Chapter Seven
London
I have a lot on my mind as I close the restaurant. For the most part, I’ve always enjoyed working at the diner because of how quiet it is, but today, I wished there were people everywhere.
It’s too quiet, especially with my wishes of wanting to escape.
I can’t believe our fate is tied to how many people walk through the door, and for the umpteenth time, I find myself wondering if there is something else my father could’ve done.
If there is something else I could’ve done.
How could I not have seen the truth?
I hate knowing my father felt the need to turn to strangers for help rather than his daughter. I’m also not stupid enough to think there’s much I could’ve done.
I am, after all, a college dropout who put her life on hold to help her dad save a dying business.
What could I have done to prevent any of this?
Worries about my father cloud my mind. He woke up not feeling well and wondering about his state has followed me throughout the day. I want to do everything I can to help him save his dream.
At this point, all I can do is trust Noah will do as he says he will.
I pray it’ll be enough.
I hope it’s not too late.
Still, I hate having to rely on someone else, even if it is my boyfriend, and even if he has good intentions. It’s not his problem to deal with, but it’s the only way to save my dad. So, as vulnerable as it feels having to lean on him like this, I’ll do anything to keep my dad happy.
I just hope whatever Noah does makes a dent.
There’s more on my mind though, like that man. Mason.
He was so different from our other diners, and he didn’t order anything, so I am suspicious. I worry he’s associated with the group of men who attacked and threatened my father. Maybe he’s part of the ruthless group my father owes money to.
He was intimidating, and I know enough to know when I’ve come across someone who is used to getting his way.
Mason strikes me as the kind of man who’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants.
Then, I think about the way he helped bandage my knee after I hurt it. I think about how gentle his touch was, and how he cleaned up the cut even though he didn’t know me. I think of the way our eyes met and the strange sense of urgency and yearning I felt at that moment.
Even if he had some temper issues, I can’t deny how it felt to be touched by him, to be seen by him.
Even now, my heart races when I think of him and the heat of his skin against mine.
Stop it. You can’t fawn over some guy you met once and only spoke to for a few minutes. Especially not that kind of man. You already know he’s no good.
And I’m with Noah, and I love him. He’s been there for me through everything. He’s even willing to help my father out of this mess. It’s a betrayal to even think of another man.
Despite my best attempts, Mason lingers in the back of my mind even as I close the diner.
I think of his cocky grin, the confidence oozing from his pores, and the way my name sounded falling from his lips.
With a frown, I shake my head and scowl at the receipt in front of me.
Then I return to tallying up our meager income for the day.
I hate the numbers swimming in front of me, taunting me.
I know what they mean, and the realization makes me want to throw the cash register across the room.
A knock interrupts me from my thoughts, and for a split second, I let the idea of it being Mason slip into my mind before quickly getting rid of it.
It’s Noah.
Noah, the man I love with my whole heart.
I let him in and lock the door behind him. Then, I give him a big hug and hope he doesn’t realize something’s off.
“How was your first day of work?” I ask after we exchange a kiss.
“Well, being an engineer isn’t easy,” he admits. “School can’t ever fully prepare you for something like that. But it is rewarding. The money even more so. I’d say things went well. And I’m excited to do it all over again tomorrow.”
I’m listening, but it’s hard when I don’t care about engineering.
“I’m anxious to get started helping your father pay off his debt. How was your day?”
“It’s been good,” I lie easily, knowing he hardly notices the difference. He glances over at the diner’s bar to see the mop and bucket before looking me up and down, noticing the bandage on my knee.
“Did something happen today?” he asks. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I assure him. “Just clumsy. I brought out a box of condiments that was a little too big for me. I tripped, and they shattered on the floor. Just trying to get things done too quickly.”
Noah sighs. “You’ve got to be more careful, baby. I don’t want you getting hurt. Especially not when you’re here alone. I hope you know if you ever need anything, you can reach out to me. Any time of day. Anything.”
“I know, and I appreciate that.”
He pulls me closer, and I’m enveloped with such warmth. I feel safe, secure, and wanted. Mason could never make me feel that way. He’s too intimidating; a stranger with a sense of danger. I know I should be solely focused on Noah.
