Kash (Walk of Shame 2nd Generation #3)

by Victoria Ashley

  My breath against her ear has her shivering in my arms, before she finally grabs for her keys and pulls away, taking a step back.

  We both just stand here looking at each other, until I finally speak again. “You have my number. Text me so I have yours.”

  She nods her head and begins backing away to her house. I can sense the hesitation, as if she wants to ask me in, but knows she shouldn’t. “I think I can do that. Especially after what you just did for me.”

  “Was hoping you’d say that.” Taking a chance, I grab her face and press my lips close to hers, hoping like hell it gives her something more to want later. The way she trembles slightly as I pull away shows me she likes my mouth so close to hers. “Goodnight.”

  Smiling, she clears her throat and begins backing up. “Goodnight, Kash.”

  I stay here, leaning against her jeep as I watch her disappear into the house and close the door.

  After about fifteen minutes, I take off jogging, making my way back to the club.

  If that asshole was going to show up and cause trouble tonight, he would’ve done it by now, wanting to hand me my ass for attacking him.

  Maybe that means he’s smart enough not to cause trouble near his child.

  That’s the only thing I can admire about this piece of shit.

  Everything else I’ve heard about him makes me want to teach his ass what it’s like to be a real man.

  By the time I make it back to the club, Kass is standing at the front by himself, smiling as he watches me fight to catch my breath.

  “Your ass ran back to the club? How far does she live?”

  I push past him. “About eight miles.”

  “Well fuck. That’s a good guy there. Got your hero pants on and shit.”

  I laugh a little and keep on walking, making my way inside and back behind the bar.

  “Thanks for deciding to join us again. I’m sweating my ass off back here. Where have you . . .” Sara jumps down my throat but quickly laughs at me once she sees me covered in sweat. “Alright then. Should I ask you what happened?”

  I shake my head and quickly jump back into taking orders to give Sara a break. “I’d rather you don’t. Not unless you want me breaking bottles against the wall by the end of the night.”

  “Gotcha. Won’t ask.”

  If I even think about that asshole handling her like that again, I’ll lose it all over again and not be able to function the rest of the night.

  This run was exactly what I needed to cool off some.

  The only thing that will make me cool off even more is if I get a text from Eden, taking me up on that date.

  Or hell. Even to just let me know that asshole doesn’t show up at her place tonight.

  I just hope like hell she uses my damn number . . .

  Eden

  IT’S BEEN TWO DAYS SINCE Kash drove me home from the club and I have yet to hear from Knight, surprisingly.

  Not that it’s unusual to go days without him calling to speak to our son, but after what happened in the parking lot, I expected Knight to show up at my door and jump down my throat about Kash.

  There’s a huge chance he’s embarrassed and that doesn’t happen very often. There’s not one person I know that is brave enough to attack Knight.

  As much as I hate violence, I have to admit that Kash being brave enough to stick up for me was a complete turn on and has only left me thinking about him more.

  The way he rubbed me. The way he held my hand. But most of all, the way he kissed me.

  His lips so close to mine and so damn soft and tempting. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me weak in the knees.

  I’ve been so close to calling him, but every time I get ready to hit that button, I think about Alec and how complicated it could get having another man in my life.

  “Mommy,” Alec’s tired voice has me looking over the couch to see him standing there in his Star Wars underwear with his hair standing up all over the place.

  “Come here, baby.” I wrap my arm around him as he jumps onto the couch and cuddles against my side. “What are you doing up so late?”

  He shrugs and wraps his little arm around my mine. “I don’t know. My eyes opened up I couldn’t stop them. Now I’m not sleeping.”

  I laugh a little and look down at him. “Why are you so handsome?”

  He yawns. “Because I am.”

  It’s the same response I get every time and it never fails to make me smile.

  “Close your eyes. It’s late. I’ll wake you up when it’s time to go to Hannah’s.”

  By the time I look down again, he’s already sleeping hard against me as if he was never awake in the first place.

  My heart swells as I run my hands through his thick hair and watch him sleep.

