Chapter 1

The weather was cold and wet, stepping over puddles, a young woman in skinny jeans and a green sweater, hurries down the sidewalk. Stopping in front of a glass door that read Book and Nooks, she giggles a ring of keys, sliding the correct one into the lock of the door. Opening the door, the shop keeper flips the open sign and turns the lights on. A set of cinnamon eyes adjust as the bulbs warm up. The storekeeper sets her goal to get the front desk ready for another day of business. Smiling she pull her mocha curls off her shoulders and twist a messy bun, pushing a pen in it to keep it up. Looking around the small bookstore the young lady gets ready for another day in Salem, Oregon.

Salem is a fun cooler place to be, having an average of about mid 80's, for the temperature. Sighing, Mia, the owner of Books and Nooks, watched as people walked by. College students enjoying their break from school, older couples waking hand in hand enjoying hot beverages on this cloudy day. Recently, Mia celebrated her twenty-third birthday, and not three months prior, did she graduate with her master's in business administration. Owning a vintage bookstore had been her dream since she was young.

She fell in love with books while she and her parents lived in Sweden. She would be lying if she said she could remember doing anything else other than reading and imaging other words that ink and paper would take her. Nothing was better than picking up an old dusty tome in some random, hole in the wall, they would come across. Never going a day without putting her nose in a book and being mesmerized with all the different fonts, and words, litter on the pages. Smelling the odd ink, and types of paper, books used to be made of always relaxed her when she and her family were on the go. The beautiful threaded scrolls were always there for her when she needed to just get her mind away from school and old memories.

Her parents, Aiden and Marylyn Norseman, could never seem to stay in one place for long. Always wanting to travel and investigate the history of everything and everywhere they could. School lessons were given in between traveling to their next destination. Books were the only thing that kept the loneliness at bay. You can't make friends when you don't stay but a few months at a time.

Now here she is with her own bookstore after being able to stay and learn what she needed to achieve her goal. Still in love with books just as much if not more now, she has collected for her own pleasure and now can share other copies with others who have the same love. Some the of editions she has in her store would make any Smithsonian jealous. Collectors have enough offered 4 times more than what the items are worth, and Mia just couldn't accept to be parted away from her collection. She put to many tears, miles and years to get her prized possessions. Finding the abandoned shop was a dream come true, taking a few years to save up, she was able to buy the small shop and start her "American dream".

Slamming of the front door brought Mia out of thoughts of the past. "Mia! What the hell are you doing? Spacing out? We have shit to do! Or did you freaking forget?" Flinching when the door hits the wall behind it, she smiles up at her neighbor. Isaac, her best friend, who works down the street, in his parents' café. Being loud and proud of who he was, you could never know what comes out of his mouth. He loves to joke and poke fun; his prick of an ego could get him in trouble, but he knew what he wanted. He always hands down drops what he would be doing to help others, no matter how stand offish he presents himself.

The first day of freshman year, Mia ran into the class running late and had bumped into Isaac's computer which was sitting off set of his desk. It had tipped to the floor, she had tried to catch it but by bending over, Mia's foot caught the changing cord, causing her to fall into his lap. With a face that put lavas heat to shame, she apologized, all the while Isaac laughs and jokes about how woman literally fell for him on sight. She just couldn't help but join in with the laughing. Connecting over there love of book and history they become the best friends you see on those sit coms, that show late at night, that are so stupid it was good.

"We have the festival tonight! Please tell me you did not forget. You promised to help me with our booth," grabbing onto her shoulders and shaking her. Smiling Mia pushing his hands off and beckons him to follow her to the back storage room. Between the getting new inventory and getting ready for the fall festival, Mia had been busy and was happy to unload some work she got done. Grabbing crates of supplies they load up the trunk of his beat up Civic. Sitting at the front counter drinking a cup of coffee from the café, they people watch, enjoying the stout taste of the coffee.

AS they drink their coffee, Isaac tells Mia how his date went the night before. Mia may love her best friend but did not agree with his play boy ways. He never stayed with anyone for too long. After a year of knowing him, she finally brought up why and he just said that he was waiting for the right one to come along and capture his heart. Mia always poked fun about him needing to find his "prince" charming. He would always snap at her about, atleast he had a sex life vlet alone a relationship. Don't get her wrong, she wasn't looking for "notches in her bed post" but she did get lonely from time to time, with finishing school, she now focus on other things other than assignments. Now with running the shop she hasn't really thought about dating. She always believed that everything happened for a reason, which if can suck but just another step in life. So here she was, twenty three, and a virgin. With her being the bookworm she had read plenty of romance and erotica. Just never had tehe chance to explore what shes read about. When she met aIsaac she thought he was cute but no spark or feeling came with meeting him. He was the "perfect" man by a model aspect. Light brown hair with sun kissed highlights, long enough to rest on his shoulders. Bright sky blue eyes that anyone would drown in. Light bronze tan adored his skin. Standing 5 foot and 9 inches tall, has a statue of a toned man, big but not bulged out. When he was not working at the café he was working construction outside with his guy friends. With that type of work not wonder he could pick up women, who wouldn't like to be grabbed and thrown over a man's shoulder?

