Page 342 of Hate Mates

“I did notice that, yep.”

“If I’m being honest, I don’t need all this space for my bookstore.” She paused, gathering up some courage to say what was on her mind at that moment. “We could maybe…share it?”

Asher’s eyes widened, and he squeezed her ass before kissing her jaw. “You mean that, Freckles? You’re not just saying that because I made you come three times?”

She narrowed her eyes at him, but it didn’t last long. “Of course not!” she scoffed. “I’m telling the truth when I say I don’t need all this space, and I know you’ve been looking for a place for your whatever it is as long as I have.”

“Speakeasy.”

“Huh?”

“I want to open a speakeasy. A bar that specializes in high quality, expensive liquor from around the world. And splitting this place in two would be perfect.” He looked around the room they were in. “You could have your bookstore at the front here, with the entrance on Main Street, and I could put the speakeasy at the back, with the entrance behind the building. That would work much better anyway, so the entrance would be a little more discreet.”

Paige could see it. They could put a secret entrance between the two businesses for them and their staff to move in between, so if she wanted to have a drink and hang out with Asher after she closed the bookstore she could simply go through the connecting door. “I like that idea.”

She was rewarded with an enthusiastic kiss. “If you really mean it…”

Pressing her lips to his cheek, she smiled. “I really mean it, Asher Stone. I’ll share my store space with you on one condition.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

Pulling back far enough to see him, she framed his face with her hands. “I’ll share with you, as long as you promise to continue sharing this amazing dick of yours with me. But only me.”

“Sounds like you’ve got a deal, Freckles.”

She kissed him once more, then gingerly rose up off his cock and stood. Muscles she didn’t even know existed were hurting, but it was a good hurt and she couldn’t wait to have more fantastic sex with Asher fucking Stone in as many places and positions as she could think of.

Chapter Four

FOUR YEARS LATER

Paige sat on a stool in the corner of her bookstore and watched her husband fondly as he read a story to about a dozen young children, all of whom sat on the large, soft rectangular rug she’d put there for that very purpose. Not only did he do the voices of the characters in turn, but Asher also re-enacted many of the scenes, making the children laugh and clap their hands, their enjoyment of story time obvious.

They did story time for the children twice weekly, and parents from neighboring towns brought their kids along after word got out, thanks to Paige’s efforts on social media to promote her store. When the book was nearly done, she heaved herself up, rubbing her rounded belly gently.

She was six months pregnant with a little girl, and both she and Asher couldn’t wait to meet their daughter. They’d enjoyed being married for a couple of years before they’d decided to expand their family, and getting their businesses off the ground had been no mean feat.

Fortunately, both businesses were booming. Between customers who came into the store, those who bought online, and the authors she’d enticed to do in-store signings,Turn thePaigewas doing very well. Her husband’s speakeasy,Stone, also didn’t want for customers. After being featured in a travel magazine available nationwide as one of the best bars in the country,Stonehad been inundated with fine liquor aficionados and groups wanting to hold bachelor and birthday parties from all over America. Christmas was a particularly busy time of year, with plenty of work parties and groups wanting to celebrate the holiday season enjoying top-shelf liquor and the tasty bite-size appetizers the bar paired with the drinks.

Paige was so proud of Asher. He’d worked hard, got himself a good team of people to work for him, and now everything was paying off. He’d be able to take some time off once the baby was born and felt comfortable handing over the day-to-day running of the bar to his staff. She’d done the same, recruiting a couple of women who were as enthusiastic about books as she was to help in the bookstore, and now they’d run it while she was on maternity leave. She’d recently hired a third person to help in her absence, so between them the bookstore would be fine.

She watched as Asher gave each child a high five or a hug, depending on what they wanted. Once they all drifted off to their parents, he came over to where she stood, wrapping an arm around her. His free hand came up to rest on her belly, rubbing it gently. “How’re my girls?”

Paige kissed him softly. “We’re fine, Daddy. I think she’s asleep and I’m ready to join her.”

“You want to go home and take a nap?” She could see the worry reflected in his gorgeous blue eyes, ones she was lucky enough to wake up to every morning.

“I’m fine, Ash. Really. I could use a drink though.”

“Ah. As it turns out, there’s a great bar behind the bookstore.” He held his arm out to her. “Care to accompany me there?”

She grinned. “I’d love to.” Signaling one of her staff, she indicated she was going to the bar and would be back soon.

They went over to the door hidden in the wall and pushed it open. Asher had painted the entire back wall to look like a zoo, full of animals you’d typically find in one, as Paige had chosen to put the children’s section there so there was plenty of space for kids to read and listen to stories. She followed him through to the bar, and he made sure to settle her in one of the VIP booths before heading behind the long bar to fix them some drinks.

Paige loved the aesthetic. The main color scheme was red and black with gold accents. The tables and bar were made from black oak, the comfortable seats and booth red leather. The tables and bar were trimmed in gold, and all the light fixtures were made of the same metal. Asher had spent a lot of time researching the best quality materials and furnishings, and together they’d set up both businesses with decisions they’d made together.

She’d loved that. And, as it had turned out, she’d also come to realize she loved the man himself. It hadn’t taken long for them to move in together, and they’d married in a small ceremony in town under the large Christmas tree that appeared on December 1st every year with the entire town in attendance. Being Mrs. Asher Stone was no hardship, and becoming parents was something they were both looking forward to more than they could express in words.

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