Something about the look in Kash’s eyes when I mentioned my son and he asked me to go out with him, tells me he’s genuinely interested in me and not just getting laid.
I’ve been asked out on a few dates in the six months since I’ve been single and every single one ended up being disastrous, with the asshole assuming he was going to take me to bed at the end of the night and satisfy his own needs.
They never once asked me about my son or what’s important in my life. It was obvious they weren’t looking for anything deeper than a one night stand.
That’s not my style. I need a selfless and caring man that is serious about a relationship and willing to put my child before even my own needs.
I know without a doubt that it won’t be easy to find and I’m not sure if Kash can be that guy or not.
Right as I get ready to get into my jeep to head home, I hear heavy footsteps coming up behind me, before I feel a hand grip my arm and pull me back with force.
“What the hell are you doing here, Eden?” Knight’s angry voice booms beside my ear as he turns me around and presses my back against my vehicle. “I went to the house to see my son to find out you were at a fucking male strip club. What gives you the right to go out and leave Alec with someone else?”
“Let go of me, Knight,” I growl out, while yanking my arm out of his reach and tensing my whole body. “I’ve been gone for exactly thirty-five minutes. You’re gone every fucking day and night. Don’t you come at me thinking you have the right to tell me what I can or cannot do. My son was already asleep before I even thought about stepping out that door. So, back off.”
“Tell me what the fuck you’re doing here!” His nostrils flare out in rage as he backs me against the jeep again and closes me in so I can’t move. “Who were you with?”
I attempt to push him away, but it doesn’t even budge him. “Let me go, Knight.”
He pushes me harder, his body hurting mine. “Answer me! Who the fuck were you with?”
“Me.”
We both look over to the sound of Kash’s deep voice as he comes stalking toward us, looking pissed and ready to strike.
“Don’t touch her like that. Take your fucking hands off her before I remove them my damn self.”
Knight lets out a small laugh as if he’s amused by Kash barking orders at him. It’s not something he’s used to. “You’re telling me what to do with the mother of my child?”
“Damn straight I am.” With that Kash pulls him away from me and roughly slams him against the vehicle next to mine, holding him down by his neck. “You never fucking handle a woman like that, motherfucker. Got it?”
“Get the fuck off me.” Knight pushes Kash away just enough to take a swing at him, but misses.
This has Kash swinging out, knocking Knight right back against the vehicle and holding him down by his neck again.
Before Knight can manage to attempt to fight back again, two security guards are pulling them apart, wrestling with them to hold them back from each other.
“Calm down, Kash,” one of them says, while blocking him with his huge frame. “This is not the time or place for this to happen. Settle it somewhere else.”
Kash runs his hands over his face and backs away from the security guard, before turning to face me. “You left this on the bar.” He walks up to me and gently grabs the back of my neck, while slipping the tip money into my front pocket. “Riley gave you my number. Promise me you’ll call me if that asshole ever handles you that way again. Got it?”
Looking him in the eyes, I nod my head, while fighting to calm my racing heart.
Then before I know it, Kash has us turned around so that he’s blocking me from Knight as if he’s still trying to protect me, even though there’s no way he’s getting to me again.
Knight is in the background struggling to get past the security guards, his face covered in blood from when Kash punched him in the nose.
I’ve never seen anyone stick up to Knight like that in the seven years I’ve known him.
I have no idea what could’ve happened, but I’m relieved it got stopped before it could go any further.
Both of these men are powerhouses.
“Go home and lock the door. Lane and Kass won’t let your asshole ex leave until you’re safe in your jeep and have enough time to get home.” His hand comes down to gently run over the red spot Knight was gripping. “Actually, fuck that. I’m driving you home myself.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’m fine. He won’t bother me anymore tonight.”
“I want to be positive. I won’t stop worrying until I know for sure.” He turns away from me to yell over to the security guards who are keeping Knight at a far distance. “Tell Cale I’ll be back. I have something important to do real fast.”
With that, he gently grips my waist and guides me over to the passenger seat of my jeep, before jumping into the driver seat.
“Give me your keys.”
