by Nicole Hart
“What is it?” he asked.
“Would you mind giving me a ride to work? I really hate to ask,” I said quietly.
“Is your car messing up?” he said, as he propped his head on his elbow.
“Not exactly,” I said.
He just gave me a confused look.
“My tires are flat,” I said, as I ran my hands through my hair, nervously.
“Tires?” he asked.
“All of them,” I said.
“All of them?” He repeated my words.
“I think Jake sliced my tires,” I said.
“Are you shitting me?” he said, as he sat up quickly, suddenly completely awake.
“I wish,” I said with a weak smile.
Kash jumped out of bed and looked out his window.
“Mother fucker,” he said, as he turned around and put a pair of shorts on, then headed out the door.
I wasn’t expecting that reaction out of him. I’m not even sure what I was expecting out of him, but it wasn’t that.
By the time I walked out of the bedroom, Kash was already halfway to my car. When he got there, he was bending over inspecting my tires.
I stood behind him, not knowing what else to do.
“Piece of shit,” he mumbled. I just stood there.
“Let me get dressed real quick, and I’ll take you to work,” he said, as he patted my lower back, and then jogged past me into the house. I just stood still in the driveway.
“Come inside and wait,” he said, as he stopped and turned around and looked at me from the doorway.
Once Kash was dressed, we got in the car in silence. I wasn’t sure what to say. I was embarrassed. I was disgusted with myself for staying with someone like Jake for so long.
“Thanks for giving me a ride. I really appreciate it,” I said.
“It’s no problem,” he said as he kept his eyes on the road, but I noticed him biting the inside of his cheek.
“Sorry I had to wake you up,” I said.
“I don’t mind, really,” he said, as he looked at me and gave me a wink. His sleepy eyes were long gone. Those piercing blue eyes of his were in full force.
Melted. Butter.
We pulled into the vet office and Kash put the car in park.
“Thanks again. And I’m sorry. Again. For waking you up,” I said, as I gave him a little smile.
“Stop apologizing,” he said with a laugh. “I told you I don’t mind, and I don’t.”
“Ok,” I said, as I opened the car door and started to get out.
“You were a nice sight first thing in the morning,” he said with a grin.
“Ditto,” I said with a stupid smile, and slammed the door behind me. Ditto. Who even says ditto? I’m an idiot. I couldn’t force myself to look back, even though I sure wanted to. I wanted to get one more look of that beautiful face of his. But I didn’t. Instead, I kept walking towards the door.
“Was that Kash’s car I heard?” Sam asked, as she walked in from the side door that lead to the large animal kennels and over to the sink.
“Uh… yeah,” I said, as I looked around at the other girls in the front office, as well as the two clients sitting in the waiting room with their dogs. I nodded my head for Sam to follow me to the break room so I could put my stuff away and clock in.
Sam was right on my heels, and I could feel her eyes burning into the back of my head.
“Where’s your car?” she asked, as soon as we walked through the doorway and there was no one else around.
“I woke up this morning and all of my tires were sliced,” I said with a look of disgust. This was going to set me back hundreds of dollars. I wasn’t even sure how much new tires cost. It would probably clean out a big chunk of my savings, though. Luckily, I had emptied my bank account and kept it under my mattress. I didn’t trust the fact that Jake worked at the bank. I didn’t think he would compromise his job, but after this little stunt, who knew how far he would go?
“Shut up!” Sam said, her eyes wide with surprise.
“Crazy, huh?” I said, and shook my head.
“Girl, he’s psycho, did you call the cops?” she asked.
“No. I was too worried about being late for work again, and I can’t even prove that he did it,” I said.
“You should at least file a report or something,” Sam said.
“I probably will after work,” I said. But I had to get my day started, so I walked over to the computer to clock in. Thanks to Kash and his quick delivery, I was actually on time.
“He’s fucking nuts, Mackenzie,” Sam said quietly before she walked out of the break room.
