Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
ASH
For ten minutes, I stand outside the Rosie Lee Café debating what the hell I’ll say to Cal. Where do you start with a conversation like this?
I spot her through the white net curtain; her smile must earn the best tips in the house.
It’s busy in there today, but she should finish soon.
I can’t wait to get her out of there and all to myself.
I won’t relax until I’ve talked over how much the band need to commit for the next few months at least. It’s praying on my mind.
Cal weaves effortlessly around each table, wiping them down, stacking plates and clearing used mugs.
The apron she wears is long on the front, but the back exposes her short, cut-off shorts and long legs.
I don’t appreciate the way one table of three lads are whistling her way and checking her out.
Their words are faint, so I can’t hear everything they say, but it looks as if she’s ignoring them, anyway.
I’m still keeping my eye on them when one lanky bell-end reaches out to catch her; I’m about ready to knock him out.
She swerves his hand, gives him a dirty look and says something I can’t hear, but whatever it is, she isn’t happy.
A few of the punters turn and stare at the lads now laughing, pointing at Cal and egging on the lanky arsehole to try it again.
I dare him. I’m dying to see the white of his eyes when I land my fist in his face.
Low and behold, he tries for a second time by leaning out from the table behind her.
While she bends over a table, reaching for the opposite end with her cloth, it’s obvious he’s thinking about it.
My fists clench as he moves in closer, don’t you fucking dare, you scum.
His hand catches the hem of her shorts, but by the time he touches the back of her thigh, I’m there.
I don’t stop and think before crashing through the door, nearly taking the bell off its hinges.
Cal’s bright eyes are the first thing I see as I get closer.
The guy in question jumps from his chair, almost stumbling back before I get to him and his mates scatter to the side.
That’s when I know; I don’t have to touch a hair on his head to make my point, although I’d fucking love to.
He backs up to the counter, I’m towering over him, my stance wide and the look on his face is priceless.
Cal is by my side. “Ash, don’t. Please.” Her hand grips my arm, attempting to force me back, but I don’t budge.
“Ashton, don’t let these arseholes get the better of you.” It’s Miss Lee’s voice from behind the counter, but I’m too caught up with the fucker in front of me. His hands fly up when I take a step closer. “Hey, I meant nothing by it. I was just playing.”
“Playing, huh,” I say through gritted teeth.
My nostrils flare when I take in a heavy breath to force my chest out in warning.
“Who the fuck do you think you are, touching her like that?” My lips curl as I glare into his wide eyes.
I can’t help myself. Despite Cal’s hand never moving from my arm, I fist his t-shirt into my other hand and throw him back against the counter.
“Worthless piece of shit.” Glancing over my shoulder, I notice the two muppets who thought he was so funny two minutes ago, are now backing away.
I fist his tee tighter in my hands, my face an inch from his.
“If you ever take a step back in here again, or come anywhere near her, I will hunt you down, and you’ll regret the day you were fucking born, get me?
” He repeatedly nods like a scared child.
“Wait,” Cal says, squeezing my arm, but I’m still giving this idiot my full-on death stare.
“Just one sec.” I glance into her eyes then nod to her request. She steps over to one table which hasn’t yet been cleared, and seconds later, she’s back by my side with a half-finished chocolate milkshake.
She looks up at me, smiles, then we both look back to her tormentor while she drizzles the remaining milkshake over his head.
I raise my eyebrows. “Nice work Miss Bryson.”
“Thank you, Mr Chambers,” she says confidently by my side, which is when I hear giggles from the punters behind. “He can go now,” Cal grins.
“You heard the lady. Fuck off and take your girlfriends with you.” I push him back and release his clothing from my grip. He slips in the spilt milkshake at first as he attempts to get past me, but he’s soon out the door on the tail of his mates.
I turn to Cal’s worried eyes. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m alright.”
I notice the whole café is quiet as Miss Lee shouts after them, “You’re banned for life, you lot.
Don’t bother coming back.” Then she makes her announcement, “Okay, show’s over people,” as the remaining customers whisper and chatter between themselves.
“And as for you,” Miss Lee turns to face me, “I don’t know what made you act in such a way, Ashton, but I’m sure you have your reasons. ”
I take a deep breath, “Sorry, Miss. It was a knee-jerk reaction.”
