Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Mila
Itruly have no idea how I ended up here.
Dropping a bag onto the floor of the spare bedroom in Kash’s apartment, I’m left wondering what I did in my previous life to get this kind of luck.
I thought for sure that I had the right piece for the sink, but according to Dad’s plumber, Shawn, the washer was missing from it, so it caused a leak to start out slow and then it just came apart.
There was a bit of water from the sink, but the worst part was from the dishwasher.
I made the mistake of starting a load and leaving, thinking it’d be fine.
Cora came over to talk about wedding stuff, and then I went to my parents' house for a while. Lesson learned there. I don’t remember ever having an issue with it, though.
Somehow, one of the hoses detached itself and spewed water everywhere.
Sadly, the hardwood floors are soaked, and now they have to be dried out and replaced.
I’m just hoping it didn’t ruin the cabinetry.
I take a deep breath and look around my temporary new home.
Mara said I could stay with her, but she only has one bedroom, and I refuse to sleep on the couch.
Shawn said it could take a month to fix it all, and that is just not happening.
I also don’t want to bother Cora or my parents, so it looks like I’m stuck here. With Kash.
Cora promised he’d be on his best behavior, and that he is at the shop a lot. With my early schedule and his late one, we probably won’t see each other much anyways. I ignore the way it makes me feel disappointed.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay here?” Cora asks. Her and Atlas gave up their Saturday to help me bring some stuff over.
“Yeah. It’ll be okay. It’s only temporary.” I give her my most positive smile.
“Kash swears he’s going to behave.”
“Does he know how to behave?”
Sighing, Cora shakes her head. “I really don’t know, but Atlas seems to have faith in him, so I have to trust that. Does he make you uncomfortable, Mila? You can tell me.”
“No,” I quickly rush out. Kash does make me feel things, but uncomfortable is not one of them. I refuse to examine what the other things are just yet.
“Okay. If you’re sure.”
“Yep. I’ll be fine. It’s temporary anyways.”
“I’ll take your word for it, but if anything changes...” She trails off.
“I’ll let you know,” I promise her.
“Perfect. So, do you want to grab dinner?”
“Thanks, but I have plans.”
“What plans?” a masculine voice asks from the doorway. As I turn, I see Kash and Atlas standing side by side, serious looks on their faces.
“I don’t see how that’s your business.”
Atlas gives Kash a quick look, then turns to Cora. “You ready to go, Firefly? We’re holding Mila up from her plans.” He emphasizes the last word.
“I guess so. What are you up to tonight anyway, Mils?”
“Oh, I’m having dinner with a new friend,” I lie through my teeth. Kash is no doubt going to be here for the evening, so maybe if I go out for a bit, I can avoid the awkwardness of our situation for a little while longer.
“A female friend, I hope.” Kash scowls.
“As a matter of fact, yes.” I am a female after all.
“Oh.”
“Yep. It’s no biggie. Any other questions?”
“Yes. Can I come?”
Cora snickers as Atlas pulls her from the room. “That’s our cue to go. See you later, Mils. Have fun.”
“Bye, Cora. Bye, Atlas. Thanks again, guys. I appreciate it.”
Turning away from Kash, I pull some clothes out of my suitcase and try to decide on what to wear for my fake outing.
I know I shouldn’t, but I can feel him moving across the room.
His steps are soft, but I just know he’s behind me.
When his hand reaches out to touch my arm, a shot of electricity goes through me.
I wish I wasn’t so affected by his touch.
If he catches on, I don’t know what I’ll do.
“Yes, Kash?”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“I didn’t think I had to. Are you that eager to find someone new to flirt with?” I need time to myself, and if he tags along, he’ll probably think it’s another date. Besides, as much as I push him away, I also don’t want to see him in action. I’d rather not witness Kash flirting with another woman.
“No,” he replies firmly, staring down at me. His brown eyes are trained on my face as if he’s trying to memorize my features. “I have everything I need right here.”
Damn it. I don’t know what to do or say when he says things like that. It should sound like a line, but somehow, he looks completely genuine, and that scares me.
“Whatever you say, Kash. I’m going to change, then I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Are you going to be safe?”
“Of course I am.” I scoff. What kind of question is that?
“I feel like I should go with you, just in case.”
“Nope. Now go.” Putting my hands on his chest, I move to push him out of my room, and that is my first mistake. The moment my hands touch Kash’s chest, his hands come up to grab both my wrists, pulling me closer.
“Stay home with me, Sunshine. We can have our own fun,” he offers in a low voice.
Definitely not happening. I don’t think I could ever recover from ‘fun’ with Kash.
The way he looks at me is the way I dream of someone looking at me, but I don’t think I can truly trust it.
He’s not known for sticking with just one woman for any length of time.
I want that look forever, not for a moment.
“Not tonight, Kash.” I pull out of his grasp and walk past him. Holding my door open, I gesture for him to exit. He shakes his head but respects my wishes and exits my temporary room.
“Okay, Sweetheart. Go have your fun but call me if you need anything at all.” He leans down, kissing my cheek. When he pulls back, he gives me a wistful look before turning away and heading out into the hall. What the hell was that? He almost seemed sad I wouldn’t stay with him.
I push it out of my mind and close the door to get changed. Quickly switching my outfit, I take my hair from its clip and fluff it out a bit. I tend to keep it up when I’m working, but when I have the chance, I like to let it down.
As I pop in some dangly earrings, it occurs to me that I haven’t been out by myself in a while.
Normally, we go out as a group, but there’s something to be said about a night by yourself.
I can wander around at my own pace without the need to have a plan in place or a time to be somewhere.
Adding a touch of lip stain, I give myself a once over in the mirror hanging on the wall. I guess this will do.
Grabbing my purse and coat, I pull it on as I walk up the hallway and stop dead in my tracks. Holy shit.
I nearly swallow my tongue when I find Kash standing in the kitchen, with his back to me, and when I say back, I mean his back.
When the hell did he take his clothes off?
My gaze sweeps over his tattooed, muscular back, to his broad shoulders, corded arms, and then travels further down. There’s no way he is real.
He’s standing in the kitchen in black boxer briefs slung low on his hips like it’s no big deal. Like it’s a normal everyday occurrence for his thigh tattoos to be peeking out and for his back to have dimples.
Holy mother...
“Oh. Hey, Sunshine. Have fun tonight.” He turns, giving me his full attention as well as the front view of his chest. If I thought his back was defined, it’s nothing compared to his chest. I refuse to count the bumps on his abdomen or look any lower.
His body is a work of art. There are some tattoos that are black and gray, as well as a chunk that are highlighted in vivid color. Continuing to gawk like a pervert, I catalog a few of his tattoos before quickly turning away. Why is it suddenly so hot in here?
“Um. Where are your clothes?” I finally croak out.
“Oh, I was getting ready to grab a shower but couldn’t remember if you had the spare key or not. I didn’t want you to get locked out, so I figured I’d wait for you to come out of your room. You look beautiful by the way.”
I cannot be here. I won’t last the month. “Oh, erm, yes. I have my key. I’ll see you later.” I turn and rush out the door like the coward I am.
Kash has made it painfully obvious that he thinks he has feelings for me. Would it be that terrible of an idea to explore them?
Probably. But judging by the way my body lights up when I’m in the same room as him, it would be fun in the process. I am so screwed.