Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Mila
Kash wasn’t kidding about not making it easy. Since we had our talk, he’s made good on both of his promises. First, he hasn’t touched me again, and second, he has made it damn near impossible to ignore him.
Every morning, no matter how early I wake up, he’s already awake.
The guys are still working on the shop, and with the wedding creeping up, Atlas has been pushing to get everything done ahead of schedule.
Kash is out late, and I go to bed more often than not wondering when he'll be back, but he sends me updates as they work.
Future Husband: I'll be here late again. Atlas is a giant baby. A giant, grumpy baby.
Me: That doesn’t sound like fun. I’m going to sleep soon.
Future Husband: I wish I could crawl into bed with you. Do you have space for me?
I could make room for him, but I’m afraid if I open that door, I’ll never be able to close it.
I wish I knew what exactly was holding me back, but I really think it’s just fear.
I’ve already fallen for him halfway, but for someone like Kash, who is so full of life and easy to love, he deserves someone to match him.
Someone to be his equal, and I’m not convinced it’s me.
In the mornings when I come out to leave for work, he’s standing at the stove in nothing but dark boxer briefs, his hair up and glasses on.
Rat bastard. His tattoos are on full display, and every time I look, I find new pieces of art I didn’t notice the time before.
Kash has a wide variety of tattoos ranging from flowers and skulls to planets.
Some are full of color, while others are black and gray. They’re all gorgeous, like him.
I ignore the heat that courses through me when I see him like this. I don’t even think the man owns pants anymore. He always has breakfast of some kind made for me, even if it’s a bowl of fruit and yogurt, or some breakfast sandwich to go. It makes me question if he ever sleeps.
I came home yesterday afternoon, and he was working out in the living room.
Kash had weights and was sitting on a chair...
curling them. Naturally, he was shirtless, and I had a front row show to his muscles swelling and flexing with every movement.
If that wasn’t bad enough, when he saw me come in, he smiled and greeted me with “Hi, Wifey.” Cold showers are becoming a daily requirement.
Before heading into the shop, he always stops to drop off lunch to me.
It’s not from any of the local restaurants, but instead it’s something that’s homemade.
One day, he made a taco salad; the next it was chicken wraps.
There’s always a note included, and I think I look forward to those more than I do the food.
Mila,
I think we’re going to have three kids, minimum. I’d have a whole team of babies with you, but I don’t want to put your body through that stress, so how about we meet in the middle? How’s five? We’ll have fun practicing.
Xoxo
Future Husband
PS: Did you know that 3% of people don’t have sexual fantasies? You’re not part of that, are you? It’s okay if you are; I have enough to make up for it.
I’m pretending that I’m not affected, but damn, I’m failing. As if my thoughts can conjure him to life, Kash’s form steps into view. I had a feeling I’d see him soon.
“Hi there, Sweet Girl.” He smiles in greeting.
“What are you doing here, Kash?”
“Well, that’s obvious. I’m here to see you. I brought these for you.” He holds a bouquet of yellow flowers.
“What are they?” I don’t think I’ve seen flowers like this before. They almost look like carnations or some kind of daisy.
“They’re asters.”
“They’re beautiful. Thank you, Kash.” I accept the flowers from him, raising on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
Smiling down at me, he shrugs. “It’s no big deal, Sunshine. I woke up today and realized I hadn’t bought my girl flowers yet, so I decided to fix that.”
Ignoring the first part, I wave him to follow behind me. “Mara went to the bank, but I can put these in the kitchen real quick while we aren’t busy.”
“Do you know much about asters?” He’s leaning against one of my prep tables, watching me grab a glass jar to fill with water.
“Nope. Can't say I’ve ever heard of them,” I admit.
“They’re a star flower,” he starts. “Well, they come from the Greek word for star, but close enough.”
Turning, I move the vase toward the back of the kitchen on top of a shelf. I didn’t hear him move, but I can feel him behind me.
“They represent patience, love, and wisdom,” he continues, “which all seems to be a perfect fit for us because I’m so in love with you and your intelligence.” He spins my body toward his and tilts my chin up. “And your patience with me.”
“Kash, I—”
“Mila!” a voice cuts in. Pulling out of Kash’s grip makes me feel more hollow than it should. “Sorry.” Joelle looks between the two of us. “I didn’t mean to interrupt anything, but there’s a customer out front asking for you.”
“It’s fine,” I assure her. “I’ll be out in a second.”
Nodding, she heads back out. I take a step away from Kash and turn toward the front. “Sorry. Duty calls,” I apologize flatly.
“No big deal, Sweet Girl. I know you’re working, just, umm…” He pulls a white card from the bouquet and hands it to me. “Just make sure you read that at some point. Bye, Mila.”
A big part of me wants to tell him to stay.
To hang out, and I’ll join him in a bit, but I don’t know what I want.
I miss him when he’s not around, and I think I’m starting to figure it out, but until I do, it has to stay this way.
It’s not fair for me to be hot and then cold. Not even Kash deserves that.