  This little boy will always be the best part of me. Alec is my life. I just wish his father felt the same about him.

  The longer I’m awake flipping through channels, the stronger the urge to text Kash gets.

  He’s most likely at the club and even that isn’t enough to weaken my urge to talk to him. Usually, I would never even consider giving a guy with his job choice a shot, especially after dealing with Knight and his late nights out with the crazy women that crowded his fights.

  But I can’t get over this feeling that is haunting me and telling me he’s different. This feeling that I need to get to know him.

  “It can’t hurt anything,” I finally tell myself. “What’s one text? Just one little text?”

  Reaching beside me for my phone. I scroll to Kash’s number and type out a short message.

  Eden: I just want to thank you again for what you did for me. I really appreciate it.

  Once I hit send, I set my phone down again, not expecting an instant response. So when I get one, I’m surprised.

  My heart speeds up with excitement as I open the message and read it.

  I definitely wasn’t expecting this kind of reaction out of myself just from receiving a text back from Kash, but clearly, I like him more than I admit to myself.

  Kash: I’d do it again in a heartbeat, Eden. How’s your son?

  His response has my stomach filling with butterflies and me smiling so hard that it hurts. Kash is definitely proving to be different than I expected.

  Eden: He’s a hyper little guy, full of energy and life. I guess you can say he’s great. He always is . . .

  Kash: Sounds like me when I was a kid. Hell, my ass is still hyper and full of energy. The kid like to play ball?

  Eden: More than you know. That and video games. His two favorite things.

  Kash: Sounds like my kind of kid.

  Kash: What about you? Are you doing good?

  Kash: I’m still available for that massage if you’re in need of relaxing . . . I promise to behave as long as you want me to.

  I lay back and smile as I read over his texts. He knows exactly what to say to get to my heart and make me laugh at the same time.

  There’s a huge chance I may begin to enjoy these texts with Kash a little too much.

  Eden: Yes, I’m fine. And are you sure about that?

  Kash: About what?

  Eden: That you’d behave if I want you to.

  Kash: I’d do anything you want me to, Eden.

  If my heart wasn’t racing like crazy, it for sure is now. I’m not sure if texting him was a good idea or if what I’m about to agree to is, but I can’t help but want this right now.

  This man has a way of making me want things and I kind of like it. No . . . I do like it.

  Eden: My father wants to take Alec tomorrow night for a sleepover . . .

  Kash: I’ll get off work early then. Expect me around nine.

  Kash: What about Knight? Did he come over after I left?

  Eden: Nope. All is good.

  Kash: That’s what I was hoping to hear.

  Grinning like a damn teenaged girl, I set my phone down and close my eyes, getting comfortable on the couch.

  I have to be up fo
r work in five hours and I have a feeling it’s going to be close to impossible to fall asleep now.

  As much as I may try to downplay my excitement about tomorrow, there’s no denying that Kash has me feeling all kinds of giddy right now.

  I haven’t felt this excited since high school and I love it . . .

  Kash

  I’VE BARELY BEEN ASLEEP FOR four hours, when the alarm on my phone goes off, causing me to roll over and blindly slap at the bedside table for it.

  By the time I get my phone in my hand, I hear Colt throwing things at his bedroom wall, yelling at me to shut the damn thing up before he chokes me.

  I get pleasure in his misery, so I lay back and smirk, allowing my alarm to go off in my hand a few more times, before finally shutting it off.

  He’s part of the reason I couldn’t fall asleep last night, thanks to him coming home drunk and horny, fucking Harper against every surface in this damn house.

  The other reason was that I couldn’t stop thinking about tonight and seeing Eden, but shit, Colt made it worse.

  He knows more than anyone that I have a schedule in the morning I’ve been keeping up with for the last six months. Every Monday and sometimes on Friday.

  I haven’t broken it yet and I don’t plan to now, not even if I didn’t sleep for dick and my whole body aches from my performance last night.

