13. Austin
Austin
I ’d lost count of how many times I sat in this booth watching McKenna. She seemed to finally be taking the whole death note thing seriously, given it was no longer the only threat made on her life at this point, but that wasn’t going to stop me from watching her.
Truthfully, I wasn’t even sure if I was following her everywhere she went because I wanted to keep her safe, or because I enjoyed the way her hips swayed when she knew I was looking.
This was never supposed to be more than me keeping her safe.
Brynne would cut my dick off if I let anything happen to her best friend.
And quite frankly, I hadn’t wanted to see any harm come to McKenna because of the actions we took.
But I noticed the way I was standing more on edge, getting more mad at myself for not being by her side every second of every day.
This wasn’t only a favor for a friend anymore. I was slowly getting used to her presence, and that was likely very bad. But me and things I should stay away from? It only made me want them more .
It’d been a few days since I watched her wrap her pink lips around my cock, and I wanted more of that side of her.
Not just to get me off, but to sate my growing addiction to her.
I wanted to know if that strawberry flavor presented itself between her legs.
Was it in her body wash, too? Her shampoo?
I’d have to check the next time I was at her place.
I knew for certain it always stuck to that tongue of hers.
When she’d spit my cum into my mouth, I’d tasted it like I’d plucked the strawberry straight from the bush myself.
Was never much of a fruit guy till I met her.
Now I wanted to swap ranching for strawberry farming simply to smell her every damn day.
I dropped my head, losing a sigh before pulling my shit together and bringing my focus back to her. Not her scent. Not her lips on my cock. Not her in that damn diner outfit that gave every man in this room whiplash when she walked by.
It was nearly closing time, the streetlights outside having buzzed on hours ago with the early sunset. Marv was supposed to have clocked out and left by now—I’d studied the schedule on the corkboard in the back and knew Marv’s work habits—so the fact that he was still here pissed me the fuck off.
“What’s the frown for this time?” McKenna asked, coming by to take a sip of my water. She’d gotten into the habit of that today, and I liked it. Liked seeing her lips wrap delicately around the straw?—
I sat back in the booth. “Why’s he still here?”
She took her time, her throat bobbing as she swallowed. I watched each little movement with rapt attention before running a hand down my jaw. I needed to get a handle on this.
She set the glass down, ice cubes clinking together. “Who?” As if the cold water had heightened the scent of the gum in her mouth, strawberries wafted over me when she spoke.
I didn’t answer. Didn’t take my eyes off her to indicate which idiot I was referring to. She knew who the fuck I was talking about.
She looked over her shoulder, blonde ponytail swaying. Definitely strawberry-scented shampoo, if the burst of air that just hit me was any indication. “Oh, Marv?” Her eyes found me again.
I stayed quiet.
“Peter went home sick,” she finally explained. Peter was her very quiet, very nerdy coworker. He bussed tables while the others took orders because he was too shy to talk to patrons.
Peter needed to grow some fucking balls.
“That doesn’t tell me why he’s still here.”
She rolled her eyes as if I was the one wasting her time. As if she had better things to do with the two remaining families finishing their dinner behind her. “Because he didn’t want me closing alone.”
While they typically had two waitresses on hand during the more busy times, sometimes schedules conflicted and there’d only be one. The cook was always here but he’d leave right after his dishes were done, not caring to wait for the rest of the staff.
I didn’t only watch McKenna. I studied the habits of the others too.
“You’re not alone. I’m here.”
Another eye roll, but this time, she added a sigh for dramatic effect. “You’re not my coworker , Austin. You’re my stalker.”
The corner of my mouth ticked up. “My point stands.”
Did Marv seriously think that if any danger were to arise, he’d do jack shit about it?
The man would probably use McKenna as a shield if he had to.
Cop a feel of her body while he was at it, too.
Then we wouldn’t only have the issue of something happening, but also her boss trying to navigate life with one hand.
“Did you tell them about what’s been going on?” I’d told her not to.
She set a hand on her hip, closing her other hand over it like she was tired of standing. “No.”
“Good.” I tapped my phone screen to light it up where it sat on the table. Ten minutes till the diner closed. “Better get cleaning. We’re leaving right after this.”
“We?”
I nodded. “You’re tired.”
Her brows scrunched. “So?”
I leaned my elbows on the table, folding my hands together. “So, we’re going to go home and you’re going to rest.”