“How about you let me make you feel better,” he whispers in my ear.
It should send chills down my body, and I should be desperate for his touch.
But I’m not. It barely makes me warm, let alone hot.
What is wrong with me that after one meeting with a tall, brooding and handsome stranger, Noah can’t get me excited?
Guilt surges through me as I close my eyes and feel the warmth of him on my face. Then, he tilts my head and begins to kiss me, slowly and sweetly at first before it turns into something more desperate, needy, lustful, and passionate.
A different side of Noah has been revealed lately. We’ve always been a loving couple, but there’s more to it this time. His sexual side is growing, and I’m not complaining about that.
I need a distraction anyway.
He suddenly lifts me and sets me on the diner’s bar. For a moment, I think about how Mason did that earlier today. How it felt when he had his hands on me. How surprised I was when he lifted me.
Then, I turn my attention back to Noah, where it always should be.
“You know, I’ve wanted to fuck you in this diner for quite a while now,” Noah admits. His words shock me; he’s usually so timid. “The bar seems perfect for it. But I never got the chance to with your dad around.”
I’m surprised by his confession and spontaneity. I never imagined Noah had those lustful thoughts. I’ve always felt desired by him, but this is different. More intense.
“Well, he’s not here now,” I point out, a little surprised by my daring remark. This side of Noah is turning me on.
Or maybe that’s just what I’m telling myself because I don’t want to think about the man with the gray eyes.
“He’s not.” Noah smiles. “Maybe it’s time to make my dream come true.”
In response, I pull him toward me. We start kissing more passionately as he runs his hands under my shirt and reaches for my breasts.
He presses his body against mine, and I can feel his bulging cock through his jeans pressing against me. He wants me, and it’s thrilling to be wanted so badly by someone so caring and loving.
I run my hands under his shirt and up his back, scraping my nails lightly across his skin. I run my fingers through his hair, pulling him close to me, and feel him groan through his need.
“Fuck, you’re so sexy,” Noah moans.
Unable to hold back any longer, he pulls off my shorts and panties and drops his jeans to the floor. He rips off my shirt and bra, leaving me thrillingly exposed in the diner. Anyone could walk up to the door and see us.
Something about that risk makes me wetter than ever.
One of Noah’s hands grabs my breast and pulls at the nipple, while the other wraps around me and grabs my ass. He pushes himself into me, and I moan from the pleasure of him inside me. My legs wrap around him, drawing him closer. I’m desperate for him and the way he makes me feel.
Yet as he starts to fuck me, a pair of dark grey eyes flutter into my mind. I remember Mason and how he looked at me. I remember the thrill of his husky voice.
Who was he?
He wasn’t a normal diner, so why was he here?
Why has he lingered on my mind?
He’s so dark and mysterious that he works his way under my skin and refuses to leave even as Noah thrusts into me. Then, I remember Mason’s touch and a wave of pleasure rushes through my body. I moan as Noah and I orgasm at the same time.
But I’m not thinking about Noah.
I hug him as he collapses against me. I hold him close and wish away the thoughts of a stranger that I shouldn’t be having. Once we part and start to put our clothes back on, I feel a little empty.
On the verge of tears, I take a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. I feel horrible. I’ve been with Noah for years, and he’s always treated me right, and here I am betraying him in the worst way possible.
Not quite the worst way. I didn’t physically cheat on him.
“What’s up?” Noah asks, interrupting my thoughts as he zips his pants.
“What do you mean?” I ask guiltily. Can he see the thoughts of another man on my face? Am I hurting someone I love so much? Someone willing to do anything for me?
“Lo, we’ve been together long enough for me to know when something’s going on. I can tell something’s on your mind. So, what is it? Did I do something wrong? I know that was a little different than what we usually do, and I’m sorry if…”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” I assure him. “Nothing. In fact, that was sexy. I like the spontaneity. It was a nice change of pace.”
I pause, and he waits. I can tell he’s not going to let this go but telling him the truth would be disastrous. I’d never want to hurt someone I love like that.
“There’s just a lot going on right now,” I admit. “My dad, the diner, all of it. It’s just overwhelming sometimes. I can’t seem to get it off my mind for long.”
