Chapter 14 Kayla
KAYLA
One week later…
The bacon crackles in the pan as I turn it over, the hot oil making it jump.
“Something smells good.”
Seth pads into the kitchen, his hair ruffled from sleep. His arm slides around my waist, and I plant a quick kiss on his mouth before a loud pop from the pan draws my attention back to the bacon.
“Can you put the toast down? This is almost ready.”
A few minutes later, we’re sitting at the small table eating breakfast while watching the fishing boats come in for the day.
In the last week, Seth has stayed over every night. We’ve made love more times than I can count, each time more intense than the last.
We’ve settled into an easy routine. Seth helps me open the cafe in the mornings and then disappears to work for the day. He always comes back in the afternoon when I’m closing up, and we walk along the pier, feed the seagulls, then go back to my place.
Seth’s never invited me to his place, and if I feel uneasy about that, I tell myself it’s because it’s easier to stay here, close to my work.
It’s been the happiest week of my life.
Seth is so easy to talk to, he’s smart and funny, and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the feel of his muscular arms around me.
“What led you to go into the army?” I ask between mouthfuls of breakfast.
Seth takes his time. I’m used to that by now. All of his answers are considered and thoughtful.
“I wanted to serve my country.” He takes a sip of coffee, a smile forming on his lips. “And have an adventure.”
“Did you always know it’s what you wanted to do?”
“Yeah.” He nods emphatically. “Ever since I was a boy, it’s what I wanted.”
I wonder what that’s like, to have a calling. To know with certainty what you want to do.
I’ve never known. Dad’s always pushed me to go to college because he never got that opportunity. But it’s not what I want.
I want something better, something more noble.
“I think I’d like to serve.”
Seth almost spits out his coffee. “You want to go into the military?”
“No.” I laugh because he looks so shocked. “I mean, I want to help people.”
He looks relieved.
“I’d like to be a nurse.”
I blurt it out quickly because it’s the first time I’ve ever said it out loud.
I’ve thought about it for a long time, and when I vaguely mentioned it to my father, he started going on about medical school.
But I don’t want to be a doctor. I want to be more hands on, to make people comfortable and help them heal.
“That’s a fine way to serve.” His support makes my body slacken with relief.
“I’m not sure my dad would approve.”
I can imagine Dad’s face. He’s worked hard to get where he is.
He worked his way up from nothing, as he likes to tell us, to own a successful business.
He’s always had big plans for me and my sister, plans that involve high-paying professions.
I could never tell him that I want to be a humble nurse.
Seth takes my hand in his. “I’m sure your father would be proud of you whatever you do. He loves you very much.”
It’s funny. He’s talking as if he knows my dad. And yeah, I guess after the initial disappointment I know Dad would eventually support my decision.
Seth brings my hand to his lips and kisses the tender spot on my wrist. The gentleness of his breath sends a delightful shiver up my arm.
“You’ll make an excellent nurse, Kayla.”
His mouth moves up my arm, trailing kisses over my skin. His support means more to me than he knows, and I feel a surge of warmth, a surge of love for this man.
“How long have you got ‘til the cafe opens?”
I glance at the wall clock.
“About ten minutes.”
Seth pulls me out of the chair.
“We’d best hurry then.”
He’s already got his hands entangled in my shirt, pulling it off as he drags me to the bedroom.
“Slow down,” I giggle as I bump into the wall while trying to get my t-shirt over my head.
We both laugh, and a moment later, the laughter turns to kissing and we fall onto the bed, tumbling together, our clothes getting tangled in our rush to get them off. Knowing we haven’t got a lot of time makes the lovemaking urgent.
I’m always aware of Seth’s leg injury, so I climb on top, straddling him as I run my hands over his hard chest.
I don’t even bother taking my bra off, knowing how good my breasts look in the expensive black lace.
Seth runs his tip over my entrance, but I’m impatient to have him inside me.
Taking him by surprise, I sink myself onto his cock, loving the way I make him groan. We rock together, our bodies fitting together perfectly.
His hands are all over my body, clutching onto my curves, his fingers gripping my hips as I slide up and down his shaft, riding his cock.
It doesn’t take long for the pressure to build and then we’re coming together, crying out each other’s names as we explode in shared ecstasy.
I feel whole with Seth. I feel safe and warm and in control of my own life.
With a stupid, happy smile on my face, I dress quickly and go downstairs to open the cafe.