Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
Kash
Iknow Mila’s dad means well, and I’m trying to behave, but there is a part of me that’s really fucking hurt.
My dad would never have done what Mila’s did, but he’s not here to meet my girl and love her.
He would have adored her instantly. I brushed it off at dinner, but I know Mila was ready to walk out the door, and I didn’t want her to do it on my behalf.
No good would come of it, so I just shrugged it off.
Emma gave me a good life, so I can’t be all that mad. Sure, having my dad around would have been better, but in his place I got Emma. That woman is an angel—albeit with the mouth of a sailor.
Lost in my thoughts, I almost run into her dad when he stops at a door.
Swinging it open, he flips a light switch and gestures for me to follow him.
As I trail behind him, I notice a cluttered work bench along a wall, tools on a peg board above it.
Paint and grease scents fill the air, but I don’t mind.
It makes me think of all the times I spent with my dad in his garage.
“So, what did you want to show me?” I glance around at his miscellaneous projects.
Giving me an exasperated look, he shakes his head. “I owe you an apology, Kash.”
“It’s fine—”
“No. It’s not,” he interrupts, leaning against a workbench, arms crossed.
His sandy brown hair is sticking up in a few spots, and when he makes direct eye contact with me, I can tell Mila got her mom’s eyes.
His are a shade darker, like Mara’s. Mila’s are a soft brown.
They remind me of brown sugar. “I didn’t have any right to be so rude to you. ”
“I’ll admit, I didn’t have the best dating history prior to Mila, but I need you to know that she’s it for me.
Sir,” I tack on as an afterthought. His head would probably explode if I told him that I’m hoping I knock his daughter up and marry her as soon as I possibly can.
That’s how sure I am about her, about us.
Somehow, I don’t think that’ll go over well, so I attempt to give him a friendlier version that won’t make him kill me on the spot.
He nods along as if he’s thinking it through. “What about your schedules?”
“What about them?”
“Well, Mila and Mara run their café together. Aren’t you guys basically on different timetables?”
“We are, but we manage. I get up in the mornings with Mila before she leaves for work and make her breakfast and something for lunch. I try to pop over during the day to see her, and I keep Saturday evenings open as well.”
“That doesn’t mess with your schedule and clients?”
“No.” I look directly at him. I need him to understand that I’m not going anywhere. Any objection he has, I have an answer for it. “Mila is a priority for me, and I take care of things that are important.”
“So, she’s a thing?” He arches a brow.
“Don’t do that. I mean no disrespect, but don’t talk about Mila like that.
She is more important to me than anything else.
She knows that, and I’ve shown her just how important she is.
” Like I plan on doing again later on when I collect my promise.
“I’ll continue showing her how important she is because it’s no less than she deserves. ”
Uncrossing his arms, he stands a bit straighter and sighs. “I don’t mind you boys, Kash. Atlas is good for Cora, and he treats Noah well. I’ll be watching you for now.”
“That’s fine. I have nothing to hide. But I need to be up front with you, Mr. Morgan.”
“Go on.” He eyes me carefully.
I debated on how much I was going to say tonight but fuck it.
The man thinks I’m going to cut and run when I get bored, but he has no idea how wrong he is.
“I’m going to marry your daughter. I’m not asking for permission because Mila can make her own choices, but I know she loves you and values your opinion.
I would lay my life down for hers, and I know that no one in existence will love her and appreciate her the way that I do. She’s everything to me.”
His nostrils flare, but I stand my ground. Tonight hasn’t exactly gone according to plan, but that’s okay. I think he and I are reaching an understanding, and I know her mom loves me.
“What if I just got rid of you?”
That makes me snort. As if he could get rid of me.
“There is nothing you could do and nowhere you could hide her that I wouldn’t find her.
I need you to understand how serious I am about Mila.
You can ask her yourself. I’m pretty stubborn when it comes to getting my way, so I hope you can get used to seeing my face. ”
Her dad stares at me for a few minutes, then a smile spreads across his face. “Alright, Kash. I’ll give you that. I’m a little concerned with how quickly this seems to be moving, but I’ll meet you halfway.”
“Halfway?” Now I’m confused. I just spilled my guts, and he’s meeting me halfway? I’m all in.
“Yes, halfway. I’ll accept you, but you have to know what’s going to happen if you fuck up—which I have a feeling you might.”
“Not going to happen, so I’m not worried.”
Her dad’s eyes dance with amusement, but I can’t lie that my heart stutters a bit when he says, “All the same, but I won’t come for you. Mara will.”
Now that does frighten me a bit.
The entire ride home, Mila is quiet. I try to talk to her a few times, but she just stares out the window and only answers in one- or two-word sentences. I hope her conversation with her mom was better than the one I had with her dad. Though I meant every word I said.
