The One I Love

by Mia Ford

  We paid for our tickets and walked inside to get a large popcorn and a drink to split before finding seats. We’d chatted all the way here and I was glad that Noel seemed to forget about the man in the cafe, focused only on Nate. He was with his friends tonight but even before him, we always tried to spend a Friday night together. The cafe was open fewer hours tomorrow and we could make it through the shift and have time for a nap.

  I was taking a handful of popcorn when I saw someone pass our seats as the lights were going down, and my hand stilled as I recognized him. I felt desire fill me and my heart start to beat as I watched him sit down with another man, holding a bucket of popcorn. He was here to see this movie? I pictured him as more of a horror type and I glanced at Noel to see that she hadn’t noticed him, smiling in relief. I wasn’t ready to share this yet.

  Chapter 5

  Robert

  I leaned back in the theater, feeling a bit irritated that this was the movie that my colleague wanted to see. I wanted to see the new horror movie that was out but I compromised. It had been a tough week and getting out was nice on its own. I looked around the room as it went dark and the previews started playing, seeing that it was full of women, in groups and on dates. Typical, but still a night out. I wasn’t in a big city anymore and the bar scene was a lot different around here. I noticed a familiar face and stared at Molly as she watched the screen and nibbled on popcorn. She laughed at something someone next to her said and I realized that she was with the redhead who reached over for some popcorn. Molly was beautiful and I looked for a moment before turning back to the screen. Maybe I could get to know her today, away from the cafe.

  The movie was mildly entertaining if not a bit predictable and I laughed a few times, distracted by Molly’s presence a few rows behind me. When the credits rolled, I looked back to see her looking around as people started to leave. I always waited for the crowd and she seemed to settle in her seat to do the same before looking at me. The contact was broken with people walking by but she saw me and kept staring. Once the room was emptier, she licked her lips and glanced at her friend with a quick smile. The girls stood and she looked over her shoulder to glance at me as they left, making me glad that Randy stood up to leave at the same time.

  The theater was surrounded by a couple of bars and a few restaurants and I looked around to see the girls headed to the right. They were talking and laughing and I listened as close as I could before they walked into a diner. That made me wonder about how old Molly was but I was certain that she was over twenty-one. They might not be big drinkers and there was a drive home to consider. “Want to grab a beer?” Randy’s words broke into my thoughts and I looked at the bar beside the diner.

  “Yeah, why not?” We had the following day off and although I planned to go to the cafe, it was still relatively early in the night. He led me to a place beside the diner and I looked through the glass to see the girls sitting at a table and looking at menus before we were at the door of the bar. Randy drove and he enjoyed one beer, taking his time since we didn’t need to get into any trouble. He talked about his girlfriend and the base, trying to get me to talk about myself a bit. I kept things private but did tell him that I was a bachelor and committed to the air force. I talked about the places that I’d lived over the years, fondly remembering some of the experiences as I relayed them to him. Randy was thirty and considering marriage and kids soon, something that never happened to me.

  He looked like he was in love with Mara and I told him that he should propose to her. I wasn’t against love but I’d just never found someone that I wanted to bring with me as I moved around for work. He asked why and I just said that it never happened for me. I knew that there was a slim chance that it could and I might end up with a family, but never admitted how much I doubted that it would.

  We left a couple of hours later after I’d had two beers and I glanced into the diner to see that Molly was gone. I hoped that she was home safe as some odd sense of possession washed over me, making me blink. I wanted to protect this girl but from what? I was the one that might hurt her, not anything else in this world.

  I kept things simple in my life but there were the girls that fell for me and there always would be. I just tried to stay as honest as I could along the way. There were already women at the base that were expressing interest but I kept that as a strict boundary. Too much could go wrong.

  He dropped me off and I caught some late-night television before bed. I was planning on a morning run tomorrow around the forest path and then some coffee and another one of those muffins in the morning.

