Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Kash
Watching Mila walk away, I catalog every movement she makes.
The way her hair bounces across her shoulders, teasing the open cuts in the back of her shirt.
I memorize how each step makes her ass bounce, sending another jolt of arousal through me.
Don’t even get me started on the way she smells.
Vanilla and brown sugar never made me hard before, but here we are.
Damn, I am a lucky man. I’ll definitely be calling out her name later. Mila. My Mila.
The drive back to the shop is awkward. Atlas seems pissed, Rhett is quiet, and Seth just seems annoyed, but me?
I’m happy as a clam. I got to hang out with my girl, well a little bit, and had a bar fight.
Didn’t really like that a guy was dancing with her, so even though I claim I was helping Atlas, which I was, I also couldn’t let it slide. No man touches what’s mine.
It doesn’t matter if Mila knows it, or if he knew, the fact remains the same: Mila is my girl.
Pulling into the shop, I turn and look at the guys, trying to keep the grin off my face. “Soooo... who had fun?”
I’m not put off by their groans and chorus of ‘shut ups.’ If anything, I was expecting it.
“I don’t think we’re ever getting invited back to girls’ night,” Rhett supplies dryly.
“Thank God,” Seth mutters, climbing out of the car.
Looking at Atlas, I see he’s still simmering in the front seat. “You need to lock this down with Cora.”
“Leave it be, Kash.”
“Atlas, man, you know I love you, brother, but seriously, this hot and cold is going to push her away. You can attract way more bees with honey than vinegar, you know?” I need him not to mess this up because then it’ll make it awkward when I go for Mila.
She’ll put up a fight if Atlas makes her friend mad.
“It’s fine, Kash. I have it handled.”
“Yeah. I can see that. Why don’t you try being nicer, or less grumpy? Find out what she likes and go from there.”
Sitting quietly in my SUV with him, I realize Rhett and Seth have already left. I’m tired, but I’m going to be here for Atlas. Not many people are. He tends to push people away.
“Do you think that’ll work?” he asks so softly that I almost miss it.
“Well, the alternative is cuffing her to you and getting to know her, while hoping she doesn’t go to the police,” I deadpan.
Huffing out a laugh, Atlas shakes his head, “I can’t tell whether you’re serious or joking sometimes, Kash.” He shoves the car door open and heads toward his car.
Giving myself a moment to think, I wonder if I’m kidding or not. If Mila refuses to accept the inevitable, I see no reason why I can’t cuff myself to her until she’s ready. I’m not usually one for bondage and tying people up, but suddenly I’m very interested in it. If it's with her, I want it all.
Waving goodbye to Atlas, I head straight home. I have a promise to keep.
Standing in front of Twin Roasts, I consider my options. I waited a day to go see Mila, and I think I’ve shown enough restraint. I sent a text to Cora, but she won’t give me her number. Rude little Care Bear.
Walking into their shop, I take in the decor and case of baked treats.
Pride fills my chest when I see the case is about half empty already.
I’ve got appointments for most of the evening, but I want Mila to know that I’m thinking of her.
I actually can’t get her out of my brain, and I’ve jerked off at least twice already.
It’s probably not healthy, but oh well. Nothing healthy ever tastes good, and I just know Mila will.
“Hi there.” I give the girl working the counter my biggest smile. “Is Mila around?”
Pausing for a moment, she sizes me up. Fortunately, it’s not Mara, or I would have been shut down right away. I have to play this right.
“I wanted to talk to her about placing an order for my business.”
Judging by the way she looks me up and down, I can tell that was a wrong answer.
“Please, I was told she was the person to talk to. Is she in?”
Finally, the girl nods her head, then gestures toward the kitchen door. “She’s prepping for the afternoon, but I can grab her for you.”
Joy fills me. “Thank you. Can I order a drink while I wait? Just a medium caramel cappuccino.”
“Iced or hot?”
“Surprise me,” I offer. I don’t really care either way; I just need something to hold onto, so I don’t reach across the table and grab her into my arms and kiss the daylights out of her. Control, Kash.