I will marry Mila. I’m not going anywhere.
Pulling into my spot, I kill the engine and face her. She’s been too quiet on the way back to our apartment, and I need her to look at me. I need her to talk to me. I run my hand down her arm, trying to get her attention. “Sunshine?”
When her eyes meet mine, my heart stops in my chest. Mila’s eyes are watery, and she looks seconds away from breaking down.
“Hey, what’s going on, Sweet Girl? Don’t cry.” I wipe her tears away and lean in, kissing her softly. I cup her face in my hands and hold her tight as I deepen the kiss. My dick is getting hard, but my head is telling me to wait; something is obviously wrong.
Pulling away, Mila takes a deep breath. “I am so sorry, Kash. You have no idea.”
“What are you sorry for? Tonight went about as well as I expected—actually maybe a bit better.” Sure, I didn’t appreciate her dad’s approach at first, but I think we may have bonded a bit in the garage, and I’m not buried somewhere on his property. I’d call that pretty successful.
Shaking her head, Mila gives me a disbelieving look.
“Really? He basically made fun of the fact that you’re an orphan and God, it makes me so mad.
” Her voice rises as she speaks. “You’re a successful business owner, you have your own place and pay taxes, and you take care of me.
My God, you take care of me, Kash. I don’t even think I deserve it,” she finishes quietly.
Now I’m officially hard. The way that Mila is mad on my behalf makes my dick ache.
I always look out for her, putting her needs first, but for her to admit how angry she is on my behalf…
that’s hot as fuck. I don’t need her to fight battles for me, but the idea that she’s willing to makes my body tingle.
The last part of her admission, however, gives me pause.
She’s so wrong. We take care of each other.
Mila healed pieces inside of me that I thought were broken.
It’s taken me this long to realize I wasn’t ever broken, just badly damaged.
She’s the glue that holds me together. She slipped through the cracks and settled into my soul.
Before Mila, relationships never appealed to me at all.
I never wanted to let myself get close to anyone.
If I didn’t give anyone my heart or real pieces of myself, then I didn’t get hurt.
Somewhere along the way, I realized my heart was never theirs to have. It’s been Mila’s all along.
Climbing out of the car, I head over to her side and open her door.
She looks so sad and it crushes me. Her dad can sling whatever he wants my way, but none of it will ever matter.
In the end, it’s only her. “Let’s go, Sunshine.
” Holding her hand, I practically drag her to our apartment.
I can’t wait until I buy her a house, but one step at a time.
For now, I need to get her out of her head.
And I have the perfect way.
Tugging my shirt over my head, I feel Mila’s eyes sweep over my body.
I love it when she looks at me. I mean it when I tell her she can look at me all she wants.
I belong to her. I was always meant to belong to her.
Even if we weren’t each other's firsts, we’re going to be each other’s lasts, and that’s way more important.
“See something you like?” I ask, flexing my arms like a body builder. I look stupid, but it has the desired effect. Mila rolls her eyes while laughing at my antics.
“Yeah, Casanova. I see a whole lot I like.” She trails her hands over my torso, scratching her nails against my abs.
My stomach contracts, and I grab her hand, halting her movement.
Lifting her into my arms, I find the closest surface to hold her against. I can hold her weight just fine, but I want to feel her trembling against me.
Crashing my lips to hers, I swallow down her surprised cry and slide my tongue into her mouth. I’ll never get tired of the feel of her legs wrapped around me, fingers threaded in my hair. Her soft lips are crushed under mine, but I can’t get enough. It’ll never be enough.
Lifting her higher into my arms, I growl as she rolls her hips against mine. Don’t worry, baby, I’ll give you what you need. “If you keep that up, it’s going to ruin my plans, and you don’t want that, do you?” Kissing down her neck, I walk down the hallway with my Mila in my arms.
I need a flat surface, and soon.
As we reach our bedroom, Mila tilts her head back and smirks. “Depends on what your plans are.”
Tossing her onto the bed, I unbuckle my pants and shove them down with a grin. “I’m going to make you forget.”
My heart stalls in my chest when she sits up, pulling her shirt over her head. Her breasts rest high in her yellow lacy bra. I’m convinced I could come just by looking at her.
“Forget what?"
“Everything but my name.”
Heading to my dresser, I grab the tie I left there earlier. I almost wore it to dinner at her parents’, but she assured me it would be too much. It’s okay though, I have a better use for it.
Resting my knee on the bed, I hold it up for her to see. Her eyes widen a bit, but she doesn’t look worried—if anything, she looks intrigued.
“How much do you trust me?”