Don’t I know it. As I was putting my things away, I checked my phone before I put it up. I expected a text from Jake, but I got one from Kash, instead. I didn’t even know he knew my number.
Kash: I’ll give you a ride home from work –Kash
Me: Thanks, but I’ll figure something out.
Kash: Be there at 6.
Me: Thanks
I wasn’t going to argue with him, because the truth was I needed a ride. I didn’t want to walk home in the dark. Moon was home, so I didn’t want to bother Sam about it. This sucked. But I knew I had to put all of this out of my mind and concentrate on work. I had a long day of software conversion ahead of me, and I couldn’t afford to mess it up.
Chapter 8
The work day was finally over. I was starving and exhausted; all the commotion this morning made me forget my lunch, and it’s not like I could jump in my car and grab something, so I hadn’t eaten all day. But once I remembered that Kash would be there to pick me up, the hunger and tiredness was replaced with butterflies and giddiness. I really needed to get a grip on my feelings. I couldn’t let anything happen. The incident last night threw me off guard, and rocked my fucking world at the same time. I wasn’t expecting Kash to walk into my room. I wasn’t expecting him to do what he did, but oh my god, it was so hot. How was I going to resist him every day? But then again, Sam said he would only be there a couple of days and then he had to go back to work. And then I would be there. Alone.
When I walked out the door, I saw his car sitting in the parking lot. As excited as I was to see it, all I could think was this would fuel Jake up even more if he was spying on me. But then again, fuck him! Wow, my trash mouth here lately was surprising me. I don’t know if it was Sam’s influence or the fact that I was tired of dealing with bullshit, but it was coming full force.
“Hey,” I said, as I hopped in the passenger’s seat.
“Hey, yourself,” he said with that grin of his as he started the car, and I felt the engine vibrate beneath me. Sitting so close to Kash, I really didn’t need anything jostling that area.
“Thanks for coming to get me, and again, I’m sorry for inconveniencing you,” I said.
Kash slammed on his brakes, hard enough to bounce me forward. Luckily I had already put my seatbelt on. He put the car in park and turned to face me. He put his index finger on my lips and held it there.
“Stop apologizing,” he said quietly.
“Sor…” I started to do it again, but stopped myself.
“Listen to me. I only do what I want to do. If I didn’t want to help you, I wouldn’t.”
I just stared at him, listening to him.
“Now, if you don’t quit poking that sexy little lip out, I will bite it,” he said, as he ran his finger across my bottom lip.
I sucked my bottom lip in and latched on to it with my teeth. Although, the thought of him biting my lip got me way too excited.
“Oh, sweetie, that sure doesn’t help,” he said with a grin, but I could tell by the look in his eyes, he didn’t find it a bit funny.
He closed his eyes for a second, and dropped his hand. He faced forward and put the car back in drive. I couldn’t help but stare at him out of the corner of my eye. Especially when I watched him discreetly try to adjust the bulge in his jeans.
When we pulled into the driveway, my car was the first thin
g I noticed. It had all brand new tires. What the hell?
I stared at Kash, my eyes full of surprise and I’m pretty sure my mouth was hanging open.
“My car?” I asked, out of confusion.
“Yep, that’s your car,” he said with a smile.
“How?” I asked, dumbfounded.
“I took care of it,” he said.
“I’ll pay you back,” I said quietly.
“You’re not paying me for shit,” he said with a laugh.
“Why would you do this for me?” I asked.
“Because I wanted to,” he said.
When the car stopped, I jumped out and walked over to my car, feeling the brand new tires with my fingertips. I was shocked that he would do such a nice thing for me. I felt his presence directly behind me and my emotions took over. I turned around and wrapped my arms around him and squeezed him tight. He didn’t move for a second, but then wrapped one arm around my back and ran his other hand through the strands of my hair.
“Thank you, so much,” I said into his chest. I really was grateful. A small part of me worried that Jake was watching, but I didn’t care enough to let go. I just held on, knowing it was wrong, but touching him felt too good.