She smiles lightly. “I can’t condone violence, but as those kids have been rubbing me up the wrong way for weeks, I’m grateful. Just don’t go getting yourself into any more trouble, alright?”
“Yes, Miss.” I might be twice as tall as her, but the authority in her voice still scares the shit out of me.
“And Ashton? For the love of God, call me Rosie. I haven’t been your teaching assistant for quite a few years now.” She huffs out a laugh, then looks to Cal. “Why don’t you clear this crap up from the floor and finish up. Your shift is nearly over, anyway; I can close up.”
“Thanks, Rosie. I will,” her quiet, shaky voice replies.
Cal mops while I wipe down the front of the counter. We’re finished in no time, but when I circle the café the three or four tables remaining all have their eyes on me. The feel of Cal’s hand brushes mine, “Come on, stud, let’s get you out of here.”
I follow her footsteps then once we’re outside; she spins around, wraps her hand around my neck and pulls me down towards her.
I bring her closer still, pressing my palm to her back and holding her as close as I’m able to get while taking full possession of her mouth.
Her intention was probably a peck, but I’m a greedy bastard.
As she pulls away, she breathes out, “You’re something else, Ashton Chambers. ”
“You weren’t so bad yourself. I like your creative thinking with the dregs of that old shake.”
“Hey, it was nothing compared to what you did. I’ve never had anyone stand up for me like that before. You can meet me every day after work if this is how you look after me.”
“I was watching them from outside for a while. It was obvious what those fuckers were up to. I won’t stand by and watch a spineless cocksucker disrespect you like that.”
I want to tell her I’ll look after her every day, but I won’t make a promise I can’t keep.
Instead, I pull her back to me, taking her mouth with my own, just one more time.
Her full sweet lips return my kiss all over again, and when we finally part, her body presses closer to mine while her hands are interlinked around my neck.
“You didn’t have to step in and defend me, but I’m glad you did.
” Calla pulls herself up again, placing her mouth by my ear and whispers, “It turned me on. Massively.” Landing back on her feet, she looks down, a blush to her beautiful face.
If my house weren’t like Piccadilly fucking Circus right now, I’d drag her cute arse back there, but Calla has other ideas as it happens.
Her hands slide down both of my arms; her fingers link with mine.
“Follow me,” she indicates with her head to the side.
“Where are we going?”
“To mine.”
She giggles all shy and sexy as shit while she urges me forward. “Come on; I’m taking you home.”
“To meet your family?” I panic, but total relief floods through me when Calla laughs again. “I wouldn’t put you through that just yet.” But she says nothing else, so I’m guessing they’re out.
Her cut off jean short shorts are pretty distracting as I follow behind at first, taking in her bum which teases just below the loose strings of cotton brushing her smooth skin.
She glances back towards me, her chin brushing lightly against her shoulder, her eyes drawing me in.
The way she swings her hips could make a man weep.
She tugs my hand; bringing me to her side, so I wrap my hand around her waist. I resist the temptation to run my fingers down to the hem of her shorts and brush her smooth curves.
If I did, it would make me no better than the arse-wipe who tried to grope her in the café.
She glances up, her perfect white smile in place. I’m semi-hard already, and all she had to do was look at me.
It’s less than a five-minute walk to Cal’s. The familiar Victorian terrace she leads me to is in a pretty nice part of town. I used to cycle past this place on the way to school every day, wishing I had the guts to knock on her door, but I never did.
Holding her hand out for me to take, our fingers entwine as she silently leads me into her childhood home.
It’s looking more lived-in than the last time I came here.
The layout inside is similar in design to the house I rent except bigger.
There isn’t too much here, but at least all the blankets covering the furniture have gone.
The kitchen is spacious, full of wooden cabinets and an old-fashioned table which could easily fit a large family.
But there has only ever been Cal’s grandparents and mother around, as far as I know.
“So, we’re alone?”
“We are,” she grins.
“How long do we have?” I can’t stop smiling.
“Don’t worry. My grandparents aren’t around.”
“Oh, fuck. Cal, I’m sorry, you never said—”
“Don’t worry, they’re not dead, they live in Greece now,” she laughs.