Bookstore princess

Chapter 40

Nadia

That night after getting home, and having fast food on the way, James and I took quick showers before going to bed. I burned, he tanned, the jerk. He rubbed me down with aloe vera and gave me extra kisses before we climbed into bed. I just put on an old t-shirt and granny panties, but the way he watched me so hungrily, I couldn't help but feel good about myself. He just wore his boxers and we didn't bother with a blanket tonight. The heat from the dogs and cats was enough to make us feel like we were overheating.
In the morning we had to be quick about getting ready and packed as soon as we got up. I had a meeting with Jacob and Jenny at the store, and we were also going over the new hires who were coming in and I'm not sure, but I think they might be waiting for us there.
Mom had breakfast ready, and we enjoyed our meal before I had to say goodbye for now to her and all the pets that I miss so dearly. It's hardest to leave Daisy, since she's my dog. Maybe once I move in with James he will let me bring her. I picked up Melody and we headed home. The hour drive seemed short with me dozing with a bit of a hang over as we went. Melody was perfectly fine in the back seat with all the luggage. I'm dressed down in a spaghetti strap shirt, strapless bra, and jean shorts because I don't want to hurt the burn anymore than it already is. He parked in front of the store which looks brand new, and has no hint of graffiti on it. It's beautiful.
Inside I see there are a few more people than just Jenny and Jacob and I walk in the front door. Jenny is in Potions already with my favorite cup and James's cup. She's made us iced coffee, bless her.
"Welcome back!" Maria gets up from her seat and comes over to give me a hug that I return.
"Thank you for all the help at the hospital" I flushed.
"It's not a problem. James was beside himself" she gives a sly look at James and his cheeks turn slightly pink. "Looks like you're still on the mend" she looks pointedly at the gauze on my shoulder.
"It's gonna leave a nice scar. I might get a tattoo around it to remind me to not take every day for granted" I say as Jenny comes over.
"Welcome home buddy, how's the hangover?" she asks with an impish smirk on her face.
"Not as bad as I thought it would be, I'm just tired" I admit.
"Now that you're done getting your coffee, get over here and we can start the staff meeting. Nadia, this is Jeremy and his wife Kate who are going to work in the bookstore on cash and restocking. Kate also knows her way around a coffee shop so she will also help out in potions" Jacob introduces.
"They're my cousins," James says from beside me. Jeremy is tall with sandy brown hair and azure blue eyes. He's muscular, and looks more like a warrior than he does a bookstore clerk. But I have an idea that James is placing extra security into the building without me asking. Kate standing beside him is a little chubby with a kind smile and long brown hair. Her eyes are a dark brown with little golden flecks in them, that really draws you in. She looks gorgeous and it's obvious they make a good couple with the way he's holding her hand and smiling at her like she lights up the room. I couldn't help but think she's the queen of his heart. Much like James is the king of mine.
"It's lovely to meet you" I tell them and shake their hands. "Thank you for joining the team" I tell them.
"I've always wanted to work in a book store, this was a no brainer to apply" Kate says, and I can tell we are going to be friends.
"I go where she goes," Jeremy says after a small beat. "Besides, this seems peaceful compared to my last job" he grins and looks at James who nods.
"Come on, let's get seated. Your shoulder looks like it's starting to hurt again. You didn't do your exercises this morning" James says as he sets Melody down on the floor. He's right, it is getting a bit tense. James leads me to the corner booth and waits for me to sit down in the corner before he takes the seat beside me on the outside in a protective stance. I take a sip of my coffee while everyone else sits down.
Jacob starts listing off the schedules for the week and I notice my name isn't on there.
"Nope, I'm working" I tell him with some sass.
"Fine, but not all day. Strictly from nine to five, and no more sass from you. Saturday's you only work morning shift" Jacob starts typing out on his laptop. "The plan is to have enough staff and eventually we can have weekends off."
"I'm not against that" I say, with a victorious grin.
"If we hire two more people we can get away with weekends off, but this is a test" Jenny says.
"We need to know if we can manage employees properly, and if we have enough business for it. We've been closed for a month, and that's hit us hard" Jacob adds quickly.

James

The meeting lasts just over an hour, and both Kate and Jeremy are starting training tomorrow to get used to how things work. Jenny posted online the grand reopening of the store on their social media pages, and Jacob went to make sure that everything was as it should be in the store. Maria said she would be in, in the morning as well for her shift at Potions. While we are sitting, Nadia does her shoulder exercises that she can, and I can't help but think I'm going to give her a real workout later. She seems so innocent to my thoughts, but that will change once I change her. She will be able to go into my mind, just like I will be able to into hers. Mainly the telepathic link and what not. I've heard of the extraordinary things that the mate bond does, I just have my own doubts. Both Jeremy and Sam have explained it to me, but I'd rather find out on my own.
Jeremy is one of my top warriors, and had been on Nadia's protection detail in the evenings when I wasn't there. I regretted not having him there the night the rogues tried to take my mate. He's upset with himself that he was with Kate and their two kids that night instead of protecting us. I told him not to worry about it, but I trust him to watch her from the inside. Once I go back to work, he will be here working full time to make sure things are fine, then Sam and a few choice members of the pack will be watching at night. We aren't leaving anything to chance. I was going to ask Sam to work in the store, but he helps with the pack business quite a bit, and I can't take him away from that.
Steve texted me a few times this morning and I haven't checked it yet. I'm enjoying my time with my mate. She looks delicious in the jean shorts and tank top, and I want to lick every part I do see and especially what I can't see.
My phone buzzes again, and everyone is still talking. I pull it out of my pocket, trying to stay invested in the conversation.

Steve: Jerk
Steve: Are you marking her tonight?
Steve: Did you mark her already?
Steve: You're awfully quiet
Steve: The pack is doing great and a few have found jobs. I think you had something to do with that.
Steve: You big old softy
Steve: I'm bored in this hotel room, update me already.
Steve: I can see you at the bookstore, so you can't tell me you're out of the service area.

I huff, and type out a simple response.

James: Soon

I look at my mate and she's looking concerned, maybe she thought I had to leave for pack business. I give her a reassuring smile and turn my phone over to her to see the text messages. She barely muffles a giggle and hands me back my phone and I set it down face down on the table.
"Anything you want to share with the class?" Jacob teases.
"Just my brother being annoying" I tell him.
"Well, that wraps it up anyways. We know the schedules, and we will be prepared to start ordering again next week. I don't think we will be too busy for the next few weeks until we get on our feet again" Jacob replies. I grin, because I've already sent out an allowance to the entire pack to come to the bookstore and get a few books and a drink each. They will be ordering books sooner than he thinks, because we have quite a few avid readers in the pack itself.
"We will see" Jeremy grins, already knowing what's coming. "I'll come in with Kate early. We have a babysitter while we are working, just to get a better lay of the land."
"Oh that's a great idea! I love you" Kate bounces and kisses Jeremy's cheek. He holds her close and I can tell he's sniffing her hair.
"We better get going, but first, one more coffee for the road" Jenny grabs all the cups and goes to make more coffees for everyone. I lean over to Nadia and kiss her temple, breathing in her scent.
"You're going to need the extra energy" I murmured into her ear and her face goes red and she turns to smile at me and I feel like the luckiest man alive.
"More like you'll need the energy" she giggles softly.
"Is that so?" I ask, wiggling my eyebrows.
"I've done my waiting" she said a little more firmly and I chuckled and kissed her again for good measure.
"I don't think we want to know" Jacob scrunches his nose looking at us.
"Let's keep it that way" Nadia says with some sass.