“Aw. You can thank me later,” he said with a grin, and slapped my ass as he dropped his arms. I couldn’t help but laugh at him as I pulled away from him and started to walk into the house.
We headed into the house and I felt my stomach growl. But I needed a shower first, and then I would worry about food.
“I’m gonna take a shower real quick then start some dinner, are you hungry?” I asked him.
“Thinking of you in the shower makes me hungry,” Kash said, as he walked past me and brushed his hand across my lower back.
“I’m serious, Kash,” I said with a grin, as I stood in my doorway.
“Me too, sweetie,” he said, as he shut his door behind him.
As I stepped into the shower, I couldn’t get his face out of my mind. I mean, it was just harmless flirting. That was ok, right? I wouldn’t sleep with him again. I couldn’t. No matter how bad I wanted to. I needed to live here until I could save up enough to move into my own place. And I knew how much I liked him now, if I slept with him again, I would be done for. I would get jealous of him with other women and drive myself crazy. It was settled, no sex. Period. Plus, there was the Jake problem. I couldn’t jump into bed with another man right after our break up. That would make me a whore. Even though I hated him for the most part of our relationship, I didn’t want to be that type of woman. I couldn’t deny my feelings for Kash, I just couldn’t act on them. No sex. Period. I would have to keep reminding myself, daily. Probably hourly.
Once I was dressed in yoga pants and a tank top-with a bra this time-I walked into the kitchen to get dinner started. I really was starving.
I was going through, getting pans and food out to get started, when I decided a glass of wine would be nice. So I grabbed the bottle I picked up yesterday out of the refrigerator and started looking for wine glasses. When I finally found them, I realized I couldn’t reach them, even standing on my tip toes.
I felt Kash against my back as he reached up and grabbed a glass for me. Once he had it in his hand, he put his nose against my neck and I could feel him inhale. I felt my eyes flutter closed.
“You smell so fucking good,” he whispered into my ear.
“Kash,” I whispered.
“Mmm…I love when you say my name like that,” he said into my neck.
It took a minute to clear my head, but I had to. I just made this deal with myself ten minutes ago.
“Kash,” I said with a little more authority, as I turned around to face him. Shit, he was sexy.
“Mackenzie,” he said, as he looked at me like I was his dinner.
“We can’t. I mean, I can’t.” I tried to form a full sentence, but wasn’t succeeding.
“Can’t what?” he asked.
“You know what I mean,” I said, trying my hardest to keep the promise I just made.
“You mean fuck,” he said, as he pressed his body against me.
“Right,” I whispered, but it was probably inaudible.
“You don’t want me to fuck you, Mackenzie?” he said in that husky voice, as he ran his index finger from my bottom lip down my neck to my breast bone.
“I’m not ready.” I lied. But I didn’t know what else to say. I couldn’t explain everything to him.
Kash ran that same finger from my breast all the way down my stomach and grazed it between my thighs, gently.
“That pussy begs to differ,” he said quietly, as he moved his finger back up to my stomach.
All I could do was nod my head, because he was absolutely right.
“Then, I’m just going to do one thing, and I don’t want you to deny me,” he said. I didn’t move. I waited.
I felt his hot breath get closer to my lips and he brushed his soft, full lips against mine. My mouth immediately opened up for him. He slid his tongue into my mouth and my tongue collided with his. Our mouths moved together as he put both of his hands on the back of my neck. He pulled his mouth away from mine and I almost let out a whimper; everything inside me wanted to beg for more. He sucked gently on my bottom lip, and then gave me two small pecks.
“Fuck,” he said, as he dropped his hands and pulled away from me.
We stood in silence for a minute. I think both of us were trying to gather our composure.
“You want some help with dinner?” he said casually after a minute.
“I need wine first,” I said honestly.
Kash let out a small laugh as he grabbed a beer out of the refrigerator and poured my wine for me.