Finishing up her warm beverage, Mia tosses her cup in the trash bin that sit under the counter. "Isaac, I have no idea how you haven't found someone who keeps you on your damn toes and your shit straight." "Babydoll, that is because they would have to deal with you being my best friend. My girl would have to understand that you are my best friend and that you are very important to me." Blushing, Mia laid her head down on his arm. Yep. Both of them were very close, so close many thought they were a couple.

Hearing the door open Mia straightens up, smiles and wishing a good morning to the customer who walks in. A little girl who seems so be about ten years old walks in. Adoring a pair of jeans, bright pink sweater and white boots. Her light green eyes widen as she looks at all the books, settle on Isaac and Mia. Slowly taking small steps as to not slip with her wet shoes, she lets the door close softly behind her. "Hey, kid whatcha need?" Not given the chance to ask, Isaac's loud month opens. Looking up at him she smiles and seems to be little nervous. "Umm… I was wondering if you had any fairy tail books," stuttering she barely whispers as a reply. Isaac laughs and walks around to squat down to her level. "I am sure curly cue can help you with that", as he points his thumb to Mia. "I'll let you help her out, I'll see you this evening," laughing he leaves the shop.

Lightly laughing Mia tells the girl to follow her up front and shows here the children's section. The young girl smiles brightly and rushes over looking at the spines of brightly colored books. Scrunching her nose after a few moments, she huffs and crosses her arms. Realizing something was wrong Mia askes the girl what was wrong. Throwing her hands up she begins to tell Mia about how she didn't want 'baby' books but books for older kids. Laughing loudly with that explanation, Mia grabs her hand and pulls her over to a selection to the side of the room. "These have a darker side to fairy tail stories but still appropriate for her age." Girls smile getting bigger and starts to jump causing her red curly hair to bounce. Peeking courteously at the books she stops at the bottom shelf and grabs a dark blue book. Loving to see a child enjoying books melts Mia's heart. Gesturing to check out, she rings up the book. After the girl pays for the book, its put into a paper bag. Reaching for the bag she opens her month to say something to only close it again before taking a deep breath, " thank you miss… I'm sorry I don't know your name!" With cheeks turning pink, the keeper reaches her hand out, "I'm Mia or curly cue as you heard my friend said earlier." Giggling the young girl reach to shake hands with the keeper, "I'm Ame."

But before she could finish the door to the shop opens and a low voice beats her to it. "Amelia!" A tall man steps into the store looking around, rushing over to Amelia, he picks her up and tugs her to his chest. "Don't ever run off like that again. This is a new town, you could get lost." Squeaking out a "sorry daddy but I saw this book store and couldn't help but come inside, reminds me of home." Realizing that he didn't notice Mia was standing there waiting to be noticed, clearing his throat, he looks at her and his breath hitches, all he sees is cinnamon, her eyes were beautiful.

Mia's heart jumps at the door slamming, poor thing is going to break one of these days. A tall man dressed in black dress pants and shoes, with a dark green button up, steps in looking around. His long black hair swings from its low at the nape of his neck ponytail. Grabbing the little girl he says her name and pulls her in for a hug. After she says something to him, he looks up and smiles.

His eyes, emerald green, dark and mysterious shadows blend in them. Even though they are dark, they bring a calming sense to her. Blushing she raises her hand to the gentleman, "hello, I'm Mia Norseman, welcome into Books and Nooks, its wonderful to meet you." Setting Amelia down he takes her hand, "good morning ma'am, name is Luka Blackburn, I apologize for rushing in here." Looking back to the girl, "but it seems my daughter too off without thinking." Said girl smiles and holds up her bag, "but I was able to get a new book for the new house." Facing Mia, "thank you, for helping her, we just moved here and still trying to get use to everything." Grabbing his daughters hand they both turn to leave, glancing back, "until next time Miss Norseman," they walk out with Amelia waving through the glass as her father takes the bag from her.

What the hell just happened? Mia watches aw they walk down the sidewalk. Glancing down at her hand, she cant help but to blush, the mans hand was so smooth and firm, but a soft touch. The way his name came out of his mouth was low and haunting. It was like when running water would drown out other sounds, it was sexy. Smacking her cheeks she yelps at the thought, shit maybe Isaac has rubbed off on her after all these years.