s just pissed you called her out.”

  “I wasn't trying to say she didn’t make the brownies!” All I said was that I was impressed with how fast she cooked them. She rolled in next door at the coffee shop a few minutes before opening and always had her food ready to go. I’d get there seconds after her to grab something to eat and it was all there. I was impressed because I’
m a snail in the mornings. I thought I was complimenting her, but she didn’t take it that way.

  Now I’ve been banned from next door. Banned. I’ve never been banned from anything in my whole life. I’m pretty sure she’s telling people to not come to my store either. I’m starting to learn she’s the queen bee of gossip here in Magnolia Springs.

  I didn't know about all these politics and small-town antics until after I opened my bookstore. I didn't think being so close to a big city there would be this kind of behavior, but I was wrong. So far, Kayla is the only friend I’ve made here.

  Everyone else is nice enough but never overly friendly. I’ve ruffled some feathers with my bookstore because I only sell romance books. There’s a small children's section in the back but those books aren’t for sale. Those I have marked as a lending library for children to check out and return on good faith.

  “I’ve been thinking about Little-Miss-Stick-Up-Her-Ass. I think we should do a stakeout and let everyone in town know she doesn't bake shit.” Again she glares at the wall that connects our two buildings. She's more worked up than normal about Missy.

  “Is there something you want to tell me?” I drop the notepads on my desk as I try to move the coffee machine over. I’m still going to have to think of a way to get Kayla to take it back because I don’t want to cause more problems.

  “She’s telling people you’ve got books in here that should be burned.” Kayla rolls her eyes. “I think she needs a good dicking.”

  I let out a bark of laughter and my hand flies over my mouth to try and muffle it.

  This isn't the first time I’ve heard people talk crap on romance. I have no shame in the books I love and people can think whatever they want. I know what a good love story can do for your soul and one day I hope to find my own. Until then I’ll live through the pages of my books.

  “I think she needs a good book,” I counter.

  Missy gets a lot of dicking from what I can tell. What I don’t think she gets is a lot of love. It makes it hard for me to stay mad at her when I feel sorry for her, not that I’m one to talk. It’s not like my love life is blowing up outside the pages.

  “So are we setting this up?” Kayla taps the coffee machine. “It can make hot chocolate too.” She wiggles her eyebrows because she knows she’s going straight for my weakness. It’s not like things can get worse with Missy if she is already saying my books should be burned.

  “Fine. I’ll set up the coffee machine, and you paint the window.”

  “Deal.” She grabs her backpack and pets Romeo on the head before going to the front of the store. I watch as she pops in her headphones and gets to work. I can’t wait to see what new exciting art she’s going to craft.

  I grab an empty table from the back of the store and bring it up front. It doesn’t take long to set up the machine, but I’ll need to buy some supplies for it. Just as I’m making a mental list, I hear the bell over the door sound.

  In my heart I hope it’s the first of many new customers to come.

  Chapter Two

  Shaw

  It’s cold and rainy today, which is exactly why my mom requested a book. I have no doubts I could send one of her nurses, but that’s not their job. I don’t really think it’s mine either, but it’s something I can do for her, so I make the trip.

  I’ve been in Magnolia Springs for about two months—ever since my mom got sick. I was working in the city and would come visit her on the weekends, but when her health started to decline I knew I needed to be closer. Thankfully my job as an electrician allows me to work wherever I want. I own a big company I built from the ground up and they still operate in the city without me on site. I check in and add projects, but mostly it runs on its own. I’ve taken a couple of odd jobs here in Magnolia Springs to keep busy. Otherwise my mom will keep trying to marry me off to any female who walks in the door. This includes the ladies from her senior center knitting group, Knit Happens.

  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.

  “That will be nine dollars, please,” the woman says, and I can tell her cheerfulness is forced without even looking at her.

  “You really know your way around that fetish section, Barbie. Tell me, do you like to play?”

  His voice is like a snake across my skin so I can only imagine what he’s doing to her. I have to bite my tongue and remind myself that this isn’t my business and I need to stay out of it.

  “I make it my job to read the books I have here in my shop so that I can help people find what they’re looking for. That one in particular you asked for is nine dollars.” Her answer is a little more stern and a silence passes as she clearly waits for him to pay.

  “Sure, sure.” The guy pulls out his wallet and fans it open to make a show of all the cash he has inside. I roll my eyes and shift as I try to see around him and get a look at the woman. He moves to block me again and I’m irritated. “How about on Friday we close up shop together and you show me around this place in the dark?”

  This motherfucker is not taking a hint and I’ve had about enough of it.

  “I…um, well it’s just that—”

  “Hey, Barbie,” I find myself saying as I push my way up the counter beside the snake. She’s stunned silent for half a second as she looks up at me, but I wink at her so the guy can’t see.

  The curvy brunette is a goddamn bombshell with warm brown eyes and dimples in her cheeks. When she quirks her dark red lips at me, I feel my knees get a little weak. Now it’s me who’s stunned and I have to clear my throat.