LITMIR.BIZ

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a home library, placing classic books like Pride and Prejudice along with framed photos on the shelves.

      A selection of handmade gift items, including scented candles and potpourri, were tucked in various nooks and crannies around the store.

      The Reader’s Place focused primarily on fiction, although she did carry some of the bestselling nonfiction titles, especially self-help books which were very popular with her customers.

      Serena made a mental note that she needed to update the display of mass market paperback bestsellers, and do something with an autumnal theme for the Weekly Spotlight otherwise known as a metal baker’s rack in its previous lifetime. It was also time to place her weekly book order with Ingram’s and to pull returns to make room before the rush of new holiday titles arrived.

      “Ah.” The moan of delight came from Kalinda as she sipped her drink. “Now I can face another day. Speaking of days, how did that Career Day thing go at the school?”

      “There was a Marine there.”

      “I thought you were speaking to fifth-graders.”

      “I was.”

      Kalinda frowned. “Aren’t they a little young to be recruited in the Marines?”

      “He wasn’t there to recruit them, he was there to talk about the Marine Corps.”

      “And judging from the expression on your face, you didn’t approve of the way he did that.”

      “He was incredibly arrogant and bossy. When I told him that, he claimed to be displaying confidence and leadership skills.”

      “Hang on a second.” Kalinda’s dark eyes widened. “Did you say you told him he was arrogant and bossy?”

      “Yes.”

      “And you lived to tell the tale?”

      “He knew better than to mess with me.”

      Kalinda grinned. “Oh, yeah, I can see how a lean mean Marine would be scared spitless by a bodacious bookseller like you.”

      “I was wearing my red dress.”

      “Oh, well, that’s different. You used your stealth weapon. Your sex appeal. You go, girl!” She gave Serena a high five.

      “I did not use my sex appeal.”

      “Why not? Was he a dog?”

      “No, he was extremely good-looking in a dark, brooding, sexy, gleam-of-wicked-humor, Adrian Paul kind of way.”

      “Adrian Paul!” Kalinda shrieked. “You found a guy who looks like Adrian Paul and you let him get away?”

      “He was bossy and arrogant.”

      “So? Those are fixable things.”

      “Not always.”

      “You’re thinking about your father, aren’t you?”

      Serena nodded. She hadn’t told her assistant much about her past, just that her father was ex-military and extremely controlling. Her parents now lived in Las Vegas and Serena didn’t see them very often.

      “I can understand about impossible fathers. Mine is still demanding that I only date Indian men.” Kalinda took another sip of her cappuccino. “Major bummer. Let’s change the subject. Did the new order of category romances come in yet?”

      “They arrived late yesterday afternoon after you left.”

      The rest of the day passed by quickly as it always did for Serena. A lot of her customers came in two or three times a week, allowing her to get to know them. She heard about their husband’s jobs, their kids schooling, their problems and their triumphs. She also heard which books they loved.

      Whenever a new customer arrived, Serena went out of her way to make them feel comfortable, in the hopes that they too would turn into a regular. Handselling was an important part of her job as she worked hard to unite readers with the books they were looking for, even if all she had to go on was, “It’s a mystery with a red cover.”

      She deliberately tried to keep the thought of her impending meeting with the new building owner out of her thoughts. But once five o’clock rolled around, she couldn’t help taking note of the time every few minutes.

      The storm promised by the threatening thunder earlier in the day had skirted them without raining. Which meant Serena would have to water the store’s window boxes today after all. She grabbed the plastic watering can and filled it with water from the washroom in the back. On Thursdays like today, she closed early, at five-thirty.

      The bell on the door signaled her departure into the steamy heat outside. The petunias looked as wilted as she felt. Think positive. Find the silver lining. Get chocolate…Hmm, she did have a secret stash in the storeroom….

      Turning, she bumped into a broad chest. “Sorry…” Her voice trailed off as she saw who was steadying her. Rad. Her pulse surged into overdrive, proving the point that her intense reaction to him the other day had not been a fluke. He wasn’t even wearing his impressive dress blues uniform today. His blue jeans fit him to perfection as did the dark blue polo shirt he wore. “What are you doing here?”

      “I came to talk to you.”

      “This isn’t the time.” She stepped away from him and held the watering can in front of her, as if it could protect her from the sex appeal he radiated. “I’m expecting someone any moment regarding an important business matter.”

      “I know. You’re expecting me.”

      Jeez, the man was arrogant. “No, I’m not.”

      “Yes, you are.” He followed her inside.

      “I’m expecting the new owner of this building.”

      “That’s right. That’s me.”

      “But you’re a Marine.”

      “Affirmative. A Marine with money. Not usual, I know. But I inherited a great deal of the green stuff from a Texas oil baron grandfather I barely knew.”

      She tried to make sense of what he was saying. “Why did you buy this building?”

      “Because it’s a good investment. And because I need your help.”

      “You bought the building because you need my help?”

      “Affirmative. But then I always have been the radical one in my family.”

      Okay, clearly she needed to close early today. She flipped the sign from Open to Closed even though it was only five twenty-five and the store normally stayed open that night until five-thirty. This wasn’t a conversation she could have in front of any customers. Luckily the store was empty and her assistant had already left for the day.

      Serena got right to the point. “What about my lease?”

      “I’ll be glad to renew it at the present terms…if you help me out.”

      “If I do what you want, you mean?”

      He nodded. “You help me and I’ll help you.”

      Serena could see where this was going. “Well, you can forget it. I will not have sex with you!”

      “Sex? Who said anything about sex? I don’t want a lover, I want a fiancée. Or more accurately, someone who’ll pretend to be my fiancée.”

      The mental light bulb finally went on. Serena had heard about the military’s position about sexual orientation—don’t ask, don’t tell. She nodded understandingly. “I get it. You’re gay.”

      “Gay?” Rad repeated incredulously. “I am not gay!” he growled before tugging her into his arms. The heat of his body permeated through the Indian cotton dress Serena wore. She was so close to him she could see the sherry-colored flecks in his brown eyes. Lowering his lips to just above hers,

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