  I woke to the alarm after about six hours of sleep and stretched. The military made it easy for me to get up quickly, showering and changing into some sweats and a shirt to make the run. I pulled a thick running jacket over it and laced my best shoes before sliding an ear bud in and securing my phone in a pocket. I ate a protein bar as I left the house and during the first part of my run, starting slow. I was jogging at a steady pace when I got out of the woods and turned to head to the cafe, wiping my face with the towel that was draped around my neck.

  I stopped running before I got to the door and cleaned up as best as I could. I opened the heavy glass door to the same scents and inhaled deeply as my stomach growled. Molly was at the counter with her hair in a bun, looking tired but beautiful. I looked her over slowly, seeing a curvy form and taking in her full lips that were a dark plum today. Was that new? She wasn’t wearing makeup the first time that I’d been in here. I walked forward and got into the short line, taking her in the entire time. Somehow, she didn’t notice me yet even though I felt the heat that was thick in the air.

  When the woman before me stepped aside to wait for her order, our eyes locked and she let out a gasp. Her big, intoxicating brown eyes were framed with dark lashes and she stumbled as she asked what I’d like today. I went with the black coffee and that same muffin as she blushed and nodded quickly. She got a couple of the drinks after I was finished and had dropped another large bill into the cobalt blue jar, seeming to be nervous now. She handed one to the woman and the other to me as our eyes locked, electricity flowing between us. She took a deep breath and got a scone from the display case for the woman that was eying me hungrily, dropping it onto a plate heavily before she pushed it across the counter. I saw the look flash across her face that was clearly jealousy as I grinned, amused by the situation playing out before me.

  I glanced at the woman, seeing a blonde as she walked away muttering something under her breath. She had nothing on Molly. I looked back to Molly who seemed to consider the selection of the chocolate muffins for a moment before selecting one of the larger ones. She didn’t drop it on the plate like she had the scone and I watched as she pushed it slowly to me. I saw that she was working hard on her control but there was a slight tremor to her hand. I realized that we were alone for a moment and reached for the plate, brushing my hand against hers. She jumped as she looked into my face, her cheeks pink. “Did you enjoy the movie?” I asked her as she smiled shyly.

  “It was fine,” Molly told me as she eyed me slowly. “Did you? I would have pegged you for more of the horror type.”

  “I compromised,” I assured her as I left my hand near hers. There was something about Molly that told me she wasn’t experienced, maybe even pure. She was nice and seemed nervous, but wasn’t flirting like the women that I was accustomed to.

  She reminded me of Brittany and I cursed the idea, not wanting to go through something like that again.

  The door chimed and a group of women walked in, making Molly look away from me. I sensed that the moment was over and took my stuff to find a table. I needed a moment and breathed deeply as I sat down. I looked back to watch her laugh at something and knew that I wanted her. I had to take this slow though and get to know Molly. The redhead came out from the back and started to put some wrapped sandwiches in the other display case that customers could pull from and glanced around the room. Would she recognize me today?


  It seemed like she was just seeing how crowded it was before she headed to the back again. This was obviously the best friend and I thought that it might be good to get to know her as well. I could learn more about Molly and gain her trust if I treated the people in her life well since I sensed that she had little faith in her own choices. I glanced at the table that the blonde was sitting at as she tapped at her phone. She was about thirty and had a frown on her face, and I didn’t find her that attractive. I was less selective when I was younger and quick to jump, hence what happened with Brittany. Now I took more time and chose carefully and the woman that I wanted was behind the counter.

  “Take a lunch,” the redhead said as she brought Mollie a bowl on a plate. “I have the counter.” Molly thanked her and fixed a drink quickly before she looked around. She glanced my way and saw me looking at her as she blushed.

  I silently urged her to come to me and she licked her lips as she walked in my direction. There were free tables near me and she took one that put her in a place where her side was near to me as she got settled. I looked at the redhead who had noticed where Molly sat before she looked at me curiously. Her head tilted as she seemed to consider the situation before her with a tender smile.