She ran a palm over her hair, careful not to mess the strands up more than they already were. “Austin.”
I forced an innocent smile. “Yes, kitten?”
“We don’t live together. You don’t take care of me.” She waved her hands between us quickly. “ We are not doing anything tonight. Just—go home. You get the night off.”
She started to turn but I grabbed her wrist, pulling her back to me. She stumbled a bit. Another sign she was tired. “There are no nights off. Not when it comes to your safety.”
She glanced down at where my hand made contact with her skin. I wondered if the sensation of it was searing itself into her memory like it was to mine right now. She looked like she wanted to argue, but then her shoulders fell, like she didn’t have it in her tonight. “I have to get back to work.”
I dropped her wrist, and as she turned again, I said, “Eight minutes, McKenna.”
She kept on walking, heading behind the bar to walk past where Marv was standing at the register. And right as she did, the sleazy fucker turned and cupped her ass. He tried to be nonchalant, like maybe she’d brushed him, but I saw the purpose behind it.
McKenna’s steps faltered for a second as she looked behind her, thinking she might’ve bumped something. As soon as she realized what had happened, her eyes jumped to mine.
I was already out of my seat and halfway across the diner.
“Austin,” she warned, turning to face me fully with wide eyes as I ate up the space.
“Get their bills. Now.” That was my last straw. McKenna may grant him mercy, but I lacked that trait.
“Austin.” My name was a plea for mercy on her lips. But not for herself—for him. And he didn’t deserve an ounce of that from her.
I didn’t answer her. Didn’t repeat myself as I swung around the edge of the bar in one swift motion, grabbed Marv by the collar of his grease-stained shirt, and shoved him through the doors to the kitchen.
The cook shouted something, but I was too focused on the filthy pervert begging me to let him go to hear.
We were through the kitchen and in his office in ten steps.
I shoved him, needing to get my fucking hands off him before I wrung his neck out.
His death was inevitable, but I wanted to play first.
I didn’t take my eyes off him as I swung the door shut behind me and prowled toward him. He’d barely caught himself on the desk, his back banging into it so hard that the force shoved it back a few inches.
My fist landed a blow on his jaw, snapping his head back and causing him to lose his balance once more. “You like being touched without permission?”
“I-it was an innocent brush of my hand—” Marv stammered.
Bullshit .
I swung again, right as he was climbing back to his feet, using the edge of the desk for support.
“I’m sorry!” he screamed, spit flying from his trembling lips. “I’m sorry. Please! I’ll never do it again.”
I yanked him up by his collar, the sight of blood dribbling down the side of his mouth sending a sick satisfaction through me. He wouldn’t be making it out of here alive.
“I take it you’re the type of guy that wouldn’t listen to someone begging you to stop, so I’ll grant you the same respect.” I reared my arm back, ready to strike again, but thin, gentle fingers wrapped around my elbow, halting me.
“Austin.”
God , her voice. My name on those lips. It cut through the wall of flames forming in my mind, freezing me to the core.
I looked over my shoulder at her. “Do you need something, kitten?” There was so much concern in my voice despite the desire to beat the shit out of her boss.
She frowned, but the act was sluggish, like all she wanted was to fall into bed and sleep for the rest of her life.
“Ah, I know.” I dropped Marv, his body falling to the floor as his breathing came in thick, heavy pants. I hoped he wouldn’t die of a heart attack before I was through with him. “Stay right here,” I instructed McKenna.
I was gone barely thirty seconds before I was back and shoving a steaming mug of coffee into her hands. “Vanilla creamer and some sugar.”
Her frown only deepened, a bit of confusion mingling with the expression.
I held my palm out flat. “Spit.”
She hesitated a moment, not sure what I meant, but then she stuck her tongue out, gum on the tip, and let the chewed gum fall to my hand. I gave a quick peck on her cheek. “This won’t take long.”
Then I tossed her gum in my mouth and swallowed. Fuck, I loved the taste of her.
I settled my focus back on Marv, his large form still cowering on the ground.
At least he was smart enough to know not to move.
I let out a small sigh, as if this whole thing was an inconvenience to me. Honestly, it was, but I didn’t make a habit of not finishing what I started. “Where were we?”
Marv’s desperate gaze shot to McKenna. “McKenna, please?— ”