7. Mateo
Chapter seven
Mateo
P ulling up in front of Gary’s Place, a feeling of peace settles over me knowing that I’m so close to my girl. Every part of my body craves her but it’s not just that. After watching her last night, I can tell that she’s a hard worker. The hurt in her eyes has me wanting to scoop her up in my arms, never letting anything bad happen to her again. I’m going to do everything I can to prove to her that we belong together. I slam shut the door to my truck and head into the bar, settling myself down at my favorite table. I pull my phone out to busy myself, hoping to help with the nerves.
“Can I get you something?” Her melodic voice breaks through my scrolling and my heart starts to race.
I keep myself focused on my phone as I answer, just to keep myself from falling over her. It’s already proving to be hard keeping myself from taking her home with me. She’s too skittish for that. If I’m going to win her over, I need to keep my head on straight.
“I’ll just take whatever beer you have on tap.”
“I’ll be right back with that.” There’s a hesitance in her tone, causing her to hover for a second before returning to the bar. I watch as she sashays away. Her hips flare out, leading to her voluptuous ass. I can’t help but stare. I want to get my hands on it. Want to wake up every morning to her in my bed, my marks all over her and branding her as mine.
Though I don’t want to, I need to look away. I need a distraction, a bigger one than my phone. I text the one person I know will come to the bar without any questions asked. Pulling up my messages, I send one to Alex.
Me: Come to the bar.
Alex: I’ll be there in ten.
I knew he would come right away. He never turns down a good time. Cecilia returns with my drink. This time I look up into her eyes. I could fucking drown in those coffee-colored eyes that say so much in them and I would die a happy man. We both stare at each other for what feels like an eternity, but I know is only a few seconds. She is the first to look away as she places my drink down on the table.
“Enjoy,” she says breathlessly.
I’m disappointed when she walks away without another word, but thankfully Alex joins me a few minutes later. Even though my brother isn’t as serious as Dexter and me, he helps to balance us out
“How’s it going, man?” He asks as he slips into the stool next to me.
“Today was a shitshow at the gym. One of the machines broke and then I had a few people call out. Dad called. I just needed a break.”
“What do you mean Dad called? For what?” His voice drops to a low, serious tone.
I wave him off. “It doesn’t matter. I told him no.”
I never want my brothers to feel the dead weight of what we call our father on their shoulders. I know I haven’t always stopped them from feeling it, especially for Dexter but if I can help it, I try. Before Alex can ask me anymore questions, Cecilia stops by and taps the table. My eyes immediately go to her, but she avoids any eye contact. What she does hits me right in the chest.
“What can I get you?” A genuine, full-on smile takes over her face when she talks to Alex. Jealousy wracks my body and I want to knock Alex the hell out, so she’s only looking at me.
“I’ll have what he’s having.” He tilts his head in my direction.
Cecilia turns and walks away without even glancing at me.
I never let her leave my sight, keeping tabs on her as she goes from customer to customer and serving them. With each one, I know my lips drop more and more into a frown. Her smiles are supposed to be only for me.
“Aww, I see why you came here,” Alex chuckles. “I thought it was weird that you would willingly come to the bar by yourself.”
“Don’t know what you’re talking about. I just came to get a drink and unwind.” I don’t turn toward him and even though I know I’m being obvious; I still deny what he’s trying to say.
From the corner of my eye, I can see Alex roll his. I’m not really listening to his sarcastic reply. “Huh. That’s why. I’m sure.”
“Do you think Dexter will ask Hazel to marry him soon?” Alex thankfully changes the subject. It’s been a running joke between the two of us that Dexter needs to hurry and lock her down before she tries to run again.
“Yes. It wouldn’t surprise me if it’s in the next few weeks. Even though she’s only been back a little while, they’ve been on track to get married since they were eight.” I keep my eyes on Cecilia the whole time I answer my brother.
“Exactly.” Excitedly, he snaps his fingers at me. “It’s like magic or destiny.”
My girl walks over to us as Alex is still talking about magic and shit and drops his drink off. He then looks at me with a glint in his eye. “You know you never gave me your name the other night.” He directs the statement toward Cecilia, and I grit my teeth at his invasion.
She gives him a soft smile. “Cecilia.”
“I haven’t seen you here before. Are you new in town?”
“Yes. I just moved here.”
He leans forward on his elbows, getting closer to her, and I have to use all my strength not to knock him out. He looks over at me and gives me a wide fucking grin. I know he’s about to do something that will make me want to fuck him up. “Well, Cecilia, you are fucking sexy. Would you like to go home with me tonight?”
I can’t help but let a growl out and smack the table, causing Cecilia and Alex to jump. They both look at me and when I see Cecilia, her body is rigid, and all the blood has rushed from her face. I start to stand up from my stool, which breaks her from whatever was gripping her. She shakes her head, turns, and runs away.
I keep my eyes on her and see that she is wiping her face as she runs to the back of the bar. A protective feeling comes over me and I smack my brother in the back of his head.
“What the hell was that for?” he yells, rubbing his head where I hit him.
“Why the fuck are you hitting on her?”
“I just wanted to see how you would react. And I knew it. You like her and she’s the reason we came here tonight when usually you just want to stay at home.”
I don’t dignify him with any response. Instead, I glare at him. But I don’t want to sit here and put him in his place. The need to get to my Pretty Girl and make sure she’s okay. I hit my little brother one more time for good measure. “I’ll be right back.”
“Sure,” he says sarcastically, but I don’t have time to make him pay for his sass.
I rush across the bar to the back area where I see a door to the outside propped open and I can hear crying. I creep closer to the door and walk outside. She’s bent over with her head in her hands. She doesn’t seem to hear me as she keeps crying. I shove my hands in my pockets as the guilt and anger wrap around me. I clear my throat.
She looks up at me and my whole body softens when I see the mascara running down my face.
“Are you okay?” I whisper.
“No,” she hiccups out.
I can’t seem to hold myself back. My legs move on their own accord, forcing me to box her in as I lean against the wall. “I’m sorry if I scared you. How can I make it better?”
“There’s nothing.” Her tone is sharp, but she doesn’t refute what I said about being scared.
“Pretty Girl, I can tell that you need something. Whatever it is, I’ll give it to you.” And I would. Anything she wants, I’ll give her.
She laughs and the look on her face gives me hope that whatever seemed to be bothering her has started to lift. A smirk pulls at my lips. “I bet you say that to all the ladies.”
“Only the pretty ones.” I give her a wink.
“Thanks for coming out here to check on me. I really appreciate it.” Her hand rests on my bicep. I automatically flex it. Her smile gets even bigger. “Well, I guess I should get back out there.”
I lean down and crash my lips to hers. Her body completely melts into mine as she presses her lovely tits against me. I moan and she slips her slick tongue in my mouth. I love that this little vixen is trying to take control. I allow it for now, but she will find out soon that I’m the one in charge.
I grip her ass and force her close to me so she can feel what she does to me. I rub my cock against her hot pussy. If we keep going like this, I’m going to be fucking her against this brick wall. She must feel it too, because she rips herself away from me.
Her eyes dart to the ground and stay there when she wipes her mouth, keeping her gaze down as she tries to move me out of the way. I allow it…this time.
“Please leave me alone, Mateo.” It’s a quiet plea as she slips back into the bar.
I stay silent and watch her as she goes back to her job.