Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
LYLA
“ L yla?” I glance up from the sidewalk and see Eve walking toward me. She is wearing a cute black skirt with heels and a black crop top that says Ryder Restores on it.
Her face breaks out into a smile as her bright blue eyes meet mine. “I thought that was you! I didn’t know you lived in Blue Haven.” She finally reaches me and pulls me in for a hug like we’ve been best friends for years.
I hesitate briefly before sinking into it. I’m not used to opening myself up to people, but it seems like this family has a way of breaking down those barriers.
“I don’t live in Blue Haven…well, I guess I kind of do now,” I laugh, pulling away. “I just moved here.”
“That’s wonderful! Are you living here in town?”
“Well, um.” I nervously put my hair behind my ear. I know his whole family will find out soon anyway, but I was hoping to have some time to adjust. “I’m actually staying in Jake’s pool house. He hired me as a personal chef for him and Miles.”
“Jake?” She asks, shocked. “ Our Jake? You are Jake and Miles’ personal chef?” Her blue eyes go wide before she breaks out into a grin. “Oh, this I have got to hear. Are you free now for coffee? I have about a half hour to kill before the kids get up from their naps. I just snuck away to drop some things off at the post office.”
“Yeah, I mean, I just finished up here, so I have time for coffee.”
“Perfect!” She says, linking her arm with mine and leading us to the Blue Haven Cafe. We find a small table out back under the pergola. Laura comes over once she sees us.
“Back already?” She smiles at me.
“I guess I am,” I laugh. “I ran into Eve outside, and we decided to have coffee.”
“Your muffins are going fast,” she grins. “We are going to have to double the order next time. I already have people asking if you do cupcakes for birthday parties,” she laughs. “Be sure to leave me some business cards soon so I can pass them out.”
“I do cupcakes as well,” I smile, pleased that everyone is liking my baking. “I’ll get some business cards printed up soon for you.” I make a mental note to add that to my to-do list.
“I’ll let the moms know you are open for cupcake business,” she winks at me. “What would you girls like?”
“I’ll take my usual coffee, Laura, thanks. Oh, and bring me one of those muffins everyone is raving about,” Eve grins at me. “Ryland goes nuts over muffins.”
“Sure thing, sweetie. And you love?” Laura asks, looking at me.
“I’ll try Eve’s usual,” I smile.
“You got it. I’ll be right back.”
“You are already making a name for yourself here.” Eve looks over at me and grins. “I’m really happy for you. You have a real talent for baking. I ate two of those desserts at the wedding,” she laughs.
“Thank you. Jake’s mom found me at the reception and gave Laura my name. Today was my first delivery. ”
“So you met Meaghan already? She’s the best. She’s been like a mom to me since I was sixteen.”
“So you and Ryder have been together since high school?”
“We were high school sweethearts but got separated a bit before I found my way back to Blue Haven, but that’s a long story and one for another day,” she waves her hand in the air, dismissing it.
“Right now, I want to know what’s going on between you and my brother-in-law, who, by the way, has never had a girl stay with him more than one night, let alone give her a job and a place to live.” Her eyes shine with amusement over the rim of her coffee that was just delivered to our table.
“There’s really not much to tell. As you already know, we met at the reception. He came by my work a few days later and offered me a job. I hated my sleazy boss, so I took him up on the offer and quit that day. Since I have work now in Blue Haven, it just seemed easier if I stayed in his pool house.” I glance up at her from my coffee. “That’s where you and Ryder used to live, right?” I try to divert the conversation back to her.
“I moved in with him when I came back, and we bought a house last fall, but you’re changing the subject.” She raises her eyebrow at me with a smile playing on her lips. “How has your new job been going so far?”
“It’s only my second day,” I laugh. “But it’s going good. It’s more like an exchange of services than a paying job.”
“Oh, I bet it is,” she winks at me, her eyes alight with amusement.
“No, that’s not what I meant.” I feel my face get beet red, and Eve grins wider. “Not that kind of exchange of services. I’m cooking and cleaning in exchange for a place to live and using his kitchen to get my business started up. I’m still working for the catering company as well.”
“Mmm-hm,” she says, taking a sip of her coffee and clearly not believing a word of what I’m saying based on her facial expression. “You know,” she murmurs, “I’ve known Jake for almost seven years, and not once have I seen him look at a girl like the way he looked at you at the wedding. I told him to be patient with you because I can tell you’ve been through a lot.”
She gives me a small smile, and a wave of understanding passes through her blue eyes. My instinct was right when I first met her. She’s been through something, too.
“He didn’t really take my advice, though, since he’s already moved you in and employed you,” she laughs. “Those brothers have never been good at being patient. I guess the question is, how are you feeling about him? Because I can tell you without a doubt that once a Montgomery has his sights on you, there is nothing stopping them from going after what they want. Just ask Sophia and I,” she laughs.