  “You have no idea how much I hate your ass right now.” Colt appears in my doorway, half-naked, running a hand over his sleepy face. “It’s like seven. Don’t you ever sleep? Shit.”

  I jump up and reach for the closest pair of jeans and slip them on with a smile. “Nah, I have somewhere to be. Someone’s depending on me. Sleep can wait.”

  Colt closes his eyes and falls against the wall with a grunt. “I don’t know how the fuck you do it, man,” he says through a yawn. “I’m going back to bed. I don’t plan on waking up before seven tonight so have fun doing whatever the fuck it is you do this early.”

  “Good. You’re going to need the energy tonight because I’m getting off early. It’ll just be you and Myles for the last half of the night.”

  “Whatever. More money for my ass. Myles can’t keep up for shit.”

  “Better teach his ass to then. He needs to prove himself before Cale replaces him.”

  “Yeah. Yeah. I’ll work with him.”

  “Better work hard because if he has to bring Styx back, he’ll be enough to replace you both. I don’t think you want that.”

  “Hell no I don’t. I’m not losing my job over Myles. I got him in so I’ll do what I have to do to keep him in.”

  After Colt disappears, I throw on a t-shirt and my favorite hoodie, before rushing out the door and jumping into my truck.

  I’m already five minutes behind schedule at this point, so I take the fastest route to the diner and place my usual order, before rushing out the door.

  A satisfied smile takes over as I pull into my sister’s driveway five minutes before eight and throw my truck into park.

  “Shit, I’m getting good at this little routine.”

  Jogging up to the front door, I hold the plastic bags with one hand and reach for my sister’s key, pushing the door open.

  It’s quiet, so I walk in and set the bags down on the counter, pulling out the Styrofoam containers and letting the smell of breakfast wake them up.

  Just as expected, Alec comes rushing into the kitchen jumping with excitement when he sees me fixing him a plate of blueberry pancakes and fruit. “You brought me pancakes again! I must be good. I know I been. Hannah and my mommy says so.”

  “Good job.” I laugh and walk over to the fridge to pour him a glass of milk. “I can’t miss bringing you pancakes, lil man? Plus, I heard you have a new video game to show me so I got here as quickly as I could. Didn’t want to wait until Monday.”

  He nods his head with excitement and quickly pulls out a chair at the table, pumped up as he bounces in his seat. “I do! I’ll eat really fast so we can play. It’s so cool!”

  His eagerness to show me has me lighting up as I set his food down in front of him and start the pot of coffee for my little sister.

  “Where’s Hannah? Is she still being a sleepyhead?”

  Alec throws his head back and laughs. “Yes. She’s a big sleepyhead. Sleepyhead Hannah.”

  “She always has been but you know what?” I say softly, bending down close to him.

  “What,” he questions in a loud whisper, while sitting up straight.

  “I bet if I ate her pancakes that she’d wake right up and tackle me.”

  Making as much noise as possible, I dig into the second plastic bag and pull out my sister’s food.

  Alec’s laughter only makes it that much louder. I have no doubt, she’ll appear in the kitchen in three, two . . .

  “Don’t you dare touch my food, Hunter Kash Knight.” Hannah grumbles, while making her way over to get some coffee. “I only just fell back asleep after Alec getting dropped off. I’m not sure if I should hug you or strangle you on this lovely Friday morning.”

  “If I told you I brought you corned beef hash, would you settle for hugging me? I’m still a little sore. You might be able to take me right now.”

  Her eyes get wide with excitement as she rushes over to the table and reaches to open her food. “You brought me corned beef hash? Oh how I love my big brother.”

  I shake my head. “Nah, they were out.”

  “Jerk.” She opens the Styrofoam and looks around before pushing my shoulder. “Not cool.”

  “I’m the only jerk that’ll bring you pancakes every week though. Remember that, little sister.”

  She rolls her eyes. “And I suppose I love you for it. Still tired and annoyed but I guess you’re pretty awesome.”

  “I know,” I say with a smirk, before looking over to see Alec’s plate almost completely empty. “Whoa, little guy. Take it easy before you give yourself a stomach ache like last week.”