“I understand. But you don’t need to worry about all of that. I told you I’ll take care of it. It’ll take a little time, but I’m working hard at my new job. I’ll fix this for you. I want to.”
I look at him and see so much love in his eyes. He’s perfect. I don’t deserve him. But while I have him, I have to treat him the way he deserves to be treated.
“This is like a dream, you know.” I finish putting on my clothes and we curl up in a booth together, our arms and legs entangled. “Being with you is incredible. In some ways, it still hasn’t sunk in.”
“Well, I’m here,” he assures me. “I’m here for the rest of our lives. I know I don’t have much right now, but it’s a start, and I’m going to keep growing for us. I’ll make you happy no matter what. I’ll always do the best I can. I’ll always love you and only you.”
That last part stings a little. Here I have a devoted boyfriend, and I was thinking of another man. It’s deplorable, and I know I have to get Mason out of my mind. It isn’t fair to Noah.
“I’ll always love you,” I assure him. It feels almost like a proposal, and I wonder for a moment how I’d feel if Noah proposed just then. Would I say yes? “I appreciate you so much. I appreciate how loving you are, and how willing you are to help. You mean so much to me.”
I want him to feel it, to sense it without the thoughts of Mason on the horizon.
Noah and I have bared our souls to one another, so I know he doesn’t have a lot of experience with other women.
I’m the only true girlfriend he’s had, and I want to ensure that his heart is never broken. I’ll protect it with everything I have.
Even if it means having to shove back the niggling voice in the back of my mind, the one that makes me doubt what I’d do if Noah proposed.
Why wouldn’t I say yes?
Men like Mason can’t give me the stability and safety I crave.
All he’s done is fill my heart and head with doubt, and I like him even less for it.
I try to convince myself that my uncertain future is what’s making me question everything. Without the diner, and with my father’s future at risk, I wouldn’t spare Mason a second thought, much less be thinking of him so intimately.
“I do my best,” he whispers, kissing the top of my head. “I know I’m still young, so I’m not the most reliable. I don’t have enough to offer you; not like you deserve. And you’re so beautiful, smart, and talented. You could leave me and find someone better, but…”
“Don’t even say anything like that,” I scold him. “You are the best boyfriend. You’ve stuck by my side through everything. Even when I had to drop out of college to help my father, you’ve been there when you could’ve ditched me for some girl at school.”
I’m sure that I’ve never seen this insecure side of him. He’s usually so sure of himself.
“I would never do that,” he vows. He pauses. “How is your father doing?”
I don’t even want to think about it.
“Not great,” I admit. “I told him you’d help, but he still seems worried. Those people are hanging over him like a black cloud. He won’t tell me much more about it, but it’s clear they’re dangerous. I’m not sure what to do.”
“It will get easier once I get more money coming in. In the meantime, you don’t have to rely too much on your father because I’m here. I’ll do anything to protect you and provide for you. You’ll be safe and secure for as long as I’m here.”
I nuzzle into his chest feeling all warm and fuzzy. The off feeling is gone as I soak in Noah’s warmth. It’s all replaced by love that always will be.
***
Mason
I watch from a distance, fascinated and jealous all at once. I want to run into the diner and steal London from the young kid she’s fucking. She deserves so much better than the scraps he can give her. She wouldn’t be able to even fathom the world I have to offer. It’s so beyond him.
It’s dark, messy, and vile, but I’ll make sure she fits in.
She won’t have a choice.
She’ll see that soon enough because now, I only want her more. I wasn’t happy watching that kid fuck her on the diner’s bar like I’ve longed to do since I laid eyes on her. I didn’t expect that kind of behavior from her, but it fuels my desire.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away as the kid clumsily drove in and out of her. I couldn’t hear her moans, but it felt like I could when I saw her lips open.
I will have her. Somehow, I will make her mine.
Such a pure girl.
I want to corrupt her. I’m a devil, wanting to drag the delicate angel down with me to hell, something I should feel bad about.
But I stopped feeling bad a long time ago.
I will show her things she’s never dreamed of.
“Someday you’ll be screaming my name, begging for me, and I’ll give you everything.”
Someday soon.