Wrapping my hands around my warm coffee mug, I debate how to answer. “Truthfully, the last thing I wanted was a guy barging into my life wanting to be my knight in shining armor. I haven’t had the best experience with men. My past…” I stop and glance down at my hands. “My past relationship hasn’t been an easy one, and things are still messy. I don’t want to involve Jake in my mess, but he seems very adamant about taking on my problems.”
She reaches out her hand and places it over mine. “Jake has always been a protector and always will be. It’s one of the many things I love about him. Whatever you’ve been through, I can tell you one thing for certain. You will never be more safe or protected than when you are in the hands of Jake or his brothers. He brought you into his home and into his family. That tells me right there that he’s already decided to involve himself and is already thinking of ways to make your life better. That’s just what this family does. And that includes me,” she smiles. “I’m really glad you are here. Sophia lives an hour away, and Savi is still up in Georgia, so that makes you my new bestie in Blue Haven.”
“I’m really glad I’m here, too. I’ve never had a bestie girlfriend before.”
“Never?” She asks, surprised.
“Never.” I shake my head.
“Well, I’m honored to be your first. Hand me your phone.” I hand it over and watch her take a selfie and type in her contact information before handing it back. “Now it’s official.”
I laugh when I see her contact name as bestie. I take one, too, and text it over to her. “There you go, bestie.”
“Perfect,” she grins, adding me to her phone. “So, as your new bestie, I have one question for you?”
“Okay, fire away.”
“How are you handling all the heat the Montgomery brothers dish out? Because if he’s anything like Ryder, your panties should be melted off by now.”
I can’t stop the grin that spreads across my face. I’ve never had someone to girl talk with, and suddenly, I’m giddy about it. “You have no idea. All he has to do is stand there, and my body responds to him. I might not make it out alive when we have sex.”
“I still feel like that with Ryder,” she laughs. “Sophia and I are convinced these brothers were born with some type of superpower when it comes to the bedroom.”
“From what I’ve already felt, I believe it.” I smile when Laura walks over to our table.
“Can I get you girls anything else?”
“No, I’m good. I have to get back to work. The kids should be waking up from their nap soon. Can you just put this on my tab?” Eve asks Laura.
“Sure thing. You girls have a good day. I’ll call you later, Lyla, and go over Friday's order. I’m thinking of adding on to it since the muffins were such a hit.”
“Sounds good. Thanks, Laura.” She smiles before heading to another table. “Thanks for the coffee,” I say, turning back to Eve.
“It’s my pleasure. I’m happy I ran into you,” she says, gathering her things and taking the bag with the muffin. “You may have another bestie with my daughter if this muffin tastes half as good as it smells,” she laughs.
“I’ll be sure to make her some extras with my next batch.” I walk with Eve to the back gate and out onto the sidewalk.
“Well, now I know she’ll want to be your bestie.” She pulls me in for a goodbye hug. “I’ll text you, and we can make plans to do something soon. Maybe a fun double date!”
“Okay,” I laugh as she waves goodbye and walks back toward her work. I watch her until she disappears out of sight before exploring the town more and seeing what other businesses might be interested in adding some bakery items.
An hour later, I have four names of possible new clients in my phone, and I’m more optimistic than ever that I can make this business work. I stop when I notice I’m back near the cafe, in front of Inked .
I hesitate briefly before walking in. Part of me is really curious about where he works, and the other part of me just flat-out wants to see him again. I try not to get in my head about the second part and what that means.
I’ve never been inside a tattoo shop before, so I’m surprised when I notice how upscale it looks with its wooden floors and black accents. My eyes immediately go to the wall with all the printed artwork. Beautiful designs are drawn and woven together in a seamless work of art.
“Can I help you?” I turn and see a young, blonde-haired guy covered in tattoos. His warm brown eyes take me in as he smiles at me. “I’m Trent. Are you interested in getting a tattoo?”
“One day, I would love one, but I’m actually looking for Jake. Is he around?”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No, I was just in this area and thought I would say hi for a minute.”
“Sorry, but I can’t let you back there if you don’t have an appointment. Boss’s rules.”
“Oh, okay. Could you at least tell him I’m here?” I ask, confused that it’s this hard to talk to Jake. “Or I guess I could just text him and let him know,” I say, taking out my phone.
“Lyla?” I glance up and see Jake walking toward me from a back room. He’s dressed in his usual dark tee and pants. My heart beats a little faster as he approaches me.
“Sorry, Jake. She doesn’t have an appointment or on the list.”
“She’s with me, Trent. Let the others know that she’s on the list, too.”
