I am alone. Garrett is not here. Garrett doesn't know where I am. As long as I keep moving every couple of months, the chances of him finding me are slim.
I hang on to that little sliver of hope because the reality of him finding me is just too terrifying.
Chapter Five
Nate
As I pass the Welcome sign at the edge of town, I know exactly where I'm going, and it isn't home. My car drives straight to the bakery as if completely on its own. I pull into the alley and park out back. The lights are on inside, but I still can't help but to glance up at Lia's apartment. For what? I don't know. But the need to check on the apartment - on her safety - is overpowering.
I give the door handle a little turn, knowing that it's probably locked. Once it's confirmed, I knock loudly on the back door. It doesn't take but a few seconds before my brown-haired, gray-eyed beauty is opening the door. The way the light filters around her in the early morning, presenting her in a warm, angelic glow, makes me want to kiss her so badly. Fuck, I'd give anything for just one kiss.
I've thought of no one else since my brother's phone call last night. I told him I was just calling to check in, but I knew exactly what time it was. I knew that unless a call came up last minute, he'd be heading towards our parents' house for dinner. Heading towards Lia.
I'm pretty sure he figured out real quick that I was interested in more than just shooting the shit with him. He was teasing me about Will and Lia, but I'll be damned if it didn't piss me off something fierce. If I could have, I would have crawled through the phone, punched Jake in his smug trap, thrown Lia over my shoulder, and hightailed it out of there.
"Good morning," she says with a warm smile as she pulls the door open further.
"Mornin'," I reply, stepping inside the warm room filled with the sweet scents of sugar and dough.
"Coffee?" she asks as she heads towards the already brewed pot.
"Yes, please. Decaf. I've been dreaming of that and a cinnamon roll since I left St. Charles."
"Well, I just brewed this pot. How was work?" she asks as she fills up the Styrofoam cup.
"Good. Two big calls overnight so I'm exhausted."
"What happened?" she asks as she fills up her own cup with regular, adding just a pinch of sugar and a bunch of French vanilla creamer.
"Car accident on Route sixty-four. Minivan with a few teenagers tried to pass a semi and didn't realize the car in the other lane was a lot closer than they thought. They left the roadway and hit a ditch, rolling the van. All three kids were wearing their seatbelts and are definitely going to be feeling it tomorrow, but they are fortunate and alive. Minor injuries compared to what it could have been, though the van was a total mess. We had to cut the kids out of the wreckage. Also fortunate that the other car and semi weren't involved."
"That's so scary," she replied with the shake of her head.
"Yeah, it is. The other was a house fire, contained to the back bedroom. Pretty sure there's a young man getting his ass handed to him for smoking in his bedroom as we speak."
"Well, sounds like he's fortunate, too."
"Yeah, he's probably grounded for life, but at least he's alive," I reply as I take another sip of the coffee. Even for decaf, it's fucking heaven.
Lia is staring at me over her coffee cup as if waiting on me to say something. I clear my throat and lean back casually on the counter.
"So, do you have any plans tonight?" I ask.
Lia looks at me for a few seconds, wheels turning in that beautiful head of hers. "No," she finally replies.
"Well, I was thinking that maybe you'd like to go out to dinner tonight. I know you have to work tomorrow, so it won't be anything late. There's a great steakhouse in town, but Friday or Saturday nights are the best nights to go there. So, I was thinking about Mexican. If you like it, that is. Or we can go to the Italian place on the edge of town. They have a pretty decent … " I let my voice trail off when I realize I'm blabbering like an idiot. Shit. You'd think this was my first time asking a girl out. Smooth, douchebag. Real smooth.
Lia apparently doesn't notice my lack of finesse. "I like Mexican," she says quickly as if she's afraid she may change her mind if she doesn't get it out right then and there.
Atta girl!
"Okay, so I'll pick you up at six?" I ask, holding my breath and silently prepping for the letdown.
"Okay," she whispers.
"Okay." I don't realize right away that I'm staring at her like a student who has a massive woody for his hot teacher. Apparently, you wave a gorgeous girl in front of me and my mind turns to crap.
But, I know that's not true. I've had plenty of hot girls throw themselves at me and into my bed over the years and my brain has never shutdown like it does when I'm around Lia.
Bed. Fuck, would I love to get this girl in bed.
"So," I start and then clear my throat. "I'm gonna head home and grab some shut-eye. I'll see you later tonight," I say as I head towards the door, decaf coffee in hand.
Lia follows close behind me. As I reach the door, I turn quickly and spill a little of the hot liquid on my hand, but I don't feel anything. Lia is close. Damn close. I can smell the sweetness in her shampoo. I can see the heat burning within her beautiful eyes. And in a few nanoseconds, I'm going to taste coffee on her lips.
I slowly lean forward, inching my way towards her lush lips. Her eyes are locked on mine; intensity I can feel down to my toes. When my lips are just a breath away from hers, I hesitate slightly, giving her the chance to pull back. When her eyes flutter closed, I proceed with Operation Kiss The Shit Out Of This Beautiful Woman.
Her lips taste as sweet and as perfect as I remember. I keep my eyes open, watching and memorizing her movements. Her eyelids flutter as I devour her mouth. Her tongue snakes out to stroke mine. She purrs like a cat which causes my blood to boil and race south of my belt. I'm hard enough to hammer nails. This woman, this incredibly beautiful, sweet, and sexy woman is turning me inside out. And I fucking love it.
It takes all the strength I can muster up, but I pull back, eyes still locked on her stunning face. Lia slowly opens her eyes. She seems dazed and sways slightly on her feet. I reach forward and wrap my hand around her back, pulling her closer. Heat radiates from her graceful little body.
"As much as I'd love to continue that kiss, and believe me when I say, I'd love to fucking continue that kiss and maybe even try out the sturdiness of this countertop, I better let you get back to work," I say as I push a silky strand of brown hair behind her ear. "I'll see you later tonight," I say just before leaning forward and placing a quick kiss on her forehead.
"Okay," she replies, still dazed from the kiss.
I release Lia's back and turn to walk out the door. I wait just outside until I hear her throw the lock before heading to my car. I forgot how uncomfortable it is to walk with a raging hard-on. I've spent plenty of time with women who all cause blood to flow to my dick. It usually happens later in the evening, though, when we're heading towards the bedroom. But, Lia is the first person who causes a painful erection just by batting her long eyelashes at me. She causes a reaction in my pants, in my head, and in my gut like no others have, in a long time. Not since Jill.
I drop down into the seat and take another sip of coffee before throwing the car in reverse. First thing's first: sleep.
Second? Plan the best damn date for Lia.
*****
If I were to tell you I didn't have sweaty palms and jittery legs as I walk up the metal stairs towards Lia's door, I'd be fucking lying. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time.
I wipe my palms one last time on my khaki shorts before raising my hand to knock on the door. Lia answers right away, throwing the lock and pulling the door open. She smiles as she swings the door open widely for me to enter, and my breath catches in my throat. The heart in my chest speeds up and then tightens almost painfully. Lia stands before me in a light pink sundress and white strappy sandals. She's drop-dead gorgeous. And tonight, she's mine.
"Hi," she says hesitantly. She's nervous, I can see it on her face and hear it in her voice, which makes me even more nervous. Could she be regretting her decision?
"Hey," I say as I step inside. "You look stunning," I tell her as I lean forward and place a gentle kiss on her cheek. Her skin is smooth and warm against my lips. It makes me wonder what other hidden parts of her would feel like against my lips.
"Thank you," she replies shyly.
"Are you ready?"