  That was promising and I turned my head as I heard Molly speak. “Are you new to Mountain Home?”

  “I have lived here a couple of weeks. I transferred with the air force recently.” I saw her look at me with big eyes for a moment.

  “So, you’re not staying?” She pressed as I frowned. Was she wondering if I was going to have my fun and just leave town?

  “I am twenty years in so I have the choice. I like it here,” I assured her as she nodded and leaned over to take a bite of the soup. “Are you from this town?”

  She chewed and shook her head after a moment. “Idaho, yes. I moved here after college a couple of years ago with Noel to open this place. It’s her home town.”

  College. She was in her mid-twenties, then.

  “It’s a gorgeous town,” I said thoughtfully as she nodded again.

  “Do you live on the base?” She asked as I smiled. She was prodding me for information.

  “No, I rent a house on the edge of town. I have always thought that base housing was for families.” That told her that I didn’t have one, something that might be important to her. I had already pointed out that I was older and she shouldn’t be worried about my having any kids or ex-wives.

  “Oh, you don’t have kids?” Molly asked as she looked at me. I shook my head. Something softened in her eyes and I took the moment to ask her something.

  “I am a career guy. I always have been, but a place like this makes me want to slow down a bit,” I said as she smiled and nodded.

  “It does.”

  Her lunch was over all too soon and she was taking her dishes to the back after a shy smile in my direction. I hadn’t told her my name but that would come. This was a great start.

  I left after she was back at work, helping the stragglers. I noted that they closed at one today and tomorrow before I walked out, smiling to myself. I’d gained some trust today. I’d seen her closer and decided she was breathtaking with full breasts and a great ass in addition to her other assets.

  Chapter 6

  Molly

  I watched him leave after my lunch, thinking about him as Noel sat down for a quick lunch with Nate. We didn’t talk a lot, but I felt like I knew more things about him that encouraged the attraction between us. I felt like something was growing.

  Noel came home with me, planning to nap before going to a party with Nate. She asked all about my conversation with the sexy, older man and I explained that it wasn’t extensive. I told her that we were just talking about the town. “He is into you, Mol. I see it in the way that he looks at you.”

  “He’s so handsome. He could have anybody,” I protested as she turned right.

  “He’s not a boy. He’s a man and they go for what they want. He won’t be like Lance was because he’s grown out of that.” Lance’s name was like ice water and I leaned back.

  “He might be worse,” I added as she looked at me.

  “Oh, Molly. Not everyone will be him.” She pulled into the driveway and looked at me. “Don’t turn someone good away because of Lance.” I didn’t know what to say to that. I still had a lot of fear inside over men and while today made it a little less frightening, I was still hesitant.

  I went inside first and decided to take a nap. I knew that Noel was going to do the same for her date but I knew that I planned to stay home and relaxing. I had a lot to think about tonight.

  She left early for the party and I had dinner with Keith and Marta, enjoying some chicken and potatoes before they left for a movie. I dropped on the couch and turned on the television to find a movie. It was quiet tonight and I stared at the screen blankly for a few minutes. What would it be like to go visit mystery man at his house? What would it be like to just talk to him and get to know who he was?

  What would it be like to kiss him?

  I blushed and closed my eyes for a moment before letting out a sigh. I was thinking too much about him and I didn’t even know his name. I knew nothing about him other than the fact that he was in the military, which Marta warned me to be careful of. I couldn’t risk getting involved with him for him to turn around and leave. My life was here and I wouldn’t be able to just up and move, not with the cafe to run. Life was so unfair sometimes. I’d waited a few years since Lance and his betrayal and here I was attracted to another man that I shouldn’t be thinking about. It was too scary and impossible.