“Will do, boss,” he fights a grin as he looks at us. “It’s nice to meet you, Lyla. Let me know when you are ready for the tattoo.” He winks at me and walks back to his station.
“You’re getting a tattoo from Trent?” His eyes narrow as he waits for my answer.
“Not exactly. I just told him one day I want one. And why is it so hard to see you? I thought I was going to be patted down for a minute.”
“I’d like to see him try to pat you down,” he stares in Trent’s direction, and I see Trent chuckling when he notices. “Come with me,” he says, grabbing my hand and leading me to the back. I pass a couple more stations and some private rooms before we enter a back office. It’s spacious, with a massive desk and a comfortable couch against one wall. I see a door leading off to a private bathroom in the corner.
“If this is a bad time, I can leave. Trent made it seem like you were busy.”
“No, I’m between clients, so now is the perfect time. Sorry about Trent. I forgot to tell him you are on the list,” he says, shutting the door behind us.
“The list?” He looks uncomfortable as I wait for him to explain.
“Things got pretty hectic when Travis and I started getting more well-known,” he rubs his hand through his hair, avoiding my eyes. “We’ve always been very professional at work, so when girls started coming in, they would ask for us, and before we knew it, they would be wanting more in the back office instead of wanting a tattoo or worse, get a tattoo just so they could try to seduce us after.”
He glances at my shocked face before looking away. “So we started the list. No one is even allowed in the tattoo sections or my office unless they have an appointment or are on the list. It sets firm boundaries in my workspace, and I quickly show them the door if any appointments get out of hand and they aren’t allowed back. That’s the list you don’t want to be on,” his lips quirk up.
“So, who’s on your list?”
“Family and now you.” His greys meet mine, and I’m flooded with the warm feeling that I’ve come to crave. He invades my space in two steps as I back up and hit the desk.
“I don’t want to be off the list because of wanting more in the back office,” I whisper, putting a hand on his chest to create a barrier, which was a big mistake. The contact sends us both reeling as his eyes darken, and he steps closer.
“You are permanently on the list, so you don’t have to worry about that. I’m breaking all the rules I’ve set with what I’m about to do, but you are the first one I want to break them for.” His thumb rubs over my bottom lip before his fingers weave into my hair.
Bending down, his lips graze my neck, and I close my eyes as I deeply breathe him in.
“And Lyla?” His breath caresses my ear.
“Yes?” I whisper.
“No one but me gets to permanently mark this beautiful skin. It will only be my art that touches you.”
I nod my head as his tongue swipes my skin.
“I need to hear you say it, little hummingbird.” His teeth lightly nip me, and I bite back a moan.
“Only you,” I manage to get out. “I want only your art on me.”
“Fuck, that does something to me,” he growls seconds before diving in with a kiss that has me desperately clinging to him. His tongue finds mine immediately as we tangle together in a frenzy. You would think it had been days since we last saw each other instead of mere hours.
He lifts me on the desk and settles between my legs. His hands skim my bare thigh before sinking into my ass and bringing me flush against him.
“Oh, God,” I moan when I feel him hard against me.
“You have no idea how bad I want this sweet pussy wrapped around me. We are going to fit so damn good together that you will never doubt that you were made for me.”
His words seep into my soul, branding me.
The heat between my legs grows as he moves me against the front of his pants. When I feel his hand move between my legs, I gasp when his fingers push my panties to the side, and he easily slides two in.
“Jesus Christ. You’re so fucking wet for me. ”
He pushes them deeper into me, and I greedily wrap around him.
“I need you to be a good girl and be quiet while I fuck you with my fingers because I will make you cum again. Think you can manage to be quiet?”
“Only if you can, while I touch you.” I quickly undo his pants, and my hand is wrapped around him tightly on my next breath. He’s unleashed something inside of me that’s been missing, and now that I know what it feels like, all I want to do is make him feel the same way he makes me.
“Fuck,” he moans softly. “Here.” He removes his fingers, and I watch, mesmerized, as he coats himself with my arousal.
Replacing my hand, he slides me down his slick skin. “You look good on me, baby. Right where you belong.” He grabs the back of my neck and rests his forehead to mine. “I’m going to try something here. It’s going to be tempting to slide into you, but I’ll be damn if your first time with me is rushed and in my office. Are you okay with getting as close as we can without actually having sex?”
“Right now, I think I would be good with anything you suggest. I trust you.”
“God, I love hearing that,” he whispers. He steps back and removes his t-shirt before my dress easily comes next, along with my thong. His eyes roam me as I stand there in my bra and high heels. “We wouldn’t want to make a mess on your pretty dress,” he grins wickedly before pressing himself against me again and searing me with a kiss.