“Would you like any muffins or croissants to go with it?”
Looking at the display, I take in all the pastries and baked goods that still line the case. “Does Mila make all of these herself?”
“Yep. Mila makes everything from scratch. Always fresh.”
“What’s her favorite?” I ask, scanning the contents, telling myself not to buy it all.
“Mila’s? Probably the chocolate croissant or the lemon scone.”
Interesting. I’ve never been big on chocolate, but if Mila makes it, I’m eating it. “Let me get one of each. Please.”
She nods, giving me my total. I tap my card and make sure to leave a tip. My Mila works hard; she deserves it. The girl pops into the back and comes back out less than a minute later. “She’ll be out in a second. I’ll grab your drink and pastries.”
Nodding, I step off to the side. I quickly take in my appearance and make sure I look presentable. I don’t know why I suddenly feel nervous. Hair in place? Check. Decent outfit? Dark henley with jeans and boots. Check. I even brushed my teeth twice this morning.
Their employee puts my drink and bag on the counter. Stealing a glance at her name tag, I see her name. “Thank you, Joelle. I appreciate it.”
Nodding in response, she points to a table toward the back. “She usually meets with people ordering at that table. She should be out soon.”
As I head toward the area she gestured to, I take a sip of my drink and nearly groan.
Man, that is good coffee. It’s smooth and has just enough caramel taste without being too sweet.
Pulling out the chocolate croissant, I take a bite and now I do groan.
Holy shit, that is delicious. The pastry is warm, flakey and buttery, and the filling is rich. Suddenly, I’m a fan of chocolate.
“You want a minute alone with that?” a soft voice asks from behind me. I whirl around to see my Sunshine standing there, arms folded across her chest, and a smile on her face. She might be laughing at me, but I’ll still take it as me being the reason for her smile.
“Only if you’re there too. I have some ideas for this filling.” I’m not lying either.
Sighing, she shakes her head. “What are you doing here, Kash? I’m busy.”
“I want to place an order.”
“For what?”
“Well, I’m going to start with a dozen of these because they’re incredible, but what else do you suggest?”
“What do you need them for?” she asks, taking a seat across from me, putting her notebook on the table all business like.
“Me.”
Her light brown eyes meet mine, and she stares for a moment. “Be serious.”
“I am.” I’m not serious about much, but I’m serious about her. About us.
She levels me with a look of disbelief, then sighs. “Okay, Kash. What do you really want?”
“You.”
Mila sits for a moment, staring at me, then, much to my disappointment, she laughs. Well then.
“Kash, be serious. I met you like a day ago. I know how you operate. It’s not happening.”
“How I operate?” I repeat it back to her. Suddenly, I don’t think this is going to go okay. I’m a nice guy, really, I am, but I think Cora may have told her more about me than I realized. Darn it, Care Bear.
“Yeah. You hit on girls, sleep with them, then leave. Wham, bam, thank you ma’am. All that.” She waves her hand around dismissively.
I mean, she’s got me there, but that’s how I used to be. Mila just has to get to know me.
“I don’t do all that.” Anymore, my brain adds, but thankfully, I don’t say it out loud. “Why don’t you give me a chance? Let me take you out?”
She sits back in her chair but won’t make eye contact. “Please, Kash, I don’t know what your game is here, but I need you to leave.”
“But what about my order?”
“You don’t really want to order or buy anything; you just want me to go out with you.”
That’s not completely true. “I do want to order; going out with you would just be a bonus.” I give her my best smile, but it freezes when she frowns. Shit.
“Have a good one, Kash.” She stands from the table. “If you really need to order, you can talk to Cora. She’ll get it to me.” With that she turns and walks away, back to her kitchen, no doubt to overanalyze what just happened and escape from me.
My girl is scared, but that’s okay; I’ll just show her how in I am. She doesn't know me yet, or how persistent I can be when I want something.
Game on, Sunshine.