Chapter 45
Chapter Forty-Five
Kash
I’m practically bouncing on my heels with happiness.
Mila went to work early this morning so she could get some things prepped with the girl they just hired.
Kate started a few weeks ago and I think it’s been going well so far.
Hopefully, having someone else there early will offload some of the strain on my girl.
She works so hard, and sometimes she gets mad when I tell her I think she works too hard.
I don’t understand how she functions on five or six hours of sleep. Some nights when I get home from the shop, I crawl into bed next to her and try to be as quiet as possible. Other times, she’s up, waiting for me, and neither of us get much sleep. It’s been perfect.
She tried to sleep in her old room once.
I got home late after a longer session with a regular client.
Dax is a cool guy, but we had to adjust his piece, and it took forever—well, at least it felt that way.
I made it home closer to midnight, walking in as quietly as possible so I didn’t disturb Mila.
Grabbing some boxers from my dresser, I decide to use Mila’s old room to shower. I don’t want to chance waking her up when I know she has to be up in a few hours. Taking the quickest shower known to man, I’m surprised to find her lying in bed asleep.
I stand there for a solid five minutes, running through all the reasons why she would be sleeping in here instead of our bed.
Did she not want to walk the thirteen extra steps to our room?
Did she not want to sleep without me next to her?
Or maybe she was folding laundry, got tired, and just fell asleep, under the blankets with no laundry basket in sight.
Pulling back the blanket, I find Mila completely naked, and I briefly curse Dax and his stupid tattoo.
I carefully pick up her sleeping form and carry her into our bedroom, laying her down gently.
No longer needing boxers, I shove them down my legs, then slide in next to her.
She briefly wakes up when I pull her into my arms, giving me a sleepy smile. I swear to God, my heart stops.
“Hey, Casanova,” she whispers, her voice heavy with sleep.
“Hi, Wifey. Sorry I’m late.”
Yawning, Mila stretches her smooth legs against mine. I’m hard as a rock, but I’m ignoring it. She needs sleep. I know she does, and so does she. “Mmmm. S’ok.” She closes her eyes again, laying her hand on top of my chest, rubbing slow, smooth circles. “Are you naked, Kash?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to...”
“Naked cuddle you? Absolutely,” I whisper, kissing her forehead.
She cracks an eye, looking at me with a curious expression. “Isn’t that just sex?”
“No.” I pull her tighter to my body, drawing her in so she’s all but lying on top of me. “Naked cuddling is me holding you close, your skin to mine, knowing that nothing else is as important as this moment.”
“Sounds good, Casanova.”
“Good.”
Opening the door to Twin Roasts, the scent of coffee and baked goods hits my senses. I can practically taste the maple scone I see in the case, just waiting for me, but first, I need to see my girl.
Mara stands behind the counter, helping a customer. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she’s almost smiling. Walking past her, I’m about to go into the kitchen when I hear her voice. “Don’t even think about it, Kash.”
Freezing in place, I spin to glare at her. “Don’t think about what? I know you’re not telling me I can’t go see my girl.”
She doesn’t even look up as she makes a drink for the customer. “Mila is busy. She’s working with someone on an order, so you need to give her a few minutes.”
“I thought she met with people for orders in the back booth.” I point to the empty table we sat at not too long ago.
Setting the drink on the counter, Mara gestures to the customer, then addresses me. “We were busy a while ago, so she took him back to talk in the kitchen instead. You just missed the rush.”
I ignored everything else she said after hearing the words took him back. Who is him and why is he back there with my girl?
Shoving through the kitchen doors, I ignore Mara’s warning shout for me to stop. I’ll be damned if my girl is alone with some fucking guy. How dare Mara let someone back here with her like that. He could be a serial killer for all she knows, and my sweet Sunshine could be his next victim. Maybe.
Two heads whip in my direction at the sound of the door slamming against the wall. I take in Mila’s stunned expression briefly. As soon as I see she’s in one piece and okay, I turn toward the guy I’m about to rip apart. The guy who is about to be the opposite of okay.
“Who the fuck are you?” I all but snarl.
He’s a bit on the younger side with dark hair and eyes. He’s lean but not scrawny and stands a little taller than Mila. If I had to guess, he’s about five feet eight. It doesn’t matter; he could be ten feet tall, and I’d still rock his shit if he touched my girl.
“Kash!” Mila scolds me, then turns toward the interloper. “I’m so sorry, Mateo.”