  I found a love story that I left on to watch. It was pretty steamy and I shifted on the couch as I watched, feeling embarrassed despite being alone. I hadn’t thought about a man physically since Lance and right now I wanted to throw myself at my older man and let him ravage me. I laughed and sipped my wine as I dropped my head to the cushions and slid my hand over my thigh. Lance used to like to watch me touch myself so he could get off and I blushed as I remembered the feeling of it, but there was nobody here. There was no man telling me what to do and it would be for me. I looked around and listened to make sure that I was alone before sliding my hand under my yoga pants. I found my hot center, touching myself over my underwear. It was sensitive there and a little wet on the cotton and I giggled as I pressed a bit harder. I pushed the memory of Lance’s orders out of my head and listened to the moans on the movie as I closed my eyes. I moved the material aside to touch my bare pussy, feeling the slick folds and swollen clit. I learned these words from Lance and still blushed as I thought about them, feeling dirty as I stroked my nub, the hot juices spreading around and giving me some speed. “Oh, God.” I dropped my head back and moved faster, arching my back as I imagined the man over me, kissing my lips and neck. It urged me to move harder, pressing down as I rocked against my hand. This never felt so good before and I felt the pressure deep inside as I gasped. This only happened once before and even then, it was when I was alone.

  I came, hard and fast as I moaned. It was intense and fabulous, making me breathe deeply as I jerked with the waves of pleasure. I opened my eyes when it was over, feeling like I’d been flying as I slid my hand out of my pants and grabbed my wine, draining it in one sip. I laughed, feeling light and free as I looked back up at the television. I slowly made my way to the kitchen to wash my hands and get some more wine before I took a muffin from the bag on the fridge. Somehow, doing that cleared my head and I decided that I could know him, whatever his name was. If I got turned on seeing him, which I surely did, I could just touch myself. It worked with Lance when I was too scared to go past touching with him, at least until he broke my heart. I could get through this crush or whatever this was and move on. Noel didn’t sleep with every guy she dated and there were a lot of them. She seemed fine, most of the time.

  I went upstairs around eleven, now bored and a bit tired. I made myself come again, loving the feel of it before rolling over and falling asleep.

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nbsp; When the alarm went off, I thought to myself that we should be closed one or two days a week so I could sleep in. As great as it was having my own business, I could admit that part was a bit of a drag. I didn’t have to go in with Noel to bake but it didn’t seem right to send her in the building alone. It was faster with the two of us and we both owned the business together. Once I was up and around, I realized that I felt pretty good as I showered and pulled my hair into a low ponytail. I did the basic makeup and jogged quietly down the stairs to find Noel in the living room waiting for me. “How was your party?” I asked as she tilted her head at me.

  “You are far too perky for this early in the morning.” Noel spoke softly as she shook her head.

  “I slept late last night,” I told her as she rolled her pretty eyes at me.

  “The party was fun. His friends are so nice and I think I met one that would be perfect for you,” Noel told me as we walked into the garage. “Hear me out. He’s low key and so nice. He’d give you the room you need.” I looked at her in the dim light of the street lights. “I can’t stand seeing you just sitting at home when I’m out. This way, you could be with me and someone else in the same place. You wouldn’t be alone.” Lance never liked Noel and separated us using his control over me, slowly and thoroughly.

  She had a point, but I needed to get my older man out of my system. I wasn’t sure how I was going to do that other than time, but I would. “Let me think about it.”

  “That’s better than a no,” Noel said with a small smile as she pulled onto the main street. It was cold and basically empty now of day, apart from the police car in front of the cafe. Noel told him to come in today for a dozen pastries to take to the small station for the other guys since they all took turns doing this for us. He laughed and agreed before seeing us inside the building, leaving when we were locked safely behind the doors. We got right to it doing the usual routine with music playing loudly as we danced and sang to the new Paramore song. I loved the beat and she laughed at me as I shook my hips around before putting trays of muffins into the ovens. “You’re in a good mood. Are you sure something didn’t happen last night?”