This man really knows how to make a woman’s heart beat right out of her damn chest.
He’s dependable, caring and protective. Everything Knight isn’t . . .
Kash
THE SECOND I WALKED OUTSIDE to see that asshole handling Eden with force, I was ready to rip his throat out with no questions asked.
That kind of shit works me up and pushes me past my boiling point like nothing else.
I will not stand for that shit and my heart is still racing from rage, everything in me wanting to kill that son of a bitch for touching her.
He’s lucky she’s safe in the car with me and that Kass and Lane were there to pull my ass off. There’s no telling how far it would’ve gotten and I would’ve hated Eden having to witness the violence.
Without hesitation, I reach over and grab Eden’s hand, pulling it into my lap, this need to comfort her taking over.
I feel a slight tug from her as if she’s not sure she wants me holding her hand, but the moment, I rub my thumb over her hand, it relaxes in my lap.
“Has he ever put his hands on your son?” I ask the question, not giving a shit if it’s crossing the line.
I need to know this in case I see that fucker again. I have no problem sending him a bigger message than I did tonight.
“No,” she says quickly. “Of course not. I’d kill that son of a bitch myself if that ever happened and he knows it. He’d never be allowed near either of us for as long as he’s breathing.”
I relax a bit. “And what about you? Has he ever hit you? Please, don’t lie to me either. I know how men like him are. He didn’t give a shit about holding you against your will back there.”
It’s quiet as she lets out a small breath and leans her head back into the seat. “If you mean swinging at me, then no. If you mean him holding me against the wall or dragging me into him and holding me there, then I can’t say no about that. He’s a possessive man and he’s used to getting what he wants.”
“Fucking piece of shit.” Anger boils up in me, causing me to squeeze her hand and pull it further into my lap as if to protect her, even though he’s not around. “And he still wants you?” That thought for some reason pisses me the hell off.
“In some ways . . . yes. We were together for seven years. He had it in his crazy mind that I’d never leave him. That I would stick around and put up with him cheating on me and never being home to help me take care of our child.” She pauses for a second and then turns to face me, her hand squeezing mine this time as if she’s the one getting angry now. “He expects me to still have sex with him and only him even though we’re not together. He’s a delusional asshole and we were never meant to date. I was young and stupid. Knight Stevens is a prick.”
I thought that asshole looked familiar. I’ve seen him fight before. Should’ve known it was him as soon as I heard Eden call him Knight. It’s not a very common name, but Stevens is what I know him by.
And she’s not wrong. He’s a fucking prick.
“So, let me get this shit straight?” I flex m
y jaw and fight to keep my cool before she really sees how angry this son of a bitch has me. “He goes around fucking any woman he wants and expects you to sit around and wait for him to come take you however and whenever he wants as if he owns you?”
“Like the asshole that he is. You would think Knight would know by now that I won’t play by his games. I’m not that girl and never have been.” She pulls her hand from mine and points out the window. “Turn left at the next block and go five houses down and it’s on the right side.”
I grip the steering wheel and do as she says, stopping in front of a small brick house.
I’m so worked up right now, that I just sit here in silence, gripping the steering wheel and flexing my jaw as she looks me over.
I hope like hell now that I get to fight him in a couple weeks, come the big fight.
“Thank you for driving me home, Kash. That was really nice of you.” She smiles when I reach over and undo her seatbelt. “Want to take my jeep back to the club and I’ll get a ride to pick it up tomorrow?”
I shake my head and turn my gaze to meet her eyes. They’re so damn beautiful and full of passion and I have no doubt I’ll be picturing them and wondering about her after I leave. “No. I need to get some air.”
With that, I jump out of the jeep and walk over to her side, opening the door right as she attempts to.
She gives me a surprised look and smiles as I close the door behind her. “I really appreciate you caring enough to stick up for me. There’s not a lot of guys out there like you.”
I smile slightly and gently grip the back of her neck, before I lean in close to her ear. “I know . . . and I’ll never be like the asshole you’re used to. I’m different, Eden. I’m not afraid to show you that.”
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 diff
erent 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 for 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
Walk of Shame Series (Books 1-6) Page 74