I should just drink straight from the bottle, because I was going to need it.
Chapter 9
He was leaving today. My emotions were all over the place. I was sad he was leaving. I was relieved he was leaving. I was scared he was leaving. I liked being around him, but I knew I could at least keep the promise I made to myself if he wasn’t there. But I was scared of being alone. I knew Jake would realize soon enough that I was by myself. I had to mentally prepare myself to stand up to him.
“You’re about to head out?” I asked when I walked out of my room and saw his bag sitting by the front door. He was standing by the bar sipping a cup of coffee.
“Yeah, for a week,” he said in his morning voice that I loved. He must have just showered because I could smell soap and cologne, plus his hair was still a little damp. He was intoxicating. He also seemed a little preoccupied as he leaned against the bar.
I walked past him to the coffee pot and noticed he was biting the inside of his cheek. I wanted to ask him what was wrong, but I didn’t want to pry.
“Are you going to be ok here by yourself?” he asked.
“I’ll be fine,” I said, as I poured myself a cup of coffee. It felt like I was lying to him.
“Look, I don’t know much about what went on with your ex, but he seems like a dick, and I’m kind of worried that he might try fucking with you when I’m gone.”
“Nah, he won’t,” I said, definitely feeling like a liar. But I was sick of feeling like a victim.
“He just gets off on putting his hands on you and slicing your tires,” he said, biting his cheek again as he stared at me. He looked pissed.
“Really, I’m fine,” I tried to reassure the both of us. “I already told him if he didn’t leave me alone I would call the cops, and he’s too worried about his reputation, trust me. He won’t bother me again.” Part of that statement was true, but I was more concerned with convincing Kash right now.
“Just promise me you’ll call someone: the cops, Moon, someone, if he gives you trouble,” he said, as he moved a few steps towards me. My breathing quickened as soon as I felt him get closer.
“Yeah, of course,” I said, in a hoarse whisper.
“My rig is seven hours away, but I want you to call me if anything happens,” he said. He seemed s
o conflicted.
“Kash, really, I can handle this.” I tried to say with confidence.
“I just….” he said with his head down. I waited for him to finish. “I just want you safe, that’s all,” he said, as he raised his head up and gave me a small smile that didn’t meet his eyes.
He took another two steps closer to me, until our bodies were touching. He ran his hand along the side of my cheek, the side that still had a faded bruise and the remnants of a tiny cut. My eyes instinctively closed, hoping for a kiss. But then I felt his lips brush across my forehead, and then a heavy breath escaped from his mouth as he moved them off my skin.
“I gotta go,” he said, and turned away from me. The word disappointment doesn’t even begin to describe the feeling I had in the pit of my stomach.
“Be careful,” I said, as I watched him pick up his bag and head to the front door.
“Ditto,” he said with a little laugh, as he turned around and winked at me. I couldn’t help but laugh a little, too, remembering my stupid comment.
I sat on the couch, listening to his engine start, and waited for the sound to fade out of my ear shot. He was worried about me, I could tell. It shocked me. I had never seen that side of Kash. He was always so carefree, and acted like he didn’t worry about anything. I’ve had feelings for him for months, but these last couple of days they have been growing by the second. When he kissed me last night, I wanted to tell my promise to go to hell and attack him right then. I knew he was starting to feel something for me. I wasn’t sure what it was, but I wanted to believe it was more than just sex. I hoped so anyway. But I wasn’t going to bet on it. I couldn’t.
I looked at the clock and realized my Kash daydreaming needed to come to an end. For now, anyway. I had to get to work.
Once I got to work, I dove straight into the new software. I had been at it for at least two hours when Lauren, one of the front desk girls knocked on the door.
“You have a call on line one,” she said quickly, and then scurried back to the front.
That was strange, I never got calls. I didn’t really know that many people, and the ones I did would just call my cell. I hoped there wasn’t some kind of emergency.