“You jackass.” Mara bursts in, shoving my arm. “Are you insane?”
Whirling around to her, I narrow my eyes, “Are you insane? You just left her back here with some guy. Don’t you care about her safety?”
Looking around me, Mara glances at Mila. “Is he fucking serious?”
“Sadly, I think so,” she responds with a sigh.
“I think some of that ink covering your neck damaged your brain, pretty boy.” Mara jabs a finger into my chest. “That’s Mateo.”
“Who the fuck is Mateo?” I all but shout.
“Hi. I’m Mateo,” a masculine voice sounds from behind me.
Spinning around to face him, I take a step forward. “Good. Take note of that, Mara. I’m glad someone knows what name to put on his tombstone because I’m about to shove him in one of those ovens and get rid of him.”
His eyes widen briefly and then the fucker starts laughing. “Oh, Mila, I can see why you like this one. He’s entertaining. Definitely worth your time.” He has a slight accent, but I can’t place it exactly.
“I’m not sure how much I like him right now,” she deadpans, folding her arms across her chest. “What are you doing, Kash?”
“I could ask you the same thing, baby. You’re back here with this guy”—I wave in his direction—“when I know you meet with clients out there.” I point back toward the dining area.
Her eyes flare, and I suddenly realize I’ve only ever seen the angry expression currently on her face once before. It was the one she wore the night we had dinner at her parents’ house.
“I only meet the troublesome or needy clients out there,” she retorts, which is rude because she made me sit out there, twice. Just to add insult to injury, she continues, “Only the best clients get to come into the kitchen.”
Oh, I’ll come in her kitchen, after spanking her sassy little ass.
“Mateo’s family owns the best Italian restaurant in town, La Stella,” Mila explains.
I’ve heard of them. The family-owned restaurant puts anything I’ve ever attempted to make to shame. Their ravioli is so good; I could eat a tray of them and not think twice. And don’t even get me started on their cannoli.
“Not that I owe you an explanation, because I’m at work and all, but his parents’ thirtieth anniversary is in a few weeks, and he wanted to surprise them with a party and cake.
I don’t do them often, but they love my lemon raspberry cake, and he wanted to order one.
Do you need something right this second, or should I have Mara toss you out? After you’ve apologized of course.”
Standing in the middle of her kitchen, Mara staring at me, Mila looking mad, and Mateo looking absolutely amused, I decide that if I’m in for a penny, I’m in for a pound.
“It’s Mara’s fault. She said you were back here with some guy, and I didn’t know his intentions.”
"Good grief, Kash.” Mara grabs my arm. “You ink boys are all impossible. We’ll wait out here, Mila.”
As she all but drags me out, I turn to glare at Mateo’s stupid face one more time. “If you touch her, I promise you won’t be attending your parents’ party, or any other for that matter. I will end your existence.”
“It was nice to meet you, Kash.” The little fucker grins like I didn’t just threaten his life. “You should bring Mila to come see us. You can sit in my section. I always take care of Mila.”
That little fucker.
“Let’s go, Kash. Don’t make me grab the bat,” Mara threatens, digging her nails into my arm.
Mila ignores me and goes back to talking to Mateo like he didn’t just taunt me. It’s not a smart move on his part; I know where he works.
Pushing me through the doors, Mara glares at me.
“You did that shit on purpose,” I accuse, glaring right back. I know she did.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s not my fault you overreacted and went barging in just because I told you someone with a penis was near her.”
“That’s not funny, Mara. Only my penis is allowed near Mila.”
She makes a gagging sound and punches my arm, leveling a dark look my way. Shit, that kind of hurt. “Don’t talk about Mila like that, or I will kill you.”
“I’m not sorry. Saying sorry implies that I did something wrong. I did nothing wrong, therefore, no apology.”
Laughing, Mara slaps my shoulder and turns toward a new set of customers coming in. “Whatever you need to tell yourself, Kash, but remember, Mila may be the nicer twin, but it doesn’t mean she’s going to let what just happened slide.”
Looking at the clock on the wall, I realize I’m going to be late if I don’t leave now.
Shit. This was not how I saw this visit going.
Heading out, I stop in front of Mara, pinning her with a serious expression.
“Don’t let men in the kitchen with her. I don’t care if it’s Mateo or your third cousin twice removed. Do we understand each other?”
Her eyes flare, and she gestures for me to lean closer to her level. Staring me dead in the eyes, Mara gives me a look that sends shivers down my spine, even if I’ll never admit it out loud. “Get out.”