Walking out to the front, I feel Kash’s gaze on me as he stands at the register, paying for whatever he’s picked up to satisfy his sweet tooth.
“Mila!” a new voice booms, pulling my attention away.
Looking toward the voice, the shock must be evident on my face. “Marcus? How are you?”
Standing on the opposite side of the counter is the man I never gave a second thought too after our disaster of a date.
There’s no way I was going to go out with him again, so I blocked his number and then deleted it.
I’m purposefully avoiding Kash’s questioning gaze.
He’s moved off to the side, but he’s put himself in clear earshot of this conversation.
“I’m good. I was hoping you’d be here today.”
“What can I do for you?”
“Well, how about a second date?” he questions, stepping closer to the counter. I can’t believe he came all the way here for this. It's been a couple of months already and I’d forgotten all about him.
“Oh, I don’t think I can.” How do I let him down nicely? He’s not a super awful guy— okay, fine, yes, he’s a little irritating, but I don’t want to be mean.
“Well, why not? I thought we had a connection.” He leans over the counter, his aftershave clogging my senses.
“Because she fucking said no,” Kash’s voice cuts in firmly.
Turning to the source, Marcus’ face turns ugly. I have no doubt he’s making a judgment based on Kash’s appearance. I was going to be nice and let him down in private, but with Kash here, that’s not an option.
“I don’t think I was talking to you, buddy.” Marcus narrows his eyes, staring at Kash.
“I don’t think I fucking care who you were talking to, pal.” Kash sneers.
If I had better sense, I would be trying to diffuse it, but as it is, I can only focus on how attractive an angry Kash is. Not helpful, Mila, I scold myself.
Marcus swings his gaze back on me. “Do you know this guy, Mila?”
Kash takes a few steps closer, towering over Marcus by a good six inches. “Yeah, I’d say she knows me because she lives in my fucking apartment, so I suggest you forget that she exists.”
“Kash...” I warn. Glancing around, I see Joelle creeping closer to witness the drama. God, I wish the floor would swallow me up.
“It’s okay, Sweet Girl. I just need him to understand that there is no reality where the two of you are happening.” Kash moves behind the counter and stands next to me. He looks at Marcus in disdain while putting his arm around my side. “This girl is my wife, so do me a favor and fuck off.”
Marcus’ eyes dip to my hand, where he no doubt notices the lack of jewelry.
“We just went out and you’re married already?” Scoffing, he looks toward Kash. “What’s the matter? Couldn’t afford a ring because you were too busy paying for someone to color on your skin?”
Kash bristles beside me, and that makes me angry. “For your information, Matthew, I took it off because I was working. I take care of the things I love. Perhaps you should leave now.”
“My name is Marcus.”
“Like it fucking matters.” Kash snorts beside me. Leaning into him, I lightly pinch his side in warning.
“Fine. Have fun with this thug. You were a lousy date anyway.”
Oh shit.
Kash slowly pulls out of my grasp and presses a soft kiss to the side of my head.
“Kash...” I hiss in warning.
“It’s fine, Wifey. I’m good.”
Walking around the counter, he sits his takeout bag down. “If you want to keep any of your body parts intact, I recommend you apologize, then leave and never return. You should also forget that this place and my girl exist.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then I’ll pull your tongue out of your stupid mouth, since you can’t seem to stop running it, and bury it so far up your ass, you’ll be able to taste your insides.”
I have no idea if any of what he just said is possible, but I don’t have time to contemplate the logistics.
“I think what my friend here means to say is that you’re not welcome. Now get the fuck out of my shop,” Mara’s voice cuts out.
Swinging my gaze toward her voice, I feel heat creeping into my face. I don’t know how long she’s been standing there. I don’t know how to explain any of this.
Realizing he now has an audience, Marcus wisely chooses to leave without saying anything else.
Kash and Mara watch him stomp the entire way across the lobby and out the door. As soon as it closes, her eyes swing toward me, then Kash. Shaking my head, I silently warn her now’s not the time.
Taking a deep breath, Kash switches his gaze to me. “Sorry, Mila. I couldn’t let him talk to you like that. I’m going to leave. I’ll see you later.” Leaning down to my ear, I shiver as he whispers, “Read my note.” Then he grabs his takeout bag and waves. “Later, Mara.”
As soon as he’s out of earshot, Mara turns to me, brows arched. “Anything you want to tell me, Little Elf?”
“Yep. I guess I won’t see Marcus ever again.
” Like the coward I am, I turn and run back to the kitchen.
There are no words for what just happened, and I need a minute to decompress.
It’s not a normal response, but I’m unbelievably turned on right now.
There’s something about Kash’s protective streak that’s so sexy.
Eyeing the flowers on their shelf, I pull the note he wrote from my pocket.
Sweet Girl,
I dreamt of you again. You pulled my hair while I held your shaking legs after I made you come on my tongue. Care to make it a reality?
Future Husband
PS: Say yes. I really want you to say yes.
Damn it. I’m getting closer to saying yes.