  He shoves the last bite of pancake into his mouth and jumps up with a quickness, his face a sticky mess. “I’m done! I’m done, Hunter! Come on so we can play! Hurry . . .”

  Before I can respond, he’s grabbing my hand and dragging me into the living room to play his new video game.

  Although Alec usually plays on his DS, Hannah told me she bought a Wii U to make it easier for them to play together.

  “Whoa, LEGO Star Wars. I’ve been wanting to try this game, buddy. You any good?”

  He nods his head and jumps down in front of the couch, gripping the controller.

  The excitement in his little green eyes has me smiling so big that it hurts. I’m not gonna lie, this little guy can make any shit day seem better. Makes me wish I could stop in and hang out with him every morning.

  Since my sister’s been babysitting him, I’ve watched myself change a lot. Alec makes me want a family of my own and that’s something that hadn’t crossed my mind until he started coming around.

  Makes my life seem so damn incomplete.

  After an hour of playing with Alec, I set the controller down and stand up, knowing I need to hurry and get to the warehouse to meet the guys. “It’s time for me to go, lil’ man. I have work to do this morning and I’m already late.”

  “Do you have to?”

  “Yeah, it’s part of being a grownup. Adulting isn’t any fun, so stay a kid as long as you can. Okay?”

  He nods his head and laughs. “Okay. I’ll do my best.”

  “Sounds like a plan, lil’ man.” I nod my head toward the door. “Come on. I can be a few more minutes late. Only for my best little bud though so don’t go telling Hannah.”

  “I won’t! I promise.”

  Just like every visit, Alec rushes past me to get outside and to my truck. He loves sitting in it, so I always let him pretend to drive me around for a few minutes before I leave.

  Once I get outside, he’s already standing by my huge truck, waiting on me. I boost him up into the driver seat and close the door, before jogging
over to the passenger side and getting in.

  “Don’t drive too fast, bud.” I laugh as he turns the wheel to the left, making really loud sound effects. “Whoa! Watch out.”

  “Don’t worry,” he says. “I turned just in time.”

  I almost lose track of time, until Hannah comes out and opens the driver side door. “Alright, buddy. Let’s get you cleaned up and dressed.”

  “Oh man . . .” He throws out his bottom lip. “I want to drive some more. Can I?”

  “Sorry.” I rub his little head, messing up his hair, before jumping out of the truck to lift him out. “I’ve gotta get going.” Kneeling down in front of him, I pull a baseball out of my hoodie and hand it to him. “How about next week we play a little ball? It’s been a while.”

  “You got me a new baseball?” He smiles, while looking it over with big eyes. “I like it!”

  “I knew you would. Now why don’t you run in and get cleaned up for Hannah. You gotta do that first before you play your game again. Okay?”

  He nods. “Okay! I’ll get nice and cleaned up for Hannah.”

  Hannah smiles as Alec rushes off into the house in a hurry to get cleaned up. “One day, you’re going to make a good as shit dad.”

  I smile, while jumping into my truck, and closing the door behind me. “That’s my goal, Hannah Lou Knight.”

  “Ugh! Don’t ever call me by my full name again. I still have no idea what our parents were thinking when they named us.”

  “Hey, speak for yourself. My name is pretty badass.”

  “Yeah, alright Kash.” She rolls her eyes. “Don’t you have someplace to be?” A small cocky smile forms on her lips. “Tell Abe hi for me.”

  I shift the truck into reverse and laugh. “His ass still whines and cries over you dumping him last year. Maybe you should stop having me say hi for you. Yeah?”

  “That’s what he gets for being a dumbass. So no, I won’t stop saying hi. I’ll say hi every single day just to remind him what he lost. Let him suffer. Keeps me sane.”

  I shake my head, amused by my little sister as usual. “I’m out of here. Call me if you need anything.”

  “Yup! Will do, big brother.”

  By the time I make it to the warehouse for training, Abe and Calvin are sitting outside the door, looking wide awake and ready to work.